Merry Christmas!
We're celebrating the holiday with my husband's family, and all has gone very well. No drama, no strife. And everyone seems to like their gifts, which makes things even better.
My mother-in-law found a fantastic book
I will use this space to share my progress, and I'd love to have some of you join me. It's certainly a good time for me to embrace such a project. Definitely a good time.
If you'd asked me a year ago, long-term unemployment was definitely not on my list of concerns for 2009. I felt very secure in my job and even was making plans to make myself qualified for further promotions.
And then life happened.
My kids have gotten fairly well adjusted about our family's decreased income, with fewer and fewer requests for new games, dinners out, anything that costs more than a little.
Which brings us to the holidays. Over the past few years, we've tried to reduce, to minimize the whole present thing. Part of it is economic, part of it is philosophical, part of it is just a desire to reduce in general. And part of it is the simple fact that tween kids don't need new toys. Their "play" consists of computer games, football, faceb00k, and video games. And with video games being so easy to rent, we hear fewer and fewer requests to purchase them.
So I have the strangest dilemma on my hands. My kids haven't asked for anything for Christmas, and I don't know what to get them!
Does that mean I don't get them anything?
And yes, I'll freely admit that this post was very much inspired by the book I read yesterday: No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process
Hmmmm.
via Kalisah
1. Was 2008 good for you? Yes, it was. It's been a pretty good year.
2. What was your favorite moment of the year? Honestly, it's hard to choose one. We started out well, with a promotion (it became official in January), followed by another in September, but election night was pretty great. I'll count that.
3. What was your worst moment of the year? That's easier to choose. That would be when my sweet dog died in my arms on Thanksgiving night. It was just as awful as you might imagine.
4. Where were you when 2008 began? In my house, as usual.
5. Who were you with? My husband and maybe the kids. I can't remember if they were still up.
6. Where will you be when 2008 ends? See #5. I'm a creature of habit. We'll eat at Sekisui beforehand.
7. Did you keep your new years resolution of 2008? Maybe?
8. Do you have a new years resolution for 2009? Still thinking about it.
9. Did you fall in love in 2008? With a dog, yes.
10. If yes, with who? His full name is Baron Klaus von Waffles, but I usually call him Waffle Hut.
11. Are you still in love? Snuggling now :-)
12. Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? Cracker Barrel restaurants in general, which equally dismays and amuses my parents.
13. Did you make any new friends in 2008? Yes. Well, "friends" is probably too strong a word. I've gotten friendlier with people at the Corporation, mainly because my first promotion was to a pretty visible position, and I dealt with a lot of people in that position.
14. Who are your favorite new friends? Do I really have to play favorites?
15. What was your favorite month of 2008? I liked September a lot.
16. Why this month? The unexpected promotion.
17. Did you travel outside of the US (or your home country) in 2008? Nope.
18. How many different places did you travel to in 2008? A few...mostly to visit family. Most recently to Florida with my parents. I highly recommend visiting Sea World on Christmas Eve.
19. Did you miss anybody in the past year? Jennifer and Kaki.
20. What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? Once. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's fantastic.
21. What was your favorite song from 2008?
Okay, this will probably make you lose all respect for me, but that Kid Rock song this summer? I loved it!
22. How many concerts or plays did you see in 2008? Two, I think. Maybe three.
23. Did you have a favorite concert in 2008? I don't think so. Nothing stands out.
24. What was your favorite book in 2008? I jumped on the "Twilight" bandwagon and really liked it, but I'm now reading the Sookie Stackhouse books and I like them better.
25. How many people did you sleep with in 2008? Just the one.
26. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? Not that I can think of.
27. What was the biggest lie you told in 2008? Can't think of one. Not that I'd tell you anyway.
28. Did you treat somebody badly in 2008? Not on purpose. I can't think of anyone.
29. Did somebody treat you badly in 2008? Not really. I have a pretty good life.
30. What was your proudest moment of 2008? That would be the second promotion. It was very unexpected and communicated the confidence that several people have in me as a professional. It felt great.
31. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? I'm sure it involved my dog somehow (not the dead one or the new one...the naughty one!)
32. If you could go back to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be? I would have declined some of the tests the vet ran a few weeks before the dog died. That was an expensive vet bill.
33. Where did you work in 2008? Same place I've worked since 2004. Best employer ever.
34. Favorite TV shows(s) of 2008? House, Lost, Heroes, Celebrity Rehab.
35. Favorite Band(s) of 2008? I don't know. I'm pretty out of touch.
36. Favorite Food in 2008? I wish I could honestly answer "Fruit" but that would be the biggest lie I told this year. I can honestly say that I've been known to dream about the General Tso's Chicken at the Corporation's Cafeteria.
37. Favorite Drink in 2008? Franzia Chianti. In a box.
38. Favorite Place in 2008?
My bedroom.
39. Favorite person(s) to be with in 2008? My family.
40. Favorite person(s) to talk to in 2008? Again, back to Kaki and Jennifer. Although I have to give my dad some props. He's never been much of a talking on the phone kind of guy, but we've had some VERY good conversations this year. I don't know what's making him so chatty, but I'm enjoying it.
41. Favorite trip in 2008? Orlando last week. The first full week I've taken off work for a long time, and it's been great.
42. Favorite stores in 2008? Huh? I do like Fresh Market.
43. Hardest thing you had to go through in 2008? That would be the dog situation. I haven't written a blog post about it (well, that's not quite true...it's in my drafts folder, but I don't know if I'll ever post it. It's not for the squeamish.) In a nutshell, he got quite ill the day after the election, got somewhat better with medication for a few weeks, then got very sick again on Thanksgiving night and died about half an hour after I realized that he was having symptoms. We wouldn't have had time to get him to the vet even if we'd left the house immediately, and I held him as he died. It was not fun at all. And it took a long time to process (um, I'm still processing it.)
44. Most exciting moment(s) in 2008? The presidential election.
45. Funniest moment(s) in 2008? Watching my kids playing "Rock Band".
For anyone who thinks opera is not accessible for "regular" people, I offer this rebuttal. Chills at 4:09.
You're welcome, and happy holidays!
Instead of the typical "drink enough green beer to think you are actually IN Ireland" approach to St. Pat's, my family did something truly unique today.
We participated in (or at least witnessed) the creation of a new world record.
And even updated a Wikipedia entry.
The year's not officially over, it seems, until a blogger completes this meme. I'm the last to jump in, so I won't bother linking to everyone who's already done it. Because it's pretty much everyone.
1. Where did you begin 2007?
At the house. I didn't pace myself (thank you, Jagermeister) and was in bed by 12:30. And maybe a glass got broken.
2. Did you have to go to the hospital?
Um, yeah. Because I work there.
3. Did you have any encounters with the police?
None that I can recall.
4. Where did you go on vacation?
There was a trip to West Virginia to see my cousin get married and give my parents their annual temporary custody of the kids. Then the return of the kids, along with BlogHer 2007, in Chicago. And a long weekend in Branson. Then another long weekend in Chicago, for my brother's wedding.
5. What did you purchase that was over $500?
A new washer. Does a new a/c system for the car count? Because it was way over $500.
6. Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, my brother (and his wife) and my cousin (and her husband). And I gave some impressive coaching to a co-worker who proposed to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.
7. What sporting events did you attend?
I don't recall any. We somehow missed the entire minor league baseball season.
8. What concerts/shows did you go to?
The Memphis Vocal Arts Ensemble's holiday concert, and I sang in their two spring concerts.
9. Where do you live now?
Downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
10. Describe your birthday:
Shared with Mothers' Day, preached a sermon in church, sang an opera concert. It was a busy day.
11. What’s the one thing you thought you would never do, but did in 2007?
Joined a gym.
12. What’s something you learned about yourself?
I like working out.
13. Any new additions to your family?
My sister-in-law and our kitten.
14. What was your best month?
That's a toss-up between July (kids out of town) and December (promotion at work).
15. What music will you remember 2007 by?
Probably the music my kids practiced, on guitar, piano, and cello. And that damn "Umbrella" song, the tune my son's hip-hop group performed their number to. Oh, and Soulja Boy.
16. Made new friends?
Yep, at BlogHer. You know who you are.
17. Favorite night out?
Huh. Not sure there is one. My kids and husband and I almost always have a great time when we go out together.
18. Any regrets?
We always have trouble budgeting our money between semesters. I wish we'd done that better.
19. What do you want to change in 2008?
I've already made some budgetary changes; I need to work on that some more.
20. Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
Not really. I've made a few attainable goals. But really, just staying as awesome as possible is the plan.
21. Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Hells yeah!
22. Will you be happy to see 2007 go?
It was a rough year for lots of people, but it was fine by me. I think 2008's gonna be even better, though.
23. How did you end 2007?
At home, again, with suitcases packed for a trip to Florida, to be followed by a two-week business trip for me to train for my new job. My age must be catching up with me, though, because I took a nap so I could make it to midnight. And, in a staggeringly uncharacteristic move, I did not finish my glass of champagne, nor did I finish my daily glass of red wine. (And I haven't had any in 2008 yet.)
As promised, my eight lofty, yet attainable, goals for the upcoming year.
1. Utilize my gym membership. I had a good streak going for several months, but I got out of the habit after a bout with the flu. This business trip, with the two-week hotel stay, could get me back in a good exercise routine. If I lost a few pounds, I wouldn't be heartbroken.
2. Keep my desk clean. I used to have a really, really messy desk at work. I resolved, about a year ago, to spend a portion of Friday afternoon making sure my desk was clean before I left. I've done well with that and am trying to increase the frequency of the desk purge to daily. Hopefully that will spill over to my purse.
3. Stealing this one from Zoot. I'm going to take the dogs, particularly the big girl, on longer walks. I'm sure she'd be a better dog if she got more exercise. Plus, she's getting a little chubby, which is cute but certainly not healthy.
4. Eat more fruit. If I had my druthers, I'd live on cheez-its, dinner rolls with butter, and country fried steak. With macaroni and cheese on the side. Unfortunately, that's not a sensible diet for anyone. Adding a couple of pieces of fruit might help me break the cheez-it addiction.
5. Ride my bike more. I live downtown. I work downtown. I do a lot of things downtown, and I feel pretty stupid driving around, looking for parking, when I live under a mile away from most of the things I do. Our house isn't in the downtown core, but it's an easy bike ride to get most places we go. If I bothered.
6. Give more of my time to help others. Delivering meals on wheels was so easy and so rewarding that we'd be crazy not to sign up do continue throughout the year. And I'd like to find more things we can do, as a family, to help out. Especially in our own neighborhood.
7. Finish the book. Along with exercising, that's part of my two weeks in a hotel plan.
8. Get more photos printed. Not everyone wants to look at a tiny camera screen. And computers crash. I really love the photo book I made of our wedding pictures. The next step would be to make more, like for vacations, birthdays, holidays, or whatever.
Stealing my own meme from last year, but it seems a worthwhile endeavor.
1. Started a novel. It began as a reckless foray into National Novel Writing Month, totally consuming my life for three weeks, and now remains a nagging project I'd like to finish. Two weeks away from my family next month might be just the push I need to get it done.
2. Preached a full sermon. I'd spoken in church several times before, but this was the first time I was the lone speaker. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. But that doesn't mean I have any plans to become a minister. I'm way too awkward visiting the sick.
3. Got a well-deserved promotion. After the bitter disappointment of being the second-place contestant last year, I laid low and decided to stay in my current department. I had faith in a couple of very trustworthy and loyal colleagues, and it worked in my favor. (Plus, just to make me feel better, the person who got the other job looks just plain miserable every time I see her. Another trusted colleague assures me that I would have hated it and would probably have thrown in the towel by now.)
4. Refinanced my mortgage. Too many scary stories of adjustable rate mortgages ending in foreclosures led me to the loan officer's office for a fixed rate mortgage. Peace of mind? Priceless.
5. Looked long and hard at my priorities and made some changes. I sleep better at night.
6. Met some bloggy friends in real life. Which was just as awesome as it sounds.
7. Drove 850 miles in one day, by myself. It was hard.
At the end of last year, I made a list of goals for this year. Let's see how well I did.
1. Vastly improve my cooking skills.
Not really. I've been so busy with #2 that the kitchen has been neglected. But I've sorted out a few good dishes and my palate is probably better. Oh, and I'm better at baking bread. So maybe I can get half-credit.
2. Change jobs in an upward direction.
Check!
3. Help my church develop a religious education strategy for children with disabilities.
Huh? I don't remember writing that. Definitely didn't do that.
4. Be more present when I spend time with the kids.
I'm gonna say yes on this. I think the kids would agree.
5. Do at least three catering gigs. The two I did this year went well. I can do even better next year.
Not so much. How about zero instead?
6. Keep blogging.
Obviously. I even went to BlogHer!
7. There are several things I'd like to do better: singing, being a better wife, getting more exercise, increasing my community involvement....okay. I'd like to get an iPod or MP3 player for myself.
a. just did karaoke the other night, still enjoying the afterglow
b. ask the husband on that one
c. until last month, I was doing great...and will do better in January
d. yes, I've done that
e. yes
Obviously, some of the things that I thought were really, really important this time last year have slipped in the rankings a bit.
And yes, I think you're being completely reasonable to expect an "8 things for 2008" post this week. I assure you it'll be done by Monday. Because making deadlines? Is probably on that list.
When we walked into the MIFA headquarters this morning, we were wondering how many meals we would deliver. We were wondering where we'd be going. We were wondering if the kids were going to be okay with delivering meals to homebound seniors. We weren't wondering if the reporter from Channel 5 was going to be our new shadow.
But that's how it played out.
Something about my family screams, "Media, follow us!"
I'm thinking it's the kids.
That or the "Media whore" tattoo on my forehead.
Because I somehow think I'm some kind of writer, I volunteered to write the children's portion of my church's Christmas Eve service. And because I have suffered from writer's block, I flagrantly lifted text used in my parents' church (which is 750 miles away, so I doubt anyone at church will recognize it).
"Stealing" a worship service from a Presbyterian church is not necessarily as easy as it sounds. Because I adapted it to become (a) Unitarian Universalist, and (b) kid-friendly. When I wrote our church's holiday play a couple of years ago, the words practically flew out of my fingers onto the screen. This one required more thought. Which, yeah, suggests that I might have had an easier time coming up with something completely original.
But I didn't. And, despite the theological differences between Unitarian Universalism and Presbyterianism, I think I've come up with something nice.
Spoiler alert...if you're going to Neshoba Church's Christmas Eve service tonight (at 6 p.m.!), you might not want to read this.
Seriously. Don't read it before the service.
Are you still reading? Don't say I didn't warn you.
"Let there be light"
Staging: after I welcome the congregation and the kids join me on the podium, the lights will be turned off, even the Christmas tree lights. Pitch black, or pretty close. Six readers are assembled.
Reader 1:
In the beginning, when it was very dark, God said: ‘Let there be light.’
AND THERE WAS LIGHT. (I light the reader's candle.)
Light goes on shining in the darkness
AND THE DARKNESS HAS NEVER PUT IT OUT.
Reader 1 lights the candle of reader 2, then walks to the front right corner of the sanctuary.
Reader 2:
Carrying a candle
From one little place of shelter
To another
Is an act of love.
Reader 2 lights the candle of reader 3, then walks to the back right corner of the sanctuary.
Reader 3:
To move through the huge
And hungry darkness, step by step,
Against the invisible wind
That blows for ever around the world,
Carrying a candle,
Is an act of foolhardy hope.
Reader 3 lights the candle of reader 4, then walks to the back center of the sanctuary.
Reader 4:
Surely it will be blown out:
The wind is contemptuous,
The darkness cannot comprehend it.
How much light can this tiny flame shed
On all the great issues of the day?
It is as helpless as a newborn child.
Reader 4 lights the candle of reader 5, then walks to the back left corner of the sanctuary.
Reader 5:
Look how the human hand,
That cradles it, has become translucent:
Fragile and beautiful; foolish and loving.
Step by step.
Reader 5 lights the candle of reader 6, then walks to the front left corner of the sanctuary.
Reader 6:
The wind is stronger than this hand,
And the darkness infinite
Around this tiny here-and-now flame
That wavers, but keeps burning:
Carried with such care
Through an uncaring world
From one little place of shelter to another.
An act of love.
Reader 1:
The light shines in the darkness
And the darkness can never put it out.
Reader 2:
You are like light for the whole world. A church with doors open wide, welcoming all and serving all, cannot remain a secret.
Reader 3:
A home filled with love, nurturing, supporting, forgiving, caring, will never be empty and lonely.
Reader 4:
A life spent in service, volunteering, helping, sharing, will never be ignored or forgotten.
Reader 5:
In this season of long nights and short days, we are here to watch and wait for the coming of light into the world. We long for the day when the things of darkness—selfishness and greed, suffering and oppression---shall be no more. We seek ways to help hasten that day.
Reader 6:
Together, we can
Light up the past
That we might learn from it with thankfulness.
Reader 1:
Together, we can
Light up the present
That we might live in it with love.
Reader 2:
Together, we can
Light up the future
That we might prepare for it in hope.
Reader 3:
As we watch and wait,
May we be always ready to find the holy
Which is already and always with us.
Reader 4:
The Ancients greeted the longest, darkest time of the year with rituals and celebrations of light and fire, anxious to keep the darkness at bay, hopeful of a return of the light. Gradually this dark season was transformed to a time of the bringing of the good news: Light DWELLS among us! We strive to share the light---the light of hospitality, of acceptance and inclusion, of love.
Reader 5:
As we enter this special season, we think of all the holiday preparations---the baking, the shopping, cards and gifts, decorations….sometimes it is fun and exciting….and sometimes it is exhausting and overwhelming. Just like the Ancients, we huddle together for warmth, for companionship, in the season of long nights and short days. We may try to get together with lots of family and friends, and try to squeeze in parties and open houses and caroling and the Nutcracker and concerts and the Christmas Carol….as if there won’t be time after December 25 for any of this! But the season calls us to stop. To wait. To think about what lies ahead…the light is returning. What does this really mean for us?
Reader 6:
We wait in the darkness of the season. We notice the nights drawing in. As we notice the darkness of our world---the violence and pain, the fear and uncertainty, we can open our hearts to that darkness. We notice the darkness in our own lives, our personal struggles. We know that in the darkness, in all those places of darkness, the holy is still present, already present.
So, in the darkness we wait for the coming of the Light into the world.
Reader 1:
Christmas celebrates the birth of a special baby who grew up to change religion as it was known before. His light shines in the darkness, illuminating every corner…we cannot help but see the poor, the oppressed, the ignored, the neglected, the stranger in need. Now that we can see---what will we do?
It is easy welcome friends and loved ones…but can we welcome the stranger too? Hospitality---the gift of welcoming not just the friend but the stranger too---and it’s not that simple. In Celebrate Advent, by John Hendrix, it says “God’s people were strangers in Palestine, but they could never quite settle on what to do with the strangers in their midst. For most of the ancient world, the stranger was an enemy---an unknown sinister one who needed to be driven away. Yet, they were not quite sure because the stranger might be a messenger from God. This feeling of fear and suspicion was mixed with fascination, curiosity, and the need to be helpful.” Abraham welcomed three strangers to his tent in the desert…and they brought a blessing and a promise of a son. The Bible wants us to know that welcoming a stranger brings us close to an experience with God. …Jesus says, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”
Reader 2:
But it’s easy to welcome the sweet little baby, boy-child of Mary, meek and mild. What about welcoming the Jesus who ate with sinners and had tax collectors and prostitutes for friends? The person who broke the rules and had no place to lay his head? Is that the kind of person we want in our homes? The Baby Jesus remains, in some ways, a stranger, one who, by his example, asks us to do difficult things---to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, care for the outcast, welcome the stranger, do unto others as we would have them do unto us, be the light in a dark world.
Reader 3:
holy child of bethlehem, whose parents found no room at the inn; we pray for those who are homeless.
Reader 4:
holy child of bethlehem, born in a stable; we pray for all who are living in poverty.
Reader 5:
holy child of bethlehem, rejected stranger; we pray for all who are lost, alone, all who cry for loved ones.
Reader 6:
holy child of bethlehem, whom herod sought to kill; we pray for all who live in danger, all who are persecuted.
Reader 1:
holy child of bethlehem, a refugee in egypt; we pray for all who are far from their home.
Reader 2:
holy child of bethlehem, help us to see the divine image in people everywhere.
Reader 3:
With lights on the trees
Reader 4:
With holiday cards and greetings
Reader 5:
With letters of remembrance and thankfulness
Reader 6:
With packages under the tree
Reader 1:
With donations to MIFA, Habitat for Humanity, Bond Homes, Heifer International
Reader 2:
Invite blessings into your home
Reader 3:
Welcome the lonely, the sick, the downtrodden, the homeless, the jobless, the poor, the forgotten
In Unison:
Be the light to the world! Be the light to the world! (Christmas tree lights are lit up)
All readers return to the front and sanctuary lights are turned back on.
I've neglected my blog lately, but haven't had anything to write about, really. So here's a bullet point update.
Just got off the phone with a friend, who was putting up some holiday decorations while we talked. The nativity scene she was erecting is a stained-glass ensemble, attached to the windows with suction cups. And, clear as day, she said the most awesome thing I've ever heard in my entire life.
"Hang on, I need to put the ass in the window."
True story.
After my thorough gift-bash that was yesterday's post, I feel like I need to come clean about something.
My kids are getting a Wii for Christmas.
See, I got this idea to do almost-nothing for the holidays not only because of my high-mindedness, but also for practical, pragmatic reasons. The kids, at 8 and 10, are getting a little old for toys. I haven't seen Alex play with a toy in ages. Susie still enjoys her dolls and animals, but even she will tell you she has plenty of them. And going to a school that requires uniforms means they don't really need clothes (I stocked up on uniforms earlier this fall...thank you, Ebay).
But they've been coveting the Wii for at least a year.
It all came together perfectly, to be honest. We're taking a trip to Florida in January, so we knew we weren't going to do a lot for Christmas. Then I saw the announcement on the bulletin board at church that MIFA needed drivers for Meals on Wheels for Christmas Day. And everything started jumbling around in my head.
(Santa spoiler ahead...if you have a believing kid reading over your shoulder, it's time to turn off the monitor. NOW.)
My kids don't believe in Santa. I don't think they ever really did. So I knew I wouldn't be ruining anything for them when I said, "What would you guys think if we didn't do any presents for Christmas and instead I just bought you a Wii?"
The jumping and screaming and giggling and chanting gave me a hint that they wouldn't be devastated.
So that's how I convinced them to be okay with no presents. By promising them the best present they could imagine. Which, yeah, seems a little bit like cheating.
But maybe it's a start. Maybe they can learn to associate Christmas with service to others (because OF COURSE they'll be riding along as we deliver the meals on wheels) instead of a great orgy of gifts. Maybe they can see the wide disparities in our city between the haves and the have-nots, and be moved to do something differently to make a little more justice.
When my kids were born, I did astrological charts for each of them. Not because I'm a big believer in astrology, but because I thought it would be something interesting for their baby books. And something jumped out at me, something that was the same on each of those charts, 22 months apart. These kids, and the millions of children born in their generation, are thought to be the children who will bring in the true "Age of Aquarius" - a time of enlightenment, justice, peace, and fixing what's broken. A generation of children who will solve problems that it took generations to create - they'll clean up the air, the earth, the water. They'll create peace. To a starry-eyed new mother, those words were just what I wanted to read: my kids are going to save the world.
Let's say that again. My kids are going to save the world.
My kids are going to save the world.
And if you're a mom with kids who aren't grown yet, yours are too.
Your kids are going to save the world.
But they can't do it if we don't teach them how. And today seems like a good day to start.
But I'm still going to let them play video games. They're just kids, after all.
So, Christmas.
Here's the thing. There are things about the holiday season that I love, truly love. The music, the food, the family togetherness, the marvelous television specials, receiving cards from friends and family who are far away. Heck, I even love the Christmas card letters.
But something's been gnawing at me, and last night it all bubbled to the surface.
It's the present thing. It's out of control, people. Kids in TV land, you're being duped!
We're being sold on this idea that the only way to show people that you care about them is by running out to the mall or, even more, the big box retailer that treats human beings like cattle, and spend as much of your hard-earned money as possible. Preferably with plastic. The kind that, at best, overdraws your checking account. At worst, puts you in some really amazing debt.
How did this happen to us? How did we get the idea that if you love somebody, you need to buy them a bunch of mass-produced crap that probably has lead paint in it. And, if you're extra lucky, it was made by some kids in a third world country who work eighteen-hour shifts for pennies a day! Awesome! Because that's the spirit of Christmas/Hannukah/Kwaanza, right?
I saw something on the news the other day that gave me hope. This guy is spreading a new gospel. True, he's not likely to be taken seriously. But what if we all listened?
Would it ruin our holidays to skip (or at least greatly reduce) the gifts?
How much is too much?
How much do you really need?
Where is it going to go?
Who gets hurt because of this gift?
And while I was considering these questions, one of my favorite bloggers wrote about a great campaign in the U.K. One that really, in my mind, fits the bill.
So, if you're reading this and you were going to buy me a gift, don't. There are a lot of fantastic charities out there who need it more than I do. I have plenty of stuff. More than I'll ever need, really. And if you need charitable suggestions, I've made a great shopping list for you.
Heifer International
OxFam
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Planned Parenthood
YWCA
Boys & Girls Club
And there are so many more who need help.
I won't begrudge you the tax deduction, either.
Tomorrow? How to approach the kids and sell them on the idea.
...the poultry. Due to an awesome miscommunication, neither I nor any of my potluck guests brought any kind of poultry to the table. We feasted, however, and really didn't miss it at all.
Traveling to the windy city tomorrow. Will update shortly.
Peace out, y'all.
Quick NaNo and NaBlo statistic: The month is 66.66667% complete.
We're going to have a nice Thanksgiving this year. We have a few friends who are "orphans" this year. One set is a father and eight-year-old son from church; the mom/wife just took a new job in a different state and moved last week. She was planning to return for Thanksgiving but it's not cost-effective. The father is a former chef, so that works out well for a potluck. Since they're packing to move in December, we decided it was easier to host at our house.
And then I saw an email from other friends from church who decided to stay nearby for the holiday because her grandmother's health is failing, so they anticipate needing to travel at a moment's notice. Since we all like each other, and since really, Thanksgiving is so much more fun with a crowd, I emailed them and invited them over.
Years ago, when Craig and I were still newlyweds and he managed a video store, we had lots of single friends who didn't have family in Memphis. And there was a really great Thanksgiving dinner we hosted of all our "orphan" friends. We were both vegetarian back then, so there was no turkey; instead, I made something out of "it's not turkey" (not its real name, but close enough), dressing, and puff pastry. (It was okay...looked good...and was an amazing array of carbs.) And much, much, much wine was consumed. The photos I took of the evening are a little cringe-worthy. It was the early 1990's. Our outfits and glasses were, well, a little larger-than-life, I suppose. And Craig was in his long hair and goatee phase, which wasn't his greatest look. (He's definitely aged gracefully. Gets cuter by the minute, if you ask me.)
Bad hair and big glasses notwithstanding, it was a great night. Our friends enjoyed the food, we all enjoyed the company, and the photos remind me sufficiently of the happy memories that I forget to cringe at the gigantic Cosby sweater my husband was wearing.
And this Thanksgiving is another opportunity to make memories. Memories with a family who will be leaving the fold soon, but also with one who has no plans to leave (or at least none that they've shared with us). And one day, years from now, we'll cringe at our hair and clothes, but we'll smile when we remember the jokes and stories. At least that's how I'm writing it.
It's November 15! That means these orgies of writing known as NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo are half over! Exclamation point!
But now comes the time when I take yet another opportunity to ask you, my lovely readers, to help me make life decisions. I've got a few quandaries right now and I'm nowhere near the decision stage. And I need to hurry up. Or toss a coin. But y'all are so much prettier than even the shiniest Tennessee quarter. So HALP!
1. The singing thing. I didn't sing the September concert because I was working extreme hours at work. And then I decided to NaNo and NaBlo and train for a 5K, so I decided not to sing the holiday concert. My in-box started getting some rather flattering emails that I think were more about the group needing alto singers than my fantastic voice. And I hedged and said I'd think about it. It's been a week and I'm no closer to a decision. Should I go to the rehearsal on Tuesday and hope I can learn the music in time for the concert (Saturday, December 8)? Or should I be firm in my decision to sit out? (I do love me some holiday music...I'm torn...) I really need to let them know this week.
2. The hair. Should I keep on growing my bangs or should I cut them?
3. What should I wear tomorrow?
4. Is November 21 too early to hang up Christmas lights on the house?
5. What should I bring to Thanksgiving dinner with friends? Did I mention that the husband in this couple is a former chef? And that makes me a little nervous? Should I make pecan pie, even though it will eventually kill us all with its sugary, buttery goodness?
Thanks, everyone. Please number your answers in the comments so I know which question you're answering.
My brother's getting married in ten days!
I've written about him before, and about his fiancee and how well-suited they are for each other. They're a very special couple and it's nice to see how genuinely kind they are to one another.
My daughter is particularly excited about the big day. She's very likely the fiancee's number two fan (and only #2 because it's fair to say that my brother gets the #1 spot), and she can't wait to be a part of the wedding party. Oh, and Alex? Can't wait to wear the tux. The boy likes to dress up.
And, for what it's worth, I'm quite a bit more excited about the upcoming festivities than I expected to be.
Maybe because I have a good feeling that this one's a keeper.
And it doesn't hurt that I'm not a bridesmaid this time. Since every time I've been one, the couple has divorced in less than five years. So don't ask me to be in your wedding. I'm cursed. It's real.
But I'll be delighted to sit up front and dab my eyes during the vows.
And I hear they've taking dancing lessons. I promise to video it and put it on YouTube. Because I'm generous that way.
Not that they're ever followed. Still, I offer you, gentle readers, my ideas about how Halloween needs to work.
1. If you don't say "Trick or treat" I will stand there and stare at you. I do not give you candy simply for appearing on my porch. At least speak.
2. If you're not wearing a costume, I will ask you what happened to your costume. Or maybe, "Who are you supposed to be." If you don't have an answer, you might not get candy. (Unless you're really cute and it's quite obvious that nobody in your house could be bothered to help you.)
3. If you're old enough to drive or have a job, you don't need my candy. If you go through all the motions of saying "Trick or treat" and wearing some semblance of a costume, but you're old enough for even a conservative parent to think you're old enough to date, you get a breath mint. I've got a bag of Starlight mints ready for the occasion.
4. One piece of candy per kid. I might give you two if you're really cute and follow the rules. Three if I know your parents.
5. Don't come to my house a second time. I will recognize you. See rule #4.
6. Infants don't get candy. See rule #1. If you can't say "Trick or Treat" and don't have a disability, you probably aren't going to eat the candy.
7. When the porch light is turned off, there's no more candy to distribute. Or it's past my kids' bedtime and I don't feel like dealing with trick-or-treaters anymore. Don't ring the doorbell. Don't knock. We're done.
8. 10:00 is too late for trick-or-treating. You should be home in bed. You have school tomorrow. Unless you go to Catholic school, you lucky kids!
9. Don't touch the decorations. Don't ask to take them with you. Don't ask me if the skeleton or the fake blood or the spiders or whatever else is real.
10. Say "Thank you" after I give you the candy. Don't glare at me (unless you're really "in character"). Don't act like I owe you more than what I gave you.
