at the strike of midnight

There is something about the changing of the year that gives me hope.  I know better, but for this evening ... I WANT to believe in the hopes of a healthy & prosperous new year for those I love & care about.  I can't complain about 2012 in total ... there were many things for which I am thankful.  But the losses that overshadow the good times are difficult to set aside. (with good reason)  So in all honesty, I am looking forward to a calendar with a change in emotional venue. 
I am not one for resolutions.  They are for a select few.  I focus instead on 1 or 2 goals or commitments.  I don't preach or tout them.  I keep them to myself.  But I am not without "plans" for the coming year. 
HOWEVER, since the the change in digits is yet a few hours away... I do make one wish right now.... that my friends & family are safe & healthy to welcome the coming of 2013.  I wish it very, VERY much!!

memories, movies, mania, & my grandson

during many recent visits with close family & friends lately ... Pa (SirBil) has been mentioned.  His presence missed, knowing he enjoyed this time of year and was always so good natured about all the fuss.  Instead of the girly, white, fru-fru tree that usually has it's place in my craft room, I consciously used the one normally reserved for his living room.  It made me feel like he was hanging around.  On my side of the family, we've talked as well, about the feel of the holidays being affected by the passing of both our parents.  It's uncharted territory for all of us ... navigating the organization of a "family" get together ... without the two people who actually created the family?!  BUT- this time of year also brings us days & days of  Halmark movies that are filled with Christmas miracles, aha moments, great morals to the story and ... happy endings. We love them, & find ourselves serious Debbie Macomber junkies!  The season can be hectic, stressful, & overwhelming - to be sure.  BUT only if you let it ... which we are pretty good at avoiding whenever possible.  Most recently, done so by the added placemat upon our table for our grandson, Anthony.  He's been here for a few days, with an equal amount yet to go and through his eyes ... the world takes on a softer, gossimer, less defined form.  Our days can me as simple as pipe cleaners & glue sticks or as  _____ (insert your own word here) as building a jr version of a REAL pirate ship!  Christmas decorations still make his eyes sparkle, he still cuddles, his imagination soars, his giggles fill our hearts with joy and most important to me at this moment ..... his hand still fits in mine!!

So whether you hot toddy yourself to get through December, or you sit back & just let it pass on it's own ... do remember that there are many who would appreciate all that you have & they don't.  Be thankful for a warm bed, a meal before you, and someone to share a bit of time with you.  We are.

in the blink of Santa's eye ...

24 hours ago ... the Capt was doing some paperwork (or was it last minute internet shopping?), & I was playing WWF ... a ball of fur upon my lap- the only noise to be heard was taping on the keyboard & snores coming from the critter putting my legs to sleep.  HERE WE ARE TONIGHT, in what seems like the blink of an eye .... the living room is filled with giggles & remnants of holiday tissue paper!  We are the proud guardians of the grandkids for the next few days and just thinking about it fatigues me a bit- but more importantly ... brings tears of joy to me as one of them crawls into my lap & tells me he loves me!  (the other... already fast asleep)

yeah ... that qualifies as UGLY! (thank you)

our police association holiday party featured an ugly sweater contest.  It wasnt til a couple days in advance of the date that we found we could attend ... and the Capt was hoping to participate.  We spent a significant amount of time discussing the difference between an ugly sweater, & an decorated one that's ... well, UGLY.  They are pretty much the same thing- the rule of thumb being that the more obnoxiously & overly decorated one is ... the higher the ugly rating!  The Capt doesn't exactly want it to be funny looking ... just ugly.  I warned him that while I can certainly abide by his wishes ... he risks NOT winning the contest!  I started out modestly and found he would ask for a little more, but stopped short of what I would have loved to do.  Visually you can see the outcome and it netted him 3rd place.  IRONICALLY- his prize was peanut brittle (which he doesn't eat).  But it was all for the fun of it anyway!  Tis the season.  Ho-Ho-Ho exercised here.

the boat docks tomorrow

the Christmas elves have been really busy here lately. with their not so miniature hammers, & saws & shovels .
and tomorrow will be no different.
by end of day, they have promised to have a boat docked in our back yard! they have done much to prepare for this encore, & it will leave only the last of my garden landscaping in this grand scheme of backyard planning! give me a couple of unrainy days and I will have that chore nipped in the bud as well!
the ideas bloomed from a pair of little people who's imaginations concocted an entire pirate wardrobe & storyline from a couple rolls of tape, lots of crayons, & a bundle of butcher paper. Not long after that event ... our own thoughts centered around what we could do to encourage their creative endeavors. We have gone above & beyond cardboard and duct tape this time ... but it's for 2 of our favorite people in the world and we can't wait for the unveiling (this weekend).
stay tuned mateys!


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boy, that's really SIC !

well ... actually .... it's a real sick boy  :o(
The Captain- for the first time in probably 8 years ... is sick.  Oh, yeah- he's had some sniffles on occasion ... he's had a headache or two, his back goes out 3 or more times a year ... and there was that hernia surgery a couple years ago that had him on a leash.  But this time- well, he's met his match!  A symptom or two on Friday, aches & sore throat joined his germ party yesterday, all those & the kitchen sink by this morning!  His voice... when he has the energy to speak at all ... sounds like Bill Medley, and I think he has unvoluntarily started that diet he's always joking about!  Sleep is his best friend right now (actually it's third on the list to tylenol & cold tablets).  As a result ... our schedule for the week has taken a left at Albuquerque.  I was a no-show for my Christmas party with the chorus tonight, for fear that he would be worse yet on my return (and now I'm HUNGRY), and tomorrow's launch for our quartet+2 road trip has been nipped in the bud!  It's put a damper on my mood ... but 24 hours from now, I will have accomplished FAR MORE than I anticipated ... as long as I don't catch HIS BUG!!!!  that would  r-e-a-l-l-y  piss me off  :o( 
Stay tuned for further developments that I hope don't develope at all.

life can be a little fuzzy around the edges

it's LONG been said that time flies when you're having fun.  TRUE
I've heard that time passes faster as you get older. TRUE
and there are a few more of life's "truths" that I have experienced first hand as well;  things look darkest before the dawn, sometimes-things happen for a reason, what doesn't kill you-makes you stronger, and yes ... good things come to those who wait!
The Captain & I have just returned from a few days in so Cal- where (among other things) we visited  my youngest sibling (and fam) & visited Disneyland.  It was our first time at the park during the holiday season and I MUST SAY- it was worth the wait!  I've no doubt that kids of all ages were running amuck with narry a thought to the beauty surrounding them.  The atmosphere was positively magical.  Having done some reading beforehand as to how the decorating is done & the amount of preparation that's involved ... I totally appreciated every nuance and I'm sure I still missed a great deal of it!  We had a great time and loved the experience!!
AND- it seemed to pass by so quickly, it's practically a blur already ... just as we look in the snapshot I took of our reflections in the Christmas ornament.

thank you for your words, your time, your ears ....

I recently sat down with a couple of people who are dear to my heart.  There was no particular game plan or event planned.... just time together.  And we did just that.  It had been a while since we had the opportunity and we weren't even sure if we would be able to get together at all.  The time flew by and I, for one, came away with such a smile in my heart, I can still feel the glow.  TIME can be such a gift when you're with people you love!!
Appreciate every minute you have with family & friends ... they can be elusive.

grandparenting from the heart

today, the Captain & I spent a huge chunk of time ... running from store, to store, to store ... trying to find some Christmas pajamas as adorable as our grandkids.  Apparently (according to store associates), we were about a month late!  But onward we trudged & the outcome was less than admirable ... but we did find some cozy pjs that will have to do!  We have arranged & set up a whole line up of events, time, outings, projects, & meal plans for our upcoming visit with the grandkids that we feel like little kids ourselves!  If they have half the fun while staying with us as we have planning their stay ... it will be a huge success for all of us.
 Ho-Ho-Ho

these aching, throbbing, HAPPY feet!

We have just completed a total of about 21 hours of standing & walking ... taking into accoount that some of our 23 hours in the "happiest place on earth" was spent sitting on rides & the occassional meal.  I medicated at the end of the first eve .... ah, I can still remember the bliss when that tylenol kicked in!  On day 2 ... I took it midstream & it gave me the stamina to finish 6 more hours.  You could fit a small bunny in the arch of my foot & my feet DO NOT like shoes- but the wearing of flip-flops is not a smart move with a lot of clumsy people about !!  This was the first time I have ever been in the magic kingdom during the holiday season, so it was particularly festive & cheerful with all the decorations, music (400 voice choir with Lou Diamond Phillips narration about the origin of Christmas), AND snowfall on Mainstreet.    Might I say ... for the sake of hearing a "duh" or two ... We had a ton of fun!!   BUT- that level of ON MY FEET intensity is behind me on this trip & I will now look for other ways to abuse muscles & tendons now :o)

what is YOUR number ??

EVERYONE seems to have a number they are reaching out to, waiting for, or gaining ground on.... that somewhat intangible set of digits that will somehow make "it" right.  I suppose it's sort of goal driven, something to strive toward, something to give you purpose- at times.
BUT- how many people successfully reach the number & is it enough?  Is there yet a new number? a higher standard?  Does it enrich your life or self worth?  Is it soon forgotten?  Is the number (per se) in an everlasting, ever constant state of elusive-ness?  Is it an achievement or just ... a number?  Whatever it be for you ... keep in mind it is just that, for you.  Even if others understand your need for a number ... it will not be as important or as pivotal as theirs.  They may even see it as JUST a number and not as THE number.  SO whether it's a date, a weight, a balance, or a price .... in miles, sizes, membership, or FaceBook friends .... it REALLY is just a digit (or two or three) and it's not the boss of you!  Let it go, let it happen, let it rest in peace (sometimes)

upon this earth shall come a miracle

and boy do we need one!!  The Captain took a volunteer call out a few minutes ago to block off streets where a murder suspect has been cornered and the police are getting ready to close in. 

The world is a scary place these days ... doors must be locked (& bolted) Lights left on.  Alarms set.  Precautions taken.  Living in a nice neighborhood or a gated community doesn't stop serious or desperate criminals.  And the holidays often bring out the worst in such people.

EVERYONE is at risk, and it scares me.  Late night calls are the worst.  It's either the police or a loved one ... and the message on the other end is never good news.  I pray that all I love & cherish stay safe through the holidays and that 2013 brings peace in MANY ways!