Happy New Year

Today’s the final day of 2011.  It’s been an eventful year work-wise, but overall a good one.  This past year I’ve spent more time with my family (especially my brother) than in recent years.  I hope this continues in the new year. There’s nothing quite like having a close-knit family. 

My son still believes in Santa which made this year’s Christmas magical still. I enjoyed every moment of it (even though it took him all of 20 minutes to open every gift!).

What would this world be like without children?

Happy New Year everyone!  May it be a magical and productive one

A Holiday Reality Check

Whoa!  Is it really almost Christmas?  Already?????

Less than 15 days and I’m still not finished with my shopping.  Why is that I do this to myself every single year?  Hopefully I won’t be up late Christmas Eve trying to wrap everything.  I’ve done that once before.   

What can I say?  I’m a natural procrastinator.  Heck, I should make a professional career out of it where I’ll actually get paid to procrastinate! 

Okay, back to reality now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This past week I did a double take when I looked at my calendar at work: Thanksgiving was next week!

Holy cow! Or should I say, holy turkey!

Lots of it. Yum.

It will be a festive time at my parents’ as their house will be filled with family members.  Some will be visiting all the way from upstate New York and possibly others from Tennessee.  There is much to be thankful for this year.

I’m thankful for my family and friends.

I need to add that I’m really thankful for my job.  Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to pay to have our heating unit repaired.   It would have been a very long and cold winter.

What are you thankful for?

 

Veterans Day

Just wanted to post a quick piece today to thank all the veterans for their sacrifices and services in keeping our country safe and free.  God bless you all!

 These heroes are dead.  They died for liberty – they died for us.  They are at rest.  They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.  They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.  Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace.  In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead:  cheers for the living; tears for the dead. – Robert G. Ingersoll

 

Let Them Be Kids

Halloween’s gone and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Goodness.  If I’m not careful, fall’s going to be gone in a flash without my ever enjoying it.

My son went trick n’ treating for the first time this year.  He did this with his little cousin, Nana, and aunt.  I heard he had a blast.  Unfortunately, it was month-end at work and I wasn’t able to get off in time to go with them.  Next year.  I hope.

Aw, to be a kid again.

Why is it when we were kids, we rushed our childhood in order to be adults?  More freedom?   To go to college?  I can’t remember anymore.

These days, though, it seems that everyone else is trying to push adulthood onto a child.  School system. Television, movie and music industries.  Peers.

Sex.  Drugs. Violence.  Death.

Why???

Whatever happen to having fun?  To being silly for no reason?  What’s happening to the idea of nurturing that childlike view of the world?  The innocence?  To keeping things simple and pure?  Those feelings of awe and wonder? 

Why and how did we lose these when we became adults?

Of course, as adults, we have responsibilities and duties to our families and jobs, and making sure the bills get paid.  But, why immerse ourselves in reality 24/7?  Why can’t we continue to have fun, act silly, and have that same sense of awe and wonder like when we were kids? 

Why does it have to stop because we grew up?

 

 

‘Tis The Season…Almost

My oh my, how the weather can change on a dime.  We went from summer-like temps to almost winter like cold and rain.  Of course, I shouldn’t complain.  I mean, we could have gotten what the northeast got yesterday.  Yikes.  It’s not even November yet!

Tomorrow is Halloween, and Karl’s going trick n’ treating for his very first time with his 3-year old cousin, B.  I hope to have some pics to post and share

Just around the corner is Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I’m so unprepared for either one.

I wonder if I can hire someone to shop for me this holiday season???  Nah, it would take the fun out of it for me then.  I can’t have that.   It is going to be challenging to figure out what to get for an eight-year boy that doesn’t involve video games.    I’m open for any suggestions.

Venting

Fall is really starting to show her colors now.  I honestly didn’t think I’d make it intact (mentally and emotionally) to see my favorite season.  Now, here it is. 

This past summer was the longest in recent memory.  I could not wait for it to be over.  It wasn’t just the heat either. 

I knew the bank conversion was going to be difficult.  But dang, just not this bad.

It has been all-consuming.  Sapped my energy so I haven’t been able to enjoy my family nor writing. 

I’m hoping things will slowly get better because frankly, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep up this (insane) pace.

Okay, enough venting about work   I have a son who wants to beat momma at a game of Goldfish.