Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy 2009~

One year ago, I made the New Year's Resolution to begin writing more.  I began this blog with the hopes that it would keep me motivated to write.  In one year, I published almost 70 posts.  Not bad, but not great either.  However, it has sparked my interest in writing and I'm now looking into taking a creative writing course.

So what's in the cards for 2009?  I am going to make myself a priority.  This (long) winter break has shown me that I do too much for my kids.  I don't need to be at their beck and call.  In fact, and perhaps this is my way of rationalizing things, it will be good for them to see me doing my own things...carving out my own time.  

A couple of years ago, my son was listing things everyone in the family enjoyed....Dad likes bikes, his sister likes horses.   When he came to me he said, "Mom likes to make salad dressing."   

Two days ago I was cleaning up the house for company.  My son said, "Wow Mom!  You're a great house cleaner.  You are so good I bet you could be a maid in a hotel."  He was being sincere and meant it as a compliment.

My 2009 Resolution:  to find other areas in which I excel.  And if that doesn't work, I can always fall back on my cleaning and salad dressing making abilities.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

My son is beginning to go through the "rebellion" stage and Brian and I are trying to stay on top of him.  

Yesterday, he was invited to go to the local indoor pool with a neighbor.  I gave him $5 for his admission and told him I would like the change back and to not buy any snacks.

Two hours later he returned.  I asked for my change.
Son:  "I don't have any change.  It cost $4.99 to get into the pool."
Me:  "Really?  That doesn't seem right."
Brian:  "Grab the phone.  They overcharged him.  Let's call the pool and ask for our money back."
Son:  (sheepishly)  "Well, actually it cost $3.75 but I gave Janet a dollar tip for taking me, so I have a quarter left."
Me:  "You did what? ?!!  You tipped the neighbor?"
Son:  "Yeah.  I said 'Thanks for taking me to the pool.  Here's a dollar.'"
Me:  "I think you spent it on snacks."
Son:  (charming smile)  "I love you!"

All of this prompted a big sit down talk about trust.  And now the fun begins.....Thank goodness he is still a terrible liar.  

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The After Christmas Blues

Tree needles everywhere.   Scraps of wrapping paper underneath the furniture.  Decorations that were so festive two days ago seem old and tired.  Gifts with no home, currently residing on the stairs.  What to do with the remaining 24 candy canes?  Dreading taking down the tree.  The snow that was so magical, now is sloppy and dirty.

I've got the Holiday Blues....

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Holy Cow!



I'm sure I have done something illegal posting these pictures from The Seattle Times, but I wanted to show you how the weather has reeked havoc around the Seattle area.

Can you imagine being on the bus?  Can you imagine driving on the freeway and seeing a bus going through the guardrail?  Thankfully, there were only minor injuries.  It could have been a lot worse.  Here's the link to the article:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008540171_webbus19m.html

We are anxiously awaiting the Holiday Fire Truck tonight.  Every year, our local fire department decorates a fire truck with lights and other holiday paraphernalia and drives all around bringing good cheer.  They blast Christmas carols and you can hear them coming before you see them.  I hope the snow doesn't keep them away!  It brings tears to my eyes every year.


Thursday, December 18, 2008

A true gift.

When I was pregnant with my son, I worked at the local department store in customer service. During the holiday season, I did a lot of gift wrapping.

One day a little boy, about the age of 10, came to the counter wanting a gift wrapped.  "It's for my mom," he said.  "Make sure and take off the prices, I don't want her to see how much I spent on her.  She would be upset that I spent my whole allowance."

I opened up the bag and found a hideously ugly, over-the-top, wouldn't-be-caught-dead-wearing, cubic zirconia necklace and a pair of Gold Toe socks.

"Could you wrap it in a big box so she won't guess what it is?"  the little guy asked.  I seriously doubted his mom would guess the necklace, but perhaps she would guess the socks, so I complied.

As I wrapped up the gift as fancy as I could with extra tissue and ribbon, I couldn't help but be touched by this little boy's gift.  This was a gift from the heart.  This is what Christmas is all about....giving of yourself to those you love.  

On Christmas day, I thought of the little boy and his mom.  I pictured her wearing the necklace with great pride.  I thought of the little baby inside of me and wondered if I would ever have a Gold Toe Socks and Necklace Christmas.  This year, I might.  My son, who is a terrible saver, told me he was buying me a very special gift.  "Mom, it's probably going to be the sweetest one under the tree."  It dawned on me.  He has no money, but he did receive a $5 gift card to the local candy store.  I bet I'm getting $5 worth of fudge.

I'll cherish every bite.  

May we all have a Holiday Season filled with heart felt love.


Sunday, December 14, 2008

RIP little Willie

It's been awhile since I last posted....it took me one week to prepare for Thanksgiving, one week to recover and now I'm full throttle into Christmas....

My son's hamster died yesterday.  Willie hadn't seemed quite right for awhile....very inactive, not eating much, etc.  So it wasn't a huge shock to find out that he died.  My son took the news very well and kept commenting on how mature he was acting.  "Mom, I'm very sad but I'm acting very mature, aren't I?"  I kept giving him hugs telling him it was alright to cry and it's okay to be sad. He said he was sad but that he knew "Willie will always be on a little wheel in my heart."

The day progressed and we went about other activities.  Last night we went to Oliver! and during the performance, my son leaned over to me and said:  "Mom, it just doesn't feel right. I'm having a fun time and then all of a sudden I remember about Willie and I get sad again.  The world feels differently now that Willie has died.  Mom, have you ever felt that way?  Is that how you felt about your mom?"  

On some level, he's right.  The pang you get in your stomach when you realize that someone you loved is no longer on earth, can only be described to someone else who has experienced loss. It's the universal feeling of mourning at a very basic level.