Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Vacation!!!

I haven't taken vacation time during the holidays in a long time. I decided it would be nice to not have the stress of work to take away from the peace and joy of the holidays. I LOVE Christmas, and I must say, this was the best Christmas I've had in a number of years. I think the biggest difference is that I've been worshipping regularly this past year . . . and in doing so, have found a fabulous faith community that I have officially joined - Jefferson United Methodist Church. I felt the love of God this Christmas that He meant for us to have - along with His gifts of peace and joy. I enjoyed worship Christmas Eve better than I have in years. A traditional candlelight communion service. This probably comes as a shock to those of you who know I attend a very non-traditional service every Sunday in a biker bar. All I can say is that we each need to worship where our spirit is fed. The service at the biker bar feeds my spirit weekly, but for Christmas Eve I need a more contemplative worship experience.
This Christmas Eve we went back to a "no gifting" policy. The gatherings on Christmas Eve of my childhood were all about the gift of fellowship - family and friends being together. Food and laughter in abundance, then attending a worship service (midnight mass in our family). Christmas day (and the following days) allowed for other kinds of gifts. I think this helped my Christmas be more Christ-centered too.
And of course my grandkidlets make any day special and fun - just watching them takes my breath away . . . I fall deeper in love with them each time I see them.

Ciao

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

SNOW DAY!!!!

Well, well, well. We are having our first snow (calamity) day this school year. The state wisely (?) decided to reduce (across the board) the number of calamity days from 5 to 3. If a district closes for more than 3 days, the days will have to be made up someplace in the school year calendar - usually at the end of the year. It is my humble opinion that consideration should be given to the local climates. Districts in southern OH have entirely different winters than those of us up North, especially those of us on Lake Erie. One good snow (ice) storm and we could us up our 3 days. It doesn' matter to me because I work all year anyway, it just seems unfair.

I've mixed and baked a batch of cookies, made some yummy candy things out of pretzels/hershey kisses/m & m's - all before 8:00. I'm ready for a warm blanket and a short nap. I may go into the office and take care of some things while it's quiet there. Then again, I may not... I'd like to get the tree in from the garage and at least put it in the stand, maybe string the lights. We'll see. With Mom's passing this past April, I fear some of the emotion of some of my decorations . . stuff she gave me from my childhood. Good memories. Happy memories. But emotional nonetheless. We'll see.

I am amazed that some folks continue to whine about the cold and the snow. This is Northeast OHIO in December. It's supposed to be cold and snowy. If you don't like it . . . MOVE. Otherwise shut up and enjoy the beauty of the different seasons. God planned it this way for us to enjoy - the changing seasons help us to not get too comfortable in our life....just as we go through different changes in our faith journey to keep us from getting too comfortable and take our salvation for granted. We need change.

OK. enough ranting. Time for a short nap before I make some more cookies. Maybe I'll whip up a crock pot of Brunswick stew!

Ciao.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I'm back!!!!

I've been having a lot of "moments" lately....mostly relating to my grandkidlets, and I thought I'd use this blog as the vehicle with which to share these.

My CMA chapter helps the Salvation Army ring the bell during the holiday season. This year we had 2 locations that were both indoors - always a plus as the weather in North East Ohio this time of year can be chilly. Since it was only an hour and it was indoors, I offered to take D, grandkidlet #1. He's 2-1/2 yr old and is like a little sponge, soaking up things he hears and sees. He also likes to ride in Gamma's Jeep.

So off we went to ring the bell. When he noticed folks putting money in the red bucket, I decided to make it a teaching moment. I explained in toddler terms about boys and girls that don't have peanut butter & jelly and are not able to have P B & J sandwiches. The kind people that put $ in the bucket are helping these children to have things they need like peanut butter & jelly. So we rang the bell, smiled and greeted the generous folks in Jefferson, OH.

This was on Saturday after Thanksgiving. On Monday I get a text message from my daughter : So, your grandson has his sand pail and is going around saying, "put money in my bucket" I'm believing his intention was to give the money to needy children! The afore mentioned sponge!!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
From infancy I've been telling him the same 4 words. I have continued repeating this same sentence to his sister, now almost 11 months old.
I LOVE YOU IMMENSELY
Last week I picked him up to hug and kiss him good-bye and I said my usual, "I love you immensely, Buckaroo". He hugged me and said, "I love you immensely, Gamma". My heart swelled, my feet felt like lead and my leggs felt like jelly. I couldn't move. Nor did I want to. I wanted to hang on to that moment (and him)forever.

I've explained to him how much "immensely" is. Someday he will comprehend and fully understand that there is no concrete measurement to the love I have for him and his sister. It is infinite. What can I say? It's a Gamma thang.

Ciao