New Traditions

It's not easy giving up old traditions. Christmas is not so much a religious holiday for us, but more of a celebration of giving and being grateful for our many blessings. (We tend to tilt more toward spiritual beliefs, as opposed to purely Christian.) It has always included decorating, Santa's Breakfasts for the local Children's Cabinet, Christmas Eve services, cookie decorating with friends, making cream puffs for our neighbors. Now my daughters are grown, and have their own ideas about the holidays, and they don't always gel with mine. Norman Rockwell? Not.

My hairdresser was lamenting the loss of tradition earlier this week. Her children no longer foster the same excitement they once did, her oldest has moved out of the home and doesn't plan on being back for Christmas Day. The others have requested gift cards. She's sad. So she has decided to trail along with a friend, dressed as Santa, to visit disadvantaged children. 

I know how she feels. I guess for some reason I thought things would always stay the same - my daughters would want to carry on the same traditions they always seemed to enjoy while growing up. I would sit back and watch them do all the things I did to make the season special. But now I wonder - what was I thinking? Why would they want to do the same things as adults that they did as children? Of course things need to change! It's time for new traditions, new memories. It's time to either do it their way, or do my own thing. Which isn't so bad once you get used to the idea. 

So this year we'll create something new for ourselves. Change is the only constant in this world, so I may as well hop on board and enjoy the ride. Lucy is happily ensconced in her own home with dog and house sitters, so we feel better about leaving her. The kennel is not a good place for a little black princess on Christmas Day.

This is a year that finds most of us embracing some kind of change. For many, hardship is the guest, and/or life as they have known it will not ever be the same. My heart goes out to each and every one of them. But for some of us - new customs are not all bad. Life is full of surprises, and some of them are really wonderful. We never know what is right around the corner.

Has your holiday traditions changed this year? What are you doing different?

A Grateful Year

As some of you may have known, my husband went two years without working. Like so many of you, we were not sure he would work again in this economy. Lucky for us a job came around. But during that time we learned a few things:

1. Take nothing in this world for granted, especially not jobs or income.
2. It is the little things in life that make it worthwhile.
3. People are what is important.
4. You don't need much money to be happy. Having enough is just fine.
5. Never owe anyone anything - ever again.
6. Less is best.
7. When you've got it - share it. 

This is not to say you shouldn't save for a rainy day. We should all try to be in a place where we can survive in a downturn, or be secure in retirement. But with that being said, one of the best lessons to come out of those two years was the recognition that money in the bank doesn't work for anyone. Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and all of the other gazillionaires that are giving away their money realize that simple fact. Putting money out into the world changes things.

This year we are not exchanging gifts in my family, we are fortunate enough to be able to share an experience instead. We are very grateful to have our children and grandchild with us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, and the beautiful whales of Hawaii.

So with that thought in mind, I thought I would share a few of my favorite opportunities to share this season:

Library in Nepal - Fellow blogger, goddessoftheconfluence, has a business that often takes her to Nepal. She has done wonderful things for the residents on more than one occasion, using her own money. She is now spearheading a library high in the mountains for the people of a small village. She has a wish list, breaking down all the components of the building and books. Volunteers from the community will build the building. It is a fascinating and worthwhile project.

Oceana - Oceana is on the beaches cleaning the turtles and other poor sea creatures created by the BP debacle in the Gulf. It is an ongoing project. Their organization is focused solely on ocean conservation. This year they are giving you the pleasure of actually adopting a whale, dolphin, penguin, polar bear and more.

Animal Ark - This is a local program. I have been on more than one school field trip to visit the wild animals that have been rescued from some really sad places and situations. They have bears, eagles, coyotes, all manner of animals lucky enough to be cared for at Animal Ark.

Elephant Nature Park - My daughter had the good fortune to be able to visit this elephant rescue park while in Thailand this year. I posted about it here. For a nominal fee you can adopt a specific elephant at the park. It is really amazing how little it costs to help one of these magnificent creatures.

My husband likes to give at the grocery store, and always buys extra bags of groceries they have made up for the food shelter. But it doesn't matter where you give, or even how much you give, it is the energy and intention that goes with it that changes the world.

So do you have a favorite this year?

Meet Lilly

Okay, time to come back and check in with my adult friends. I've been busy watching so many Backyardigan episodes with my two-year-old grandson that I can literally sing their theme song.
It is snowing here in Portland, not a norm in this rainy city. In fact, my sister-in-law is stuck near her home and the police are not allowing her up a steep hill. So my husband is off in our four-wheel-drive, headed across town to help her out. So while I'm waiting for his safe return, I thought I'd introduce you to Lilly. Lilly is our great-niece and she just turned three years old.

Our little girl is very tiny. She is struggling with an illness for which the doctors do not have a definitive diagnoses. Around age one she quit eating normally and became very ill with ear infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Since that time she has been through countless tests and doctor's visits, and is currently seeing specialists in Seattle. They have said that she has super low B and T cells and non-functional antibodies. They have been giving her immunoglobulin G by IV to give her a boost. They know that she has many other symptoms like low appetite/slow growth but so far nothing to tie everything together. She has short telomeres and they think she might have some previously unknown form of Dyskeratosis Congenita.

Despite all of these hurdles she remains a joy to all of us who know her. Her hardworking parents divide their time between jobs, school, and caring for Lilly. In March they will go to Disneyworld as part of the Make A Wish program that will be granting a wish to Lilly, who is all things "princess." We can't wait to hear all about it!

In the meantime she had a very special visit with Santa. After waiting in line at Macys, for what seemed like forever, it was finally her turn. She had been worried about the visit, more than a little frightened. But then she just took off and ran to him, wrapping her arms around the jolly gent and proceeded to hug him intensely for what seemed like forever, not letting go long enough for her mother to get a good picture! After the bear hug, she proceeded to talk to him in what her mother described as a "strangely intense" manner for about five minutes! Her mother couldn't hear what she was saying, but the kindly Santa was quite taken with his tiny visitor, and told her mother she could come back anytime. (Click on the photo to see their expressions.)

We don't know what they talked about, but we do believe in miracles. So please say a prayer, or send healing energy to our little darling. 2010 is going to be a great year for Lilly!

Enjoying the season...

And the very best of what it has to offer - family, friends, love, and Evan Williams egg nog...

Taking my own advice to concentrate or "compartmentalize." Which is just another way of being mindful. Time to bake, cook, wrap, and hug those I love for the next couple of weeks. Hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year. I'll be lurking and occasionally posting - see you next year!

P.S. Loved all the sleeping advice from my last post! Thank you!

Christmas Fun

Good Cook challenged us to all have a little fun. She joined in the fun via Mandy's blog and so it goes... So if you would like to play along, please do. Here are the instructions:

If you're reading this post, then you must:

(a) leave a comment and answer the below 25 questions that Mandy made up,

(b) write the answers to the questions below in your own blog post, if you have a blog, that is.

or (c) call yourself a scrooge in the comment below and refuse to answer them.

I hope you choose (A) or (B) but if you choose (C) then I'll just let the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future deal with you. If you do decide to write your own blog post about it, please mention Mandy since she is the author of these important questions. (Writers credit and all that jazz - thanks!)


(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually! Hands down, my favorite!

(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
The Clamation movies, maybe.

(3) What is your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night. It plays in my mind all during the season for some reason.

(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Anything sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink? (i.e. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Eggnog and bourbon.

(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?
When my children were tiny and so very excited, and the time my daughter swore she saw santa outside the window.

(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
My horse - Samanthy - when I was thirteen.

(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
A coo coo clock that my brother actually wanted. ?

(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?
The spirit of giving, in so many ways.

(10) What annoys you about the holidays?
Grumpy attitudes, and lack of Christmas spirit - oh wait, that's two. Oh well.

(11) Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
Angel.

(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
Cream puffs. But my husband insists it's prime rib, regardless of the fact he is the only one that eats red meat.

(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
Definitely a Who.

(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
Love them! We used to drive around at least once during the holidays to enjoy the houses that went all out on holiday lights.

(15) Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
Hmmm well, mostly creepy I would have to say. Although I have seen some that are really good.

(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
Yes, and my husband always does a letter - which has become famous in our circle.

(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
The reflection on what is important in our lives.

(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Too many, especially children, that do not experience the magic.

(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?
It changes every year when it goes up, but it always comes down after January 2.

(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your true love to give to you?
Two turtle doves - I am becoming a bird freak.

(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
I hate that song.

(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?
Rudolph, of course. He worked the hardest to get what he wanted.

(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Duh!

(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?
Baking - any kind of baking.

(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
I believe we choose to be happy or not, and I choose happiness. But I would like every person in the world to have a full stomach this Christmas.

So how about you? What makes you happy about the holidays?

Getting Ready

We are gearing up for all-out remodel misery. So the contract came today, and not what we had agreed to regarding the payment schedule, not to mention back stepping from our "done by Christmas" target. That is a full two months, but he says it also includes "the holidays". But I say it only includes one holiday - Thanksgiving - and I need him to be DONE by the next holiday, which is Christmas. I told him I have my family coming for Christmas, including my grandson who spends most of his time on the floor.  (Hopefully this is true.) He was saying maybe they could have the kitchen done for cooking, but some of the "touch-ups" not completed.  (Like carpet & flooring?) That sounds to me like waffling - big time - on our two month agreement. And just when I was really starting to like him...

This weekend we will attend a funeral for my uncle, and then pick up our covered trailer (stored at a friend's house in Reno) to pack with all our belongings from the kitchen and living/dining room. Thank goodness we have that to store all the stuff we need to get out of the way of the workers. We will set up a coffee pot and microwave in our bedroom. I ordered three new wii games, and we will join the local health club for a few months, so we will at least have something to do for part of the day. Still have not heard anything on the Hawaii job search - neither has the headhunter - it seems to be on hold for now. In the meantime, another headhunter, with a job in Portland! Unfortunately, probably not one my husband will be interested in.... In the meantime, I am really happy we are here together during this process. Usually, he is working somewhere and I am wrestling with the workers/contractors by myself. (I will reserve the right to reverse this sentiment after a month or so trapped in the bedroom all day with him and Lucy...) A couple of good points - we came in BELOW the estimated amount for the granite counter tops, carpet, and hardwood flooring. Yay! Of course, it just helps with the stuff that is over-budget like the fireplace, and probably the tile. Oh well.