Smack dab, right in the middle of my holiday cheer, something always happens.
Tuesday my mom was taken to the hospital by ambulance. A blood clot had formed in her leg, rendering her immobile. Not good. Between teaching and evening conferences I was fortunate enough to have the time to see her immediately after her surgery. She is doing well but frustrated at the bed rest and her inability to take care of herself. We are a self-sufficient lot, us women!
Tuesday was a late evening at school and I was just too tired to watch a movie that we had rented. I decided to just try to relax and call it an early night. A cup of tea, a couple of Christmas cookies and beautiful greens decorating the house. I just love this time of year and I am grateful that mom is doing better.
My mom is a huge fan of the New Christy Minstrels. I could not find a video of her favorite holiday song, but this is one that I really like. Hoping my mom is well enough to leave the hospital soon so that she can listen to her music, in her own home.
Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made, sad as it is, a cup of Christmas Tea. Just boiling water, a tea bag, a little raw sugar all stirred together in a very festive Hershey Mug. Delish!
But, seriously, each day I try to create some thing. Some days I just make a mess or the bed. Other more productive days I make a layout, a quilt or a poem.
Time and responsibility get in the way of me leading a more productive, creative life. Living a simpler life that allows for more creative time. That's my goal.
Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made, sad as it is, a cup of Christmas Tea. Just boiling water, a tea bag, a little raw sugar all stirred together in a very festive Hershey Mug. Delish!
But, seriously, each day I try to create some thing. Some days I just make a mess or the bed. Other more productive days I make a layout, a quilt or a poem.
Time and responsibility get in the way of me leading a more productive, creative life. Living a simpler life that allows for more creative time. That's my goal.
Monday and back to work. Not feeling much like Christmas around here at the moment. Good thing the house is decorated as I will be out of the house most evenings this week for student led conferences.
In addition to school and conferences, I tutored for two hours and had a hot date to see National Treasure. Actually watched the movie to shore up some plans to do a National Treasure tour of the south end of Manhattan. We will be in New York for our annual holiday visit with Jen, David, and the girls. This will be a first for Mark. On our agenda, Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern and Trinity Church. It is always such fun to visit Santa at Macys, to see the store windows and the big tree. My favorite windows, Saks and Lord and Taylor. It is such fun to explore all of these holiday treasures together.
Monday night; laying low, happily co-habitating, loving the smell of the fresh pine and buttered popcorn in the house.
Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
Lots. I let go of lots this year.
I am moving forward, and in moving forward I realize that there are many things that I have held onto for years that will simply get in the way of that movement. Things, including people, have been purged from my life. Trying to hold onto only what matters. Trying my best to simplify. Trying to achieve my dreams and the life I imagine.
Wow, I am feeling so far behind that I may never catch up. I am busy adjusting to life with Mark and trying to balance school, home and family.
Sunday, December 5th, was a relaxing day spent pretty much at home. I love a Sunday that gives me the opportunity to sleep in, loll around and watch football. Not much more that I could ask for. On top of everything else, my house is decorated. Mostly. The tree is not quite done and the tree upstairs hasn't been touched! What is the skinny on that?
I must admit, what is done looks pretty good!
We did manage to venture out in the later part of the afternoon. Of course we waited until after we were sure the Giants would end up on top of their game. A quick dinner at the Cheesecake Factory courtesy of a gift card and a brief visit to the mall. JC Penney's was having a coupon sale and my children needed some basics.
The mall was disappointing, it didn't even look like Christmas. A couple of silver trees not taller than a five year old and a couple of silver reindeer that were even smaller. I didn't even see where they had settled Santa. Another case of "What's with that?"
On the good side, we absolutely picked the perfect time to go, very few people to contend with and no lines. Perfect!
A trip to Starbucks on the way home and we were able to call it a night. Quick, easy and no stress. Just the way I like my holidays.
Today I was remembering what seemed like a stressless Christmas in the little town I grew up in. The festive decorations of the downtown stores, the holiday lights on Main Street and the beautifully decorated windows are burned in my memory. One of my favorite memories finds me standing on the corner of Stevens and Main, in a plowed pile of snow, listening to the Bing Crosby version of Silver Bells. A great song and a sweet memory that reminds me of how I felt as a child. I truly love this time of the year!
Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
I am lucky, as a teacher I spend my days surrounded by children. To truly cultivate a sense of wonder, just watch as they explore, discover and learn. To see the world through a child's eyes, the best way know to keep a sense of wonder.
Last evening I welcomed friends and family for my 11th Annual Tree Decorating Party. While the party was lauded as the "best" by those seasoned enough to know, I am sorry to say that my tree somehow didn't get fully decorated. So, there it sits with ornaments in baskets, around its base, still begging for a prime real estate on said tree.
All in all, it was a great evening. I couldn't have asked for more. The best part of the evening for me, hands down, both Jason and Mark were there. While I didn't have time to sit and talk with everyone, sorry guys, I did enjoy snippets of conversations. I was also privy to conversations between guests that really made my heart warm. I especially liked when Jason thanked Debbie, the owner of one of my favorite stores, "for having a place that my mom went so she was out of the house."
Naya and Howard took their seats in the dining room and filled me in on all the goings on that I missed. My niece Emma led the charge on decorating the tree until she captured the attention of Jason's girlfriend, Kristin, then her decorating days were over. Jason's dear friends, Ako, Amir and Brittany actually were the best trimmers at this year's party.
I was not good with the camera - I did manage a couple of photos but for the most part I let my camera sit. I do like this one with Jason, his girlfriend Kristin and Liv.
A shot of my kitchen where everyone seems to congregate even though it is small and there are no chairs in sight. Jason and his friends in the foreground, my mom and friends as you look back into the dining area.
I love this shot of Anthony. I am surprised that I got this shot, he didn't sit down for long!
A beautiful evening that ended with some much needed quiet time. Mark and I settled in on the couch, snuggled under a quilt in the glow of the trees. I couldn't have asked for more.
My favorite part of the holidays is the time I get to spend with family and friends. Once my house is decorated I enjoy sitting in my livingroom, listening to holiday music, relaxing. This year I am blessed that Mark is here and we can share the holiday together.
Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
In a year filled with wonderful moments that served to help me feel alive and connected to this world, one moment does stand out.
Today, when I close my eyes, I hear the waves as they crash rhythmically against the shore, the soft sound of the bubbles that form in the breakers and the squeals of delight coming from the children that surround me. That moment, a few seconds really, was experienced at the beach.
The scent of salt water tickles my nose as I organize our stuff on the beach. Emma grabs my hand and pulls me, with all of her might to the water line where it pauses along the shore. Our feet sink as the wet sand oozes between our toes. My arm is being pulled from it's socket as she yells, "faster, faster, all the way in, all the way in."
Her tiny fingers, wet, slip slowly from my grip as the wave crashes and drags her up toward the beach. I turn, afraid she might be scared. Rolling beneath the breaks, she brushes the water from her eyes, giggles and holds out her arms so that I can help her up and she can do it again.
Of all the moments I experienced in 2010, a day at the big beach is what comes to mind, first and foremost because the sensations experienced still re-play over and over again in my mind. I have always felt most alive on the ocean beach and that experiences is always magnified when I am in the company of children that delight in the experience.
I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, tears gathering ready to spill. I grabbed my coat, my teaching partners and out into the world we fled using - exit 11.
If someone spotted us, well, they didn't let on. Into my car, around the corner, up the block to a place that feels like home. You guessed it, Starbucks. Okay, I am an addict, but don't they say that admitting you have a problem is half way to curing it? Starbucks just oozes with the holiday feeling, at least to me.
Today, a Starbucks break with my buddies was the much needed anecdote to the stress I was feeling. We re-entered our world through exit 1, ready to take on the balance of the day! Refreshed!
The truth is - my tree trimming party is tomorrow evening and I am just a wee bit stresses. But all will be alright, Mark arrives in just about 2 hours and I am getting ready to head out to pick him up. Everything will work out alright, whatever it turns out to be! Going with the flow!
