It's Almost Santa Day!!

This will be my last post before Christmas, and though, I've said it a thousand times before .. this time of year does nothing but stress me to the max, I am actually looking forward to Emily's face on Christmas Day.     Possibly even more so than I'm looking forward to this Holiday Season being over.   I KNOW!   How is that possible?

Scary, but it's possible.  More than possible, it's pretty much fact.  Which I swore would never happen.  I don't get excited for Christmas, I won't get excited for Christmas ... I'm Excited for Christmas Day.  For Emily on Christmas Morning, to be more specific.

I'm lucky to have the life I have, with the people I have, and the things we have.  And I know this.

I'm fortunate.

Anyway, I'm getting off track here ...

A few weeks ago, Emily and I sat down and wrote her letter to Santa ... We chose the "take an ad, choose an item, and cut it out, then tape it to Santa's letter" method ...

Hopefully, Santa got her letter, and will bring her a few of the things she chose ... out of the dozens she wanted ... Which, I'm fairly certain she got just about everything she asked him for, and then some - as I said before, Emily is a little spoiled .. perhaps more spoiled than other children) ...

So right, the point .. I'm getting off track again ...

Emily has been referring to Christmas as "Santa Day"  She's still too young to grasp the FULL meaning of the Holiday, but I have Faith that when she's old enough, we'll instill in her the real meaning - and what is important and isn't.   The price tags, not important - the thought, important .. we'll get there.

So on this, day before Christmas Eve ... we would like to extend our Christmas Blessings to you ..

... From Our Family to Yours - Merry Christmas ...

May All Your Holiday Dreams Come True and Your Problems Be Few

I am Blessed .. I am Thankful

My Daughter

My Life

My Best Friend

My Support

My Vision

My Home

I am Thankful.

I am Blessed.

It's Christmas Time .. In the City ..

Ring - a - ling ... hear them ring ...

OK sorry, had a miniature musical moment ... So Christmas seems to be approaching quicker each year, and ya know, it makes me a little crazy.  As I think Christmas has gotten way to commercial, and the meaning of the Holiday has slipped from peoples minds, I also think - it's a great time to instill your beliefs and values into your children, and the children of those around you.  Which I know, is easier said, than done - sometimes.

I read an article today, that not only tugged at my heart strings, but also made me pause, and consider doing something like that with Emily.  Let me explain.

My child, is spoiled.   Not in the normal sense where she gets what she wants, when she wants it, every time she wants it Spoiled .. but .. more like .. going to the store and seeing something she'd love, or something she'd enjoy playing with ... and she ends up with it.  She has more toys than Toys R Us, and we know it.   We know she's spoiled, we know she's getting more than she should - and sadly, we can't do anything to stop it.  We've tried, we really have.  (I know, the normal parent defense)

This news story, is about a 3 year old boy, who (following his parents tradition) donates his toys to the YWCA ... Three Years Old, and he loves this.  He gets to play "Santa" for kids that need help, or are in a bad place.  Three Years Old.   That got me thinking.

Each Christmas, since Emily has been here - (she'll be 3 in April) - we've gone through her things, and donated the things she either doesn't need, fit in or use anymore.   Before we had her, we donated our outgrown clothes to the Salvation Army, or Planet Aid, or something like that -Usually, we donate her things to friends and families that we know personally, who we know could get good use out of our "old stuff" ... this year, while I will be saving certain things for our friends ... I will be instead donating the bulk of it all  to Victims Inc., Rochester Rotary Charity and a few other local charities, that will be able to disperse our stuff to those that need it, when they need it.

The economy now is hurting, which means changes everywhere .. a local company I know of has had HUGE cut backs, and because of that, some professional friends of mine, were let go .. It makes me realize, just how lucky I am - to have what I have, to be where I am, and to do what I do.

I'm Blessed.

I'm Thankful.

Here's the story that made our new tradition ... Really Sweet Holiday Story

May it inspire you, as it inspired me.

Merry Christmas.

I love you all, and am thankful and blessed to have each of you, in my life.

Do Not Adjust Your Monitor ...

I've wanted to write all day today ... but couldn't figure out what I wanted to write.   It's funny .. the way inspiration hits, and when it does.  It does.

On my way back to the office from the shop --- I had to get my car fixed (nothing big) --- around 3:30 or so this afternoon, and while I was stopped in traffic, I saw this:

Gorgeous, Right?

Just another thing to be thankful for .. Beauty can be found any where .. Those colors, were really in the clouds, there was no adjustment made to my camera, or the final picture.  I still can't get over it.

Happy Wednesday Friends.

"When life is more than you can stand, kneel."

A very great friend of mine had that line in her blog the other day, and it's from a book she read (that I'll be picking up this weekend ...) this quote, gave me pause.

I stole it Jessi!   Thank You!!!

With all the drama, stress, strife, agitation and anger in the world today, it's time to count your blessings - or as it is, it's time for ME to count mine.  You get to read them.

So thanks for that too Jessi!  You gave me this idea for this blog, and I've been trying to find the right words to print here, and I think I may have found them.

2009 is winding down, and this time of year, every year, we all make resolutions -- what we're going to do better next year, what we're thankful for this year, what we want and hope for next year.  I refuse to make resolutions, every year, I make resolutions, and I fail to keep them.   I know, I need to be a stronger person.  I need to keep my Faith in myself, I need to do all sorts of things ... but this time, I need to remember what I'm thankful for, and what I DO have in my life.

The year has been good to me.  No matter what I say to the contrary, this year has been good to me.   This year has been good to my family, and my friends.  Sure, there have been bad things, sad things, horrible things, awful things, and borderline things - but for the most part, this year has been full of blessings.

My Blessings ... as I see them ...

* I have a beautiful family.  A beautiful husband, and a beautiful daughter.  Wonderful parents, and sisters, (and their other halves) that are always there if and when I need them, and even when I don't.

* We have a beautiful home, that we have worked so hard to keep, and make beautiful, and ours.

* We have some of the greatest friends, that are always there when we need them.  And even when we just want them around.

* I have two amazing dogs, and a fantastic cat.

* I have another guardian angel, even though Rufus is gone, he's with me.

* With the loss of a great friend, we've found those that mean the most to us, are still here for us.

It may not seem like a lot to everyone else, but those few things, mean the world to me.  And I thank God Every Day for the things I have .. and while I'm thanking him, I'm also asking him how I got so lucky.

Merry Christmas ... Happy New Year ... and may all your blessings be counted.

 

... * Let It Snow * Let It Snow * Let It Snow * ...

In Honor of this Fabulous weather we're having 'round these parts ... I've decided to post my favorite "Christmas Song" ... and a little story about why I like it.

For as long as I can remember, I've loved Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra .. The Rat Pack .. Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and all music of that era.  I thank my Grammy for that.  When I was a kid, my mom and sisters and I would dance around the house and sing the "Oldies" .. Our favorite, was "Poetry in Motion", by Johnny Tillotson - and in her Honor, at our reception, Mike and I had the DJ Play it for us girls.   My dad and I even danced to Frank Sinatra, "The Way You Look Tonight" (Hello Julia Roberts, thank you for lending me your song), and our final dance of the day was "At Last" as done by Etta James ... Classic.

Music is a very important part of my life, and for every "Life Event" ... good or bad ... I can remember a song, or "album" or artist, that stands out to me for that moment.   And there have been times, when I'm in the car, or listening to the radio here at work, and for whatever reason, I'm unhappy, or sad, or angry - and somehow, that one song plays, or someone mentions it, it's on hold music while I'm holding for my contact on the phone, or I'm minding my business and one of the guys walks by whistling the tune - That One Song.  It snaps you out of it.   Gives you reason to pause, if only for the moment.

This time of year, I have 2 songs that do that for more.  "Let it Snow" ... the always wonderful Dean Martin rendition and "White Christmas" ... the "best selling single of all time" by Bing Crosby ... when you hear either of these songs, you can't help but sing along, and "bop to the beat" (as it were.)

It's snowing here, as in borderline blizzard snowing (just as it is across much of the country) - though we can't complain, it is December 8th, and this is the first SIGNIFICANT snow fall we've had ... it still makes for a rough drive, if you have to go anywhere.   (Be Safe, please, if you do) ... so since it's snowing all pretty like, I've been listening to my "snow songs" (don't ask) and was inspired to write this up.

I don't have any pictures from this storm (yet - you know I will) so I'll use a couple from Sunday morning, before our "Christmas Tree Adventure with Santa" (as Emi has titled it -- though when she says it it sounds more like "Kissmust Tree venture wiff Sanna" ahhh 2 year olds) ... and of course, a couple videos I've found ...

I hope it puts some Christmas Spirit in your day.

Top Ten Festive Films

I know, I already have an entry for today, but .. I wanted to do another one.

As much as I loathe Christmas, one of the few things that makes it enjoyable for me, is the festive movies .. you know the ones, they're played EVERY year - repeatedly, on multiple channels, for multiple days ... starting on Thanksgiving?

Yep Those.

Here are my top ten choices - for Favorite Festive Films.

10) Santa Claus - The Movie

9) Frosty The Snowman (the first one)

8) Miracle on 34th Street (the original)

7) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

6) It's a Wonderful Life

5) A Christmas Story

4) The Year Without A Santa Claus

3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2) Home Alone

1) The Santa Clause (the Original one)

Now, I know you're going to be asking why - and what's so great about THESE 10 that some of the other "Greats" didn't make the cut ... let me tell you - Elf, The Grinch and the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas are easily 11, 12 and 13.   That's not even counting Charlie Brown, or National Lampoon, or any of the other "classic" Christmas movies that were popular back then, and remain popular today.  These 10, however, they stick out a little more.

I have great memories of watching those Claymation movies when I was a kid, and we even went so far as to buy one of the "Christmas Classic Combo Pack" DVD sets so Emily could enjoy them too.

Here's my reasoning breakdown:

10) Santa Claus - The Movie

Simple reason:  Dudley Moore - as an Elf .. No really, if you've never seen this movie, or even heard of it - please go out and find it - if only for one viewing to tell me that you did.  The first time I saw this movie, I remember thinking how fantastic it was and how REAL it made Santa to me.

  

9) Frosty The Snowman (the first one)

Aside from the obvious, DUH best song Ever - I love the innocence this movie shows.   It makes me realize, while watching Emily watch it - that the magic, and innocence and fun plays out perfectly on her face.  Not only that, but I LOVE love love Jackie Vernon as Frosty, and Jimmy Durante as the narrator - just .. perfect voice matches for a perfect cartoon.

8) Miracle on 34th Street (the original)

There really is no other explanation needed than this exchange from the movie itself:

District Attorney: What is your name?
Kris Kringle: Kris Kringle.
District Attorney:  Where do you live?
Kris Kringle: That's what this hearing will decide.  

Judge Henry X. Harper: A very sound answer, Mister Kringle.
District Attorney: Do you really believe that you're Santa Claus?
Kris Kringle: Of course.
District Attorney: [long pause] The state rests, your honor.

and of course, this:

Alfred, Macy Janitor: Yeah, there's a lot of bad 'isms' floatin' around this world, but one of the worst is commercialism. Make a buck, make a buck. Even in Brooklyn it's the same - don't care what Christmas stands for, just make a buck, make a buck.

and my favorite:

Kris Kringle: Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it.

7) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

One Word:   Island.of.Misfit.Toys - of course that's more than one word, but it works just the same - and really - I mean, Hermey, the Elf?  What's better than that?!

6) It's a Wonderful Life

There are some great lessons in this movie - not just lessons about enjoying the Holiday season, and what not - but lessons about enjoying what you have, and being thankful for what, and more importantly WHO is around you.

As Clarence said:  You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.

5) A Christmas Story

You're gonna shoot your eye out!  I have to admit, I only saw this movie in its entirety, in 2007.   I know, FOR SHAME!   Every year, this movie is played on a 24 hour Marathon on TV.  I've missed the beginning, and the end, but finally - FINALLY - got the chance to watch the whole thing through - and let me tell you - I laughed through almost the entire thing .. how can you not?   Each of us has most definitely gotten some sort of embarrassing gift from a well meaning family member, and most of us has probably wished for ONE gift that was either "dangerous" for us to own, or "not proper" (I'm a girl, and mostly wanted boy type toys growing up) ... Ralphie is a hero to us all.

4) The Year Without A Santa Claus

Five Words:   Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus ... and really --- the Miser Brothers .. come on!!

Snow Miser's Men: He's Mister White Christmas, he's Mister Snow. He's Mr. Icicle, he's Mister 10 below.
Snow Miser: They call me Snow Miser, whatever I touch turns to snow in my clutch. I'm too much.

---

Heat Miser's Men: He's Mister Green Christmas. He's Mister Sun. He's Mister Heat Blister. He's Mister Hundred-and-One.
Heat Miser:  They call me Heat Miser. Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch. I'm too much.

3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town

One of the best Claymation movies, ever.  I stand by that.  Burgermeister Meisterburger ... Tanta Kringle ... and again, Mickey Rooney, and Fred Astaire!  COME ON .. Classic.  

2) Home Alone

To see a 10-yr old boy defend his home, in such a slapstick happy go-lucky, get the bad guys in the end, and the Happy Family Ending, makes me smile every time.

My MOST Favorite Line EVER (and one of the main reasons I love this feel good film) :

I took a shower washing every body part with actual soap; including all my major crevices; including in between my toes and in my belly button which I never did before but sort of enjoyed. I washed my hair with adult formula shampoo and used cream rinse for that just-washed shine. I can't seem to find my toothbrush, so I'll pick one up when I go out today. Other than that, I'm in good shape.

1) The Santa Clause (the Original one)

Tim Allen = Santa ... priceless
And also - because when My sister Katie and I were younger, we had a babysitting job ... EVERY Time we babysat, we watched this movie, and ate market basket brand bbq chips (which are fantastic BTW) ... It never fails to make me smile, and laugh, and remember