Chinese New Year, No…Wait…....

(Published on surfKY News on December 29, 2011)

In the past few weeks, my brain has been in “Holiday Overload”, not so much for me, but for everyone else around me. I have been around new mothers talking about their little ones getting ready for Santa Clause and I have been around grandmothers talking about struggling to purchase gifts for all of their children and grandchildren. I have talked with men that were struggling with trying to find that perfect gift and even talked to one man that was going to ask the woman he loves to marry him. I asked him if he was sure she would say yes and he said, “I hope so, I've already bought the ring.”

I remember when I used to put out dozens of Christmas decorations, several Christmas trees and bake until my eyes were crossed. But in recent years, I have stepped into a realm where I am not sure what to do. My child is an adult, well, at least on paper. He is not into the wonder of the lights and decorations like he was when he was little. He does not care about a Christmas tree or how pretty the gifts are arranged under the tree. Matter of fact, he does not care about gifts, he says envelopes are better, as they contain either money or gift cards. He still believes in the magic of Christmas, he knows what will happen if he says he does not. I still believe in the magic. I just do not have the strength or energy to do all the holiday things I used to do. But I have figured out where I am. I am in between children and grandchildren. I am at the point to where I shake my head and wonder if everything will ever come together, if the porch light will ever come on. (You parents of teenagers know what I am talking about.) But at the same time, I am not in a huge hurry to get those grandchildren. But hopefully, by the time they arrive, I will be rested and refreshed, ready to go for the next round.

Get Shorty

(Published on surfKY News on December 15, 2011)

We are quickly coming upon Winter Solstice, also known as the shortest day of the year. I am absolutely thrilled about this day and I am already starting to celebrate the fact that in one week, the daylight hours will start getting longer.

Funny how when I was younger, it did not matter what time the sun came up and what time the darkness began to settle in. But now, I enjoy the daylight hours more than ever. When it is dark at 5pm, I tend to want to go to sleep, and I hate to sleep. I will now have the next six months of increasing daylight hours. But then, just like the never ending circle, the days will begin to get shorter again. Until then, I will enjoy my extra few minutes each day.

More Christmas Cheer!

(Published on surfKY News on December 8, 2011)

This is quickly turning into one of the busiest times of the year. We are rushing around trying to find that perfect gift, planning our family get-togethers and planning our holiday menus, not to mention dealing with the growing excitement of the little ones around us.

Back before my life schedule became super busy, I used to plan for months the gifts that I was going to give my family and friends. I was a lot more “crafty” in my younger years, having more time and better eyesight for things like needlework and any craft that involved a glue gun. Several years ago, I put away my crochet needles and traded in my heated glue gun for a bottle of Gorilla Glue. But this year, I feel my crafty side itching to drag out my craft boxes, my ribbons and of course, my hot glue gun.