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.

Naughty or Nice?

 (Published on surfKY News on November 30, 2011)

T-minus 24 days and counting. Ask any person under the age of 12 and they will tell you exactly what will be in 24 days. This is also the time of year that you can get your child to jump up and do just about any chore that needs to be done. They know this is the time of the year that Santa is making out his list of who is naughty and who is nice.

I can remember the excitement that would be brewing in my home when my JoJo was little. It was so exciting. We would put up the Christmas tree as soon as the turkey was put away and we always made a chain out of colored construction paper. Each day, we would remove a chain and each day, we would get closer to the arrival of Jolly St. Nick. There is just something magical about the Christmas season when you have a child to celebrate it with. But as we grow older, we must keep the magic going. We must continue to believe.

The Blackest Day of the Year

 (Published on surfKY News on November 23, 2011)

“Black Friday” is the name given to the Friday following Thanksgiving day and was first used by the Philadelphia Police Department. The PPD used the term to describe the massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks as the stores were mobbed from the time they opened until the time they closed.

Tomorrow is Black Friday, but many retailers have decided that this year, they will start their sales on this side of midnight. Many turkey-stuffed people believe it will be much easier to go out late Thanksgiving night than to get up early the day after Turkey day.

National Bread Day

(Published on surfKY News on November 17, 2011)

I have a friend that was always bragging about these amazing yeast rolls that his wife made. Finally, one day I was able to check out these rolls, and he was right. They were the best rolls I have ever eaten. He was kind enough to share the recipe, so I gathered everything to make them myself. Of course, like the bologna sandwiches I constantly talk about, my rolls were not near as good as hers were.

Last week, I told my friend that on Thursday, November 17, we would be celebrating National Homemade Bread Day and asked if he minded if I shared their recipe for those wonderful rolls. I saw him yesterday and he asked me if I knew that today (Thursday) was National Homemade Bread Day. “Uh...well...yeah. I'm the one that told you.” He had arranged for many people in the office to bring in some homemade bread so they could celebrate. Only problem was, I was not going to be in that office today. So, I provide the information about the day and he made arrangements for the celebration that I do not get to attend. He knows I'm just picking on him, like I always do. But trust me; he gets his jabs into me also.

Chicken Soup for My Soul

(Published on iSurf News on November 10, 2011)

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen were repeatedly turned down by publishers when they wrote their first “Chicken Soup” book. Today, over 200 titles later and over 112 million copies in print, the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series is one of the best-selling paperback series of all time.

"Changing The World One Story at a Time" is the mantra of the writers who chose the name of the books because of the use of chicken soup as being “good for the body”. Their inspirational stories were meant to be “good for the soul”. Many of the books are targeted to certain groups and have been known to be great gifts. With the upcoming holidays, consider giving one of these books for your favorite pet lover or teacher. Everyone loves a book with stories about their passion.