Quiet Time

Christmas is done. Put away my tree and ornaments. All that's left is a few pieces of fudge, a couple of Christmas cookies, and the last of the Ghirardelli chocolates. Oh, and the entire unwrapped box of See's Chocolate Truffles, but I am saving that for good! Or, until I have some sort of melt-down that can only be remedied by See's... LOL Our Christmas was quiet, my father is not well, so we went for the down-sized celebration. Had an amazing visit with my son. He is such a thoughtful person. He is considerate of others and takes great care to work on relationships. I cannot ask for more. And...he showed me how to post pictures on my blog!! I asked for help, in that "I know I am the parent, but computers are just too difficult for me" tone. He gave me the usual lecture. Just click on the picture, pick the one you want, hit complete, and whoosh...there it is. No, no it's not. Even I know how to watch YouTube for directions and hints. After 20 minutes, he agreed, his directions were not working on my blog. Finally, he gave up and said that Internet Explorer is HORRIBLE, try Chrome. Hmmmm. My child was correct. So now, I am zooming into the electronic age, complete with pictures. When I am not working, or caring for family, or doing housework, or cooking dinner, or, or, or...I quilt and cross stitch. I try to do one ornament a month. That way I am not so far behind for Christmas gifts. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My December, or maybe January, ornament is Lizzie Kate, Falalalala. I didn't use the colors called for, just didn't have all of them in my thread drawer. But stitching is for the soul, you don't get extra points for following directions.

So, I if I do not finish this in the next two days, I will either one month behind, or one month ahead. I'm going for the ahead. Be kind to one another.

Merry Christmas to All!

Wishing all a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with love and joy.

Family of Your Heart

I have a family that was given to me by chance and another that is the family of my heart. My family of chance was given by marriage, by birth. You spin the wheel and you get the prize. I am lucky. I have a husband that stands by me. Not that I will sugar coat our life. There have been amazing highs and terrible lows. But, we are still hanging in there after 33 years. My son is my greatest achievment. I tell him this often. He smiles. Any parent would recognize this smile. It is the "sure, Mom, whatever you say" smile. But, I truly mean what I say. I am so very proud of him. He has a spirit of adventure and learning. He is well-thought of by others. He contributes to the world. I cannot ask for more. Now, for the family of my heart. There are people that I meet that touch my heart. There is never any particular reason that I can put my finger on. I just know that I have a connection with these people. I am put in a place where I add to THEIR life. It may be by encouraging them, by listening to them, by standing next to them. These people are the family of my heart. I see some every day, others only once a year. But we are still family, still have a connection. I cannot ask for more. Be kind to one another.

What Is Your Reason For The Season?

I have faith. I pray for comfort, for peace, for others. Do I think that God gives us extra points for Christmas? No. I believe that our relationship with God should be every day, not just one day that is really based on paganism. Do I begrudge them this holiday? Of course not. I enjoy Christmas gifts just like everyone else. But my true reason for this season? Family, friends, loved ones. And to be honest, your relationships with them should be the same as with God. Do you tell them you love them at the end of each phone call? Do you give them a hug as you leave for the day? When was the last time you sent a text that simply said "love you". Nothing is guaranteed. I lost a friend that slipped in the bathroom and died. Why? I do not see the point of that at all. All that leads to a discussion about Christmas gifts that I had with my son. I realized that I am the type of person that sends little gifts all year long. Nothing special...a bar of soap, some fruits and nuts. Not for any particular reason, just to let him know that I am thinking of him. He sends postcards. Never for any particular reason, just to let me know that he is thinking of me. That is love. That is the reason for the season. Be kind to one another.

How Often Do You Vacuum Your Bathtub?

As I was vacuuming my bathtub this week, it struck me as to how odd this would seem to others. About 15 years ago, my family had the choice to go house hunting or to start a remodel. I thought that a remodel would be wonderful! We weren't planning on moving any time soon and I would be able to chose the exact additions that I wanted. Well, the extra outlets were easy, we had a fish tank, needed more electrical outlets. Ceiling fans? Perfect! Extra large built-in book case? Yep, we homeschooled. Now to the bathroom...Beautiful white and green tile floors, an extra large garden spa tub, a separate shower, and plenty of cupboard space. I was in heaven. However.......we are on a septic tank. Somehow that little fact did not seem important until the first time I filled the tub. Two hundred gallons. And where would this water go? That's right, straight into the septic tank. What was I thinking!!??!! If you are on a septic tank, you are well aware of the importance of water conservation. Anything down the sinks, toilets, or tubs, goes right into the tank. In this case, less is better. And using the tub in the winter, when the water table is high and the leach line is filled with rainwater? No, no, and no. So, I love my house. My fish tank is well electrified by those extra outlets, ceiling fans work great, book case looks great. Garden tub? Well, as I was vacuuming my bathtub...LOL. And don't even get me started on those beautiful WHITE floor tiles. In a bathroom. What was I thinking? Be kind to one another.

And The Raking Goes On...

Trees are beautiful. They offer shade, oxygen, and a place for the little birdies to rest and raise their families. Trees are evil. They drop leaves and branches. They crowd against your house and wear off the paint. Sigh... They have two personalities. One they show in the spring and summer, being kind, almost thoughtful to those around them. Then comes the fall and winter. They get tired and grumpy. They get messy, creating what seems like a neverending abundance of leaves. Sigh... We purchased our home almost 25 years ago. It was in the middle of the lot, no landscaping to speak of, a little lawn, a few roses. As new homeowners, we couldn't wait to plant trees, flowers, all those things that scream "home". If only I had known then what I know now. I think I would have skipped all those deciduous trees and stuck with the evergreens. Sigh... And the raking goes on.

Brrrr...Is It Winter Already?

I will admit that I live in central California. Just how cold does it really get? There is no snow (well, we got an inch about 10 years ago) and I have never, ever been in weather below zero. But, where did this 31 degree weather come from? I was all happy, enjoying the fall days, then, major change. It is dark when I get up, about 4 am, thank you very much. I take the trash to the street. WHAT? I may have still been in my jammies, but brrrrr. Get dressed, kick the doggie out for a pottie break, bring him back in because he is a big baby, and off to work. I have a thermometer in my truck, wonderful device, but it does note the "real" temperature. Hmmm, 31? I could be making ice cubes without my freezer. I get home and take a peek at my cacti. The little tag says the plant can survive in temperatures down to 25. Maybe the sturdy ones, but I doubt that the aloes can make it down that low. So, my plans for the weekend? Well, I will be cleaning out part of my garage to make room for my various cacti, aloes, and other pretties. I sure know how to party! LOL We all do what we have to do, and if I want to enjoy my plants in the summer, I will be putting in some extra time to keep them protected in the winter. Have a great week and be kind to one another.