Continuing Transitions ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

Scroll down for Mellow Yellow Monday
Blue Monday, Macro Monday & Ruby Tuesday

Meet the 'new' me!

Since getting my Nikon D60 a little more than a year ago, I seem to be more of a 'photo blogger' than 'storyteller' ... so (as I indicated in Sunday's post at Sacred Ruminations) I've decided to make some changes in my online persona reflecting these shifts because this 'feels' right (for the moment at least).

The pansies seem to have weathered the rains just fine so far, though more rains are predicted for Tuesday & Wednesday ... with additional 'fronts' just behind. The average rainfall in Southern California is just under 12 inches and we've had more than that since January. Of course the last few years we've had less that 5 inches per year ... so I guess this is how 'averages' happen, right?

I feel for the folks who live below the foothills that burned last October ... the mudslides there have already destroyed about 50 homes and there's no telling what will happen when the rains return. Watching the news about the SNOW on the East Coast is pretty amazing too. I feel grateful that the only weather-related damage I'm dealing with is a small slow leak coming from the deck (outside my bedroom) just above causing moldy discoloration in my living room ceiling.

It's the 2nd Monday of the month and that means it's ...

'Retired Ladies Lunch'

... time to 'connect' with friends to see what they've been up to.

Hard to believe, but
this is happening right now
in my So Cal yard




Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Macro Monday

Recent views from my
front yard here in Southern Cal ...
in between rainstorms

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Blue Monday
Mellow Yellow Monday
Ruby Tuesday


A Valentine for all my 'virtual' friends!
(a smaller version is available in my sidebar)

What do you think of the 'new' me?

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Children learn to smile from their parents." Shinichi Suzuki

Friendship Award ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

Ivanhoe participated in the Me Me Me Meme I recently shared at Happily Retired Gal (you're invited to do so too if you wish) and received yet another beautiful award from a wonderful new friend Windmill of Windmill on the Hill and shared it generously with her Entrecard droppers & bloggy friends.

And lovely are the blossoms

That are tended with great care,

By those who work unselfishly

To make the place more fair.

And, like the garden blossoms,

Friendship’s flower grows more sweet

When watched and tended carefully

By those we know and meet.

And, if the seed of friendship

Is planted deep and true

And watched with understanding,

Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.

The rules for this tag are:
1.) Copy the badge and put it on your blog
2.) Link back who pass you this tag
3.) Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friends with.

Once again I'm breaking the rulez (even as I share them so that YOU may follow if you wish) ... but I'd like to pass it along to all my 'bloggy friends' in the spirit of the Christmas season, so 'snag' a copy to enjoy and share with others as you choose ...(or not). It's totally up to you ;--)

In case you missed them ... check out the Christmas links at the top of the page & in my sidebar and click below for my:
List of 100 things Meme (in the next post)
The Lemonade Award (at Happily Retired Gal)

Small Reflections, Smile Back

Thought for Today
"You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job."
Laurence J. Peter

Saturday Edition - Five Really Good Things

1. This picture from Lol Cats and Funny Pictures cracked me up this morning when I saw it!





2. Greatfullivin gave this Link-Love Award to me and others who linked to her 'Gratitude Journal' blog during February.






3. My rose bushes are leafing out and looking healthy. I'm looking forward to lovely roses soon.





4. These lovely purple irises bloomed in my front yard last week and more buds are ready to pop!





5. I spent the afternoon with my Red Hat 'Sisters' and won this mug in a drawing after a delicious lunch at PJs Abbey in Orange, CA.

I hope you had a delightful Saturday like me!

Thought for Today
"Success is the result of good judgment, good judgment is a result of experience, experience if often the result of bad judgment." Tony Robbins

Haiku Friday - Thanks for Visiting

Blog 365
day of rest, but not for me.
I shall write Haiku!

Addicted I must
be to feel a weekly urge
posting in this form.

It has been 2 months
since I thanked my blogging friends
so today I am

giving these awards
to my faithful followers.
Thank you one and all!

During January and February of 2008

the following bloggers left comments on my posts often.

Commenting nearly every day
and on every post ... seriously folks!
Karen at Journey to Authenticity gets top honors!

She's followed closely by ...
Sandy of Momisodes (who managed to purchase, pack, move into
a new home this month and still keep up with blogging)
Eve of Adamswife's Weblog
Mother of Invention at Spilling Out!
Joy at The Joy of Six
(who leaves public comments & sends emails too)
Sonya of Mo Mhíle Grá
Yertle of Smile, Play, Dream
Lucy at Diamonds in the Sky and Lucy Creates!

Mary of Mary's Writing Nook (who created this lovely
award for me to share with others)
MPJ at A Room of Mama's Own
Mama Zen at The Zen of Motherhood
the Dream at You May Say I'm a Dreamer
His Girl Friday at Wellied on Life
Talking Bear at Sleepy Bear Hollow
Yolanda at Perfectly Imperfect
Peajay at Mórán cainte ar bheagán cúise
Moana at Desperately Seeking Serenity
Annie at Journey Through Life
Bella at Beyond the Map

Bloggers who respond on their own blogs (as I do),
prefer to send responses in emails
and/or who comment here occasionally
Melissa at Part of Everything
Grandy of Functional Shmunctional
Mike of Rambling Stuff
Pussreboots
Akelamalu at Everything and Nothing
Nicholas at A Gentleman's Domain
Kelly at Kikipotamus the Hobo
Olivia at Happy Luau

Then there are the bloggers who participate weekly in
Haiku Friday, Thursday Thirteen, & Wordless Wednesday

(and please forgive me if I miss someone here
because I appreciate all your visits & comments)
Colleen at Looseleaf Notes
Susan at West of Mars
Ellen B at The Happy Wonderer
Melissa at Taking What Is Left
Anglophile Football Fanatic
Damozel at The Flatland Chronicles and Buck Naked Politics
Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures
Janet of The Planet of Janet
Mama Geek at What Works for Us
Kat at Seeking Sanity
Secret Agent Mama
Jientje at Heaven in Belgium
Kat at Kat's Krackerbox Weblog
Sandy Carlson at Writing in Faith
Chelle Y at The Story of Me
Chuck at Foster Me Up
Claudia at Out on a Limb
Cathy at MINE
Susie J
Mama DB
Hootin' Anni
Marylin at A Little Space for Me
Maggie's Mind
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Jenni at Just Chicken Feed
Anne at the Pump Room
Wright at I Gotta Theory About That
Jennifer at A Mommy Story
JJ! at Dirty Laundry
Transplanting Me

New Blogging Friends I've Met Recently
Susie H at The Knit Farm
Betty at Betty's This and That
PJ at Bits and Pieces
Greatfullivin at Gratitude Journal
Cricket at Cricket's Hearth
Tina at Tina's Odds and Ends
Annie at A Yank Gone South
Ornery's Wife at Thoughts from Miller Manor

(Sigh! I know there are more of you, but my mind is addled and I want to get this posted ... so when you visit next ... please remind me in comments so I can add you here and be sure to take the 'thank you' awards with my hugs and blessings).

For anyone who wasn't reading Small Reflections in 2007, you're welcome to this award if you wish. It's the one I shared with blogging friends in December here.


Thought for Today
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in them than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." Dale Carnegie

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story.

Click for Haiku Friday Volume 16.

To see my previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post
or in the sidebar under About Me.

Haiku Friday Volume 15 - Celebrating Life

Yesterday I went
to a local restaurant
with my two best friends.

Celebrating my
birthday early, Carol's late
as we always do

with an ocean view.
Wine and bread to start the meal ...
Hula pie to end.

In between my 'fav' ...
Seven spice Ahi with boc
choi & mango ... YUM!

Memories of this
and our visit afterwards
back at Carol's house

sipping tea are with
me this morning as I sit
typing this Haiku.

Yet tomorrow is
February 23rd,
day that I was born

1945
so I will be sixty-three!
Happily retired

I've been now for years,
doing mainly what I choose ...
grateful every day.

Memories and plans
running freely in my mind
as I simplify

clearing clutter out ...
making room for only those
things I love around

me ... creating a
place of joy to celebrate
as I live each day.

Possibilities!
Who knows what this rainy morn
holds in store for me?

What I know for sure
is I plan to celebrate
and enjoy it all!

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story.

Click for Haiku Friday Volume 14.

To see my previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post.

Thought for Today
"If people did not do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done." Ludwig Wittgenstein

Monday Musings

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust

It's the 2nd Monday of the month, so I'm off visiting with my "retired teacher friends" today. I've posted at Sacred Ruminations this morning already, and hope you'll click the link to read the information I've shared, give it some thought, and pick up a "Blessings award" to post on your blog & share with your readers.

If you took the weekend off, my posts on Saturday & Sunday were informal updates about daily life and connections with a few quotes and a "Share the Love" award ... so check them out if you wish. I'll return later to add more if time permits.

Sunday Salutations, Silliness, and a Surprise

"I think I've discovered the secret of life --
you just hang around until you get used to it."
Charles M. Schulz

It's a glorious sunny day in Southern California and lots of folks have taken a Sunday drive to the ocean so there are people everywhere. Molly and I have walked already and she's played fetch with me (and several friendly neighbors) plus she's romped with a couple of her fur-friends ... so she's a happy pooch, especially since she knows it's almost time for her late afternoon meal. She'll be bugging me in about a half hour, if not before. A dog's life is pretty simple and hers is a good one indeed. Apparently mine is too, albeit less than exciting ... according to this Blogthing.

Your Life is Rated PG

Your life is pretty family friendly. The worse someone is going to get from you is brief nudity or toilet humor.

What is Your Life Rated?

In chatting with my neighbors, I learned that J's company may be sold and he might be transferred to a branch in New York or Dallas. I'm hoping that doesn't happen because I'd miss them if they moved. Of course, they're hoping they don't have to leave the area either ... but no matter what, they don't plan to sell their house here. I suppose that means I could be living between TWO "vacation rentals" at some point.

I started writing this at about 3:30, however a friend called as I was creating this post to "check in" and remind me that tomorrow is Retired Ladies Lunch, and we talked for almost an hour. She and her husband have been planning a "room remodel" of the master bedroom & bath and work begins tomorrow, so I'm invited over in the late afternoon to see the demolition. That could be interesting since I'm thinking about having my master bathroom redone sooner or later.

A couple of my Red Hat sisters are planning to take a 10 day Mediterranean cruise next Fall. If I decide to join them, I'd either need to put the "remodel" on hold or come into a financial windfall soon like yesterday's fortune cookie promised.

Both Molly and Ms. Kitty have eaten and I'm beginning to think about dinner too, although I don't know where the day has gone! I did some reading, checked a few blogs (though I'm way behind in that department and hope to catch up soon), and spent a bit of time trying to deal with MSN regarding my "Email Woes" (but gave up fairly quickly so as not to spoil my day).




Sandy of Momisodes recently passed this Spread the Love Award along (that she received from Baby-Amore), and I'd like to share it with those who visit here and share their thoughts. Please feel free to pass it along to others who support and encourage you at your blog too.


Thought for Today

"All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney

Saturday Stuph Shared

I'm picking up a couple of my Red Hat "sisters" at 11:15 to drive to a Valentine Luncheon, so I'm a bit "crunched" for time.







Molly wants a walk and isn't taking "In a little while" for an answer. Does she know it's a Red Hat Saturday I wonder?





(In the spirit of full-disclosure, this photo isn't actually of my sweet fur-friend, but I'm in a rush and it looks enough like Molly
to BE her ... sort of ... and this IS what Molly is doing right now ... staring at me expectantly).

I plan to do a "real" post here later this afternoon, so this is a "tide-me-over" to whet the appetite and/or explain where I am
& what's up. Below this is a T-13 on "Healing Affirmations" and a Haiku Friday on "MSN Email Woes" in case you missed them. I did create a 2nd belated Haiku at Sacred Ruminations this morning "On Change" ... but for now, it's a glorious day so Molly and I are headed to the beach!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend too!

* * * * * * *

6:41 PM addendum
Our walk was fun this morning even though we didn't go to Dog Beach since I didn't have time to give Molly a bath afterwards and pick up my friends on time. Perhaps we'll do that one day next week if the weather stays warm enough.

My visit with the ladies was delightful and lunch delicious. I enjoyed catching up with what everyone has done since the holidays. We celebrated my birthday and another gal's early with cupcakes, but I brought mine home because I didn't want to count the points.

I'm back home with Molly and Ms. Kitty ... checking email and responding to comments ... hoping to read a few blogs this evening before I shut down the computer for the night.

My sister and I finally connected for a phone chat after playing telephone tag for the past several days. They enjoyed their visit to Disney World and Epcott, spent a day at a local County Fair, and are now camped along the ocean somewhere near Daytona where I understand the race is to take place this weekend making their RV site more expensive than usual.

My MSN email is still messed up but I'm planning to devote some time tomorrow to that problem. Hopefully I'll make some progress on that front.

Imaginative Ideas

"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards."
Lewis Carroll

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss)

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
Henry David Thoreau

Marvelous Monday Memento

Recently Sandy of Momisodes passed along this gorgeous floral bouquet to some of her "devoted readers and blog friends who keep her going everyday with their comments and emails" and I'd like to do the same thing. You know who you are, and anyone who reads the comments along with my posts & responses knows too. What you write never fails to bring a smile to my face and encourages me to post something each day. Even when inspiration fails me and I resort to sharing a Blogthing (or 3), you find something to say ... whether or not you choose to take the Quiz and/or post the results. I feel accepted for who I am ... just as I am ... and that's truly special! So grab a copy and take it back to your blog to share with your devoted readers and blog friends.

If you took the weekend off, be advised that I didn't :-)

Sunday's post contains another blog friend award for everyone to take and share with others and a video link worth watching if time permits.

Saturday's posts offers 3 Blogthings for your amusement (and mine).

As usual, Friday's post is a Haiku & Thursday's a T-13.

My list of 101 Things About Myself is finally complete (thanks to everyone who offered encouragement and feedback along the way).

I'm fully recovered from last week's flu/cold bug and met a friend I haven't seen for a decade or more for lunch so MY day was delightful ... and I hope YOURS was too!

Thought for Today

“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed, that's all who ever have.” Margaret Mead

Annie Made My Day and I'm Passing This Along

Annie blessed me with this You Make My Day Award last weekend. I am most grateful. As I wrote in a comment to her about this unexpected surprise, this is an award I would have given HER early on in my blogging days if I'd had it to give. Without her support, encouragement and assistance, I'd be struggling mightily to figure things out on my own.

I'm honored to receive it and appreciate Annie thinking of me in this manner, especially since I've not been visiting quite as often for oh so many reasons (not the least of which recently is TENNIS) ... trying to attain some "balance" in my own life.

Apparently the rules say to give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration, making you feel so happy about the Blogosphere. It comes with a warning that you may get this award several times. It is my sincere hope that you do, for I'm certain you make the day for others as well.

I've decided to pass this award on to the following 5 people here at Small Reflections and to 5 others at Sacred Ruminations.

Joy was the first blogger to discover me on my very 1st post, leaving a comment with encouraging words and a promise to return ... that kept ME typing. She continues to offer words of support and encouragement consistently here and writes wonderful pieces on her own blog, The Joy of Six. I enjoy her sense of humor and clever resourcefulness. Her numerous photo series are awesomely wonderful and often hilarious.

Karen, a friend from the Taos Writer's Spa, has been my most regular visitor to both of my blogs from the start ... and leaves caring and supportive comments always, even when she's overly busy with family responsibilities! Her posts at Journey to Authenticity are a thoughtful balance of words & photos, and her blog is a joy to visit.

I encountered Sandy of Momisodes and Eve of Adamswife's Weblog just as NaBloPoMo ended. Initially they visited here at Small Reflections, but like Karen ... they've become regular readers of both of my blogs ... offering encouragement and support on a daily basis (even when sick)! Sandy is witty and clever with a flair for photography. Eve is venturing out into new territory of photography and poetry on her blog.

Mary, of Mary's Writing Nook, not only visits often (when she's not traveling with her family) ... but is thoughtful and generous with her time and talents. I am most grateful for her friendship in this virtual world and enjoy her consistently well-written & illustrated posts.

With much gratitude, I offer my usual hugs and blessings to all who pass this way. If you haven't met these bloggers already, I hope you'll visit them in the near future.

Meandering on Monday

If you took the weekend off from blogging, I didn't ... so you'll find two weekend posts here and here at Small Reflections, and two more at Sacred Ruminations here and here. Feel free to click on one or more and don't forget to leave a comment to let me know you stopped by while I was away today.

I'm off to meet up with my "happily retired" teacher friends who gather for lunch locally on the 2nd Monday of each month to catch up with one another. Sometimes there are 2 or 3 of us ... other times 10 or 12. It all depends on who's in town and what's happening in our lives. We started doing this in 2001 and always enjoy the interaction.

Thanks to Mary for this graphic!

Thought for Today

“Be who you are and say what you feel
because those who mind don’t matter
and those who matter don’t mind”
Dr.Seuss

I've revisited the past ten weeks this morning, and it's time to Thank My Blogging Buddies

As 2007 draws to a close, I'm looking back on the year ... mostly thinking about the changes. Today begins my 10th week as a Blogger. My first post entitled Beginnings, bears the date October 22nd and visually appears unique because I wrote it in Word and pasted it into the editor of Small Reflections because I didn't know how to do anything else. I'd never LOOKED at a blog before (my Taos Writer's Retreat friend) Kara's phone call the previous week. She provided some "guided practice" in that call, walking me through the Blogosphere with links she'd emailed ... offering a glimpse into this alternative reality I found intriguing enough to enter. With Santa Ana winds blowing and multiple fires burning out of control all over Southern California, I entered this "virtual world" ... hesitantly.

Kara left a congratulatory comment, but a virtual stranger named Joy found and commented on that 1st post ... offering me her encouragement and promising to return. How could I not post again? My next two posts, although published by me on the 23rd and 24th, bear the same date as my 1st one because I created them on that day while wandering the Blogosphere and experimenting with what I encountered. Answering questions on other blogs provided me with HTML code to copy and paste on my own, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to try doing so ... hence the "Could this be me?" and "What Time of Day are You?" posts.

My friend Jackie, traveling in an RV with her husband, commented on the 3rd post ... but no one other than me commented on #2. Lucy left a comment there a few weeks later on November 11th after finding my blog and looking around a bit.
I had trouble with "dates" for a while and understand it's possible to modify them after the fact, but I've not tried that yet anyway.

Joy found me again on the 26th as I introduced Molly and Ms. Kitty ... experimenting with inserting photos into posts. My friend Carol, also on the road with her husband, found and commented on the collage of Molly ... (later I gave equal time to Ms. Kitty). Joy discovered my first really successful photo upload, the one I'd been trying to add since the beginning, and reminded me that "baby steps" lead to success. The next day I shared two more photos from the Mabel Dodge Luhan House with details about my Writer's Retreat experience there and Karen left her first of MANY comments.

My 1st "visual scribble" resulted in a veritable deluge of comments and led to others like it later on, in addition to "outing" my true identity. Who knew that when clicked on these signed images enlarged enough to be come legible? Certainly not me! Just as with leaving my recent "cry for help" post just days ago, temptation was great to removed them and remain "a nonny mouse" storyteller (with a lower case "s" on purpose), but I took the high road and left them in place ... adding #2 here, #3 here, #4 here, and an "authentic graphic piece" from my framed collection here with a left-brained linear transcription here.

Annie found me on November 6th and introduced me to Google Reader, simplifying my blog reading immensely ... though I did have to learn the hard way not to bite off more than I could chew. As I visited blogs and encountered posts of interest, the teacher-in-me had to share ... so I learned to create what I've since learned are called "love-links" and leave them scattered throughout my own posts because I realize not everyone has the kind of available time that I do as a young-at heart & "happily retired" individual. No one has to click on any of them, but I offer them an invitations to those with time and interest ... much as I'm doing with "my own past" in this post.

Not long ago I happened upon another Storyteller (she uses a capital "S" however) named Amy Jane who has created a series of links in her sidebar to "introductory pieces" about herself, and when she visited here ... she asked if I could point her to some about myself. Doing so was tedious, challenging and time consuming. I suspect part of my motivation for including so many links in THIS post is due to her request. In the future I can provide a single link in answer to such a question, and others can read as much or as little as they choose about me depending on what interests them.

That reminds me about memes, hoopla, and Lucy's alliterative game. I've done the following:
1. posted 7 Random Things About Myself
2. published 5 T-13s (#1 on authors and books worth sharing with young children, #2 a random list of things I'd do if I knew I couldn't fail, #3 on Ice, #4 a list of quotes I find inspiring, and #5 links to video clips by Straight No Chaser - a unique & entertaining A'capella singing group from Indiana University)
3. shared Christmas Hoopla
4. posted my Playful Ps and Varied Vs with Verse as per Lucy's encouragement
5. written of Five Really Good Things here and here.

I've been serious, reflective, grateful, and playful with my postings (among other things). I did an (as yet) incomplete series on the slow, challenging, tedious transformation of my front yard in 2006 with photo illustrations: parts one, two, three, and four are posted with additional posts to come. While other bloggers posted photos of snowy weather, I shared what Santa Ana winds leave in their wake here and here ... and what gentle rain looks like in Southern California. Mary designed and shared a lovely award for my Christmas Carol Quiz and introduced me to Blingee where I learned to add snowy effects.

I completed NaBloPoMo (30 posts in 30 days during November) on both my blogs and made many new blogging friends in the process including (but not limited to) Sandy, Melissa, and Eve. Then I joined Holidailies (31 posts in 31 days during December) and met John who along with Peajay, Joy, Karen, and Mary solved the Christmas Carol Quiz. Now Sandy has convinced me to participate in the Blog 365 challenge. If you didn't know it before reading this, you must realize by now that I'm more than a bit obsessive and perhaps compulsive as well. According to my Archives, this will be post #75 published on my 71st day as a blogger, so Blog 365 just could be a piece of cake! LOL

So ... we've arrived at the present. I actually started and my 1st post and worked my way back to return to this point ... reviewing as I did so. Smiler and Melissa deserve special mention for teaching me what little i know about HTML thus far. Somewhere along the line, in addition to all the bloggers mentioned previously ... I met Grandy, Ladybug, Mama Zen, MP Jones, Moanna, Mother of Invention, Talking Bear, His Girl Friday, Kikipotamus, and others I've no doubt forgotten to mention ... but you know who you are! If you send me an email reminder, I'll add you to you list (as long as you promise to forgive the oversight). This has gotten much more complex than I intended at the outset. If anyone discovers links that don't take you where they're supposed to, I'd appreciate knowing that too so I can fix them. (Obsessive, remember?)

So ... without further ado ... I wish to say THANK YOU BLOGGING BUDDIES! As a token of my appreciation I offer one and/or both of the following to display (or not) on your blogs as you choose.

Andrea, who I learned recently created the Christmas Hoopla thing, shared this on her blog and graciously gave me permission to "snag it" for myself and pass it along to my friends. It seems fitting somehow. LOL (I've given up ROFLing because it's just too hard to get up these days!)

Thanks a bunch!

Please say Happy Birthday to Molly who is 3 years old today.

All's well thanks to Peajay who saved the day!

"

I can listen to Straight No Chaser again
the video I shared at Sacred Ruminations and
anything else I happen upon.

Happy Day After Christmas to All

I'm told it's Boxing Day in England, Canada, Australia (and possibly other places) ... a day to clean up and/or "re-gift" things. Melissa at Part of Everything shared about her experiences with this holiday, causing me to check Wickipedia, however I neither cleaned nor re-gifted anything today because I've been catching up with comments on my two blogs and devoting quality time to Molly who spent more time alone the past couple of days than she's used to. I hope your Christmas was merry and bright. Mine was anything but "white" with Santa Ana winds gusting again. They've calmed down today, but yesterday the palms fronds were flying everywhere.

I expected to spend more time here in “this virtual world” (with no family in town with whom to celebrate), but surprisingly I’ve created new traditions of my own this year as I experienced the kindness of friends who knew of my situation. After decades of including “strays” in our family gatherings, I’ve become one … and realize (perhaps for the 1st time while being on the "receiving" end) what a lovely gift such fellowship is.

While responding to Eve at Adamswife's Blog, I noticed that Zazzy left a link to an unique version of the 12 days of Christmas I'd never seen or heard before ... performed by the Indiana University's all male A'capella choir known as "Straight No Chaser". If you've not experienced them, I hope you'll check this out. Their version was most unusual and entertaining.

I hope 2007 has been a good one for you. According to this Blog-thing mine was FANTASTIC, and I'm grateful! If you decide to take this quiz yourself click the link below my results. I hope your prove as good or better than mine. If you'd rather, you can try the second one to see which movie your Christmas was most like here. Mine was like the Charlie Brown's ... but I have no idea what the other options were.

You Had a Fantastic Year!

Compared to most years, last year was definitely great. Overall, you're living a much better life than you were twelve months ago. And nothing is a better mark of a good year. Here's to hoping next year is even better!

How Did Your Year Rate?

I don't know how many of you know that NORAD tracks Santa's progress each year. We used to check their website when my nieces and nephew were little, but I've not done so for years. I was reminded this morning at Melissa's and have added a note for NEXT year in my Palm LifeDrive along with the reminder to participate in Operations Christmas.

For Your Christmas Viewing Pleasure

I'm just kidding ... seriously kids! Didn't Santa visit your house? At Spiritdoll, Kara listed John Denver and the Muppets singing "The 12Days of Christmas"
as one of her favorite things and Endment left this link in a comment there. Since I'd never seen
this video clip before, I assume there could be others in the Blogosphere who might enjoy it today. So, on this WINDY day in Southern California (as I go peel Satsuma tangerines to bring & share at Christmas dinner), sit back and enjoy if time permits ... or invite the whole family to watch with you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Twelve Random Christmasy Things About Me

No "M" word here ... just some Hoopla!

I've been "tagged" by Mama Zen for a little Hoopla, and although I'm sorely tempted to hold onto this for my Thursday Thirteen activity (making it a baker's dozen rather than 12) ... as Mama Zen sez ... time is short for others to play so here I go.

The rules
(though by now you realize
I have difficulty being told what to do):

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word (which, for you bloggy newbies, is meme)
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the Blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.

In no particular order ...

1. For the first 4 years in our very first home, we purchased live Monterey pine trees to display indoors and decorate. After Christmas we planted these in our yard. When we sold the place after living there 10 years (to move here to the beach), these were HUGE trees with lots of memories attached! Leaving them behind was difficult.

2. I'll be celebrating the holidays this year with friends rather than family because my sister and her husband are on the East Coast (in Georgia) while I'm at home in Southern California. They'll move on to Florida for the winter on the 26th and plan to continue their 2 year trip across the USA.

3. Here are some of the Christmas mugs hanging in my kitchen. If you stop by, I'll be happy to serve you Starbuck's Christmas Blend coffee in the morning and/or make you tea (or hot chocolate) in the afternoon.




4. I haven't put up a tree for several years, but I do decorate with a few special things each year. I shared one such display yesterday at Sacred Ruminations here and intend to share other holiday decorations and traditions between now and Christmas.

5. I create original holiday cards each year to send to friends and family. I'm usually rushing at the last minute to get these in the mail before Christmas comes so they usually arrive between Christmas and New Year's Day. This year I'm worried they might not get out at all because I'm spending so much time blogging. Sigh!

6. Like Mama Zen, I watch "It's a Wonderful Life!" every holiday season, though not always on Christmas Eve.

7. When growing up, we didn't have much money and often gave "gifts of our time & service" to one another ... a tradition I continued throughout my 34 years in the classroom by providing a variety of holiday "coupons" my students could fill in, decorate, and/or assemble into books for friends and family members ... offering services like back rubs, hugs, a variety of specific chores (without reminding), etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy giving and receiving such gifts to one another.

8. When we bought THIS house in 1980 (it was well beyond our means at the time and necessitated serious spending cutbacks) we created and gave as gifts "Invitations" for an evening at our "Dinner Theater and Playhouse" ... complete with official "tickets" (containing instructions for making "reservations" ... along with a variety of menu, film, and video-game choices. Many of our friends had never played video-games at the time and enjoyed "reserving" games & videos as they selected from Chinese, Italian, English, & Mexican cuisine for their special evening at the beach with us. Doing this permitted us to spread holiday expenses throughout the year and spend quality time with friends and family. Interestingly, once we could afford to purchase and give gifts again, everyone missed these yearly invitations even though we continued to entertain regularly.

9. I'll miss my sister's Christmas cookies this year. She always makes the best chocolate chip cookies, but my favorites are the buttery sugar cookies using my mom's recipe.

10. And that reminds me that I'll miss making tamales with her for New Year's ... a tradition we've practiced for a decade or more.

11. Like Mama Zen ... I believe in Santa and one of my favorite Christmas books is THE POLAR EXPRESS. Since I didn't see the Tom Hanks version when the movie was released, perhaps I'll rent and watch it this year.

12. Attending candlelight services on Christmas Eve is a tradition in my family I still enjoy.

(I couldn't resist the bakers dozen idea) so ...
13. Although I don't have a tree, I do hang ornaments and angels throughout the house. Most of these were gifts from students throughout the years ... many hand made by them with loving care ... all bring back lovely memories.

If there are new visitors to my blog today, you can see how I used to decorate for the holidays here.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Now ... I'm tagging
Annie, Kikipotamus, Sandy, and Ladybug!

Kara
and Karen,
you can do this only if
you promise
not to stress yourselves out!
As Mama Zen says
the more the merrier so
if anyone else
feels the urge to participate
leave a link here so I can read your answers.
So
how
about
YOU?