Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is tomorrow! How fast time flies! The holidays were excellent and the snowfall just prior to Christmas added to the festive atmosphere! Christmas eve and Christmas morning were especially wonderful! Having the kids both here, and waking up in the early morning to the excitement of stockings, wrapping paper, laughter, camera flashes and love is so very special, and there are not words to describe how blessed I feel !
A combination of the busy hustle and bustle, a lack of funds and our desire not to pack on extra pounds this year, resulted in not doing some of the things that have become traditions in our family...and I missed them!
1-Our annual overnight shopping trip to Kansas City.
2- Our mother/son & father/daughter day shopping event (usually the week before Christmas).
3-Our candy making evening.
We did celebrate the holidays with Marvin's family, and although we were able to spend a couple of hours with my mom and step dad, my siblings and my dad were unavailable.
The past year has been a challenge financially, but, after tomorrow, that situation should improve as I begin working full time again! It has been a worrisome year, but in the long run, it should be a good thing for us, providing not only more income...but better, more affordable insurance and a return to retirement saving as well!
Chas, Shane,Marvin and I are entering this year a bit more svelte than last year! Chas has lost almost 90 pounds, Shane is down over 40, I shed more than 30 and Marvin lost over 15! If you have the need for dieting help...we highly recommend sparkpeople.com!
The past year has seen lots of illness and time spent in hospital rooms and beside sick beds. Losing Becky was very hard, and we miss her chatter and never ending supply of energy very much! Helen is much improved and her pacemaker finally seems to be doing its job! Bill is very ill, and we count every day of life for him...an extra special blessing.
I have been thinking about New Year's resolutions...and here is a partial list...
1-I resolve to spend as much time as possible with my husband and kids...they are my everything!
2-I resolve to tell all three of them that I love them every chance that I get and to hug them as often as possible!
3-I resolve to KEEP the weight that I have lost off!
4-I resolve to try each day to be more open to and aware of the needs of those around me...especially those less fortunate...and to be willing to help whenever I can.
The list will continue to grow...well into the New Year!
I wish you all a very Happy New Year, full of love, life, happiness and Gods blessing and mercy!
Be Well!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
...everywhere you go! What a beautiful time of year! Driving down the streets is like visiting wonderland! Lights and decorations everywhere! It is fabulous! Cries of Merry Christmas echo through the halls and spill into the streets, kindness and generosity permeate every heart and calories are graciously removed from all things chocolate! If only this spirit could remain throughout the year...what a wonderful life it would be!
Be Well!
Be Well!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Weekend winding down...
Sunday afternoon...the weekend is almost over and although it was actually three days this time, it seems so short! I think we made good use of almost every minute available over the past few days, though there remains much to be done.
Friday: We spent Friday Christmas shopping, except for an hour and a half...which we set aside to see "I Am Legend". It was a really good movie, and if you don't mind a bit of sci-fi sort of stuff...(which I enjoy), I highly recommend it. We headed home around 4:45, just as it began to snow. My office Christmas party was at 6:00, so we had just enough time to get home, change clothes, freshen up and head back out! The party was nice, and surprisingly, the food was good (even though it was catered by a local grocery store). The Mayor promised to get everyone "fed, gifted and on the way home" before the roads got too slick and she did a good job! By 7:30 we were back in our living room picking out a movie to watch!
Saturday: Saturday found several inches of snow on the streets, so we waited until almost 2:00 before leaving the house, in hopes that street crews would have the chance to salt everything before we got out...and the roads were in good shape! We did a bit of shopping, then stopped at Kobe's for dinner around 5:00. (Thank you Rich!! It was delicious!) The temps were dropping, and rather than end up sliding into someone as the slush refroze, we went home.
Sunday: We decided on the early service at Church, then went to McAlisters for lunch, and shopped a bit afterward at Gordman's. We spent the rest of the afternoon here at home, wrapping up some work gifts and computer work. At 6:00 this evening, we have another Christmas party (for the Park and Tree Board, of which I am recording secretary).
The coming week promises to be a busy one! I love the Christmas season! It is my favorite! I love the shopping, music, movies, decorations, food, good will, fun and most of all...the family time! Every year I am more aware of those around us who don't have such a wonderful Christmas, and this year, as we drive down Broadway and see those who are homeless and those who line up to eat at the Lord's Diner, my heart breaks. This has been a financially strained Christmas for us...but when I see those who have no homes, and when I realize that those lining up at the Diner may be receiving their only meal of the day...I feel guilty for bemoaning our own "tight finances". I have determined to help someone this week...in some way. I don't have the resources to do anything huge...but help doesn't always have to be huge. So, I will be watching for an opportunity! I encourage you to do the same. After all...we have received the greatest gift of all for Christmas...our Saviour! It only seems fitting that we pass along a bit of kindness whenever we can!
Be Well!
Friday: We spent Friday Christmas shopping, except for an hour and a half...which we set aside to see "I Am Legend". It was a really good movie, and if you don't mind a bit of sci-fi sort of stuff...(which I enjoy), I highly recommend it. We headed home around 4:45, just as it began to snow. My office Christmas party was at 6:00, so we had just enough time to get home, change clothes, freshen up and head back out! The party was nice, and surprisingly, the food was good (even though it was catered by a local grocery store). The Mayor promised to get everyone "fed, gifted and on the way home" before the roads got too slick and she did a good job! By 7:30 we were back in our living room picking out a movie to watch!
Saturday: Saturday found several inches of snow on the streets, so we waited until almost 2:00 before leaving the house, in hopes that street crews would have the chance to salt everything before we got out...and the roads were in good shape! We did a bit of shopping, then stopped at Kobe's for dinner around 5:00. (Thank you Rich!! It was delicious!) The temps were dropping, and rather than end up sliding into someone as the slush refroze, we went home.
Sunday: We decided on the early service at Church, then went to McAlisters for lunch, and shopped a bit afterward at Gordman's. We spent the rest of the afternoon here at home, wrapping up some work gifts and computer work. At 6:00 this evening, we have another Christmas party (for the Park and Tree Board, of which I am recording secretary).
The coming week promises to be a busy one! I love the Christmas season! It is my favorite! I love the shopping, music, movies, decorations, food, good will, fun and most of all...the family time! Every year I am more aware of those around us who don't have such a wonderful Christmas, and this year, as we drive down Broadway and see those who are homeless and those who line up to eat at the Lord's Diner, my heart breaks. This has been a financially strained Christmas for us...but when I see those who have no homes, and when I realize that those lining up at the Diner may be receiving their only meal of the day...I feel guilty for bemoaning our own "tight finances". I have determined to help someone this week...in some way. I don't have the resources to do anything huge...but help doesn't always have to be huge. So, I will be watching for an opportunity! I encourage you to do the same. After all...we have received the greatest gift of all for Christmas...our Saviour! It only seems fitting that we pass along a bit of kindness whenever we can!
Be Well!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Poor Marvin...
Those of you who know me well...also know that I have a tendency to blurt out whatever is swirling around in my brain...with no warning or explanation. Poor Marvin was reminded of that particular flaw of mine a couple days ago.
We were watching a news cast about a sports arena ( I don't remember the location) where fans gather in a certain area of the arena and essentially go nuts during breaks in play. The area is a spiral walkway leading from the lower level to the top of the stadium. It seems that fans gather at the railing and scream obscenities, throw beer cans and bottles, spit beer and yell for women to bare their breasts (which they do). After the story, one woman who had been caught up in their reveling by accident was interviewed by a reporter afterwards:
Reporter: What was going through your mind while all of the yelling was going on?
Woman: Oh...I was repulsed...it's absolutely disgusting! But...it's just men being men.
I sat on the footstool listening to her say "It's just men being men..." and my brain flew into a rage! I could not believe that she had the nerve to lump all men into such an outrageous statement! I wondered if she had a husband or son...and if she did, why it hadn't occurred to her that by making such a statement, she was indicating that her own men were degenerate perverts as well...after all...they are men. I could not believe that she was basically excusing the behavior of a bunch of people who needed kicked in the butt because of their gender! And...I wondered whether this woman might be blind...had she not noticed that about half of the participants were women?! My anger intensified as I thought about the way that women are often lumped into one huge category of ignorant, helpless, weak beings...by narrow minded people. And how that stereotype is perpetuated by women who ACT in those ways because they think it will further some agenda they have.
All of this occurred in a matter of seconds as we sat there together watching TV, and suddenly it spewed out my mouth.
I whirled around to face my husband, and snarled, "SO, HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?"
His face was a total blank and his eyes were huge, but there was no audible response.
"DOESN'T THAT PISS YOU OFF?"I hissed, "A STATEMENT LIKE THAT SHOULD MAKE ALL OF YOU MAD!"
I paused and waited. During this pause...the look of confusion and fear on his face finally registered in my brain and I started to apologize...but suddenly the humor of it all hit me and I couldn't stop laughing.
I finally managed to explain that I had not meant my question for him personally...but rather...I was wondering how men in general feel about such things. He's been a bit skittish every since.
Be Well!
We were watching a news cast about a sports arena ( I don't remember the location) where fans gather in a certain area of the arena and essentially go nuts during breaks in play. The area is a spiral walkway leading from the lower level to the top of the stadium. It seems that fans gather at the railing and scream obscenities, throw beer cans and bottles, spit beer and yell for women to bare their breasts (which they do). After the story, one woman who had been caught up in their reveling by accident was interviewed by a reporter afterwards:
Reporter: What was going through your mind while all of the yelling was going on?
Woman: Oh...I was repulsed...it's absolutely disgusting! But...it's just men being men.
I sat on the footstool listening to her say "It's just men being men..." and my brain flew into a rage! I could not believe that she had the nerve to lump all men into such an outrageous statement! I wondered if she had a husband or son...and if she did, why it hadn't occurred to her that by making such a statement, she was indicating that her own men were degenerate perverts as well...after all...they are men. I could not believe that she was basically excusing the behavior of a bunch of people who needed kicked in the butt because of their gender! And...I wondered whether this woman might be blind...had she not noticed that about half of the participants were women?! My anger intensified as I thought about the way that women are often lumped into one huge category of ignorant, helpless, weak beings...by narrow minded people. And how that stereotype is perpetuated by women who ACT in those ways because they think it will further some agenda they have.
All of this occurred in a matter of seconds as we sat there together watching TV, and suddenly it spewed out my mouth.
I whirled around to face my husband, and snarled, "SO, HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?"
His face was a total blank and his eyes were huge, but there was no audible response.
"DOESN'T THAT PISS YOU OFF?"I hissed, "A STATEMENT LIKE THAT SHOULD MAKE ALL OF YOU MAD!"
I paused and waited. During this pause...the look of confusion and fear on his face finally registered in my brain and I started to apologize...but suddenly the humor of it all hit me and I couldn't stop laughing.
I finally managed to explain that I had not meant my question for him personally...but rather...I was wondering how men in general feel about such things. He's been a bit skittish every since.
Be Well!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Dance With All Your Might...
Years end coming quickly now
As years are wont to do…
My inside eye relives the past
In shades of bright and blue.
The universe has handed out
What things it stored for us,
In that great cosmic sense
…All we have is trust.
Looking back with heavy hearts
Sorrow clouding what we find,
Seeking hope for what comes next
Retreading paths…behind.
While death looms in the shadows
To snatch one held quite dear…
A new life waits just in the eves,
Impending birth is near.
There is no way to gage events…
Which haven’t come to pass,
Except to say the future is
More fragile than blown glass.
Hold tight until the days are gone,
Cling fast unto the night…
Don’t live life in a quiet haze,
But dance with all your might.
Copyright©2007 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Years end coming quickly now
As years are wont to do…
My inside eye relives the past
In shades of bright and blue.
The universe has handed out
What things it stored for us,
In that great cosmic sense
…All we have is trust.
Looking back with heavy hearts
Sorrow clouding what we find,
Seeking hope for what comes next
Retreading paths…behind.
While death looms in the shadows
To snatch one held quite dear…
A new life waits just in the eves,
Impending birth is near.
There is no way to gage events…
Which haven’t come to pass,
Except to say the future is
More fragile than blown glass.
Hold tight until the days are gone,
Cling fast unto the night…
Don’t live life in a quiet haze,
But dance with all your might.
Copyright©2007 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
An icy day...
The weather outside is frightful...
The electric heater is delightful...
I have a million places to go...
Ice is falling, if only it were snow.
(My apologies to Mr. Cahn and Mr. Martin)
What a day! The temperature is hovering just above the freezing mark (thankfully), and the rain has taken a short hiatus. Trees, shrubbery, etc. are white and heavy with ice and I fear that my Pampas Grass is ruined. There are times when Kansas is a hateful place to live...this is such a time!
I arose early and as soon as Marvin was off to work, I showered, fixed my hair and put on my face, in case I was called in to work for someone who could not navigate the roads. The expected call did not come...due to rising temps and melting ice. So...since I was ready to roll...I did! I made an early stop at Wal-Mart (which was almost empty), then headed over to my nail salon to have a new set put on. To my dismay, my salon was closed (probably due to the forecast of an inch of ice), so I ended up at California Nails in the mall. The nail tech was very nice and extremely competent...but after having the same people do my nails for more than ten years...I felt as though I were cheating on someone. Yes...I felt like a nail slut.
The roads were not bad...but the potential was there. If the temperature falls, the coating of ice will be thick and swift. So, rather than risk an accident, I headed back home and after a quick bite of lunch (baked potato, peas and cottage cheese), I made a call to a certain government agency, to see if I could rectify...or at least understand...a little situation which has developed between my mother and said agency. In the end, I got a bit more than I expected...but I have to say that the person who assisted me was extremely helpful and...believe it or not...I did NOT lose my temper. However, I am now even more perplexed at the financial problems plaguing my parents. I am wondering whether financial counseling is in order...rather than assistance.
A few observations for the record...
1)Life really isn't fair.
2)No good deed goes unpunished.
3)James Taylor was right "When you're down...nobody gives a damn anyway."
However...what goes around comes around.
Be Well!
The electric heater is delightful...
I have a million places to go...
Ice is falling, if only it were snow.
(My apologies to Mr. Cahn and Mr. Martin)
What a day! The temperature is hovering just above the freezing mark (thankfully), and the rain has taken a short hiatus. Trees, shrubbery, etc. are white and heavy with ice and I fear that my Pampas Grass is ruined. There are times when Kansas is a hateful place to live...this is such a time!
I arose early and as soon as Marvin was off to work, I showered, fixed my hair and put on my face, in case I was called in to work for someone who could not navigate the roads. The expected call did not come...due to rising temps and melting ice. So...since I was ready to roll...I did! I made an early stop at Wal-Mart (which was almost empty), then headed over to my nail salon to have a new set put on. To my dismay, my salon was closed (probably due to the forecast of an inch of ice), so I ended up at California Nails in the mall. The nail tech was very nice and extremely competent...but after having the same people do my nails for more than ten years...I felt as though I were cheating on someone. Yes...I felt like a nail slut.
The roads were not bad...but the potential was there. If the temperature falls, the coating of ice will be thick and swift. So, rather than risk an accident, I headed back home and after a quick bite of lunch (baked potato, peas and cottage cheese), I made a call to a certain government agency, to see if I could rectify...or at least understand...a little situation which has developed between my mother and said agency. In the end, I got a bit more than I expected...but I have to say that the person who assisted me was extremely helpful and...believe it or not...I did NOT lose my temper. However, I am now even more perplexed at the financial problems plaguing my parents. I am wondering whether financial counseling is in order...rather than assistance.
A few observations for the record...
1)Life really isn't fair.
2)No good deed goes unpunished.
3)James Taylor was right "When you're down...nobody gives a damn anyway."
However...what goes around comes around.
Be Well!
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