Happy Holidays!

I can't believe the holidays are 2 days away! I have no idea what has happened to the time since Halloween. Between work and school, it is Christmas!

I don't have a thing ready yet. Gifts have been bought or made. Now all I have to do is find them, figure out what is for whom, and wrap them. Two days until Christmas... It makes me want to have a drink. Alas, I cannot though! Too much to do!

How many of you feel like Christmas is getting away from you and what's worse is the true meaning of Christmas is disappearing? Almost all Americans celebrate Christmas. So why do we rush our children to see Santa and buy all the toys and gifts they ask for in his name?

Why don't we try and reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas. A date we have set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ and (for those of us that believe) the gift of salvation? I'm not an evangelist, far from it, but this year I want to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born in a manger, in Bethlehem, instead of a commercialized version of Christmas.

To all who read this, I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever you may celebrate. Just celebrate it as it's meant to be. Love your family; they'll be gone soon enough. Your friends will come and go, but the true loved ones never leave. Be thankful for all the blessings (the true gifts) you have received and forget what you do without. My heart and thoughts are full of love for my family, friends, and future friends. Happy Holidays!

Missing a sister

Today is the last day my sister Nancy will be here. It will be at least another year or two before I see her again. It really saddens me. I miss my family. My sister Karen is always on the run and I rarely ever see her. My sister Sheryl lives in Rhode Island and I never see her. I'm very thankful I have two sons who live here in Des Moines, but as most young adults they are busy with their own lives. Well today I get to have 3 of them here for dinner. It will be a nice day and my sons will see their A. Nancy for the first time since 2003.

For others, like me, who don't have much or any familly to spend time with, you are here with us in my heart. I wish you all a very happy Holiday Season and remember, blood does not make a family.

A visit from FancyNan

My sister, Nancy, has flown in from Denver for a visit! I have not seen her since August 2006. She is on a journey which I envy her for.... She is spending the weekend with me, going home for a day, then on her way to Palm Springs, CA, for a few days. Oh, what I would give for somewhere warm right now.

This is just the beginning of her journey. She is moving to Paris, France, and will teach English as a second language. Now I will have to save all my money so I can go visit her next summer!

I wish I had the guts to just pack up and go! I wouldn't even know how to begin to do something like that. I'm more dependent on people. I love having friends and family about. Although I know there are new friends out there waiting to be met, I'd be terrified to just pack up and move to Europe.

Nancy, I wish only the best for you and I love you with all my heart. Make sure you get a place to live quickly, so I can come stay with you!