New Year 2010

In many ways, 2009 was a 12 month extension of 2008. But some of 2009 just sucked--politics, the economy, the war--that I'm inclined to just skip it entirely and make 2008 a 24 month year. That means 2010 feels like a much-needed fresh, fresh start. I look forward to the new year. But after all these New Year's Eves, I realize January 1 is just another day. We think we're gifted a whole new set of 365 shiny new ones tonight. But we're not. It's just another day. And if you're blessed enough to draw breath another day, thank the One who made you. And go out and do what you ought.

Last of Oh-Eight

Several days ago, I lost track of the day and my watch lost track of the time because it has no battery but relies on motion to keep running. I haven't been at work and have had no need to know the day or the time. I can understand why my little ones will ask 'what day is it today?' and 'who's coming today?' They have their little routines, too, and me being home all day everyday is a little out of their ordinary.

2008 was quite fine. I hope 2009 is even better.

Royal Tannenbaum

Last year was the first year for a Christmas tree in a decade. Santa was kind enough to leave it with us. It went up several days ago. Annie has nicknamed the tree "Shrubby" and begs to go downstairs to check on 'him.'

I just checked. Bedecked with lights and garland and Santa just dropped off a load of presents. O Shrubby-Tree, O Shrubby-Tree, how lovely are thy branches.

Pixel Dust

Behold our first ever picture taken with Santa Claus. We thought of photoshopping the cowlick, but then we'd have photoshopped out all the whimsy.

Merry Christmas from the Adamses!

Double Date Nights

Dave and I had two Christmas parties to attend this weekend, necessitating two different baby-sitters to cover for us at home. The first party at the home of a couple from church/Marriage Encounter, is one we've attended for several years now. I told the hostess that it's one of those events that tells me, "Okay, now it's really Christmas." They provide abundant beverages and main dishes and they ask everyone to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert. I had a holiday-manic mood and I took the girls to the store with four recipes in hand and wound up making and taking all four things to the party. We got to touch base with friends we haven't seen in months and it surprised us that midnight rolled around so quickly.

Last night we attended a new-to-us party: Dave's Fourth Degree Christmas party. Dave looked handsome as can be in his evening wear and I got to wear a new frock. The food was good and the company was even better. I got to dance with Dave and he serenaded me along with The King and The Righteous Bros. We are the only couple in this group who had to leave to take the sitter home and we are the youngest, too. We've been officially squares for a long time and this just reinforces that we like squareness.

Happy Birthday, David

Today is Dave's birthday. He's lucky it falls on a Saturday. I have the gifts purchased and wrapped, the cake on order, the sitter lined up and a couple surprise guests at dinner. And, of course, I'm certain that he won't read this before the day unfolds.

Or, if he does, he's much better than me at keeping a secret.

The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

I'm very proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Army. I'm so grateful to my fellow veterans especially those in my family. I learned much from the good men and women who lead me. There's an adage that there are only three ways to lead: by example, by example and by example.

Also, my thoughts turn to my nephew, Little Dave, who is deploying to Iraq later this month. Godspeed Little Dave. You are a credit to your country.

Old Enough to Vote: Part II

Eighteen years ago, when I married my husband in Georgia, my sister and brother-in-law who were living in Minnesota at the time, could not attend. The reason? Mary was expecting their first child. Tomorrow, that sweet little peanut [gooberschnitzel to her German Grandma] Stefanie turns eighteen. She intends to vote in her very first election and I hope to God the people at the polls allow her to at least cast a provisional ballot. She's a smart, talented, young lady and she has been well raised. [Seen here with her awesome Dad].

Happy Birthday, Stef! Welcome to the club!

Old Enough to Vote

We celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary today Chez Adams. It feels like we've been married a long time by length of years [now legal to vote!], but I still feel like a newlywed. That has to be partly because our oldest child is only 6 years old and time in our marriage from year 12 to today has been measured by baby and toddler and preschool measures. And the difference from 12 to 18 seems immense!

And yet, I'm hoping for another 18 or 36 or more years with my beloved. He, now graying slightly at the temples of his otherwise flame-red-head, is crinkling a little at the eyes but is even more beautiful in my eyes. He is the embodiment of manliness to me. My heart still skips a beat when I watch him with the power tools or the sidearms or snuggling with the children. He is the real deal. In October 1990, I suspected I was marrying a good man. I just didn't know that this great good man would inspire me to become so much more as a woman by his example.

Thank you, God, for the gift of my beloved.

So Wish Me "Happy Birthday"

and save yourself the postage.

Long May It Wave

Happy Flag Day!

ADDED: Here's Althouse's "Most Right Wing Photo" which I misremembered as her usual Flag Day pic, but it's not. She posts it on the 4th of July.

Oh, Happy Day

Today is Zeke's 6th birthday. We celebrated his 6th completed trip around the sun with lunch out at his choice [Applebee's] and we're planning a Dewey's cake shortly [chocolate cake/chocolate icing/blue flowers]. The decorations are Star Wars themed and I'm half-way regretting the 3ft long light sabre in his gift bag. Let's hope he doesn't use it for the dark side of the force.

Pun o' the Day

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Cap tip to a-Mayse-ing NICU nurse: Sara

Happy Easter!

We spent Saturday evening at church. David was among many welcomed into the Church. He made his profession of faith, was anointed [confirmed] and made his First Holy Communion. He's asleep now and the holy smell of the crism on his forehead wafts my way and fills me with immense joy.

Valentines Worth Scrawling

Dear blogfriend Sippican writes a cyber-Valentine to his marvelous wife. If you don't know him, you won't remember the time last summer when he was in a fever-addled, perilously ill state because of Lyme's disease. But now you know all you must to understand his note.

There is nothing in this world but to love, and be loved in return.

The Gift That Kept On Giving

Tonight I finally used up my Valentine's gift from last year. Dave gave me a year's worth of massages and today I had my last one. This time, I hushed enough to actually enjoy it [very difficult when you have an interesting massage therapist who has come to know you] and it makes all the difference.

Happy 2008!

Last night? Not only were the girls both spewing at well-timed 15-30 minute intervals, Dave caught the chills and was helpful around 5:30 this morning. Longest night of my life. But I'm off for Mass [holy day of Obligation] which should cheer me.

The girls are up, sipping water that I ration. I dare not speak too soon. Nothing's come up yet.

AFTER MASS: And brother makes three. Mary Jo is holding her own. Annie's lost ground. Yick...yick...yick.

Christmas at Home

Christmas was lovely, a small affair. It began with 9:15 a.m. Mass--the best one to select if you wanted to avoid the crowds. They did pretty well, given the circumstances.

The kids were delighted that Santa left them a tree, under which was another cache of cool gifts. We took lots of photos, but darned if we can download them because Zeke has been monopolizing that computer with his newest LEGO/Star Wars game.

The girls got some more dress-up outfits [Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty] and they all got a tea set [thanks Cousins Anna and Steve!] and toy pots and pans, kitchen items and tools. Zeke proclaimed, "I can be a chef like Remy." Later in the afternoon, they discovered an unopened gift full of figurines from four of their favorites: Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Ratatouille. I can now start a First Prince's Club. And there are also bad guys: Maleficent, Wicked Step-Mother [Lady Tremaine], the dragon, and Gaston. I get to watch them recreate the stories they know well. I also get to delight when they put in a switcheroo...to look at the evil dragon from Sleeping Beauty and give it a Bugs Bunny quip, "Whoa, Dragon! Whoa! When I say 'whoa!' I mean 'whoa!' Dragons is such idjits!"

The Calm...

...precedes the storm? I am ready. Last night, Dave and I watched "Extras" on DVD [starring Ricky Gervais, the star of the original "The Office"], while we wrapped presents. They are queued up at the door. The gifts that won't be going are downstairs under the tree which the children have not yet discovered. This morning, I felt that we must have the taste of Christmas: I made mom's Melting Moments cookies and my mother-in-law's recipe for pecan/nut bars. They are assembled on a plate for us and a very small one for Santa. The kids are watching Bugs Bunny and begging to go to Aunt Teri's because that's where Christmas is. They have no idea what awaits them one floor below.

Festooning

I climbed up the creaky attic stairs ladder and retrieved the Christmas decorations today. Then I spent a goodly amount of time untangling the lights to put on the shrubbery out front. I took a break to talk to my pal, Kathie, and finished the job. Truth told: the phone call, interrupted by a dying battery on the cordless, took more time than the bush-lighting work.

I'm heading downstairs to set up the tree. Ssshhh. The children know nuth-THINK!

UPDATE, 11:30 p.m: Done. The new tree was easy-peasy to set up, the new LED lights [eat your heart out, Lileks!] were awesome, and I rediscovered old treasured memories. The ornaments from our first formal date [The School Brigade Formal, 1988] and the war [Operation Desert Shield, 1990] and our first Christmas together retrieved tender memories of young love. I found some cute little special ones from my single law school MaryTylerMoore days and also many unique hand-mades, stitched by my mom. I think I'll let the kids hang their own special ornaments that they've been receiving since their first Christmases.