Word to Your Mother

Thinking of my mom today, of course. What else can I say?  Oh, I know... Hug your mom if you still have her, because it'll likely be one of the things you'll miss most when she's gone.

Mom with Declan, August 2006.

Me & my brother w/ mom, circa 1972.

Me & my Dexy Doodle, circa 2007.

Holy Hogmanay!

Wait. What? 

I said... Holy friggin' Hogmanay Batman! Can't you hear?

It's the last day of the year... How the hell did that happen? In a matter of hours, this fine (*cough*) 2010 shall soon fade away in a draught cider & food induced haze, sneaked ciggies in the car park (*cough*), fireworks at midnight, and the laughter of sugar-crazed children wafting up from the basement of our friends' West Seattle home. Thank the heavens too that the kids won't have to be cooped up inside with all the adults this year, as it's been sunny and clear for the past few days here in Seattle. For all I care, they can run about like mad little bunnies outside in the crisp 20-something degree air.  

Bundle up! Whee! And Happy New Year, you little maniacs!

By the way,  Hogmanay is a Scottish tradition. We used to play a fun game of the same name at my childhood friends New Years Eve bashes back in CA. But they're Irish/German so who knows where the heck they got it? We just liked the sound of it. It's funny. Especially when you're drunk. Just sayin'.

Some day, I'd love to travel back to Edinburgh and participate in the 4-day Hogmanay celebrations there. That would be awesome. I loved Edinburgh when I was there a 1,000 years ago (okay, it was actually 1989 and I was 22 years old, which is almost 1,000 years ago). I have to also say, there are very few things that get me half as riled up as a Scotsman in a kilt (*cough*), or a dozen Highland pipes blaring mournful tunes across verdant fields. It stokes a fire in me people. FIRE.

Ah, but I digress. It's New Year's Eve my friends. And that means it's time to bid this past year adieu and move forward into 2011. I'm ready. Are you? 

This has been an interesting year, to say the least. My job-search has been a series of ups and downs in the last 2 months since I began my search in earnest, but I'm actually hopeful that I'll land an awesome job sooner rather than later. I can't allow myself to believe otherwise. Why would I? That's not how I roll. Dexy is well and a typical crazy 4 and 1/2 year old. Her dad is settling in to a life in Seattle, though I suspect he's not settling in too well with the cold. HaHa. The house is holding together. My friends are awesome. I still love it here as much as ever. This city is pretty much my version of heaven on earth.

And so is with hope that I wish you a wonderful New Year ahead. May it be all you wish for, and more. May it be prosperous, fun, adventurous, filled with love and laughter, and most of all, may it hold a PEACEFUL outcome for all.

Meanwhile, I lovingly (and smirking-ly) provide the following for all those of you who don't actually know the lyrics yet want to sing it at the top of your lungs this very night without looking (too) foolish... Cheers! See y'all in 2011!

*******************************************************

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since days of auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Not a creature was stirring, not even our little mouse... Happy Christmas Everyone!

All I want for Christmas is...

I just lurves me some pork. Ham in particular. My pretend husband, Mr. Tony Bourdain has it right, piggies are one of the most perfect foods. And what's not to like? Ham, bacon, sausage, prosciutto, roast pork loin, ham hocks (for homemade split pea soup), pork rinds, pulled pork, pork bellies, pâté de campagne, Rillettes, pork chops and applesauce...  

* d r o o l *

So hey, dear Santa! Can I have a lovely glazed ham for Christmas dinner please? I promise I'll be good. No really, I will. Oh, while you're at it, I'd also love some cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, sweet corn casserole, some yummy greens (braised spinach with bacon perhaps, or fresh green beans?), pecan pie... you get the idea. I'll leave the Trophy cupcakes and milk by the fire place. Thanks in advance. Love forever and ever, Me.

P.S. Not to be a bother, but a little help w/ the gift wrapping would be most excellent as well. Thanks a million!

Visions of Sugar Plums. Or Some Such Nonsense.

Today would have been my dad's 86th birthday. I'm really missing him, and my mom as well, especially since she was the Queen of making the holidays totally AWESOME (and I'm so not). Yeah, yeah. I'm feeling the usual sense of loss and grief that comes with missing my family this time of year. No surprises there right? But to be honest, it's never been a particularly joyful time for me, even when they were alive. I've always had these little-girl-like sugar plum visions for a Norman Rockwell-esque holiday, but most of the time it was more like The Simpsons. That said, I still manage to have many fond memories of a zillion wondrous and magical Christmas mornings (thanks Mom, I know that was ALL your doing).

Before I get too morose, let's just say it's that super special time of year when I get all wistful for my Christmas Past. Wait. How did I get on the subject of Christmas anyway? Oy. Anyhoo, I went poking around in my office closet earlier today and I found some old, and not so terrible, pictures where we actually look like a (kinda) happy family.

My dad and I may not always have seen eye to eye, but he was still my hero and I was cuckoo crazy about him. I hope somehow he knows that now. Happy birthday dad. I miss you.

Mom, Dad and Me (vacation in FL circa 1983/84)

Xmas in CA (Dad, Brother Bri, Mom and Me circa 1994)

Dad and Me - Sept 1972

Dad and Grandpa 1925

 

Happy Christmas

Best. Christmas. Song. Ever. 
(for this old punk anyway)


"So happy christmas 
I love you baby 
I can see a better time 
Where all our dreams come true..."

Holiday Greetings Post(al)

Whoa! It's holiday time again. And it's going to get away from me if I don't get my arse in gear. Our second in Seattle. The fifth for Dexy. And this year, her daddy is here with us, so I actually get to include his name on the cards & gifts for OUR family/friends. How is it possible that my greatest wish has finally come true? Lucky me, lucky Dexy!

For most of my adult life, I've faithfully sent out holiday cards each year by the dozens, if not hundreds. I enjoy receiving them too of course, but mostly I just really like the idea of letting the people I love most know that I'm thinking of them, even if it's only once a year. 

Since becoming a mom, I've done photo cards on-line at Shutterfly.com because it's a great way to let everyone see how much my daughter has grown (from pudgy baby, to toddler and now preschooler) ...and this year will be no exception because as usual, they have the best selection of photo cards, calendars, etc. to choose from. IMMHO.

Anyhoo, the biggest dilemma I always have, other than picking the perfect photo/s, is which card style to order. 5x7, 4x8, flat or folded, pix of Dexy only, or all of us together, matte or glossy, etc.? Making things even more complicated is finding a card that is cool (since I'm not a very traditional kinda gal) and also one that is holiday neutral (since I'm Jew-ish but most of the folks I send cards to aren't).

Here is the card I sent Dexy's first year:

I'm really excited by all the available choices Shutterfly has this year! I've got it narrowed it down to these three styles; Mod Ornaments, Love and Laughter or Fa LaLa Christmas. 

Which card do YOU like?

I need to make my decision toute de suite if I'm going to get them to the post in time. 

Help!

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. Click here for more information on how to win 50 FREE holiday cards at Shutterfly. Please be sure to reference Clever Girls 1000 (see original post on Greeblemonkey). Thanks!

Spooky Sprites!

Halloween 2010 -- This year we had a potluck bash at our house, starting early enough for everyone to enjoy their food and drink before heading out w/ the little ones for loot collection, errrr, I mean Trick or Treating. Since it was a school night too, and most of my friends have kids in grade school, it was important to be home and tucked in by 8pm. A good time was had by all. And gosh, the kids sure looked cute!

Happy 4th of July!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." (The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776)

Lest we forget what today is really all about... Freedom from tyranny. Life. Liberty. Happiness. Equality. Fair representation. All the good & righteous stuff the Founding Fathers wanted for our fledgling nation.

Let's also try to remember that there are THOUSANDS of young men and women fighting for those very tenets overseas right now, men and women that can't be with their families, and whose families are really missing them something awful, especially on days like today. There are also many families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom/s. Please don't forget them today, okay?

Here's wishing you and yours a happy Independence Day! I hope you're enjoying a warm summer afternoon BBQ with all the people you love. Dexy and I are going to go stuff ourselves silly on grilled meat, potato salad, frosty beverages, etc. at my friend Susan & Steve's house. No, it's not officially summer in Seattle yet. Apparently that doesn't actually happen (historically) until July 5th. But 80-degree days will be here by Tuesday, and meanwhile, I think I see a little, teeny tiny bit of the sun peeking out behind those clouds. 

Enjoy!

Illuminate the Candles

Just sitting here watching the sun sink into Puget Sound, and I'm thinking about Hanukkah... wondering what all this still means to me, if anything. Of course, I believe in G-d. I'm more spiritually connected now than I've been in my entire life. And I'm grateful for that. I'm just not sure if I believe in religion anymore.

I'd like my daughter to experience the holiday traditions I grew up with (Lutheran), as well as the ones I chose as an adult (Jewish). Traditions, rituals, decorations, food, love, and most of all family... they all go hand in hand. That's not a bad thing to celebrate, right?

I will totally miss stopping at my brother's this year on Xmas morning. The kids ripping through presents. Mom & dad sitting on the couch watching it all unfold. Bri wearing khaki shorts & maybe some slippers (more likely flip flops). Elicia serving piping hot coffee w/ vanilla creamer and chatting with her over sausages on the stove. Maybe a fire going in the fireplace, even if it isn't cold (which it rarely is in Southern CA), just b/c it seems like the right thing to do on Christmas morning.

I'll miss stopping in at my best friend's on Xmas Eve. And having dinner at my childhood friends on Christmas afternoon. I'll miss lighting the Hanukkah candles at mom & dad's old house, that isn't ours anymore, in a neighborhood that isn't mine anymore either. I'll miss waving to the neighbors, exchanging cookies & cards w/ them, seeing their kids and grandkids running around the block on new bikes and skateboards.

It doesn't have to be a melancholy time, the holidays. I have so much to be grateful for. I love my new house, my new neighborhood is chock full of awesome people who will help create similar childhood memories for my daughter, I can have a tree AND a menorah if I want, I've put up lights around the eaves, it's cold, and hells bells, it MAY even snow! I can have the exact experience I desire, to the level at which I'm willing to participate. Some days I'm just not sure how much I want to participate. That's where I'm feeling stuck I guess.

But... tonight, I'll light the candles. And I'll think of those I love. That's the best I can do for today. It's enough, yo.

Last Christmas in California

This is a very powerful video (see below) with a wonderful message. Regardless of your religious beliefs, affiliations, or lack thereof, it is also quite universal. What is Christmas (or "The Holidays" if you prefer) really about?

This will be the last Christmas I'll ever spend in my parents home, the home I grew up in & that we celebrated myriad holidays in, in one form or another, for over 40 years! How many of us have been blessed w/ a place to call home for four decades? A place that no matter where we went, or for how long, we knew it would always be there waiting for us when we came back home? Maybe that's not so important to some, but it has always meant the world to me!

I was blessed to have had that kind of childhood. I thank G-d that I had the kind of mother who felt it was important to provide a sense of place for her kids. All of the traditions, the rituals, the memories... She did that for us, for her family. And I want so much to do the same for my own daughter, b/c let's face it, if I don't... who will?

Do I want this last Christmas in CA to be a little extra special? Do I want to dig down deep & give from my heart (instead of just my wallet)? Yes! Most of all, I want our last Christmas here to honor the lifetime of memories in this house... and I want it to mark the beginning of our new life in Seattle as well. So, I get to create a host of beautiful new traditions and memories, and build them upon the ones my mother created for me, starting right now.

What is YOUR Christmas wish?