I know, I know. We barely finished with Halloween. But the first breeze of cool air (that was last week) I get here in Miami makes me think Christmas. What do I miss the most living here in Miami- the seasons! Did you know that there are 4 of them? Did you know that they last for months at a time? I find it sooooooo hard to shop for Christmas in sweltering heat. Bah Humbug!
I already made my husband sit down with me and agree on a Christmas list, just names of people we need to give to. I am trying to avoid the Why are you getting that? Who is that for? That inevitably comes as the packages start coming through the door, getting wrapped and placed under the tree. I'll let you know how it works.
Actually, this is the first time I have started so early. I already have some gifts wrapped. YEAH for me! My kids are older now. So, I don't have to hide the stuff but I figure if I wrap it they won't be tempted to look and see what it is. I've ordered things from some catalogs and am awaiting their arrival. Other things I am still researching. I have lots of ideas, another typical problem of mine, feast or famine. I either have tons of ideas for a person or none. This weekend I hope to finish with the kids in the family; the nephews and younger cousins. Then I will have plenty of time to obsess about the adults and my kids. But I will feel relieved that the little kids are done. After all they are the most important ones. With any luck I'll be finished Thanksgiving Friday!
The best laid plans..... we'll see what happens.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Halloween
Tis the season for me to get nostalgic. There will be more of that in the coming months, so bear with me.
Pumpkin carving was a big part of Halloween for me in Virginia. I used to carve them here for the kids when they were little but it is so hot the pumpkins rot! You have to buy plastic ones here. UGH! When I was growing up we used to carve a bunch and have them all over the yard, in the windows with candles in them for the whole month of October and into November. It was great! Here I would carve them and have to keep them in the fridge so they wouldn't rot and take them out a night for a little while or carve them on the 30th so that it would still be recognizable on the 31st. I don't even decorate my house anymore. I used to but we don't stay home for Halloween so, what's the point?
I still have a nice time because I spend it at a friends house and we have a good time with all the kids and walk around her neighborhood and see all the decorations and other kids dressed up. Sharing time with good friends is always good. Happy Haunting :0
Pumpkin carving was a big part of Halloween for me in Virginia. I used to carve them here for the kids when they were little but it is so hot the pumpkins rot! You have to buy plastic ones here. UGH! When I was growing up we used to carve a bunch and have them all over the yard, in the windows with candles in them for the whole month of October and into November. It was great! Here I would carve them and have to keep them in the fridge so they wouldn't rot and take them out a night for a little while or carve them on the 30th so that it would still be recognizable on the 31st. I don't even decorate my house anymore. I used to but we don't stay home for Halloween so, what's the point?
I still have a nice time because I spend it at a friends house and we have a good time with all the kids and walk around her neighborhood and see all the decorations and other kids dressed up. Sharing time with good friends is always good. Happy Haunting :0
Friday, October 27, 2006
Learning how to do this
Allrighthythen! I have playing around with this blog for 2 days. I realize I haven't posted anything- that's because I have been playing with the things that you can add, links, pictures etc.
It took me two hours to get that picture on my profile! I said I wasn't techy. But do ya get it? They are purple impatiens; see the play on words! That took a while but I like the picture.
THEN adding the Word of the Day and Latin Proverb of the Day. Whew, as you can see that still isn't right because there's more than one Proverb. Oh well, I'll fiddle with it some more later.
When I decided to start a blog, I did not realize you needed to know 'code' to do it even semi-well. I don't know diddly but copy and paste are my friends so I'm giving it a go. Have patience with me as I learn the ropes of the blog world. One step at a time, I'll get there. :)
It took me two hours to get that picture on my profile! I said I wasn't techy. But do ya get it? They are purple impatiens; see the play on words! That took a while but I like the picture.
THEN adding the Word of the Day and Latin Proverb of the Day. Whew, as you can see that still isn't right because there's more than one Proverb. Oh well, I'll fiddle with it some more later.
When I decided to start a blog, I did not realize you needed to know 'code' to do it even semi-well. I don't know diddly but copy and paste are my friends so I'm giving it a go. Have patience with me as I learn the ropes of the blog world. One step at a time, I'll get there. :)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Why Gimme Patience?
Gimme Patience wasn't the first name I thought of for my blog but it was the first one I liked that was available and it really is appropriate for me. It's what I always pray for and have since I was a little girl. In grade school I was hooked with The Serenity Prayer. We all know it...
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Amen.
I know that there's more to it but that's the part I like. Although I don't necessarily consider myself a religious person, I do consider myself a spiritual person. I think there's a difference which undoubtedly, will be explored futher in other postings. But ANYway, I have always thought that patience is what I need most to attain any goal I have ever set for myself and I say those words and variations of it often.
Related story- Warning: have a tissue handy or maybe I just cry cuz it was my kid.
Once in church when my youngest son (he must have been @5 at the time) was learning to pray, he asked me what I was praying for. I told him - Patience. He innocently asked me -What else, Mommy? I took a deep breath, my eyes were closed, I was on my knees with my hands piously clasped in prayer and said - Patience, sweetie, lots and lots of patience.
The graying couple behind us started to snicker as my young son, imitating me, got down on his knees and placed his folded hands over his head on top of the pew before him and said out loud - Hi God, can you please give my mommy lots and lots of patience? Her name is mommy and I'm Son2. Thanks, I mean Amen.
I leaned over, kissed the top of his head and thanked him as we sat back in our pew ready for mass. The man behind us asked that God bless my son. I could only look at him smiling and nodding my head in thanks as my eyes filled with tears.
So, Gimme Patience it is. Because without patience I wouldn't be able to take the time to appreciate moments like those.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Amen.
I know that there's more to it but that's the part I like. Although I don't necessarily consider myself a religious person, I do consider myself a spiritual person. I think there's a difference which undoubtedly, will be explored futher in other postings. But ANYway, I have always thought that patience is what I need most to attain any goal I have ever set for myself and I say those words and variations of it often.
Related story- Warning: have a tissue handy or maybe I just cry cuz it was my kid.
Once in church when my youngest son (he must have been @5 at the time) was learning to pray, he asked me what I was praying for. I told him - Patience. He innocently asked me -What else, Mommy? I took a deep breath, my eyes were closed, I was on my knees with my hands piously clasped in prayer and said - Patience, sweetie, lots and lots of patience.
The graying couple behind us started to snicker as my young son, imitating me, got down on his knees and placed his folded hands over his head on top of the pew before him and said out loud - Hi God, can you please give my mommy lots and lots of patience? Her name is mommy and I'm Son2. Thanks, I mean Amen.
I leaned over, kissed the top of his head and thanked him as we sat back in our pew ready for mass. The man behind us asked that God bless my son. I could only look at him smiling and nodding my head in thanks as my eyes filled with tears.
So, Gimme Patience it is. Because without patience I wouldn't be able to take the time to appreciate moments like those.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I Started A Blog
I've started a blog. Not sure how much of a big deal this is or what it actually entails. We'll see how I like it and if I keep it up. I'm not very technically inclined so I may get frustrated and nix the whole thing. I may get addicted and constantly update it. Who knows!? I surely don't. Let's just see how this turns out and we'll go from there. All my life I have kept journals of various sorts, so this seems like the logical next step.
For now, I started a blog. That's enough.
For now, I started a blog. That's enough.
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