Signing off until the New Year...

...time to take some time out to Remember, Reconnect and Renew...




I want to wish everyone a wonderful and Safe Christmas and Holiday Season.
I'll see you in 2007!

Taste of my Own Medicine

On the days I don't work out of the home, I try to get up a little before 5AM so I can get started on my day. I found that I am much less cranky waking up early instead of staying up late. It usully works, and I can get at least 2 hours of some good solid work, either sewing or computer time. I can also get to my coffee much and enjoy it without interruption...you know how good those uninterrupted java moments can be, especially as the sun is coming up. :)

This morning isn't quite as successful. Rafaella has been up with me. Though in her crib near this computer, she is laying down and peeking through the slats of the crib, making sure I don't get up from it. As you can imagine, I have gotten up to sneak away several times since 5 am, only to be called back.

I am writing in the dark to keep her thinking that she needs to sleep. She will be cranky if she doesn't, and before I starting writing I even attempted to knit by the light of the computer screen, but darnit, it's not working for me...I am only a 1 yr knitter after all, and can't knit without looking.

I don't even know why I am not surprised to have a child with my same schedule. I surely have my Mother's , who is up most nights developing recipes and watching home and garden and food shows. She is accustomed to calling me at around midnight my time (east coast), and we talk until it is midnight her time (west coast). It's a sickness, and I think my daughter has it.

Greg has actually been laughing in his boots. This special daughter of mine has me running for my money, with a stubborn streak so long and a mischievous smile that can fool her father. He says that she acts just like me, and sometimes I have to really question how naughty I have been to Greg all of these years. Me? Stubborn and Sassy? I really don't think so, but he tells me otherwise. And that is why, he says, he is totally not phased by our princess.

I do have to admit, that sometimes when I look at her, I feel like I am looking at a picture of myself. She has much of Greg with her, she is definitely half-caucasian ;) ...but the expressions in her eyes, the way she cocks her head, the way she stands with her hands on her hips (haha!) or sometimes the way she smiles reminds me of those photographs my mother took of me as a child.

I think I have an exciting road ahead of me.

I'm holding my family closer tonight,

and praying that the Kim family finds peace.

There are just some news that hit home.

James and Kati's story is one of them.

I don't know them personally, but they are from San Francisco, my home in
my heart, a city bursting with both a sophisticated and nonchalant air. A city that boasts such a closeness and brotherhood among its residents.

I have been refreshing Yahoo for most of the day, hoping to find more good news but the search continues for James, who has been on foot for a couple of days now.

I have been so emotional, thinking of how strong Kim was, breastfeeding to keep both her two babes alive. And how their instincts were so sharp, to enable them to stay alive for so long.

I hang on to this as I send prayers that James will be safe.

Who's feelin' the heat?

It's really not right to have such warm weather in December, especially in our part of the country. It is 75 degrees! It should be snowing, in my humble opinion. Send me back up North where I belong! *giggle*

And did everyone realize that it is the 1st of December? I finally realized this morning, when I reread my previous post.

Who's feelin' the heat?

Greg brought up boxes and boxes of decorations, half of which I put up today. I love this time of year, but throughout the season I have to continually remind myself that beyond the lights, the presents, the parties, there is a spiritual meaning to this season. I found myself today starting to stress about the mess we (greg, me, and the kids) made in the living room, and I had to remind myself that ALL OF THIS, this prep, should be a means to exemplify and teach the Christmas (or other Holiday that you may celebrate) spirit. It should be about generosity, in our actions and words.

I have to admit that I am one of those parents that don't like too many gifts for my children. Most of the toys for my kids come from others, and we do splurge a little during Christmastime, but that is after the kids have gone through their toys and given some of it away. I am proudly a handmade gift giver (from myself or others), and I sometimes don't know how my (our family's) presents are taken. The value in it is time and love rather than money. At the same time I feel (and have been vocal to say) that by doing this, I am standing up against commercialism and overspending over the the Holidays.

Who's with me? Just kidding.

I just don't want my kids to grow up thinking that Christmas is JUST about stuff. I don't want them to get caught up in all of this materialistic hoopla, and find this season *empty* in meaning. And to do this, I need to remind myself to keep the religious, spiritual, and emotional meaning alive in our family.

And that starts with me not being angry when there is a mess from the Christmas decorations.

(see? this post somehow came back full circle *giggle*)

9 years, and counting...

Then:



and Now:



...and we are still each other's best friends and most honest critic. And instead of getting up to meet to get breakfast at the University cafeteria, we now meet in our kitchen for coffee early in the morning...

Happy Anniversary Babe.