Stargazer

Everything I ever needed to know...

Everything I ever needed to know, I learned from a miniature Dove wrapper. Based on Robert Fulghum's bestseller about Kindergarten, today I unwrapped some small candies(DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME HOW MANY!) and on the inside of each metallic cover, there was a saying. At first, I just thought to myself, "Why, how quaint!" Then, I started actually thinking about what they said and making some New Year's goals for myself, very informally. 

What if "the season to be jolly" lasted all year long? YES, what if I just got people little thoughtful gifts or made inspiring cards for no reason or holiday? I bet I would brighten my down moments if I did that, and I could spread a little sunshine to others.

Miracles aren't limited to the holidays. The needy people aren't either. The food banks still need food;suffering and  hunger remain, literally in our back yards. Some families are burned out of their houses or a parent loses his/her job. We have been generous toward the tsunami victims; my goal is to look around more in my community for those who could use our help. 

Holiday magic starts from within. Oh, boy, do I need this one. It is no one's responsibility to MAKE me happy, it is my own choice to try to remain optimistic and positive. We put so much emphasis on the holidays--how about all those other days of the year, can't they all be mini-holidays? I need to find something (or someone) to celebrate every single day!

A smile is the perfect gift, personal and encouraging. I do believe this and have to admit to being a smiler. It has opened up many doors for me;I have met wonderful people because I have smiled and exchanged a word with people I didn't know, in the grocery store, at gymnastics meets, at the park,etc... I have had some fabulous conversations with others because of this, and it can all start with a friendly smile.

Promise yourself some relaxing holiday moments. Another goal for me is to relax more and stress myself out less. I can be my own worst enemy in that regard. For all of my blogger buddies, you have provided me with some much needed and appreciated advice, laughs, cyber hugs and attention. As one would say in French, je vous aime.

And now, to walk my talk, I see on the news that one of my high school classmate's houses has been horribly vandalized. He is a supervisor at Microsoft and lives in Redmond. Since I can contact him via the Internet, I will now do so and ask if there is anything I can do to help. Happy New Year to All!

Later tonight...this is the e-mail response I received to my message to my classmate, DB:

Yes it is terrible! As far as I know the insurance will cover us but we'll
be out of our house for a long time while they fix the water damage. We are
still pretty much in shock. One thing that helps a lot is how many people
like you have contacted me. I appreciate your support!

The police and the news people have both been great. The Redmond police dept
is taking this pretty seriously, because they estimate the damage at $100K+.
They had lots of officers and even two detectives working for many hours
collecting evidence. Channel 4, 5, 7, and 13 news crews came out today
around noon and they were all very sympathetic. The media officer from the
police department helped me by getting them all there at the same time, and
by showing them all around the house for me. So I was able to do one short
interview which was great because I was really tired.

Right now the cleaning crew has the situation well under control with plenty
of big blowers and industrial de-humidifiers. Tomorrow they finish tearing
out the carpet and start cutting holes in the drywall to see how much water
has run down the inside of the walls. What a mess!

Anyway thanks again.

DB

So, what do you think--was the e-mail worth my time to write and send to him? I definitely think so!

Opening our wallets

Getting a paycheck while not having to go to work is very seductive! As Monday looms and REAL life, with its gymnastics meets, work stress, senior paper, 9th grade project, homework,etc... life is speeding up. AIE!! My husband and I decided, after much "discussion" to donate to the tsunami victims. He had heard from a colleague at work that the Red Cross is BAD, while World Vision is GOOD, so I needed to do some research first. Admittedly, WV is located about 30 minutes away from us, but that doesn't automatically mean that it is superior. Thanks to this site, Charity Navigator , I found out all the information I needed to feel comfortable giving to the Red Cross through www.amazon.com. (very easy to do, for those of you who care to donate) Both the RC and WV are four star charities; however, the RC rates 64.11 and WV 61.02 on a scale of 70. The death toll in this disaster boggles my mind; I can't even imagine the present and future devastation, death and illness. I admire people who will go over there to help; I will give money, but admit, with a fair amount of shame, that I am no hero. I will stay home and cherish my normal life of parenting and work, appreciating my relatively boring life!

Pondering

First of all, it's raining so much here that a seagull has found its way into our cul de sac. S/he looks confused, as if to say, "I see many mini-oceans, but this doesn't look like the Pacific..." Other things on Margaret's mind:

1. It must be getting into gymnastics season because Alison's forearm hurts and I took an ice pack and an Ibuprofen with me to pick her up from gym today. (a tendon?) She REALLY wants to get her straddle back handstand--a bars move that involves going from high bar to low bar and landing in a  handstand. In her first meet(9.45 on bars!) she was very close to her handstand;it is HARD on her arms though, and on my nerves.

2. A good friend and my husband's mentor from our Jeep Club died suddenly yesterday.My brother-in-law, NOT SO NICE Mike, called to let him know and he was shellshocked. This was a guy who seemed indestructible and was a very nice, funny, helpful guy. On Jeep runs, he was the type who just happened to be carrying an extra rear end when you blew yours out; he could put in the new one in about 15 minutes, in the snow...seriously! I gave up Jeeping several years ago when I discovered that fear of heights and being on high, narrow, snowy logging roads didn't mix. Being on very high dunes also didn't do much for me. Of all the Jeep Club members, this man was the best--the best driver with the best Jeep and definitely had the best attitude toward others. Happy Trails to you, Rich, we will miss you.

3. I must also add that after REALLY enjoying two coffee dates, yesterday with S. and today with one of my best school friends, Debbie(thanks for the mocha and chat!), I feel that I could easily retire or be comfortable winning the lottery. What, I have to be 65? I need to buy a ticket?  Oh, phooey...

In Which Margaret Disobeys Her Husband...

I should never have any extra time on my hands because the tree is now undecorated and there are needles everywhere. I always forget that the needles fall off like Washington rain when one takes the ornaments and lights off. (and I am covered with needles as well) I am a day early; I hope I won't be in trouble with my husband. As long as I do it all, how can he possibly complain? The problem is that I have no "wheels" since my Trailblazer is in the shop getting a taillight recall(I had two of them burn out last year so I think I may have caused the recall)--and also an oil change and a check on why the Service Engine light keeps coming on. It's like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf--it always flashes at me when the gas cap is not quite securely on and for numerous unknown reasons, so I blithely ignore it. (probably not a good thing) I hate those ultra sensitive sensors--am I flying a high tech jet plane or something? Without my car, I can't go out and spend money and I've already organized almost every cupboard in this house. I've also had to call my bank to admit that I never got my October bank statement, but didn't even realize it until today. How embarrassing! My excuse is that I have a comfortable cushion in the account, so why should I worry? The woman on the phone was eager to help me by sending out another statement and was there ANYTHING else at all she could do for me. ANYTHING? When people are so eager to please, I get the urge to say, "Why don't you come over and help me take down the tree?" "How about organizing some of those scary cabinets I don't even want to touch?" "I'd love to have you come over and go through my refrigerator." Naturally, I don't say these things, because I am a NICE person. And after all,she didn't say--you stupid fool, it's December 28th and you didn't even know that you were missing a whole month's statement and checks??

Today is our nephew B's wife's birthday and I hope she gets the card I sent her yesterday. M  is a wonderful, affectionate and kind person who doesn't seem a bit frazzled by her two ACTIVE boys, Little Boy I. and Baby D. Happy Birthday to YOU, Marvelous M.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after cleaning and organizing the pantry, the vanities in the downstairs and master bathrooms and forcing our younger daughter to do their bathroom. (our older girl had already hit the bonus room.) I have to be in the right mood to winter clean and Margaret on a mission sends my family into hiding, quaking with fear. My next project will be un-decorating the house; that is always a bit depressing, but exciting too as we get ready for the New Year. My husband would love to leave the decorations up into the New Year, but I am itching to take them down the day after Christmas. So, we will compromise and wait until Wednesday. I admit it, I do sneak a few into the Christmas boxes before the magic day of de-Christmasing. My whole schedule has been thrown off by the nasty fact that Alison's gymnastics coaches changed our normal 4-8 practices this week to 10:30-2:30. That means I must set my alarm while I am on vacation! Psychologically, this is VERY bad karma for me, even if I don't have to get up until 9 o'clock. I also have to awaken Miss Grumpy Gymnast--who was threatened this morning with NO gym, if I had to deal with that nasty mood. She shaped up, but came home tired with a sore forearm. (we have more ice packs around here than you can believe--some for gym and some for ballet.) En route to gym I had to deal with the usual idiots on the road. Why do some people SLOW down when they are trying to merge? I back off to let the person in, and s/he doesn't speed up to blend in, but slows down to match my speed. I want to yell out the window--HEY, I'm trying to let you in and am in the lane you have to feed into AND I could crush your little car like a bug! My half-Italian temper sometimes shows up on the road when people are being stupid.  People who block intersections because they are SO important get my ire. Others who don't follow Washington State law to turn into the closest available lane make me furious because they almost hit me when I do observe the law.Those who drop their speed to exit don't understand the purpose of the exit ramp--which is to SLOW down while not holding up traffic on the freeway.  Luckily, my car pool partner will drive tomorrow so I don't have to subject myself to these temper tantrums. And I did get a lot done around the house. That will be my consolation.

How to Terrorize a Cat

Kendra was not feeling festive and did not like her beautiful bows. (that's why my right arm looks like Frankenstein's monster!) How to turn a generally disagreeable cat into a vicious feline--stick plastic annoyances on her body parts. Then try to pick her up from the comfortable recliner to put her outside. Make sure not to protect your bare arms by pulling down your sleeves. Don't forget to hold her tightly so she can't escape, but can also be close enough to sink her claws deeply into your hand and arm. My kids think this incident was all my fault; how can that be, I whine? I was just trying to get a cute picture...

Visit the injured Margaret and her family at our Christmas photo album where my wounds are covered by my long-sleeved shirt.

Christmas Eve 2004

My family at Christmas, minus the unpleasant people who didn't get to be in the photo. They were busy ignoring the rest of us, NOT acknowledging our gifts and trying to put us on the spot about politics. (Our older daughter refused to argue with my aunt about the button she was wearing, saying that they would just have to disagree.) This photo is what Christmas is all about, my folks, my husband and our two girls and my brother and his wife. I got TOO many gifts at both last night's doings and at my mother-in-law's this morning. (a couple of sweaters,my expensive French perfume, the latest CDs by REM and U2, blue slacks, pictures, Frango mints, a couple of books,etc...) It is stressful at my mother-in-law's because they are "stuff" people who are only happy if there are 100 items in each stocking and never buy what you WANT, but instead what they think you should have. I don't enjoy sorting through all the knee high nylons, gaudy brooches, strange kitchen utensils,etc... I don't say a word, but often come home and put much of it into a bag for charity. Yes, I have tried to say something. No, it doesn't work. Our most special gifts among the many that we received--a dinner that will be prepared for us by our older daughter and a little candle hot pot with a couple of Apple Pie candles(my favorite) from our younger daughter. It is perfuming our house right now! Those presents from the heart are always the best, aren't they?

No Peace on Earth, but Peace in my Heart

Every year I send out wishes for  peace at the holidays and they don't seem to be working...This photo is actually from spring 2003--the best family vacation we have ever taken. It was our second trip to Hawaii, but because it was for gymnastics, we brought Ashley's friend, J. along to keep her company. (the tall girl next to my husband) J. has a wonderful sense of humor and is game for anything; thus, she encouraged our timid Ashley to do things like snorkeling(loved it), body surfing, hiking up Diamond Head,etc...We spent our time in the hotel room laughing and our time away from it being adventurous in exploring the Hawaii we hadn't seen, like this Buddhist temple. Notice my hair? I shudder every time I see this photo because I got the haircut from h**l right before we went; I look like a Roman emperor, although less imposing and important. Peace in my heart means that I can look back at this picture and laugh; I can enjoy the mess all over our family room as Ashley works on her homemade crafts; I can let go of the fact that Alison's shirt is showing too much belly("But Mom, I have six-pack abs and your very overweight cousin J. wears disgusting shirts.") I have peace in my heart because my husband's chest x-ray results show that his heart is fine, my parents are right now preparing the best Christmas Eve dinner in the world at the ages of 72 and 76 and my brother and his wife will be able to share Christmas Eve with us this year, instead of working. Now, about world peace...Let's all hope for that, shall we? Maybe by next Christmas our servicemen and women will be home sharing the holiday with their loved ones. As I contemplate my blessings, there is truly nothing I want more.

I am Joy to the World! (or am I?)

You Are "Joy to the World"

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, It's not about what you get under the tree But sharing love with family, friends, and strangers

What Christmas Carol Are You?

I am not feeling very joyous right now as I had a laundry accident with my red turtleneck. That whole load of laundry, including Ashley's favorite Dole sweatshirt from Hawaii, is speckled pink.  Today I will get in a festive mood by making my Russian Teacake cookies, and the dough for the cut-out sugar cookies. I will also spend a lot of time standing by the washer with the Spray and Wash bottle. Oh, joy!

Not a TOY, but will be used as one

Yesterday, my husband came home with these little "toys" to replace our old, black cell phones. Oh, wait, he says they're NOT toys(yeah, right); as a surprise, he bought a new one for our 14 year old daughter. We had been holding firm for at least the past two years--no cell phone until you drive! Then he brings her home a picture phone, which she of course sees as a very cool gadget, one for me, and one for Ashley, who was horrified. She doesn't want it, so he will change his plan over to her phone and switch her number back to the prehistoric Nokia. He would like a camera phone for his stairways anyway so it works out well. The poor man is on a different, older plan than we are, so he has no voice mail or free long distance; he had to stay on his 2 year plan longer than he intended, due to an unfortunate "accident." One day, he misplaced his cell so he drove back to every job looking for it. Then he realized that he had had the phone in his back pocket when he used the Honey Bucket at one of his jobs...he forced himself to go back and yes, there it was, floating in the "honey." My husband is quite squeamish about these matters, but was afraid someone else might fish it out and it could still work, so he rescued it, cleaned it up and had to purchase a new phone, which he says starts his 2 year plan back at the beginning. Well, I think that that's just a bunch of s**t, don't you?