Merry Christmas!

As we approach Christmas Day, the rituals and customs and wonderful things that make the holiday what it is sometimes get overshadowed by the stress of the season. If you are missing the twinkling lights because you’re late to a sale, or don’t have time for hot cocoa because you need to address a zillion Christmas cards, or find yourself avoiding old friends because you just don’t have time to catch up, take a moment and BREATHE. You’ll feel better for it, and so will the ones you love.

…and if you can, say a prayer for all the men and women in the armed forces that are risking everything for each of us. And for their families as well.

Post-Birthday Party notes:

I’ve tried and tried to figure out how to put a description of our birthday party/celebration at Mixed Nuts ( a local hang-out which defies description itself) into words. In fact, several folks came over to me during the party and asked how it would read on the blog. How do you communicate a combination of old friends, success stories, music and beer, the pure generosity of so many, dancing on tables (yes, really) and general craziness? So suffice it to say (and I’m quoting this) “what happened at Mixed Nuts STAYS at Mixed Nuts.”

On a personal note, I learned…or at least, re-learned several lessons that night. How people from ALL walks of life can unite for something good. How simple acts of kindness have a ripple effect, and can inspire others. How the people you least expect to help are often the ones that help the most. And above all, how friends, both old AND new, can change a life.

Thank you for making my birthday party so special…..

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Can you believe it's December already? I personally LOVE everything about December, from the lights and the caroling to the cooking and the relatives stopping by (even the ones you don't like so much). I love getting that perfect gift for someone, sending and receiving cards (especially from the unexpected!) and watching all the Christmas classic movies on TV late at night. I love college students coming home, new families showing off their babies, and relatives renewing old bonds. I love the intangible need for everyone to get to where they belong for the holidays. If you come across someone that doesn't have a place to belong, see if you can offer him or her one. If we all stretch just a little bit, surely we can create even more happy folks this season......