Christmas Vacation Trials and Tribulations Log
December 24th---Day Eight---CHRISTMAS EVE!!!
May your day be a blur of giggles and excitement. Of present rattling and cookies! Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone!
December 23rd---Day Seven better known as Christmas Eve Eve
One more picture to emphasize the excitement level in our home...
I took my younger kids and my girlfriends kids to see the talking Christmas Tree this evening!
I do it because my mother did....
Sadly, the weatherman broke the news to me last night that although I am free to dream of a white Christmas I won't be getting one.
Today will be filled with last minute laundry and packing. Cleaning the house enough so that Santa can get into the front door. I have a friend coming over later with her daughters in tow. We shall make Christmas crafts with the kids. Photos to follow I am sure.
December 22nd---Day Six
There is really only one word which can describe what the children are doing in my house this close to Christmas...
click picture for video
December 21st---Day Five
Speak to me of triumph
speak to me of joy
tell me of your sorrows
of all the plans you will employ
Meet me where I am standing
tis just one step away
standing in tomorrow
not in yesterday.
Its in my heart I’ve kept you
when we both have failed to reach
a neutral place to begin again
our problems to forereach
A simple thing, the hardest thing
to go back to start again
‘tis true measure of integrity
a true measure of a friend.
The precise moment of the 2005 solstice will be December 21, 2005 at 1:35 P.M. EST (18:35 UT).
It's Solstice mom. ...
As a child I had very little insight as to why my mother would
tearfully watch as the days grew shorter each fall As a child I looked
ahead to all things winter with my heart forever in the present. Her
words of excitement when the days started to get longer again I
dismissed as "silly mother stuff'. .
Looking now through the eyes of an adult I realize my mother most
likely suffered from SADD before there was such a thing. She loved
to have her hands in the soil. She was part of every plant she ever
planted. She made roses thrive and iris grow incredibly tall. She was
engaged in a silent dance of celebration with the earth. I have her to
thank for all those summer mornings I awoke to the sound of the
mower and the smell a fresh cut grass. I have her to thank for my
love of gardening and my craving for the smell of warm peat moss. I
have her to thank for the desire to dance a silent dance.
My mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the spring of
'94. The first words out of her mouth were "I want to live to see
another spring". The Dr. kindly touched her shoulder and gave her
one more spring. I know that he didn't mean it. But he'll never
know the joy that brought to my mom. The joy of one more spring.
The joy of one more dance. And dance she did.
She bought me several flats of petunias that year and sat in a chair
and watched as I planted them. And we talked of the spring, of life,
of beauty. As summer waned she began to lose strength. Almost as
if her body was solar powered. Again she looked to Solstice and
called me that day to proclaim the return of daylight. Each day my
mother inched her way toward her spring defying Dr.s expectations
of her. We had another lovely spring and summer. Although the sun didn't seem to energize her body like it did before I could tell her soul still danced in the sunlight.
I lost her that year but only after the days started getting shorter. Her least favorite time of year. I fell into despair and darkness. Darkness of my soul and darkness of the season. Although I didn't realize it at the time I began yearning for the daylight. For warmth and renewal. For the dance. When the calendar revealed its darkest day my heart leaped with joy. The sun was returning! Life was returning! It was then I realized my mother had left behind as a gift to me her love of the sun and the steps to the dance.
I woke up this morning with a lighter heart and a secret excitement. I peeked outside at my sleeping garden. It would soon know what I knew. In quiet reflection I heard myself proclaim, "The sun is coming! It's Solstice again mom...it is time to dance"
~m~
A Blessing Spell for Winter Solstice
We ask a blessing on this house,
This happy Eve of Solstice time.
We sing and dance and make carouse
To celebrate deep Winter's clime.
For Herne is here, and Mistletoe.
The Holly and its berries bloom.
We dance a carol, round we go
The Ivy winds about the room.
With wine and cake we make a toast,
And bring a blessing to our host.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
Solstice Eve Chant
The geese fly high this Solstice morn,
The woods are bare, the snow is deep.
We wait for Herne to sound His horn
To wake His children up from sleep
To celebrate this happy night,
When Winter may be put to flight.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
Winiter Solstice Chant
Geese and standing stones and mist,
Baying hounds and hooting owl,
Sparkling stars, and snow is crisp
Herne is here. Bring forth the Bowl.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
December 20th---Day Four
I SWEAR on all that is holy the box said "Dark Copper" NOT Ronald McDonald!
December 19th---Day Three
Ghosts of Snowfalls Passed...
click picture for video
At long last...SNOW!!! My children are watching with great anticipation for the snow hill to materialize. We will need a few more storms before that will happen. Even with the hay bales as a base its gonna take alot of snow.
December 18th---Day Two
Did you know that Confetti Ice Cream cups can mold?
December 17th---Day One
I got the cleaning bug... it doesn't happen very often so I seized the moment or rather Carpe Devacuum. I thought that using a carpet deodorizer would be just the thing. Joyfully, in anticipation of a scented home I sprinkle large amounts on the family room carpet and wait the appropriate amount of time before I begin the vacuum. I click the "On" switch and realize that the sound isn't right and after checking realize that it has no suction. That *does* suck. I went to investigate and soon after my baby runs out to me all excited and exclaims that it had snowed in the living room and she had made a snow angel! Ugh, well at least she smells like French Vanilla.
Day of Vacation---December 16th
It didn't take long for the fun to start! Dd comes home from school with a bouquet of red roses and candy from a....from a.....lordy I can't even SAY it.... FROM A B-O-Y! She's 13 for cryin' out loud. I am thinking of putting a lock on her door until after puberty has passed.
May your day be a blur of giggles and excitement. Of present rattling and cookies! Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone!
December 23rd---Day Seven better known as Christmas Eve Eve
One more picture to emphasize the excitement level in our home...
I took my younger kids and my girlfriends kids to see the talking Christmas Tree this evening!
I do it because my mother did....
Sadly, the weatherman broke the news to me last night that although I am free to dream of a white Christmas I won't be getting one.
Today will be filled with last minute laundry and packing. Cleaning the house enough so that Santa can get into the front door. I have a friend coming over later with her daughters in tow. We shall make Christmas crafts with the kids. Photos to follow I am sure.
December 22nd---Day Six
There is really only one word which can describe what the children are doing in my house this close to Christmas...
click picture for video
December 21st---Day Five
Speak to me of triumph
speak to me of joy
tell me of your sorrows
of all the plans you will employ
Meet me where I am standing
tis just one step away
standing in tomorrow
not in yesterday.
Its in my heart I’ve kept you
when we both have failed to reach
a neutral place to begin again
our problems to forereach
A simple thing, the hardest thing
to go back to start again
‘tis true measure of integrity
a true measure of a friend.
The precise moment of the 2005 solstice will be December 21, 2005 at 1:35 P.M. EST (18:35 UT).
It's Solstice mom. ...
As a child I had very little insight as to why my mother would
tearfully watch as the days grew shorter each fall As a child I looked
ahead to all things winter with my heart forever in the present. Her
words of excitement when the days started to get longer again I
dismissed as "silly mother stuff'. .
Looking now through the eyes of an adult I realize my mother most
likely suffered from SADD before there was such a thing. She loved
to have her hands in the soil. She was part of every plant she ever
planted. She made roses thrive and iris grow incredibly tall. She was
engaged in a silent dance of celebration with the earth. I have her to
thank for all those summer mornings I awoke to the sound of the
mower and the smell a fresh cut grass. I have her to thank for my
love of gardening and my craving for the smell of warm peat moss. I
have her to thank for the desire to dance a silent dance.
My mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the spring of
'94. The first words out of her mouth were "I want to live to see
another spring". The Dr. kindly touched her shoulder and gave her
one more spring. I know that he didn't mean it. But he'll never
know the joy that brought to my mom. The joy of one more spring.
The joy of one more dance. And dance she did.
She bought me several flats of petunias that year and sat in a chair
and watched as I planted them. And we talked of the spring, of life,
of beauty. As summer waned she began to lose strength. Almost as
if her body was solar powered. Again she looked to Solstice and
called me that day to proclaim the return of daylight. Each day my
mother inched her way toward her spring defying Dr.s expectations
of her. We had another lovely spring and summer. Although the sun didn't seem to energize her body like it did before I could tell her soul still danced in the sunlight.
I lost her that year but only after the days started getting shorter. Her least favorite time of year. I fell into despair and darkness. Darkness of my soul and darkness of the season. Although I didn't realize it at the time I began yearning for the daylight. For warmth and renewal. For the dance. When the calendar revealed its darkest day my heart leaped with joy. The sun was returning! Life was returning! It was then I realized my mother had left behind as a gift to me her love of the sun and the steps to the dance.
I woke up this morning with a lighter heart and a secret excitement. I peeked outside at my sleeping garden. It would soon know what I knew. In quiet reflection I heard myself proclaim, "The sun is coming! It's Solstice again mom...it is time to dance"
~m~
A Blessing Spell for Winter Solstice
We ask a blessing on this house,
This happy Eve of Solstice time.
We sing and dance and make carouse
To celebrate deep Winter's clime.
For Herne is here, and Mistletoe.
The Holly and its berries bloom.
We dance a carol, round we go
The Ivy winds about the room.
With wine and cake we make a toast,
And bring a blessing to our host.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
Solstice Eve Chant
The geese fly high this Solstice morn,
The woods are bare, the snow is deep.
We wait for Herne to sound His horn
To wake His children up from sleep
To celebrate this happy night,
When Winter may be put to flight.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
Winiter Solstice Chant
Geese and standing stones and mist,
Baying hounds and hooting owl,
Sparkling stars, and snow is crisp
Herne is here. Bring forth the Bowl.
— Source: “Encyclopedia of White Magic, A Seasonal Guide,” Paddy Slade, 1990, p. 56.
December 20th---Day Four
I SWEAR on all that is holy the box said "Dark Copper" NOT Ronald McDonald!
December 19th---Day Three
Ghosts of Snowfalls Passed...
click picture for video
At long last...SNOW!!! My children are watching with great anticipation for the snow hill to materialize. We will need a few more storms before that will happen. Even with the hay bales as a base its gonna take alot of snow.
December 18th---Day Two
Did you know that Confetti Ice Cream cups can mold?
December 17th---Day One
I got the cleaning bug... it doesn't happen very often so I seized the moment or rather Carpe Devacuum. I thought that using a carpet deodorizer would be just the thing. Joyfully, in anticipation of a scented home I sprinkle large amounts on the family room carpet and wait the appropriate amount of time before I begin the vacuum. I click the "On" switch and realize that the sound isn't right and after checking realize that it has no suction. That *does* suck. I went to investigate and soon after my baby runs out to me all excited and exclaims that it had snowed in the living room and she had made a snow angel! Ugh, well at least she smells like French Vanilla.
Day of Vacation---December 16th
It didn't take long for the fun to start! Dd comes home from school with a bouquet of red roses and candy from a....from a.....lordy I can't even SAY it.... FROM A B-O-Y! She's 13 for cryin' out loud. I am thinking of putting a lock on her door until after puberty has passed.
posted by nina michelle at 4:55 PM
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