Final Days of 2011 Winding Down....

Well it has been one hell of a year, I'm sad to say good-bye, but always looking forward to new beginnings, which 2012 brings and I know that it will only get better.
Of course the end of the year it is always a good time to reflect and I have to say overall 2011 was a GREAT year in all aspects of my life. I've been trying to refocus my energy with a more positive attitude and started visualizing what I wanted in life, so when I looked back at my post from last year, I was quite surprised.

Here is the link to last year's post, if you are so inclined to read it. After reading it, it really didn't dawn on me all the progress I made on a emotional level. Of course, there are still days that are harder than others, but I don't let it get to me like before. I create my happiness and how I react to situations, no one else is responsible for that and that realization has greatly changed my life.

I have big plans for 2012 and have no doubt that I will reach those goals, it may not happen in one year, but it will happen. There is the saying, that everyday is an opportunity and as simple as that saying is, the reality is huge once you realize that all that is holding you back is yourself.

I refuse to carry any one's baggage and as far as mending any relationships with certain people in my life, I've opened the doors, but I can't force anyone to walk in. I can't change anyone or their views, I can only change how I interact with them.

So, here is to 2012....I look forward to new beginnings and a few challenges tossed in, just to keep things interesting of course. May your new year be blessed!

"Today is going to be most difficult and challenging. Today I will face my fears and stand up for what I believe is right. Today my noble and selfless acts will be accused of cruel and greedy intentions. No matter what the outcome, I will be stronger, my family will be closer, and I will finally have the closure that I have been seeking for so many years." - Unknown

On the Eve of the Eve.....

I've been sending thoughts and prayers to family in Christchurch, they were hit with four earthquakes yesterday, most of the repairs that the city and residents have been making since the February one are now gone. My heart breaks for the city and I wonder what the future holds for this beloved city. Kia Kaha Christchurch!

So, on the eve of the eve, shopping is complete, presents are wrapped and tucked under the tree, oh what a relief. And I have to admit that I've never felt more at ease than presently, I've not let a thing bother me. I typically get all anxious and worked-up during the holidays, but I'm actually enjoying everything around me, it is a nice change. Part of me thinks it is because the weather has been so mild lately and typically I get a nice helping of seasonal depression, but the weather has been great.

I've also realized that I am only responsible for my feelings, no one else is and I can choose to hold on to hurts and grudges or let it go. And granted I'm still working on all of this, but I realize that life is too short and I need to focus on the people that are around us versus those who choose not to be a part of our lives while at the same time not being a doormat. I'm not going to apologize for the sake of apologizing. Negative attracts negative and positive attracts positive, therefore I am living in the positive.

On another note I am however, beginning to lose my voice, some days are worse than others, but I'm hoping it won't last long. Although, I'm sure my kids would probably enjoy me not talking or telling them to pick up, pick up, tidy your room. Though I was getting some weird looks as the store clerk was ringing up my groceries, made me conscience enough to say, "I'm losing my voice" as I wanted to say, go suck it pixie head.

I've also been trying to swear less in front of the kiddies, I have a horrible potty mouth sometimes and lately the kids will point it out when I say a bad word, so I've been trying my best.
I didn't tell them I was thinking of substitute words and we were heading to school and the parking lot of the school drives me up the wall, so I blurted out you silly turtle ducker and the kids looked at each other and then roared with laughter. I decided these substitutes were much better.


"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” - Dr. Seuss

Little Hands....

So the kids have made all their crafts for the holidays and presents they are giving out. We've made gingerbread ornaments and a "little hand" craft, which I recently saw on Pinterest and also on a friends Facebook page.


We added some different elements, but overall I'm happy with how they came out and the kids had fund tracing each others hand and cutting it out.

"Facing a mirror you see merely your own countenance; facing your child you finally understand how everyone else has seen you." - Daniel Raeburn

Christmas Countdown

Yes, it is upon us...Christmas time...the kids have their last day of school before winter break tomorrow. Tonight, we took part in my little man's first piano recital. He started lessons in October and he played "O Christmas Tree," he did good for his first performance.
It was funny because prior to going, he asked if he could get a "sports coat" like daddy. So, we looked for a jacket and thankfully found one that was even on clearance. His eyes lit up and he had the biggest grin on his face!
His recital was short and it was great to see all the kids at varying degrees of piano talent and I was so proud to see him up there doing his best.

We also won the holiday "lighting" contest in our neighborhood, which was an unexpected, but nice surprise.
I'm looking forward to Christmas, this year I tried to focus on something the kids are interested in and get things that help foster that interest, so I think I am just as excited for Christmas as the kids are. In the past, the holiday times tend to come with some drama, but I'm happy to report that this year we have had none.
I've had many breakthroughs this year and taking control of my emotions and what bothers me or what doesn't helps. Deciding what I want and focusing on what I'm grateful for has definitely moved things in a more positive direction. I've stopped focusing on what is lacking and instead creating what I want and I'm refusing to let negative thoughts and energy come into my life.


“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

A house full of cookies....

So, we are in the midst of December and of course baking has taken over in our house. Over the weekend, I hosted a Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap, which I think was fun. We had a ton of cookies and I asked the guests to bring at least 5 dozen cookies and then they got to take home several dozen cookies from the various cookies that were available. It was a good time.



This weekend we are also making swirl-a-ball ornaments to give away. You take clear ornament balls, get some tempera paint mix with some water and then use eye droppers to put into the ornament and swirl the paint inside the ornaments, which makes neat swirly designs.

On on completely different topic, I'm watching "Waiting on Superman," and it is hard to watch without really getting upset to think where we are with the education of our children. We are quickly slipping behind and we are allowing it to happen. Every child deserves the best education and we tell our children to believe and that they can accomplish anything as long as they get an education, but then we can't even give them an education that they deserve. What is it going to take to really change the system, because it is clear that our focus isn't on the children, the system is broken.

I'm thankful that my children are where they are.....and I fully am aware of that. Education should not be to recall a list of facts, words or any other useless information, it should be stimulating and engaging so that it moves to our long-term memory rather than short term.

Crafts and Things.......

I attempted to make a yarn wreath several days ago. It was pretty painless, not entirely time-consuming, somewhat relaxing, and easy. I selected some multicolored yarn from the local craft store along with a wreath and got busy. Not bad for my first attempt - I decided to hang it in front of one our windows in the living room.



This weekend, the kids and I are going to attempt to make yarn balls and from what I've read is pretty messy, which is why I thought the kids would enjoy it. I'm pretty excited to give it a stab. We shall see how it all turns out!

The kids also received their annual letter from Father Christmas and keeping track of how well the kids have been behaving. I told the kids a while back that the cameras you see in stores, etc....are called "Santa Cams" and that is how Santa keeps track of every one's behavior throughout the year, when my kids begin to act out, I simply point to one of the cameras, this has been working well and works year round, however, I'm not sure what is going to happen when my children are older, but I suppose by then my kids should know better than to bicker in public.

And speaking of Christmas, last night we were talking about what is on their lists and my little man, looks at me all serious-faced and says, "do you really think Santa will bring me 30 packets of honey" and I said we shall see as I thought, honey, really? (My son has actually requested manuka honey from New Zealand, which may be hard for Santa to acquire)

The kids had their school auction last weekend, we walked away with some tickets to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, a card basket, movie ticket with candy basket, books, and are splitting a lake cabin with some friends for a week.
We made and donated a rain barrel and two wine "tiki" torches with the citronella. The school sent out final numbers of what was raised, but it was just recently updated with proceeds from the bake sale and remaining items that needed to be paid and the money raised was $15, 387 - I think that is pretty impressive for a school our size. Most of the money will be used to help fund another classroom for next year as well as supplies for teachers. It is always a fun time, I helped checking people in this year, but I think I will help with set-up next time.

I'm also reading a book titled, Montessori Madness by Trevor Eissler, I've just started reading it, but so far I enjoy it. I continue to write letters to the Governor's office, but I definitely think we need more public Montessori schools not only in this state, but in the United States or at least there needs to be more choices for parents than what is currently offered. I'm currently on the part about what is going wrong in schools today and it reminds me of the other book I read and have mentioned, The Art of Learning and Forgetting by Frank Smith. Both great reads for parents!

I've also started a new writing project....I won't go into many details as I'm still sketching ideas about, but it is a great start so far.

“Books fall open, you fall in. When you climb out again, you're a bit larger than you used to be." Gregory Maguire

Reflecting on my dad.....

With Veteran's day tomorrow, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my dad and the commitment he made to his country. He served 26 years in the U.S. Navy, something I really didn't appreciate or fully understand till I got older.
Growing up I only looked at it as a job that took my father away for long periods of time, I resented the various moves, I resented that he missed out on holidays or birthdays or father-daughter dances.
When we moved to a state that didn't take him out to sea every six months, it was definitely an adjustment period, who was this man that was now home and why was he trying to tell us what to do, that was mom's job and even then I still didn't realize the commitment one makes when joining the service....it didn't really dawn on me, till my father retired from the Navy and going through his retirement ceremony and I cried only then realizing that perhaps there were times that he didn't want to leave us, but it was his job and regardless of how he felt, he had to go.

As an adult and parent, I realize how lucky I was to have had the opportunities that we had - how happy I felt when we would go to the base and eagerly watch the ships coming into port while the servicemen were all lined up on the ship and I would try to find my dad among all the servicemen. Or when my dad would take me to his office and let me type on his typewriter, or play the one game they had on the computer and the nights we would get to come on the ship and get to eat with him; I can still remember the smell of the ship: metal and diesel fuel, sometimes tar-like. Or the great friendships you would make with the other military families.
Or all the places we got to live and experience - although growing up I absolutely hated moving and the process of having to meet new people, new schools and the one year I changed three schools in a matter of six months and I remember my dad walking me into one of the schools, trying to ease my nerves and hugged me and said it will be okay and all I wanted to do was cry and say, don't leave me here, but I didn't because you adjust...you meet some great people that turn into friends. Looking back it definitely helped shape me into the person I am and I wouldn't be the person I am had it not been for all those experiences. It's not an easy life for anyone involved, but it's life just the same and I want to just say thanks, Dad. Thanks for your service to this country and for giving me the opportunity to be a military brat - I'm proud to be your daughter!
And thanks to all the servicemen past and present....not all appreciate or fully understand the type of commitment it takes, but thank you.



"On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind" - Dan Lipinski