Giving

That's one of those things I'm going to work on this year. We do okay by our nuclear family, but that's about it. There are so many other people out there who are important to us and who give to us --- and we are remiss in giving back. We have not yet sent out our Christmas cards, I have yet to send my sister and her family anything for Christmas. (now, granted, they were out of the country for the holidays, but still........), and there were others here in town who gave us/me presents where I just gave them a smile.

I feel overwhelmed. I don't shop that much, so seldom "pick something up" for someone when I see it. When I go shopping I can't think of what to look for. And, currently I'm not organized enough to make anything. I do think of other people, it just doesn't translate into things......

A smile is nice, but in this situation it's not enough. Do you have suggestions on how I can get a handle on this?

Speaking of giving, our niece just gave a kidney to a co-worker! Kate has done a very special thing by providing something to someone to allow him to live.

Happy NEW Year!!

I've waited too long and-I have a dozen things to post. I'll take one at a time, per blog. Most importantly, Happy New Year! 2009 is going to be a good one, I can feel it. (knock on wood).

I've made a few easy-ish resolutions that work up to bigger ones. Two are: take a walk a day (for Dan, Boo and I) and do chores on Saturday mornings. Well, you see, that second one comes from being a total slob and a sloth on Saturdays. The plan is I'll do chores on Saturday morning so then the rest of the weekend is FREE! Okay, so those are the 2 resolutions that I'll share today. If I keep some of the others for more than a week, I'll share those too.

Dan's treatment has been sporadic these last 2 weeks -- we were out of town, the computer system was on the fritz, holidays, more holidays. These next few weeks should be five days a week.

44% of the way there! December 29th was 19 of 43.

We wish you the best in 2009 for you and your family.
And, if we ARE your family, we love you !

The Big Apple

We had a whirlwind visit in NYC. I've almost disowned Craigslist, but not quite yet. We rented an apartment from a nice young man that was about 10 blocks from the kid's place. It was a shoebox, but that's fine. We weren't there very much. What was the issue? Wellll, it had no heat! He had said "You can't control the radiator, so here's how to open the window if it gets too hot". Then he proceeded to show Dan how to open the big city window (bars n such because it was on a fire escape.) But, we never had to use it! Instead we were wearing sweaters to bed and cuddling to keep warm. But, oh! the Adventure!

Mooper continues to grow and learn new words. I had gotten toy tips from other bloggers and from folks at work. It pays to do your homework! She loved them all. The Super Slider is enthralling and she quickly learned to push the button for froggy. Munchkin's Mozart Magic Cube is delightful, with its melodies and instrument control. On no one's advice we bought her an old fashioned jack-in-the-box. She wasn't afraid! When the clown popped out she looked at it and said "oh!".

We had a couple of lovely dinners with Aba and Ima. All too early we had to board the plane back to Ohio.

Ready, set, go

35% of the way there! Today was 15 of 43.

Oh, and this weekend we'll be celebrating family & the coming of spring (really? You thought it was all about celebrating winter?). That's why the early-week's end report.

I have found some pretty cool kids toys for the Mooper this year, so I'm excited. I will share those after the weekend in case her parents read this blog. Her toys are for them, too.

Enjoy your holiday preparations this weekend and I'll send a report your way early next week.

News

Every Monday Dan sees the Doc; every Thursday he sees the Nurse Practitioner (nearly Doc). Of course, M-F he's there to visit the Radiologists. Today the Doctor said to him "You are going to breeze right through this." It was so uplifting to hear that!

Tonight I am sorting you-know-what into piles to take to NYC and to mail to SD. Not so much, really, just a few little things. Wrapping will ensue with a fire in the fireplace and wine glass in hand.

*Merry*

Another week.........

Well, 11 down, 32 to go! More than 25% of the way there! You go Dan!

This weekend: We are readying for Christmas/Solstice celebrations. We'll be finalizing presents for those out West and those out East. We have a wedding to go to tomorrow! These two people are pretty darn special and do so well together. It will be a joyful day.

I'm not sure how many days its been since we've seen the sun. Dayton is doing it's usual in contributing to the SAD syndrome in Ohio. Oh funny, just as I type this the sun peeks out! How can that be? Well, not for long, I see. Just enough to let me know that the sun still exists.

Been reading movie reviews in the NYT; looks like there will be some good ones out for the holiday season. I'll report after viewing.

Thanksgiving

Thought you might want to see some pictures. I use Google & Picasa, so here's the link:

Spearfish Thanksgiving Photos

Remember, if you get there, ignore the hole in my sock :)

Thanksgiving

This past weekend was American Thanksgiving when we normally pig out on turkey and all the trimmings. This family has a decided "let's do it our way" streak that was evident this weekend. I had 2 requests to substitute something for the turkey. Another is a vegetarian. The left over adults will eat anything (me included). So, this Thanksgiving we had prime rib roast and many side dishes. Everyone said it was a good meal. The company of (all) our children and our granddaughter is what made the meal good, really.
I am thankful for my family and extended families.