Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It is hard to believe that our family was gathered together to celebrate Christmas just a short week ago, but it is true. Now Tom and I are alone, after spending a few days together in Chicago, and preparing to celebrate the incoming 2013.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Max looking good for the holidays.

Baby Phia's first Christmas

Super Heros

Max got Playdoh and played with it for hours.

Family Photo

Fun with crackers and crowns

Assignment: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Finding Hope

This week I am having a hard time forming words. The tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary murders is haunting. I truly grieve for the people of Newtown and like many, am lifting the first responders, the school, the families, the precious children, and the town up in my prayers. Even for a Christian, this tragedy is one that creates more questions than answers. I am seeking, searching, and hoping for resolve of some nature.

Sadly, what I am seeing within the world of social media is harsh, angry comments pointing blame and creating a divide. Our President of the United States has had to visit four communities in his one term in office to comfort and mourn the loss of lives taken in mass murders. Four visits to share the collective sorrow of our people in four short years.
How long will we continue to shout for a solution while we hold firm to our personal beliefs in what is right? Isn’t it time that we have a conversation around gun control, the mental healthcare system, not to mention the sensationalism of media and entertainment in American today? No one is saying that guns will be banned but seriously, why is it unacceptable to discuss the all too easy access to semi-automatic guns? Why is it not okay to have a discussion on why people would need guns of this caliber without screams that rights are being taken away?

Let me ask you this, if not a discussion on gun control – what is the answer? What will keep our streets safe? In my lifetime, I have encountered guns used in anger and ignorance on four separate occasions: The loss of my cousin to a foolish game of Russian Roulette, a high school drive with a good friend and her boyfriend who was carrying (unknown to us until the end of the night when we were told he was seeking revenge), a classmate who was shot and killed our senior year, and a friend who was sitting on her porch this past fall when caught in gang cross fire. The gang crossfire, by the way, was after a football game and it was between two 14-year old children. For the record, I grew up in middle class suburbia not the inner city.

I don’t want to restrict your second amendment in any way but I ask that you respect my rights to discuss solutions. I don’t ask that you agree with me but I ask that you understand my belief that no person outside of the military or law enforcement needs access to high powered semi-automatic weapons and massive amounts of ammunition. If you try to listen to me – I will try to listen to you. Perhaps in our listening we can find a solution for those who come after us.

Regarding mental health, can we agree that there are serious issues within our current system? Can we agree that there are countless levels of personality disorders and that we do not have a system to keep these people or their loved ones (and others) safe if these disorders grow to violent tendencies toward self or others? Can we stop turning a blind eye to this issue? Can we have a discussion on what is needed to break the social taboo that seeking help means that you are broken? This is at crisis level and something must be done. We are not discussing those who scam the system for personal gain, so put that tired defense away. We are speaking of those who need, want, and seek help but are turned away, unsure of what to do, or simply do not have access. If you don’t believe people or stories like this are true, call me for some very personal stories. I will share these if it will help this discussion begin.

Finally, I do want to say a few words about the troubling social media messaging that is saying this tragedy happened because we are a Godless culture. You are right; the world is Godless for the most part. Evil has and will continue to happen because God has given us freedom and choice. America is one of the most believing nations in the world, yet this and other tragedies continue to happen. Today, there will be another murder, a drunk driver, a suicide, a violation. Bad things happen. I pray they didn’t but this is what it is to be human. Called by Christ, our actions, deeds, and words are to help bear witness, mercy, forgiveness, love, and comfort. Let me ask you, what does your messaging say to a young Christian? What is it saying to a non-believer? Is it more of a taunting than comfort? Is it a “I told you so” instead of a let me help bring you bring peace? Brothers and Sisters in Christ, be careful your tongue is used to praise God and that we are used for His will. Am I making a judgment here, yes, yes, I am.

You know, you don’t have to agree with me on all or any of these points. That is My point. Even if we disagree, let’s do it with respect, love and a united desire for solution.

Assignment: Romans 5:3-4 3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Where there is Hope there is God. I pray we all keep our Hope Alive.

Adios el Taco Bell

Fifteen years ago today, I had to admit to myself that I had a problem. I had become entrapped by Taco Bell. It began in 1980, when the first Taco Bell moved in a mere 10 minute drive from high school. We were able to do off campus lunches and my friends and I were lured by the promise of high food volume at a low price.

It was there I fell in love with menu basics. I am not a fancy franchised food gal, I like the core – the simple delights mass production has to offer. Oh, the beautiful flavor of the bean burrito with a package of hot sauce. The crisp delight of a corn shelled taco or tostada. Oh, the taste bud pleasures created by whatever ‘meat’ substance they use on their product – simply addictive.

Over the years, I would dabble. A splurge here, a purge there but by 1997, my need had grown. Damn you cheap and fast Tex-Mex! I found myself getting a fix weekly, maybe twice a week. With each trip my cravings grew. It was never enough.

I remember the day clearly, one of my daughters and I were going to see the Nutcracker. We decided to grab some fast food beforehand. Clearly, Taco Bell would be the place to go. I mean, what better way to say; Feliz Atracon, than with Taco Bell. I am sure we went big, dropped maybe $7 or $8 dollars for our treats. Then we ate without a care in the world until it hit me – what the heck am I doing? What the heck am I eating? Why the heck do I do this so frequently?

And like that, I stopped. Today marks the 15th anniversary of taking my life back and making December 13, 1997 the last time I “made a run for the boarder”

Sometimes, I remember what it tasted like and I miss it.

Assignment: Feliz Atracon – wondering what that means . . .Google it from Spanish to English.

I Must Confess - I like Cheese

Let me begin this week’s entry with a disclaimer. What you are about to read may sound like it is coming from the mind of an art snob, but trust me, that isn’t the case. This post may be dangerously close to the insult fault-line but remember this; I sought each of these occasions out personally. I spent time and money to willingly and eagerly attend so what this is in fact is a confession for my love of cheese.

I love cheesy things. Nachos notwithstanding, I recently realized that I crave cheesy entertainment. It began with Weird Al Yankovic at an outdoor concert in the 1980’s. I don’t remember much of this concert. I wasn’t under any influence, I simply just wasn’t overwhelmed. He was entertaining, I am sure. I have to guess I laughed a little, but the only memory that really stands out is a woman in the crowd with a haircut I really liked.

That’s the fun of cheesy entertainment, you never know if you are going to truly love it, cringe, cry, or slink to the back of the room hoping not to be seen.

The next, “I HAVE TO GET TICKETS TO THIS” concert was Gallagher. There was a large group of us going to this one. We had tickets in the front few rows of the show. The real threat zone, because a smashing watermelon is Gallagher’s signature move. Back in these days, I had to be to work at 6:00 A.M. (a key reason I hate mornings so much today), and this was a weeknight concert. I remember he had a lot of sight gags and it was a long show. It was a very long show. I feel asleep for a while but awoke in time for the signature move, so worry not.

For Trans-Siberian Orchestra, we traveled through a snow blizzard to attend this sold out performance. I love rock and roll (cue Joan Jett) and I love Christmas, so a band that plays rock and roll Christmas music is, well . . .let’s just say it. It is a Christmas Miracle. The music that you hear on the radio is even more awesome when heard performed live. These hairband throwbacks swing their golden locks round with pure abandonment. Everything is going perfectly and then for the second act, they break into songs you DON’T HEAR ON THE RADIO. At one point, I fell into a restful sleep only to wake moments, hours, I don’t know -but sometime later, and the same song was still playing! Show was saved with the indoor pyrotechnics – very cool.

This falling asleep in public thing, should I worry?

The follow-up for Trans-Siberian was Mannheim Steamroller. Let me be very clear about this – I L.O.V.E this group’s music. It makes me happy and we traveled more than 2 hours to see this show. This was going to be the holiday show of a lifetime. The music was perfection, without question. However, I was distracted as I had to bear witness to the matching powder blue tuxes the musicians were forced to wear. I think this group makes a lot of money, and to this day, I do not understand this fashion statement. Um, hello, 1970 or retro chic? Maybe they never change their uniforms much like a baseball player in a winning streak? Whatever the case, I was getting over the shock only to have it replaced with a movie shown behind the band while they played on in seriousness. I can only describe it as ‘Game of Thrones’ to Christmas Music. On the upside, I stayed awake the whole time.

Next on the list was Blue Man Group at the Palace. Travel for this one was more than three hours. I had to see this show for work, no kidding. I was expecting full-on eye-rolling, stifled giggles and a nap. This did not happen because I liked this show, a lot. My eyes were not rolling; they were fixated on the drummers behind the Blue Men. These guys were a-maz-ing. They put on a great show with all their jumping and pounding. They never stopped. I can’t believe there isn’t a Blue Man Drummer Fitness for WII or something, cuz that would sell. For me, it is a onetime only show but it was a really good one time.

Most recently on the list was the Cirque Du Soleil and local Symphony. Again, a show for the Holidays so the music was favorable and the performers were death-defying. Okay, I don’t think anyone’s life was in peril but their limbs were continuously at risk for charilehorses. It was pretty cool.

So as you have read. I like Cheese and I am not ashamed who knows. Now if you will excuse me, A tonight is the Hallmark Holiday Special movie on ABC and I must get ready to watch it. Someone grab the crackers, this is going to be great!

Assignment: Embrace your guilty pleasures.

Happy Birthday Andy

Andy and his nephew, Max


A fellow blogger shared a story about her young daughter’s good deed to help a homeless man. This story reminded me of my son Andy, who on Monday will leave the world of teens to become a twenty something. Andy is a kind soul. His gentleness and caring nature are some of his greatest character traits.

When he was a little boy, we visited the local fire station for the annual Fire Safety Celebration. We were greeted by the area volunteer fire fighters who served cider and donuts while offering rides on the fire truck. After sampling all the fun, I noticed that Andy was having a deep conversation with his little sister, Maddy. They looked like they were negotiating a serious issue. I then watched Andy walk over to a fire fighter and hand him something. I asked him what he had done, his reply was a casual “We gave them our allowance”.

That morning they had each been given a quarter or maybe it was fifty cents, not a lot of money to most of us but for a single digit child, it was EVERYTHING. Andy had been so moved by the work these volunteers do, the food they shared, and the fun they provided that he wanted to give them a gift of thanks. I may have shared this story before but it is worth repeating because I never want to forget that day.

Flash forward to a few years ago, when Andy was a senior in high school. We were Christmas shopping and he was nearly done with his list and his cash supply. He had $12.00 remaining when we walked outside. A Salvation Army bell ringer was at his kettle and Andy walked over and gave him $5.00, not a single but nearly half of all he had remaining. When I asked him what made him give such a generous donation his reply was a casual “He was alone and it is cold outside”.

These are only two examples to help capture in words our son’s kind spirit.

Andy is currently a college sophomore. He is studying to become an elementary school teacher: a profession that is overworked, underpaid, and demands that he be invested in the sake of a child’s life. What a perfect place for him in this world.

Happy 20th Birthday Andy, you never fail to amaze me or make me laugh.

Assignment: If you know the boy, then send him warm wishes. If you don’t know him – thank a teacher for what they do to bring hope to children each and every day.