7th Day Surprise - Hanging Out

ARE YOU READY?

While a hardy few have had their halls decked for weeks,

most use this weekend to kick off the holidays.

Whether it's putting up the tree or

hanging outdoor lights, garland, or wreaths -

have fun celebrating the season.

HANG YOUR HEARTS OUT!

Here today, gone tomorrow!

All good things
must come to an end
You spend weeks planning. Days upon days
preparing. And then it's all over. Most special
times in life are fleeting at best. Hence one
should cherish every moment. Some think
that anticipation is almost as pleasurable as
the ultimate experience. I beg to differ. My
idea of foreplay is not shopping, cleaning,
and cooking. Yet the joy of having those I
love around my table was worth the effort.
These past days have been quite glorious.
Even if I'm left with a mound to clean up.

Family visitation
My baby "M" goes home today. We
have had a lovely time. No drama,
just love. Somehow we've mellowed
and now appreciate each other much
more. I'm not sure when the passing
of the parental baton happened. But
suddenly we're friends not foes and
that's one of life's greatest blessings.
She is truly happy with her man "D."
He integrated into our rather frenetic
holiday quite easily. Having someone
new in the mix helps us all appreciate
what we have! We are truly blessed!

Two timers
As Peggy Lee queried, one can't help
but ask "is that all there is?" Everything
is now put away. The kids soon will be
loaded on a plane home. And suddenly
even Frank and I are empty nesters. For
a brief period you naturally fall into a
familial groove. Then just as quickly
the chicks return to their nest and you
are left wandering in a big, empty house.
When it's over, it's hard to return back to
our everyday grooves. Yet fortunately we
have each other. And frankly truly enjoy
the times when it's just the two of us.

Ebb tide
While some complain about growing
old I must confess I rather enjoy the
process. After overcoming trials and
tribulations, there's little to surprise
or challenge a seasoned soul. Along
the way I seem to have found a sense
of peace that is quite affirming. The
wisdom that comes with experience
instills a subtle sense of confidence.
If nothing else, I know that good and
bad times will come and go. And left
behind in the dust is an older, wiser,
and I hope much kinder survivor.

All aboard
Fortunately we all have memories. I've
periodically felt more than a bit of a
failure as a parent. Over the past few
days my daughters shared memories
of times past. It's amazing the good
that survives in our hearts and minds.
Times that were once momentary now
somehow morph into times immemorial.
Our recollections create an hyper reality
that's beyond affirming. And somehow,
that amalgam of times past fuels an even
happier here and now. Yes my friends,
I believe the best is yet to come. Do you?

Play it again LIZ

Same old song
My eldest daughter "E" has been playing
Christmas ditties for weeks on end. All
to the chagrin of her significant other and
to the joy of my granddaughter "M." I'm
more than a Scrooge when it comes to
tolling early glad tidings. After eons in
the retail arena, I can't abide even a hint
of anything Christmas before today. For
me Thanksgiving ends all things autumn
and officially kicks off the holidays. If
thats due to Santa's arrival in Macy's
parade or whatever, I'm ready to jingle
my bells and deck my halls. Ho ho ho!

Power outage
One of the greatest blessings about living
in rural Montana is that "Black Friday"
is totally blacked out - non existent. Yes,
our Tru Value and Ace Hardware stores
stack out some deals. And the Shopko
busts open it's doors early. But if you feel
the need to shop till you drop, one must
drive two hours either way to the big city
to bag a bargain. That's why most locals
completely ignore this urban phenomena.
Instead we unpack the decorations, gather
as families, and pig out on leftovers. Isn't
that better than fighting the crowds?!

It's a bough time
Provided it doesn't snow, this afternoon
we'll head up to the hills and to Frank's
family cabin to cut our Christmas tree.
While seemingly an easy task, selecting
said bush is more intimidating than what
most experience on a tree lot. That may
be due to the fact that your options are
endless! After trudging through the snow
one usually tires and opts for whatever
tree is nearest. In the end which one you
bring home doesn't matter given all are
fresher than anything city slickers can
get. Soft, subtle, and fabulously fragrant!

Walk the walk
Tonight is the Lewistown Holiday
Stroll. Main Street is closed off and
bon fires glow down it's center. We
all pop in and out of shops to stay
warm, nibble on cookies, and buy
a gift or two. Starting tonight, even
this Scrooge likes to hear carolers.
The polar opposite of the morning's
mania, this evening is truly a local
treasure. Proof that the blessings of
living in a small town far exceed
any benefits of an urban existence.
It's about as real as life gets...  

Gone but not forgotten
Do I miss Manhattan? I'd be a liar
if I said I didn't. Not being able to
gaze at Bergdorf's windows makes
me sad. How can anything match
the magic of promenading towards
the tree at Rockefeller Center? At
times I almost forget the hordes of
tourists, inability to book a table at
any restaurant, or waiting an hour
for a box and some ribbon. In truth
I miss the fantasy - but absolutely
not the reality of Christmas and
Hanukah in the city. Bah humbug!

Wrap it up
Fortunately I don't need many gifts this
year. My youngest daughter "M" and
"D" return home to Chicago tomorrow.
We've spent the past days enjoying each
other's company and hence, who could
ask for anything more? Well... there is
one more thing that I've wanted for a
very long time. All I want for Christmas
is complete and unconditional love in a
box. My hope is that Frank plans to wrap
up something furry for under our tree.
No bull, after years of begging Santa
I'm ready! But that's another blog...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am blessed...

to share my life with the one who makes me happy.

For children who are smart, passionate, and independent.

For grandchildren who remind me that life goes on.

For Frank's family here in Montana who love me no matter what.

And most important

for all of you who share your lives with me daily.

Count YOUR many
blessings today my little turkeys!