Just as I’ve steel myself to resist store ads that create a need that before was not there, I find myself weakly resisting my need/want to be with our families for Christmas.
This is BIG I realize as I lay in bed a little tearful upon waking this morning. I’ve spent EVERY Christmas Day that I have been on this planet (57 years) in Ohio having dinner with my mother and Bob and I have spent EVERY Christmas Eve partying with his family for 30 years. THAT”S BIG!
Bob’s sinus surgery was the impetus. No matter how many times or who I asked (even the doctor right before surgery) the answer was always the same “no travel for three weeks.” So I guess they mean it!
I accept it and even embrace it as my opportunity to change and grow. I always encourage others to “dance that dance” now it is my turn. My life has changed a lot in 57 years but my traditions haven’t.
Matt is grown now living in Florida with his own family and wonderful in-laws that love him. We’re in California new grandparents to Sophia down in Florida with a second home there. I think it’s time to challenge our habits and examine our traditions to find the best way to fit EVERYONE we love in. It is as HARD as you can imagine it would be.
All you people in Ohio, don’t fear, I’m already missing you and the holiday isn’t even here yet. You ARE and always will be an important piece of my life. I love you! But creating a life and traditions with Matt, Sarah and Sophia are important to us now, too.
A treasured place in our hearts is not as good as a spot at the table for Christmas Dinner, I realize that, but some years it may have to do. It sounds so logical when I write it, BUT boy does it yank HARD on the heartstrings.
It may not be on the same days or nights that we have celebrated with you in the past, but I hope to see you sometime every Christmas season. This year a healthy Bob IS my Christmas Wish and the place I’m devoting all of my energy. My first California Christmas.....wonder what that will bring?
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Decisions, Decisions
Why does the question “what color is your hair color” always stump me? I don’t have any problem answering the weight question. I use a standard deviation from the actual number, throw in some wishful thinking, and come up with an amount that is optimistic yet believable. My hair color is another story.
Right now, it’s equal parts of red and blonde. So do I call it red or do I call it blonde? Who knows what color it will be at Christmas time, let alone for the next tens years that I use my passport.
At the DMV I tried to use “various” as my hair color choice, but they failed to see the humor in that. I would imagine the state department would display even less tolerance for creative answers.
Okay, my hair started out blonde, maybe I should use that. Left to its own devices, my hair would be grayish white. That would leave me needing to choose between gray and white. Yuck!
Okay, realizing that made me more decisive, blonde it is. No wait, I have a better idea. I’ll get my new passport photos taken and see what they reveal. If no clear winner emerges, I’ll flip a coin.
Right now, it’s equal parts of red and blonde. So do I call it red or do I call it blonde? Who knows what color it will be at Christmas time, let alone for the next tens years that I use my passport.
At the DMV I tried to use “various” as my hair color choice, but they failed to see the humor in that. I would imagine the state department would display even less tolerance for creative answers.
Okay, my hair started out blonde, maybe I should use that. Left to its own devices, my hair would be grayish white. That would leave me needing to choose between gray and white. Yuck!
Okay, realizing that made me more decisive, blonde it is. No wait, I have a better idea. I’ll get my new passport photos taken and see what they reveal. If no clear winner emerges, I’ll flip a coin.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Independence Day
What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than a camping trip. I was raised on camping but my childhood trips were much, much different from the ones I take today.
Today's camping trips include great meals, great friends, big campfires, and of course “camping juice” A.K.A wine or D.O.C. drink of choice.
We go with a huge group of good friends who have two requirements when choosing a campground, flush toilets and showers. I respect that. They have cooking stoves and all the camp stuff, we just show up with our tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, and "camping juice."
Our friends plan everything from theme food nights to blind wine tasting (we aren’t blind, the bottles are just covered up). We taste the wines and rate them. Each person puts in $10 and the person’s wine voted number one gets the kitty. You can only imagine how out of control this can get.
We also play a dice game called Left, Right, Center with dollar bills, honestly this group will bet on anything so we bring extra singles to play along.
This year's dinner theme is "Our Immigrant Heritage” with Thursday being Mexican, Friday Greek, and Saturday Italian. I’m a guest chef on Friday, Greek Night. I'm bringing a Peasant Salad with fresh herbs, a yummy Greek Salad, and a dessert.
It’s all about being together with good friends, sharing great food, sitting around a roaring campfire, and oh yeah nature too.
"Let freedom ring, let the wine dogs sing." Happy 4th and Bon Appetit.
Today's camping trips include great meals, great friends, big campfires, and of course “camping juice” A.K.A wine or D.O.C. drink of choice.
We go with a huge group of good friends who have two requirements when choosing a campground, flush toilets and showers. I respect that. They have cooking stoves and all the camp stuff, we just show up with our tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, and "camping juice."
Our friends plan everything from theme food nights to blind wine tasting (we aren’t blind, the bottles are just covered up). We taste the wines and rate them. Each person puts in $10 and the person’s wine voted number one gets the kitty. You can only imagine how out of control this can get.
We also play a dice game called Left, Right, Center with dollar bills, honestly this group will bet on anything so we bring extra singles to play along.
This year's dinner theme is "Our Immigrant Heritage” with Thursday being Mexican, Friday Greek, and Saturday Italian. I’m a guest chef on Friday, Greek Night. I'm bringing a Peasant Salad with fresh herbs, a yummy Greek Salad, and a dessert.
It’s all about being together with good friends, sharing great food, sitting around a roaring campfire, and oh yeah nature too.
"Let freedom ring, let the wine dogs sing." Happy 4th and Bon Appetit.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Celebrations
This last week of April is our week of celebrations, my husband’s birthday, our wedding anniversary, and today my birthday.
In search of a memorable, overnight trip to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary, I discovered the East Brother Light Station http://www.ebls.org/index.php, a restored Victorian Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast Inn perched atop an island in the straits that separate San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Reading the descriptions, I knew I’d found our adventure.
At 4pm we were to meet at the Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor in Richmond California for a short boat ride to the island. The website cautioned that the road to the harbor was not well maintained. It also stressed that depending on the tides you needed to be able to exit a bobbing boat by climbing a ladder from four to ten feet. The only water source on the island is rain collected in cisterns, so showers could not be provided for guests staying only one night. Already I was excited.
The yacht harbor (I’m using the term loosely) was weathered but proved adequate for our host to dock and load for our ferry to the island. Arriving at the island, our climb up the ladder to shore was only four feet. No problem.
Our evening began with hosts Elan and Katey serving us champagne and hors d’oeuvres outdoors to enjoy the wonderful weather and gorgeous views of the bay and city of San Francisco off in the distance. Only three of the five rooms in the Inn were rented so six of us shared the island for the night. Our conversations, lively and interesting, carried on throughout a delicious multi-course dinner with wines selected to complement and into the unseasonably warm night air.
We stayed in the Marin Room, the view breathtaking. I already miss seeing the stars over the bay with Mount Tamalpias in the background. In the morning, enjoying our gourmet breakfast, all agreed our time there went by WAY to quickly. Leaving at low tide, we did get one last adrenaline rush climbing down the ladder about ten feet to our waiting boat.
So many places we travel remind us of other places we have been. This uniquely, wonderful experience was one we'll always remember!
In search of a memorable, overnight trip to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary, I discovered the East Brother Light Station http://www.ebls.org/index.php, a restored Victorian Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast Inn perched atop an island in the straits that separate San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Reading the descriptions, I knew I’d found our adventure.
At 4pm we were to meet at the Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor in Richmond California for a short boat ride to the island. The website cautioned that the road to the harbor was not well maintained. It also stressed that depending on the tides you needed to be able to exit a bobbing boat by climbing a ladder from four to ten feet. The only water source on the island is rain collected in cisterns, so showers could not be provided for guests staying only one night. Already I was excited.
The yacht harbor (I’m using the term loosely) was weathered but proved adequate for our host to dock and load for our ferry to the island. Arriving at the island, our climb up the ladder to shore was only four feet. No problem.
Our evening began with hosts Elan and Katey serving us champagne and hors d’oeuvres outdoors to enjoy the wonderful weather and gorgeous views of the bay and city of San Francisco off in the distance. Only three of the five rooms in the Inn were rented so six of us shared the island for the night. Our conversations, lively and interesting, carried on throughout a delicious multi-course dinner with wines selected to complement and into the unseasonably warm night air.
We stayed in the Marin Room, the view breathtaking. I already miss seeing the stars over the bay with Mount Tamalpias in the background. In the morning, enjoying our gourmet breakfast, all agreed our time there went by WAY to quickly. Leaving at low tide, we did get one last adrenaline rush climbing down the ladder about ten feet to our waiting boat.
So many places we travel remind us of other places we have been. This uniquely, wonderful experience was one we'll always remember!
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