Lights make Christmas to me. They remind me of the light of Christ and bring a smile to old and young faces alike. They are just so beautiful. When my husband puts up the lights each year, it says "I love you" because he knows how much I love them. The little child inside of me never tires of the lights. I have many cherished Christmas memories, but imagining Christmas without lights is just not right. A star led them and a light continues to invite a merry spirit of hope and giving that ushers in a season of charity. I love it.
I remember the big bell that had a light at Gma Tucker's house and the "real" Christmas lights with "real bulbs" which I still love. I remember the Christmas cards Gma was constantly opening and hanging too. I need to send real cards this year. I will try. Other Christmas memories that I cherish include the year we had very little money and we made stars out of tin foil and strung the popcorn on a string. My favorite ornament is the pink one with a ballerina in it. I love unique ornaments. I also remember the first time I heard Santa's sleigh on the roof. We were in Alaska (go figure) and I was in the 3rd grade. We had visited the North Pole that year, so I was pretty sure he had received my letter. I shouldn't have been surprised to hear him! Of course it could have been one of the two Eskimos we had living with us. George had a tendency to get in a bit of trouble and may have been on the roof singing! Funny, I know we got awesome gifts that year, but I remember very few of my Christmas gifts over the years. I mainly remember all the stuff leading up to Christmas.
And when our own children were younger, they could not wait for my mom and dad to come over to "guard" the Christmas stockings. My husband loved setting booby traps (okay... where did that phrase originate), and the kids loved the challenge of getting to the stockings without being detected. And of course there was the package steaming, the fake boxes, the year they each gave up some of their own gifts for a less fortunate family, and the less than perfect nativity reenactments. And now this year, we are planning a grand family program. Monday we put up the tree. More lights in my life.
Greg also brought out our singing Santa. He is motion activated so he has scared me many a night throughout the years (if we forget to turn him off) because he is life size. Rellie was SO excited to get him out. All the grandkids love to dance with him. We thought Kayson would be big enough to appreciate him this year too and want to dance with him (Santa sings and swings his hips). However, Santa's head stores a little weird; it pops off and goes under his legs for storage. Greg pushes down on his shoulders when he comes out of the box and he pops up. He pushed a little hard this year and much to Kayson's horror, Santa's head came rolling out from under his legs across the floor and toward him. He about took out the furniture getting out of the living room. Even after Santa's head was properly attached, he would not return to the room. He wanted to stay in my bedroom (see first pic) close to my pillows so he could hide. He did, however, love the lights (pre-Santa appearance) and wanted to help Papa put them up (see pics).
Of course the biggest, brightest light in my life is my sweetheart. He is the greatest gift the Lord has blessed me with. He loves the Lord and honors his priesthood. He loves his children and grandchildren. He honors his father and mother. He is not perfect, but I know he loves me perfectly and he knows the things that bring joy to my heart.... like Christmas lights. :)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Twas the night before Thanksgiving
when all through the house,
the grandkids were as A.D.D. as any little mouse!
The i-pad was propped on the foldout with care,
In hopes that bedtime would soon be there.
Finally children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of transformers danced in their heads.
And mem with her laptop, and papa acting groovy,
Had just settled in from taking them to the movie.
When out on the foldout there arose such a clatter,
Mem sprang from her bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the living room she flew like a flash,
To find little Kayson makin’ a mad dash.
Quickly she caught him and papa set out
to put him to sleep although he did pout.
Then, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But another crying baby, wanting sissy to sleep near.
With six little grandkids, so lively and quick,
they knew in a moment they’d have to use all their tricks.
More rapid than Power Rangers each request came,
Until papa shouted, and called them each by name!
"Now Daisha! now, Tucker! now, Bryton and Rellie!
Oh, Kayson! Oh Jilly! Now someone is smelly!
To your bed! To your bed and close your little eyes
Think of turkey and stuffing and all kinds of pies.
As the night settled in and the turkey was baking,
The morning hours were slowly awaking.
So up to the house-curb the paperboy flew,
With newspapers full of Toys, and great coupons too.
And then, in a twinkling, mem and papa heard even more
The prancing and pawing of little feet by their door.
Though they had barely settled in for the night,
The sun was now shining its “Good Morning” light!
Papa was tired, from his head to his feet,
And he could have been cranky when he got up to meet.
each darling grandchild now clearly awake,
but instead he just said, “Who wants pancakes?”
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His lips were drawn up like Elvis and he started to sing,
For in our house Papa is king.
He cooked them pancakes and mem scrambled eggs,
He played some music and away danced their legs.
Until Tucker remembered it was Thanksgiving day,
And the newspaper needed collected from where it quietly lay!
He was anxious and nervous as mem brought it in,
So many ads, so many toys he didn’t know where to begin!
but with a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
“Not till after breakfast!” was all Papa said.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And flipped all the pancakes, then said with a smirk,
“Did you see that new Transformer toy in the Walmart ad?”
Tucker gasped and Mem said papa was bad
Then papa sprang to his feet, and gave a merry whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
“Now share the ads and don’t get them in your plate. It was your grandma who wanted you to wait.”
the grandkids were as A.D.D. as any little mouse!
The i-pad was propped on the foldout with care,
In hopes that bedtime would soon be there.
Finally children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of transformers danced in their heads.
And mem with her laptop, and papa acting groovy,
Had just settled in from taking them to the movie.
When out on the foldout there arose such a clatter,
Mem sprang from her bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the living room she flew like a flash,
To find little Kayson makin’ a mad dash.
Quickly she caught him and papa set out
to put him to sleep although he did pout.
Then, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But another crying baby, wanting sissy to sleep near.
With six little grandkids, so lively and quick,
they knew in a moment they’d have to use all their tricks.
More rapid than Power Rangers each request came,
Until papa shouted, and called them each by name!
"Now Daisha! now, Tucker! now, Bryton and Rellie!
Oh, Kayson! Oh Jilly! Now someone is smelly!
To your bed! To your bed and close your little eyes
Think of turkey and stuffing and all kinds of pies.
As the night settled in and the turkey was baking,
The morning hours were slowly awaking.
So up to the house-curb the paperboy flew,
With newspapers full of Toys, and great coupons too.
And then, in a twinkling, mem and papa heard even more
The prancing and pawing of little feet by their door.
Though they had barely settled in for the night,
The sun was now shining its “Good Morning” light!
Papa was tired, from his head to his feet,
And he could have been cranky when he got up to meet.
each darling grandchild now clearly awake,
but instead he just said, “Who wants pancakes?”
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His lips were drawn up like Elvis and he started to sing,
For in our house Papa is king.
He cooked them pancakes and mem scrambled eggs,
He played some music and away danced their legs.
Until Tucker remembered it was Thanksgiving day,
And the newspaper needed collected from where it quietly lay!
He was anxious and nervous as mem brought it in,
So many ads, so many toys he didn’t know where to begin!
but with a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
“Not till after breakfast!” was all Papa said.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And flipped all the pancakes, then said with a smirk,
“Did you see that new Transformer toy in the Walmart ad?”
Tucker gasped and Mem said papa was bad
Then papa sprang to his feet, and gave a merry whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
“Now share the ads and don’t get them in your plate. It was your grandma who wanted you to wait.”
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Scrambled eggs and attitudes
Every time I see a bin of nut mix I feel the urge to scoop out a bagful and take it home to meticulously crack each one and savor each bite. I fully realize I could buy them already shelled, but they come without the memory then. The mixed nuts at Christmas time have a couple of very positive memories for me. First, I think of the walnuts at Gma and Gpa Tucker's house and how nasty black our fingers would get from shelling them or just playing with them and pegging things with them. They could hurt if you got them humming through the air, but Gpa didn't like us wasting them. Then there is the image in my head of Gpa Tucker very slowly and attentively cracking, picking, and eating each nut like it was a treat-- and it was. The mixed nuts were always spendy and usually only a treat at Christmas time. I would wait patiently as he cracked and picked out, then cleaned the almond (my favorite)for me. So, it's that image of him sitting at the table lovingly cracking and cleaning each nut then smiling and winking as I gratefully ate it, that comes into my head when I pass a bin of mixed nuts during the holidays.
I also blame him for my love for eggs. He fried his/our eggs a very special way. Bacon grease scooped over the top until it turned a solid white. No flipping the egg. Or... he would hard boil our eggs then grandma would scoop the cooked egg out of the shell, still hot, and mash it up for me with some butter and pepper. I fully realize.... now... that I was spoiled. Of course, after breakfast, I headed out to the barn with Gpa to milk the cows, so I did sort of earn the spoiled status. I also loved drinking the fresh warm milk from the cows. I did not like getting the eggs from the cranky hens, however and usually wore a glove unless I was in a hurry. It didn't stop me from loving my eggs though. Rellie loves his eggs scrambled and I love to cook them for him and my other grandkids because I know that they know scrambled eggs= love you.
Friday night Rellie and Kayson spent the night and the next morning we took them to breakfast at Sunrise. They are big time pancake eaters as well and they always get the pancakes and scrambled eggs. It was nice to spend time with them again. I miss them. Jason and Anne and the girls came and joined us too. Jason is a big pancake eater like Rellie and that has not changed since he was little. His life is full now with his job and coaching boys this year and being a husband and father. They are growing into a beautiful family and the girls are getting big so fast. Maddi was not happy with papa sitting next to kayson, but she eventually snapped out of her drama momma mood when we went shopping for winter boots at K-mart. She went through the toy section and her eyes lit up. She found one of those dogs that barks and wags its tail, etc. and she was beside herself. It was very cute. Then kayson saw the dog and they both acted like it was the real thing. When you have it sitting in the box in the living room and the light's off and you've forgotten it's sitting there and it starts barking, it sort of makes you almost pee your pants!
I needed a day with children to improve my attitude. I was cranky with my girls from the night before. We suffered our first loss and it was a combination of mental and the other team hitting 6 threes on us. Still, we should have would have could have and didn't beat them or even play well in the end. Bad got ugly and we have some mental activities we'll do in practice tomorrow to rebuild the inside (myself included) and move on.
It also helped that the primary program went well today. One more big thing off the list. Almost everyone had memorized their parts and my counselors were both there early helping me with everything and relieving the load. My secretary has been a ton of help as well. The children have such simple, honest testimonies of the Savior and they certainly touched my heart and helped me adjust my attitude.
Being sick has not helped. I have to get better. At least we don't have a game until after Thanksgiving. That will give me some time to get better. School tomorrow, but the husband's district is out already, so maybe life will slow down a little for both of us. Looking forward to being together with all my children and grandchildren for the holidays (and my mom). I have lots to be grateful for.
I also blame him for my love for eggs. He fried his/our eggs a very special way. Bacon grease scooped over the top until it turned a solid white. No flipping the egg. Or... he would hard boil our eggs then grandma would scoop the cooked egg out of the shell, still hot, and mash it up for me with some butter and pepper. I fully realize.... now... that I was spoiled. Of course, after breakfast, I headed out to the barn with Gpa to milk the cows, so I did sort of earn the spoiled status. I also loved drinking the fresh warm milk from the cows. I did not like getting the eggs from the cranky hens, however and usually wore a glove unless I was in a hurry. It didn't stop me from loving my eggs though. Rellie loves his eggs scrambled and I love to cook them for him and my other grandkids because I know that they know scrambled eggs= love you.
Friday night Rellie and Kayson spent the night and the next morning we took them to breakfast at Sunrise. They are big time pancake eaters as well and they always get the pancakes and scrambled eggs. It was nice to spend time with them again. I miss them. Jason and Anne and the girls came and joined us too. Jason is a big pancake eater like Rellie and that has not changed since he was little. His life is full now with his job and coaching boys this year and being a husband and father. They are growing into a beautiful family and the girls are getting big so fast. Maddi was not happy with papa sitting next to kayson, but she eventually snapped out of her drama momma mood when we went shopping for winter boots at K-mart. She went through the toy section and her eyes lit up. She found one of those dogs that barks and wags its tail, etc. and she was beside herself. It was very cute. Then kayson saw the dog and they both acted like it was the real thing. When you have it sitting in the box in the living room and the light's off and you've forgotten it's sitting there and it starts barking, it sort of makes you almost pee your pants!
I needed a day with children to improve my attitude. I was cranky with my girls from the night before. We suffered our first loss and it was a combination of mental and the other team hitting 6 threes on us. Still, we should have would have could have and didn't beat them or even play well in the end. Bad got ugly and we have some mental activities we'll do in practice tomorrow to rebuild the inside (myself included) and move on.
It also helped that the primary program went well today. One more big thing off the list. Almost everyone had memorized their parts and my counselors were both there early helping me with everything and relieving the load. My secretary has been a ton of help as well. The children have such simple, honest testimonies of the Savior and they certainly touched my heart and helped me adjust my attitude.
Being sick has not helped. I have to get better. At least we don't have a game until after Thanksgiving. That will give me some time to get better. School tomorrow, but the husband's district is out already, so maybe life will slow down a little for both of us. Looking forward to being together with all my children and grandchildren for the holidays (and my mom). I have lots to be grateful for.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thank you God
I'm not really a slacker, I've just been very busy. Too busy. Trying to fiend off the inevitable cold that I get every time I know I'm going to get any type of vacation or break. I feel it coming. Basketball, research paper unit (gee... I wonder what I'll be doing over the break) holidays coming, church stuff, and missing my Parma friends. Missing my cousins. Wishing I was rich and I could just jump on a plane and go see Susie this weekend, or Mary next weekend, or Janet, or Italy. No... I am not having a mid-life crisis. I'm just realizing how much I miss what I used to have. Okay, well I never really had Italy, but I want it.
I love what I have too. Don't get me wrong. I just get cabin fever the minute the snow starts to fly. My brain goes to warmer places and thoughts and I become delusional until spring breaks. Then, I will be looking at houses because I am picking a different one. I am also going to Italy. Already planned. The daughter is having a baby and it's another boy... (laughing, laughing.... still laughing). Grey hairs right back at ya! Love you banana!
Basketball is good. I have a good group of girls. I will love them. I always do. Okay, so there's been one or two in the past, that have not hit the love meter, but very, very few. This group.... easy to love. 2-0 but Friday's a real test. One of the top teams if not the top. We'll see what we've got. Or not. Love coaching. Loving the journey so far. Trying to love myself more. Some days it's hard. Some days I'd just like to be simple, low key, and normal. Then I open my mouth. I have a gypsy heart and a 60's warped upbringing. What can you expect.
Some days I want to go swimming at night in the warm lake or when it's raining so I can listen to the sound the water makes from underneath. Some days I wish for simpler days when I slept on a mattress outside under the big oak tree in grandma's yard. Some nights when I've had a hard day, Grandma Tucker still comes to me in my dreams, even all these years later and often she just sits and lets me take care of her, but sometimes she talks to me. And I know what I need to do. I miss her. I will never not miss her.
Some days I just want to have all three of my children lay in bed with me and watch an old episode of He-man. Weird. I know. I guess I think it'll make them little again. I already survived those years. More importantly.... they survived them, and I don't want to go back, but sometimes life speeds by and I just miss them. Like I know my mom misses me. Love you mom.
Mom was/is not perfect. She too was cursed/blessed with a gypsy heart and 60's mouth. She definitely made our life colorful and one-of-a-kind. Being poor at times made me/us stronger, more resilient, more appreciative when we weren't poor. Being raised through trials made us more compassionate and stronger in the end. Thank you mom for teaching me it's okay to dance on the tables, shout at the mountains (or anything else that gets in your way), and accept all people from all walks of life. No, you're not perfect. Neither am I. I love you. You love me. We know that.
I have been thinking about God a lot lately. Is God a presence, a force, a religion, a hope, a form of intelligence? If we really believe in God, do we use or call upon those powers or do we just hope they are going to come our way? I suspect it's much like our brain. I suspect we would be overpowered by his power if we used a millionth of his presence in our lives or experienced a millionth of his power. For we either believe or we don't. It's that simple. Then there's Jesus Christ and Christianity. I tire of people who profess (from various religious groups--mine included) to be Christlike yet behave in the contrary. We have to be careful that we do not "assume" grace, that we do not fall short of hallelujah in our zeal for the news of the gospel, and that we do not offend in the name of Christ. As the season draws near, I hope we think less of religious lines and more of Christlike aspirations and lasting commitments to humanity and our families. Hope is a message that never tires and eternity is but a glimmer upon God's horizon.
And now back to the moment. The simple moments of life are those we live each day. They are diamonds given to us each morning as we awake. Sometimes we throw those diamonds away or selfishly and unwisely barter them away for less precious jewels. Italy is a grand thought... and I will go there. But I know that tomorrow, there will also be a memory or moment of happiness created that will be a part of my life forever. I know that every day holds that same opportunity and promise. Dandelion necklaces, mud pies, and tire swings just come in different ways now.
I love what I have too. Don't get me wrong. I just get cabin fever the minute the snow starts to fly. My brain goes to warmer places and thoughts and I become delusional until spring breaks. Then, I will be looking at houses because I am picking a different one. I am also going to Italy. Already planned. The daughter is having a baby and it's another boy... (laughing, laughing.... still laughing). Grey hairs right back at ya! Love you banana!
Basketball is good. I have a good group of girls. I will love them. I always do. Okay, so there's been one or two in the past, that have not hit the love meter, but very, very few. This group.... easy to love. 2-0 but Friday's a real test. One of the top teams if not the top. We'll see what we've got. Or not. Love coaching. Loving the journey so far. Trying to love myself more. Some days it's hard. Some days I'd just like to be simple, low key, and normal. Then I open my mouth. I have a gypsy heart and a 60's warped upbringing. What can you expect.
Some days I want to go swimming at night in the warm lake or when it's raining so I can listen to the sound the water makes from underneath. Some days I wish for simpler days when I slept on a mattress outside under the big oak tree in grandma's yard. Some nights when I've had a hard day, Grandma Tucker still comes to me in my dreams, even all these years later and often she just sits and lets me take care of her, but sometimes she talks to me. And I know what I need to do. I miss her. I will never not miss her.
Some days I just want to have all three of my children lay in bed with me and watch an old episode of He-man. Weird. I know. I guess I think it'll make them little again. I already survived those years. More importantly.... they survived them, and I don't want to go back, but sometimes life speeds by and I just miss them. Like I know my mom misses me. Love you mom.
Mom was/is not perfect. She too was cursed/blessed with a gypsy heart and 60's mouth. She definitely made our life colorful and one-of-a-kind. Being poor at times made me/us stronger, more resilient, more appreciative when we weren't poor. Being raised through trials made us more compassionate and stronger in the end. Thank you mom for teaching me it's okay to dance on the tables, shout at the mountains (or anything else that gets in your way), and accept all people from all walks of life. No, you're not perfect. Neither am I. I love you. You love me. We know that.
I have been thinking about God a lot lately. Is God a presence, a force, a religion, a hope, a form of intelligence? If we really believe in God, do we use or call upon those powers or do we just hope they are going to come our way? I suspect it's much like our brain. I suspect we would be overpowered by his power if we used a millionth of his presence in our lives or experienced a millionth of his power. For we either believe or we don't. It's that simple. Then there's Jesus Christ and Christianity. I tire of people who profess (from various religious groups--mine included) to be Christlike yet behave in the contrary. We have to be careful that we do not "assume" grace, that we do not fall short of hallelujah in our zeal for the news of the gospel, and that we do not offend in the name of Christ. As the season draws near, I hope we think less of religious lines and more of Christlike aspirations and lasting commitments to humanity and our families. Hope is a message that never tires and eternity is but a glimmer upon God's horizon.
And now back to the moment. The simple moments of life are those we live each day. They are diamonds given to us each morning as we awake. Sometimes we throw those diamonds away or selfishly and unwisely barter them away for less precious jewels. Italy is a grand thought... and I will go there. But I know that tomorrow, there will also be a memory or moment of happiness created that will be a part of my life forever. I know that every day holds that same opportunity and promise. Dandelion necklaces, mud pies, and tire swings just come in different ways now.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Missing Rellicakes and Fathead
It's only Monday and it's been a long week. Mondays and I are not getting along (see last post). A phone call from Rellie did lighten my day.... temporarily... but that wee bit of sunshine disappeared with the setting sun. Practice was okay, but also kind of flat. We have a game tomorrow, so that's not so good. They played so well Saturday, we'll probably be fine, but it was just Monday.
Jeremy's kids did a great job on their program parts for church last Sunday. They each had their parts memorized and sang quite well too. Then Jason and Anne and the girls came over for Sunday dinner. I was craving homemade clam chowder so I made some. It hit the spot. Abbi is growing in to her own little personality and Maddi is getting so grown up. What cuties! It's always nice to have them for dinner.
So thankful Monday is almost over, but I am still thankful to be alive. :D
Jeremy's kids did a great job on their program parts for church last Sunday. They each had their parts memorized and sang quite well too. Then Jason and Anne and the girls came over for Sunday dinner. I was craving homemade clam chowder so I made some. It hit the spot. Abbi is growing in to her own little personality and Maddi is getting so grown up. What cuties! It's always nice to have them for dinner.
So thankful Monday is almost over, but I am still thankful to be alive. :D
Monday, November 7, 2011
to post or not to post
You should never write in your journal or post on your blog when you're grumpy (my rules). So.... I'm going to bed.
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