And A Happy New Year

Wow, what a difference a month makes! When I last wrote we were getting into the Holiday season and so much has happened in the month of December.

First, and sadly the worst, we had to say goodbye to our "fur kid" Chas on the first Sunday in December. He was just a little past 12 years old which everyone tells us is quite old for a greyhound. His heart and health were getting progressively worse and he developed a tumor on his head that could not be treated. It broke our hearts to say goodbye... I held him tightly as he went to sleep. I still cry when I think about him (and as I write this) but can't bring myself to think about another dog just yet. Chas was one of a kind... and our first "empty nest" dog... one that just Ed and I got to spoil. The holidays without him around were quite different and very quiet. No first snow walks or having him at the door all wet and snowy and ready for a treat.

The family kept us quite busy the rest of the month. December included stalking Santa with Sydney who sat and chatted with him not just once, but THREE times! (Great fun!) She had no problem with him asking her repeatedly what she wanted for Christmas and we got some great photos of her each time. You have to enjoy these moments while you can since they don't stay little "Santa lovers" all that long!

School went on hiatus as of Dec. 20th and we looked forward to the long break of 17 days. Ed spent 12 of them run over by some sort of respiratory bug (flu? don't know) that came on within 48 hrs of him getting his flu shot - so of course, we blame that for it. But he pressed on and enjoyed all the holidays and the kids - just tried not to breathe on us all.

First EVERYONE arrived, all the kids, grandkids, Ed's sister, Leon's folks - EVERYONE. The houses filled up, and we got set to celebrate.

Dec. 23rd was the first big day. Leon was ordained as a Lutheran Minister at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Such a wonderful day for all of us. Followed closely by Christmas Eve and Day celebrations. We had SO many happy moments and loads of laughter together.

When everyone left on the 27th and 28th, the house seemed way too quiet. We spent a quiet New Years Eve - which is pretty typical for us. And here we are - it's a new year and 363 days lie ahead that seem filled with possibility. Wishing you and yours all God's blessings as we embark on it together.

Cards, wrapping, and Assorted Craziness

"the world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing...."

Sign me up for this kind of Christmas! It's been a hectic couple of weeks as I busily go about checking things off of to-do lists and wondering where I will find more time in the days to get things wrapped, posted, and so forth. 

I have always said I wished Christmad were more like Thanksgiving... A true holiday without too much excess busy-ness. Unfortunately, I have never managed to scale back my Christmas "have-to's" in order to achieve this. And every year at almost exactly this time, I ask myself "why not"? Part of me almost wishes I would be keeping the day on some in some faraway land that lacks a strong Judeo-Chrisitian cultural backdrop, say like Nepal, where no one would expect December to be filled with all this running about like a crazy chicken. That would be the essence of peace on earth to me. 

This year I keep saying to myself that what doesn't get done before Christmas will just have to get done after it. We shall see..... 

Memorial Day...Musings

It's the official first weekend of summer. Known on the calendar as a national holiday, Memorial Day has changed a great deal from its beginnings just after the Civil War. Then is was known as Decoration Day and it was a day designed for Americans to go out and honor the American war dead by decorating their graves. My grandmother and mother always called the day by its original name and I remember taking flats of geraniums and marigolds to the cemetery in Livonia, Michigan where most of my ancestors are buried. We'd pull weeds and put in new flower plantings for most of the morning. Then we'd go home and barbecue in the backyard to complete the day.

I don't do that anymore, largely because I live far away from Michigan and I have no loved ones buried in Missouri. But it struck me today, that no one lives in Michigan that I can think of who will be decorating my grandparents graves today. My mom moved east to Pennsylvania almost 14 years ago now, and I doubt that my brother, who is still in Detroit, does this annual task.  But I can pause and think about them and others who have given their lives for our nation.

Then it will be time for some recreation with the living... my family and friends. Perhaps we will swim, or garden, or have a picnic. Summer begins this way, with remembering and recreating, a good combination in many ways.  May your Memorial Day weekend be a good one too!

Love is in the Air

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
We're sitting here in the family room, watching the snow fly and the Olympics on television. Very cozy and very relaxing.

Had a special treat for Valentine's Day this year... Sydney came to spend the night last night and the morning with us today. Her parents were supposed to go for a night on the town... but it didn't work out that way. Gretchen caught a bug and it made thoughts of going out something for another time. However, our Syd date remained a go and we had a blast. She's so much fun these days. Our big entertainment of last night was going grocery shopping. She LOVES to push the mini-carts that they have at our local IGA... we go "hunting" for things and then we track down Papa with the big cart and dump our treasures into it. She gets all excited at the idea of hunting for cheese and counting out oranges! You'd think we were at an amusement park!

The neatest thing happened last night... an elderly gentleman walked up to Syd and said, "You are such a good helper! I am getting my own granddaughter from China this week... This is for you!" and he handed her a Dollar! Syd, having no idea what money is, just looked at it and handed it to me and we did our "thank-you's" and he moved on into the store.  It struck me as he walked away, how much we take for granted... and made me savor the moment even more.

So here's to a day set aside to love the ones who are precious to us, both near and far. It's commercial, perhaps, and perhaps a tad silly... but it's also and excuse to celebrate love.... hugs to all of you!

Jingle Jingle Jingle!

Here's wishing everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!

We had a wonderful time this Christmas... lots of great food, great times with family, and even a smidgin' of the white stuff to cover the brown turf of Missouri to make the holiday pretty! Cannot complain about a single thing and we still have a week of our holiday break to go.

My best gift was the Kindle that Ed got me! As an avid reader, I know it will help me further feed my addiction to books! I already have 5 lined up waiting on it for me to read! More photos to come soon... check back in a day or two, my Michigan grandkids arrive tomorrow and I want to put ALL of their pics on my blog!

Resolutions... To BE or?

Spent our New Year's Eve with our best friends, Doug & Carol, and the topic of resolutions came up. Not surprisingly, Doug had used some thoughts about them in his New Year's Eve sermon just a few short hours earlier and he shared them with us. His focus was on "Be" resolutions rather than on "Do" resolutions and as he listed a few like "be faithful", "be in the Word".... I found myself thinking seriously about what I might resolve to "be" in 2009.

I have generally not been a resolver - at least not on Dec. 31/Jan 1. Seems that I have an aversion to making promises just because it seems the "thing to do" on a given night. But there are definitely some things I would like to "be" in the year ahead.... so here goes...make your own list if the idea strikes a chord.

1. Be more in the moment....
2. Be less "busy"
3. Be at peace with myself
4. Be healthier
5. Be wiser
6. Be "greener"
7. Be a light in dark places.
8. Be less burdened by things
9. Be a good friend
10. Be in balance

There... that's my "be list"... I think there's enough there to keep me busy in 2009. Happy New Year to all of you!

The Merriest of Christmases!

Ed & I at Gretchen & Leon's home on Christmas Eve.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas!
And a Joyous New Year!"

There is nothing quite like sharing your Christmas with little children to help you capture the essence of joy... this Christmas was extra special because we spent it with all FOUR of our grandchildren. First, there was Christmas Eve with Sydney. We shared a service together at 11 a.m and then a dinner in the evening. It was so much fun. Syd wore the dress we got her for the day and looked so cute! It included a hat that didn't stay on much beyond a bit in the morning, but we got a kick out of it!

"Yay! It's Christmas!"

"I will model my dress while walking on the sofa!"

"I don't think ANYONE is happier than I am today!"

Then came December 25th, and by 2 o'clock Kate, Nate, and the kids arrived from the North. We were SO glad they got here safely even with all the snow up in Michigan and Wisconsin. By 4 pm everyone was at our house and ready to tear some gift wrap!

Rhylah got a hand-knitted hat and mittens from grammy but wondered a
bit about why we put them on her in the playpen!

The girls played "tag" in the hallway at gramma's house!

Asher models his crown from the Christmas Cracker he got from Uncle Leon!

Rhy even put on her pretty Christmas dress and then sat with it in a "poof"
for this really adorable shot!

A sweet holiday shot of Rhylah with big brother Gabriel!

The final gift from under the tree... Gabe and Ash got their Wii
from Papa, Gramma, Uncle Leon & Aunt Gret.
Could Gabriel look any MORE excited??

"Oh Bottle Brush, Oh Bottle Brush" (a corollary post to Kate's "Oh Christmas Tree")

I am an old fogey.... I must admit it. When it comes down to it, I am a veritable Scrooge about the thought of tramping about a tree lot and seeking the "perfect" tree. (Note to all you natural tree lovers out there... the perfect tree does NOT exist! We cut it down back in 1983 and there's never been one since!)

Tree shot with flash... yes, it really TOUCHES the ceiling!

Tree shot with ambient light... pretty, huh?

This year, we've sunk to new levels of "fogey-ness" - we purchased a 9 ft. PRE-LIGHTED tree! Yup! Eddie no longer has to play round and round the May-pole, tediously untangling strands of half-lit holiday bulbs! Our tree goes up in 3 sections, and down in the same; two plugs connect and voila, we have a tree! Considering that, after that point, it generally takes us three nights to get all the ornaments onto it, I'd say it's an excellent choice for us! No mess, no fuss, and with the right potpourri even the smell can be simulated!

Years ago, my father mockingly called these "bottle brushes" - but even he, in his later years, succumbed to the allure of "easy trees". Even the hardened naturalists among us will admit the look of these babies has changed substantially since the 1980's. So look at the cutting fun my kids in Michigan had last weekend and then picture me, cocoa in hand, sitting cozily by the fire with a little Bing playing softly on the stereo...

Merry Christmas to all,
bottle brushes or real,
It's not in the tree,
'Tis how it makes you feel!

Part of the Snowman collection!

All of the snowmen, having a committee meeting to discuss
the new tree. Even theirs is artificial!

We have tree! Huzzah! Ed goes happily back to reading in
his cozy chair!

Zap those Jedi Clones or whatever they are!

I have a fun story to tell... but I can't reveal too much since it could give away Christmas secrets! Today I used a "personal shopper" for the first time in my life. And the hilarious thing is my shopper turned out to be an 18 yr. old boy. Now before you blanch and wonder if I've lost my mind, hear the whole tale.

It began on Sunday with a call from Kate, asking me to be on the lookout for a particular toy for a particular grandson. Apparently, this toy has been unavailable in Michigan and Kate asked me to look for it here. I agreed to keep my eye out for it... no problem. Well, a small problem, I haven't done too much shopping myself yet, and I was not sure how soon I'd get to looking for the much sought item. From the title of the blog entry you can guess what movie it's associated with... and I'll only need to add one more word... Legos

8am today - So today as I greeted my students, it suddenly dawned on my that I had daily access to 105 kids who LIVE to shop! They love it and do it constantly. So I put out an "all points bulletin" - I said there was a $10 "finders fee" for the person who found this toy, called me to confirm I still needed it, and grabbed it before it got away. Several kids wrote down the item, and I went on with my day thinking I had a slightly better shot at locating the item than before.

3 pm: the day ended and in walked my personal shopper...an 18 yr. old guy from one of my early a.m. classes. And he HAD THE GOODS! Turns out, this guy has "early dismissal" so he gets out of school before I do each day. He hopped in his car, scooted over to Toys R. Us near our local mall, and was back with the much sought toy before my day ended! I happily wrote him a check for the purchase plus his fee and felt pretty proud of myself! Mission accomplished!

So here's the idea... teenagers out there, tune in! You could become "personal shoppers" too! Find out what people need and go get it for a fee! What a gig! Combine your love of shopping with my lack of time to do it - it's a win-win situation all the way around!

Hmmmmm.... now I wonder if I could find a "personal Wrapper"?

Turkey for me, Turkey for you!

Ahh... Thanksgiving! My favorite early winter holiday! And this year was no exception.

Early morning was spent watching the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown. The weather was perfect and it seemed that everyone along Market St. was in high spirits. The funniest thing was when Ash saw his first giant balloon. He backed up about a foot and hid a bit behind his mom. Once reassured that it was just a balloon, he quickly recovered by saying, "Can we get one?"

Next, we spent a wonderful afternoon with family and friends. We all gathered at Gretchen and Leon's around noon and took our time finishing the meal preparations. Dinner was a little after 3... Doug, Carol, and Jesse Gaunt were there, and all the Harrmanns! So altogether there were 13 of us. The menu was huge and stunningly delicious... Turkey, Lamb, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cheesy brussel sprouts, gravy, herb-cheddar biscuits, cranberry salad, regular rolls, pumpkin pie, and chocolate pecan pie. WOW! Every cook involved brought out their finest skills! It was great!

Happy Birthday USA! - July 4th Fun

Asher and Gabriel wait for Parade to come by!

The St. Charles West Marching Band!

It was a fantastic July 4th! The rains that had been forecast stayed away and we had a picture perfect day! We started by going to the parade... and St. Charles knows how to do a 4th of July Parade like almost no other town does! Enough candy is tossed to kids on the sidelines to rival a Halloween size haul! People come from all over to watch the one and a half hour spectacle!
After the parade, we went home to enjoy the pool and eat, eat, eat. (See Gret's blog link for details on that fun!) and then about 8:30 we took the kids down to the river to see the fireworks. Three sets of little eyes were about as big as saucers as they watched the sky... oohing and ahhing! It was almost more fun to watch the grandkids' reactions than the fireworks themselves. All in all, it was a PERFECT celebration of America's 232nd year!

Katie and Dad!

Nathan and Rhylah

Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty even showed up!

Rhylah tries her first lolly while wearing her parade beads!

Kate and Rhylah

Labor Day - Relaxing with Friends

I absolutely LOVE Labor Day weekend! It's right up there with the 4th of July! You don't shop, send cards, or feel frantic... you just relax, kick back, and "honor the American Laborer"! Hey that's us... we labor! We teach the laborers of the future too! So this Labor Day weekend we started by having dinner with our friends out at the vineyard. We drank wine and ate bruschetta till we thought we'd burst. Then we ate pasta, grilled Italian sausages, and salad... and of course, drank some more wine. Then we cued up the deer to romp in the meadow and it was a perfect evening! You gotta love Labor Day!

Everyone took a walk near sunset.


Isaiah is the cutest!


A classic Gaunt grin!


Just as we told about our deer herd... on cue, enter stage left... one deer!


Then when we had a good fifteen minutes to watch her, she decided to romp away.

Happy Birthday America

The 4th of July! What is it about this day that makes us all kick back, relax, and be hugely proud of our country? I can honestly say I've never had a "stressful" July 4th; not something one can say about a lot of other holidays on the calendar! Maybe it's the fact that this day doesn't demand that we shop, mail cards, go to church, or ANYTHING except maybe put out a great barbecue, swim, see a local fireworks display, and enjoy time with friends! In any case... here's to you, America! Happy Birthday!

Merry CHRISTmas!

We wish all of you a Merry Christmas! May it be filled with warm memories of times spent with those you love, and may it be all about the hope that we have through the Christ child born in the manger.
We are spending a very sunny Christmas Eve Day preparing for all the celebrations that will begin around 6 this evening! It will be a special time for us to spend with Leon and Gret (and with Katrina, Nathan and the boys in spirit!).
Merry and Blessed Christmas to all of you!

Twas the night before halloween...

I don't want to be a bragger... but check out these amazing pumpkins by my kids and grandkids! Every year they make a huge production out of carving the "perfect" pumpkin... and these are about as perfect as it can get! I love em! (the kids AND the pumpkins!)