CHRISTMAS REMEMBERED

What I love about Christmas is not the presents, but the memories that I have when putting the old ornaments on the tree. These are ornaments that were on my mom and dad's tree when I was just 3 years old and that I still have and use on mine - I even have the old tree topper. Mom always told us to get a small tree but, no, I had to have a ceiling high one - still do to this day. Our tree was always a real one, cut down from behind Art and Phil Smith's house, we would drag it home and set it in the tree stand. I had to hold it while Dad tightened the screws into the base of the tree. The smell of pine would fill the house along with the scents of Mom baking her traditional Christmas cookies. Back then we had the "normal" tree lights, not these tiny small things they have now, and they had a tendency to get a bit warm. The ornaments were known as "Shiny Brites" and I even remember the boxes they came in. Tinsel was always used and I'm sure some folks still do use it, but when you have pets, then tinsel is a no-no. Dad always decorated one of the pine trees outdoors with lights and it was so pretty when the snow was on it. I love Christmas and for all it stands - too bad folks can't carry the same feeling all year round. Might make for a better place to live.

FALL HAS ARRIVED!

It's that time of year again when the leaves start to turn and the smell of autumn is in the air. I love this weather, not too hot, not too cold and you can smell the fireplaces and wood burning stoves being cranked up. Grab a handful of leaves and just breathe in that wonderful smell. When you look at the hills, one has the tendency to start pondering what life is all about. Is this the only chance we get on Earth or is there a bigger plan? Then you realize that you aren't ready to die and don't want to die, but to go on forever living and experiencing all the mysteries and wonders that surround us. Maybe it is the fear of the unknown that wants us to remain earth bound, to not go into that "bright light" when the time comes. I for one am not ready - there is still way too much that I want to see, to feel, and discover. Places that I long to visit, cultures I wish to explore and to learn from. I am grateful for all the days that I have spent on this Earth, traveling to other states and getting a chance to see different countrysides. Always remember; never judge another person until you have walked in their shoes for someday you may be doing just that.

I MISS MY TWO BEST FRIENDS

There is nothing worse than losing your best friends, one had four legs and the other had two. Fats was my best friend, my constant companion, and loved me no matter what. He was always by my side when I was home and would go on rides with me in my truck - until his hips started giving him problems. We would go on walks down Dearborn Road in Missouri and it was a contest on who was going to collaspe first. He would look at me with those big expressive brown eyes as if he knew what I was thinking and feeling. Fats was my big black bear and I miss him so much. The other two-legged friend was know as either Gomer or Goober, lived in Oklahoma, and was my online friend for almost 10 years. We would talk every day or night, listen to each others troubles, and lend a "shoulder" to lean on when I had no one else. We were still friends when I moved back to New York for about a year or so. Never met in person but would have loved to at least seen the person that I knew as a friend before I had left Missouri. Don't know what went wrong, but we stopped talking about 3 years ago. I miss you and I wish you would come back into my life.

Life Sure Throws Curve Balls

Has been a long time since I wrote in here- 2 years. Am now a grandma to Alexis Noelle, Jennifer and John's new little baby girl. No longer work at J.P. Morgan but have a steady job working for Sourcecorp (behind Boscovs) and even have health insurance. My flat has really changed since 2007, more homey, less junk, more English cottage looking. At least I think so, just need the sheep on the balcony and a thatched roof. Still have my three cats, still go to college for Billing and Coding but have now added Certified Medical Assistant to the mix. Yep, I'm a glutton for punishment. There's no man in my life right now, maybe someday, but I'm not going to rush it. Still only one man I'll ever really want but alas, tis not to be.