The After Christmas-Christmas

On Monday I headed down at around 3 am for an after Christmas-Christmas visit to the farm. Tristan and I have had a tradition of chopping down a tree and decorating it for the past three or four years now and this year wasn't any different. Jess, the boys and I took a trek along the property and were on a mission to find the perfect tree. After a little comparing and contrasting the small, large and in between we came to an agreement.

To avoid the wrath of pine needles we opted to decorate and go all out with an outside set up. Lights, tied on sparkly wrapping paper and a few other improv decorations that pretty much made it the best tree in the area. I think if the proper individuals were around we might have won an award. I have to say I'm pretty proud of our efforts.

Tristan, Gabe and I assembled the coolest space ship IN THE WORLD. Not only was it pretty legit, but we found some glow in the dark paint that made it oh so very spacy. Lots of duct tape, paint brushes and paint for the coolest space ship I have ever seen.

The week always seems to fly by, but it was a wonderful few days with the the parentes, the boys and Jess. I value the time I am able to spend with them and feel blessed to have such richness in my life. From a improv Christmas tree, a cardboard space ship and roasting marshmallows in the fireplace and by the pit - it is simple things like these that bring a smile to my face and realize how very precious the little things in life are. 

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed 2012!

Feliz Navidad

Somehow Christmas Eve and Christmas managed to avoid feeling as both were in warp power speed. Christmas morning we started with coffee, stockings and moved onto unwrapping presents and just enjoyed being together.
I headed out for the farm a little before one and about fifteen minutes up the road I opted for a bit of a u-turn and returned to Camp Oswego to have a full day of Christmas with the fam. There are many times I wish I could have the parents and Jess situated about three hours north...it would make life easier and the fact of missing them wouldn't be so acute. But, all is good and we sort of had a post-Christmas - Christmas.

The kids and Keith get a few days without the 'E' as I am maintating a farm fresh mindset for the next day or so. I will return north of the Mason Dixon bearing straight out of the chicken eggs, Amish noodles and jams that keep this 'E' maintaining a 365 farm fresh mentality. 

It is Christmas Eve and nearing Christmas day in less than an hour. I am still awake and that in itself is a miracle. After a day of being with family, attending Christmas Eve service and eating way too much it is now a small window of down time before Christmas officially arrives. By window of time I mean more like seven hours, but I'll take down time in any form available.
I think one of my favorite part of Christmas time is Christmas Eve service standing in silence for about an hour, holding a candle and alloting time to reflect, give thanks and rejoice in the true meaning of the season...Christ's Birth. So often we loose sight of what it is all about. I realize there is Hanukkah and to that I say, Happy Hanukkah. We're moving onto night number six and the menorah is shining bright in our front window. We're a little half and half in Lawler-Patterson land : )

It is a beautiful time of the year. I love the smells, chill in the air and the stillness that seems to fill the air shortly before the unwrapping and hustling for presents begins. After our family dessert this evening I walked back to our house. It was less than a ten minute walk, but there's something pretty wonderful about total silence, stars above and a crispness in the air that chills your lungs. I am grateful for the creation around me, my family and the beauty in places that are sometimes easily overlooked.

Off to bed before Santa or Hanukkah Heloise show up....time's ticking!


Free Counter

Our day in New York City was wonderful. There is something pretty great about being in the city right before Christmas with store fronts elaborately decorated, lights streaming along each building and the overall 'Christmas buzz' fills the streets.
We soaked in a bit of culture with the Nutcracker which I managed to maintain consciousness (not a small feat for a jittery, a.d.d ridden drug counselor) throughout the entire 2nd half : ) It was pretty amazing watching the dancers and the decour. Absolutely beautiful. 

What better way to follow up the Nutcracker with a hot cup of coffee and browsing a local street market? Spices, teas, ornaments and fun hats....that is truly the definition of fun! 

It was a great day with clear skies, a little chill in the air and a totally great prep for Christmas...

                                                   

The week before Christmas typically falls under the umbrella of crazy train status.  It always feels like the pressure is on in all aspects of life and it can be beyond challenging to keep things in balance and remember, after all, it is about the birth of Christ and not a whirl wind of presents, to do lists and the rising of blood pressure. 

The last day of work before break has become the moment of, as Barry Manilow so aptly sang, 'looks like we made it...' status. From getting all decked out in our ugly Christmas sweaters, to having a full fledge breakfast buffet with the girls and rolling with our 'Project Seneca Elf,' it is truly the final lap in the race to break. Yay!
Thursday and Friday we spent handing out over 80 bags, cookie trays and baskets for students. Coordinating and assembling such a large scale project is overwhelming, but I would not change a thing about it. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to look each kid in the eye and send the message of 'we care...'
I frequently use the cliche, "don't judge a book by its' cover." Each of us have our own chapters in life and no one really knows what goes on beyond the cover and Intro. With the economy and present state of economy for many, times are tough. My feeling is there is no better way to truly celebrate Christmas than assuming the eyes of Christ. May I not judge. May I look into the eyes of those I cross paths with and see the inner and not the outershell. May I extend my hand to assist with no intention of receiving anything in return.
There is tremendous joy this season, but also a whole lot of pain and sadness. My hope is that we alleviated even just a fraction of that for a few moments in some lives reinforcing the defintion of family, love and Christmas.
God Bless! Merry Christmas!

Anytime I am in the presence of my girlfriends life seems a little better. I feel profoundly blessed to have such amazing women in my life that make me laugh, smile and unwind in a way that is healthy for the soul. Being in the midst of a whole bunch of people who love kids, dig what they do and want to make a difference is sort of like an early Christmas present for me. Laughter is good for the heart.

Saturday I headed up to Bayonne to spend some time with family. Sometimes there is no way to connect what is going on in your heart with words. As I climbed the three flights of stairs that lead to my aunt and cousin's apartment my heart was heavy with an overwhelming sense of sadness for them. For quite some time there has been a heap of issues, too many to get into via blog. I actually stopped on the second floor looking out the window and into the courtyard mired in ruble. The adjacent side of the building, in full view, facing me with its cracked window panes and faded brick exterior. How could our worlds be so drastically different? I'm not sure if I had a magic wand it could do the trick.

It has been probably six months since I have ventured up to exit 14a. Maybe that's intentional on my part. There are so many emotions involved when I visit. With my aunt and cousin I feel like I could never do enough to alleviate their problems and at the same time it beats the heck out of my emotionally. I feel like a hampster stuck in a wheel that will never cease spinning.
I walk down Broadway and along Kennedy Blvd. I have visions of my parents sitting on a bench or walking hand in hand around here as teenagers. Strolling by the swing set in Hudson County Park I can picture my grandfather pushing me on the swings with my sisters on either side of me. If I close my eyes I can almost remember his voice and their laughter. Man, that was a long time ago.
Sometimes memories can be joyous and other times they can be intense. This weekend was a tough one, yet I am thankful for the memories I carry with me and the people and places that have forged me into who I am today.

December feels like it is running full steam ahead. I have officially placed my flip flops in temporary hibernation. There's talk Tuesday will bring temps to the high sixties which has possibility of being a flip flop friendly zone.
With a mere three weeks until Christmas the kids assisted in wrapping gifts for friends and family, but also for a few kids that we 'adopted' for our Project Elf at Seneca. This year we will tackle a total of sixty five gift bags and baskets for kids who might be facing some financial struggles, are dealing with a whole heap of 'stuff' or may have lost someone they loved over the course of the year. There is a whole lot of pain and struggles out there, but my heart is filled to the brim at the thought of how many kids will get a very clear message of care, hope and family through each gift passed from one hand to another.


Even with all of the craziness there is a whole lot of goodness rolling around the Christmas Season. Keith & I embarked upon the very distant Dicken's Festival in Medford (a whopping 2.8 miles away:) and enjoyed an evening of listening to carolers singing, sipping hot chocolate and examining a pretty impressive reindeer ice sculpture. I think I would be able to kick out a fairly impressive menorah if they would have entrusted me with the chain saw. For some reason, I don't see that happening anytime soon.....a girl can hope, can't she?