Happy New Year, 2008

Goodness, it looks just as unbelievable in writing
as it does when spoken, 2008. Gad zooks! (where did that phrase come from?)

It's kinda nice knowing that on a yearly basis, a person is given a clean slate, a fresh start . . .
We can make the new year what ever we want.
We can make resolutions, changes.
Our household is going through alot of changes right now.
Enough changes for several new years in fact. We currently have a yard filled with holes and trenches.
No, not in search of treasure, but rather in search of electrical lines and sewer pipes, oh my!

So I guess our big changes this year will be getting through this remodel/addition
without pulling out all our hair and having to hock the cats.

What will all of you do with the the clean slate we
are being given with this new year?
What are your plans if not resolutions?
Any hopes? Big decisions or changes?
Care to share?

What ever you might find, my fondest hope and wish is that
everyone will have a year filled with peace, love, and safety.

Happy New Year Everyone

Longest Night of the Year

This time of the year is known by many names with dozens of different celebrations from a great many different countries and cultures.
The longest night of the year marks many of these celebrations and has its own host of names, Yule, the Winter Solstice, Solar New Year, Midwinter, and Winter Solace
On this night of Winter Solstice, as seen from a northern sky, the three stars in Orion's belt align with the brightest star in the Eastern sky, Sirius to show where the sun will rise in the morning after Winter Solstice. The sun will ceased to decline in the sky as the length of daylight reaches its minimum and after three days, the sun will begin its ascent and the days grow longer. A return to light, a rebirth.




As a nod to my own celtic heritage, on this shortest day and longest night, the 21st of December, the Celts would celebrate at the winter solstice the return of the light and its growing strength. Just as nature lies dormant it is a time for us to pause and reflect, for without darkness we cannot appreciate the return of light and the return of spring.

it all sounds very romantic, as long as you're not out in the cold and snow somewhere freezing on the longest night of the year! So here I sit, on the longest night, on call to the hospital . . . here's hoping I can observe the night here at home.

Happy Yuletide! Merry Midwinter!

Speechless

Well okay, not really, I am Irish after all.
But you have to admit, this can leave you a little breathless.
Dazed in wonderment.
Speechless.
In awe.
Humbled.

As it sits on my desktop it has a three dimensional quality,
really!

I hope to one day be able to see this wonder in real life
not just in video and photographs.

Hope everyone is doing well and nearly finished with
Christmas shopping, etc. (I have 2 left to get)

I will be helping Mielikki do some holiday wrapping this next week
since she has a bum wing.

Work is a zoo, 'tis that time of year!

Ten days til Christmas . . . .
Almost time for a drumroll (the little drummer boy, of course . . . :)

Heard a Christmas song about an Italian donkey, it was a sing a-long.
And, yes, I sang along. It was after I had worked three 12-hour night shifts, what do want!

Am still working diligently on the novel(s). (not really work, more like fun . . .)

Survived yet again, another company dinner at my husband's work.

Boy, am I rambling . . .
Well, just goes to prove, I am not often truly speechless.

So, Which Reindeer/Snowwoman Are You?

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?





Cupid


Like Cupid you know how to spread love. You have a place in your heart for everyone and are always there with a hug or a kiss


Find out which of Santa's Reindeer you are at Quizopolis.com

Your Snowman Name is


Baby Shiny-Buttons



Get your Snowman Name at Quizopolis.com

The Holidays are Upon Us

Everywhere you look the holidays are upon us. I haven't truly
celebrated Christmas now for quite a few years. We have no room for a tree.
Not even a tiny table top. But hopefully, next year that will all change.
(Did I mention we are doing a little re-modeling and a tiny addition? No? Well, that's for another post.)
Anyhow, it is different when you have no little ones at home, and
none in the wings as it were.
Just us . . .
Every Christmas eve we gather at my parents house for a pot-luck
dinner, a gift exchange, and good company.
This year my daughter will be in Montana with her boyfriend Tim.
She is going to met the rest of his family . . . poor sweetie,
I think she is a bit overwhelmed.
With construction going on and no decorations up, or baking going on it
doesn't feel much like the holidays to me.

The weather isn't even co-operating . . . I am having to settle for
pictures of snow. Ah well, the most important part is still intact,
good friends and family, even though part of my heart will be in Montana.