Yes Virginia (I mean Christine) there is a Santa Claus

I visited Santa every year. I wish I could remember what I told him. Maybe it would help me to understand who I am today from what I thought was important back then. Even though Santa was important so was Jesus. Sunday school at the Lutheran church told me the real reason for the season and so I enjoyed both even though at the tender age of 8 I thought it was more fun drinking the fruit punch and coloring the baby Jesus and the three wise men. Santa was fun to because I got to spend time with my mom going downtown, riding the elevators with the lady who pulled the door across and let us out on the floor where Santa was. Then we'd go over to a place called The Forum where we had chicken pot pie and red jello. Then on to Woolworths drug store for chocolate soda's. I was in Dairy Queen awhile ago and asked for one and they didn't know what they were or how to make them. What's the world coming to??

Party, Hardy!!

My favorite thing about Christmas is Christmas parties. I usually never get invited to any but since Michael has been at NW Airlines there is a fellow employee that enjoys it as much as I do and has one every other year. There is usually about 12 of us including spouses and she always plans it as a brunch. We all bring a dish to share and we sometimes play a game or just visit. This year there were children invited so we played a game and included them. it was great fun. I hope to someday return the favor and have one of my own. Maybe next year. The picture is of the NW group of adults that were there. The hostess is down in front with the brown slippers. Lovely person inside and out!

Dostoevsky wasn't there but it was still enjoyable!

A friend and I went to the Russian Museum on Diamond Lake Road and 35W last week. It use to be a funeral home and someone bought and renovated it turning it into a museum of Russian art. I thought it was a dumb idea. I was wrong. I had heard it was very interesting but didn't have my hopes up. It was quite memorable and not because I love hardwood floors and dark quiet places. It had two levels of art pieces some so big that it was better seen from across the room. They also had a special showing of Russian nesting dolls which was fabulous. All the artwork was told with the artists thoughts on the piece and many covered the Industrial Revolution and was explained and expressed through art. The basement rooms had a display of photographic art that proved to be most interesting as well.I paid a dollar for a booklet that gave me each story behind the photos. Again, very interesting. Well worth the $5.00 bucks to get in. I would recommend it to everyone. Don't miss out on an excellent day of education in the art world!

"I'm, so glad we had this time together..."

I once was asked what my favorite job in the world was. Without even blinking I said parenthood. I knew the time would come when I would no longer be a "mom on site" but just the same a mom. The role just changes. Crowding around a dinner table is no longer an issue. Instead of telling my oldest to get off the phone (pre-cell phone days), it now rings for me from guess-who? Before they were gone it was the sound of laughter, tears, bouncing basketballs, and the beetle-e-beep of video games. I finally have peace and quiet even if I don't desire it. I now have two more rooms in the house in which to decorate, fill with odds and ends, even make a sewing room or library out of them. I know the day will come but at the moment all I seem to be able to do is sit in them and listen to my voice echo off the walls. Yesterday I found a super ball in the corner of one room. It had a picture of Mickey Mouse in the middle. I put it in my jewelry box. I know, I'm hopeless. I also know that life will go on and God will carry me through it. The empty rooms will become something functional and welcome. Dinner will be candlelight and a loving husband. Even the bathroom I shared with my daughter and son will be mine alone with candles and pretty hand towels. Even though I will look forward to holidays more than I have before, I now know how my mom felt when I left home for good.

Do dogs REALLY go to heaven??

Every October 4th or the Sunday closest to it Comet and I head over to Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, the church I was confirmed in and join in the service recognising the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. They call it "The Blessing of the Animals". They start outside after bringing out the piano and pass out programs and the pastor gives a short service in regard to St. Francis and his love for animals. there is a little box of plastic bags for those that might feel the need for, well, you know. Sometimes a dog will disagree with what the pastor's message is and bite another dog but for the most part everyone gets along. Then we head inside and down the hall to the small chapel so that each animal, fin, fur or feather receives an individual blessing from the pastor. Upon leaving the chapel each person receives a little St. Francis metal to put on their animal's collar or cage. We all join in at the end in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments for man and beast (cookies and dog treats).

This gentleman brought his hamster in a small exercise ball wrapped in a blanket.
I always enjoy just seeing how people really love their pets.

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

My title is from "Three Little Fishies" by Kay Keyser and His Orchestra from 1941. Most of you over 50 remember the song. It was a jukebox favorite and sold over a million copies. Don't know why but David has turned out to be a very good fisherman. The only person that ever fished with him was Grandpa Myron (the man in the picture) so we're giving him credit. We did take him fishing at the Dells when he was about 10yrs old (starving fish, lots of worms and 10 bucks a lb for whatever you caught) but you really couldn't call it real fishing, obviously. David recently went "real fishing" to a place called Spider Lake up in Grand Rapids in the Chippawa National Forest and caught a 43" Shoepack Musky. Even though it was trophy-worthy he had to throw it back for another catch on another day because the lake is on a reserve. Too bad. Grandpa would have been so proud!

How the Other Half Lives

Michael and I took a bike trip from home out to Bloomington to visit some previous neighbors for a surprise visit. They lived two doors down from us and were wonderful neighbors. I didn't want to go unless we called them first but they were so surprised and happy to see us and we had a wonderful visit with them. Their new home made the "old neighborhood" look like the projects. They had moved 3 years ago into a very high test beautiful house. Katy is an interior designer and her and her hubby met why teaching art classes (she was his instructor). The rest is history. They are great friends and such interesting people. Without invading their privacy I asked if I could take some pictures of various rooms for benefit of the blog. Enjoy.