Odds and ends

Yes, I did watch the season finale of Dancing with the Stars. And yes, there was great rejoicing in our house over Helio and Julianne's win! I am so proud!

But the great thing about the l-o-n-g (and often boring) finale was that I got my Christmas cards addressed! Plus, I organized my Christmas shopping list.

You might be interested in our Made in China free Christmas. It is hard to find toys that are not made there. Wow- but the neat thing is that we are finding some terrific nostalgic toys on Ebay and some USA toy manufacturers online that we would have never discovered. There is some fun stuff out there- Santa may need to put forth a little extra effort- but we think it will be worth it.

Timing, just may be everything

You've heard it like I have. "Timing may be everything." Well, it is certainly true when it comes to renewal leave. A year ago, my congregation and I were blessed with Renewal through the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program. It was amazing for me and sustaining & fun for my congregation!

But the timing...

Last Year – Broadway Open (We were there over Thanksgiving weekend.)
This Year – Broadway Closed

But, did you know:

Last Year – Paris Subway Open (We were there during the 2nd week of Advent.)
This Year – Paris Subway Closed

What a difference a year makes!

Still Dancin'

Okay, why is Marie still on the show?
Does she really have that many fans or are all the votes from the Mormon church?

Come on America- vote for Helio. Or at least don't vote for Marie. Monday is the final night! I'll be dancing in the living room!

Attitude of Gratitude

Having a sense of gratitude this Thanksgiving has a new twist. I am not allowed to eat any of the holiday goodies... doctor orders! No sugar, fat, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine.

Bummer of a holiday- especially because it is totally based upon what you put into your stomach!

Alas, I shall not despair. I'll be the one at the Thanksgiving feast smelling and drooling over everyone else's plates! I am thankful that at least my nose still functions.

Have a terrific holiday being thankful for whatever you've got!

'Made in China' Free Christmas!

Because of the recent toy recalls, I spent yesterday evening in a pile of my daughter's toys. I was reading labels on everything. Stuffed animals. Fisher Price doll houses. Plastic toys from McD's etc. I was overwhelmed with information I gleaned.

All of her stuffed animals (even the ones my husband purchased for her in Japan) were made in China. Even her Build-A-Bear stuffed animals that she made in the US- the bear fabric she stuffed was made in China. All of her Leap Frog toys, music toys, Fisher Price Little People, Home Depot tools, play kitchen etc. were made in China. I found one plastic toy that was made in Mexico. And one set of Mega blocks that were made in Canada, but the bag to put them in was made in China.

The only toys that were not made in China are her books with the exception of four. My daughter's DVD's were also made in the USA. Several toys got tossed last night into the trash can.

My husband and I are a declaring this a Made in China free Christmas this year. It will not exactly be a 'home-made' Christmas, but almost. All of our daughter's grandparents, aunts and uncles are on the alert to not purchase any toys made in China. We are even writing to Santa to inform him of our wishes. We will consider alternative toys that are manufactured anywhere but China. And of course, books and clothes will be a big hit this year!

Furthermore, we are going to write letters to these toy manufacturers that we are disgusted with their production practices that put our precious ones in harm's way.

I hope that you will join us in our Made in China free Christmas this year. Perhaps this is simply a terrific opportunity to un-commercilize this holy season of expectation!

Proud to be American

The day after election day I am proud to live where I do. We don't get a lot of things perfect as Americans. We have been making attempts at this republic for a couple of centuries and we still have a long way to go.... but one thing that is awesome is the day after election day.

Debate, disagreement, talk, chatter, gossip, political maneuvering, etc occurs on all the days and weeks leading up to election day. Then we vote. What a cool thing that is. I really think it is fun to vote!

And then the next day the work begins again. We don't shot each other. Although we may disagree. We don't launch military strikes. Although we may be frustrated with one another. We get back at the business of trying to figure out how to make this democratic system work.

And that is really cool and a good thing to be proud of.

Time Change

We made it! I never know for sure how the time change will go. Will I forget to set my clock? Will I set it in the opposite direction?

But more than that- the time change for me is a space-time continum question of existence. What time am I really in? Does changing my clock 'do' anything? Affect any reality of existence?

Over the years I have lived in many different time zones and I have changed my clock several different occasions. So, am I really the age I think I am? Weird, isn't it?