The Good China Chipped!

This was a different holiday season for us for many reasons. There was joy, some sadness, mixed with some laughter, a few games of cards and some not so pleasant weather.

Before the holidays I wrote about using the good china. On Christmas Eve I took out the good china; well it's not china, but the good dishes that actually match. We use these when ever we are having a nice dinner. The next day when I emptied the dish washer I realized one of the plates had chipped. Now I had to deal with my words...put the pretty stuff front and center in your life; use the good china. The next sentence is so what if it breaks. The plate is chipped; my pretty set of dishes has a flaw.

Now what do I do? Do I try to replace it? Put it back in the cupboard to pretend it never happened? Do I just go with one less plate? Now I can only have 7 for a dinner, that's odd.

Replacing it is not an option; they don't make these any longer. Pretending it didn't happen won't make things better next time I invite 8 for dinner. I guess I will just live with it. Figure it out as we go.

Isn't that how it is in life? We all have flaws; little chips in our lives that can't really be hidden; they are always there. We can put them them in the cupboard; but eventually they have to come out. Not everyone notices them; the little imperfections make us who we are. We have to learn to live with it. Figure it out. It certainly won't keep us from keeping the pretty things front and center in our life.

Use the Good China!

Getting ready for Christmas took a big turn this year. Just as we were settling into our new normal in our home we learned my husbands brother had passed away. Immediately without warning our plans changed. A funeral of a loved one anytime of year is difficult; this time of year it just stinks. 

I can't seem to come up with the right words to deal with this one. Overwhelming sadness for those left behind seems to be the only thing that comes to mind. Family members cling together, creating new bonds of love...there isn't much more we can do. 

This Holiday season hold your loved ones a little closer.The death of my brother-in-law is a reminder that life is short and incredibly fragile. It is a reminder that we never know when our time is up. It is also a reminder to use the good china. Keep the pretty things front and center in your life; don't tuck them away for that special day. That day is today; each day is a gift! 

Baby, it's COLD outside!

Every year we know it is coming. Every year we complain about it. Every year it stings our nose as we walk out in it. Every year we say we will go south when we are old. Every year I mean it more.

The very cold weather is parked over our area for the next 7 to 10 days. I am not excited about this; but it is what it is; so we will need to make the best of it. It is time to crack out the hot chocolate and pull out the board games. They say there is a silver lining in almost everything. In this situation it can be the memories made playing a family game. A few years ago I discovered you can play pinochle online; free. Another way to spend a cold evening in. Growing up family games got us through quite a few blizzards on the farm; those family memories include some heated games of ping pong and Monopoly.

Instead of complaining about the cold let's make a new memory; bundle up and learn to cross country ski or be creative inside. We choose to live in this climate probably because our ancestors did. Let's make the most of it. Make a memory today!

November 30th

The sun comes up with promise for a great new day. It's the last day of November in 2013. The chill in the air reminds us that winter looms with the flip of the calendar. Thanksgiving is tucked away for another year. Christmas shoppers hit the stores for big Black Friday specials. Today though is for the small businesses. This is the day filled with hope for the small retailers in our communities.

The small business people unlock their doors everyday not sure how many people will walk through their door. Their businesses are not advertised with fancy full color flyers in the local Sunday paper. They probably have bought a few ads on the affordable local radio station inviting the community to shop their store. Many will wonder if this Christmas season will keep them going for another year. But most small business offer something the big box stores never can. A feeling of home that is difficult to explain.

Here's an example; the local hardware store in our town still has the hardwood floors that have welcomed the people of this community for many years. Behind the counter you will find friendly faces and a few people that are ready to find just the right bolt or paint or whatever gadget you might need. Even though I did not grow up here, it feels the same as the old Brandt grocery store once felt some 40 years ago. It reminds me of Kenny standing behind the counter ready to weigh the ground beef or ring up the cracker jacks that you chose for your treat for the week. By the way those cracker jacks were a dime. It also reminds me of a wonderful little jewelry and gift store in downtown Eau Claire. For 25 years Jane has made Christmas shopping easy with the great selection of hard to find unique jewelry. There are stores like this all of the country.

For a baby boomer there is something about that local feel that is comfortable. Something that is worth the little extra you might pay for having the local store around the corner. I am not sure where local business Saturday came from but I think it is something we need to embrace. These local retailers deserve our support. We don't want them to go away...ever. They have supported our local kids; they have had the gallon of milk we needed quickly and they have offered a gift unique for just about any occasion.

Shop local today. Your local businesses deserve it!

The Holiday Rush is ON!

This morning I thought about writing about the holiday madness, the shopping frenzy; even the crazy people that waste their time fight crowds for the best deals on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. But why focus on that; let's talk about the events of the holidays that are memory makers.

There are so many events in every community that can put a smile on your face and give you the opportunity to enjoy the season. It starts with Thanksgiving Day; many communities serve meals to the needy. Then from Rockefeller Center to Robbinsdale Minnesota cities host sing along activities and entertainment with a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. I am pretty sure you can find a local Church that puts together a little Christmas program where you can see the local children put smiles on the faces of their parents. Jingle Bell runs for charity are popular and of course the opportunity to give to a needy family is available through your workplace or church.

This is the season of love and kindness, let's remember that as we fight for the "good" parking spot or as we get annoyed by long lines. Take sometime to make a few other folks load a bit lighter; make this a holiday season to remember, not because you got a great deal, but because you made someone's day.

Happy Holidays!

10 Things I Learned While Living in Wisconsin

10. You can wear purple in the land of green and gold.
9. Beer is acceptable at any occasion
8. "On Wisconsin" is a catchy tune!
7. The rolling hills and streams are beautiful- there are 26,000 miles of rivers and streams
6. A small college in Eau Claire Wisconsin makes incredible Jazz Music
5. Kubb is a real sport, and curling club is like bowling in the summer
4. To ride motorcycle safely
3. Some of my best friends live in Wisconsin
2. Madison is one of the greatest Capital cities in the country
1. Cheese Curds are a food group and are best when squeaky!

Packing Up

For over 5 years we have made our house into a lovely home that seemed just right for us. We moved in and got busy making memories. We hosted several parties by the pool for family and friends. Our home welcomed International Students from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. In the dining room we learned more about China, Malaysia, Mexico, Great Britain, Austria and Germany. Our beautiful children and grandchildren laid their heads to sleep in the bedrooms and got up ready to jump in the pool on summer mornings during Camp Grandma. We held a few card parties for friends from Wisconsin and enjoyed some great laughs when family came to visit. There was a cookie bake or two, a neighborhood Christmas party and trick or treat kids galore.
It is bitter sweet to leave this house. We are anxious to start our new chapter in life in Mark's childhood home. But when we seal the tape on the final box and walk out the door we will leave behind wonderful stories from these walls along with a little piece of our hearts.