Thanksgiving 2012

What a difference a year makes, one year ago today, I was sitting in our Little House on the Bluff typing a similar blog entry.  Today I am sitting in our new home which I have dubbed Orchard Hills Big House. We have been in the house for 90 days and it seems like a lot longer time has passed. Luckily, I was able to take much needed time off from work so we could get everything settled before the cold weather hit.

 

This year we decided to break tradition of cooking and spending most of the day in the kitchen instead we took Dad and Sister to Lake Barkley for a Thanksgiving feast. It was  a beautiful day in Middle Tennessee with 70 degree temperatures and beautiful sunshine.  The only thing missing is our loved ones that have passed and our Florida Family.  

Growing up it in Southeast Missouri, Thanksgiving was always a family event, I am fortunate enough to remember everyone meeting at our Great Grandparents house for the day. The Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins all gathering for a day of home cooking, games and just being together as a family.

Those were special times; the extended family unit was together as one clan. As our society moved forward, it seems to have lost this one important aspect of the family.  The family unit is more nuclear in nature today than in the past.  We move further from the family to pursue careers and then everyone becomes so involved with their own lives that taking the time to be with extended family does not seem as important.

This happen to our family clan, as the great and grandparents passed on, my generation was the one that moved further away from the homestead. We were the ones that pursued those careers and just never seem to have any time to make it home for the holidays. I, for one, realized this but only after the passing of my Mother.

Thanksgiving was always a special holiday for her. She called it her mid holiday.  Halloween was the first because of my birth, then Thanksgiving and ending with Christmas. She always wanted the family together for the holiday and for so many years it was just never possible for all of us to be in on location for this weekend. 

 We made the decision a year ago to move so we could be closer to family and it has been the best decision. This past year has proven that point, being able to spend more time with Dad and my sister is priceless and it means so much to me. Every day and every month that passes I know I am only a few hours from Dad and only a few minutes from my Sister, it just feels right.

 Dad is splitting his nights between our house and sister's this year. It is the family joke now that we have to share custody on the holidays. It is just wonderful to have that opportunity each holiday. Tonight, he is back at her house and it is our turn for the last night of his visit this trip.

My Mother would be so proud to see her family finally together for the holidays.  I can hear her now, saying “I would love another cup of coffee but I have babies (dogs) on my lap” and of course, I or Paul would be the ones getting that cup of coffee.    I am thankful to be backing home with the family.   Now it is time for a cup of coffee in honor of Mom...  Happy Post Thanksgiving 2012.

Keep Dancin'

 LB

 

Family, Friends and a Year of Changes

As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the past year and how very important our family and friends have been in our lives.  I am sure most of us are still in a stupor from our Christmas feast.  It was during our feast that I got to thinking about how 2011 had been a year of many changes for Paul and I.

I started the year in a new/old position after 20 years with Intracorp, the company was sold to GENEX Services at the end fo 2010. So although I am still doing the same job, it was all new with a new employer. The year has been a challenge learning how to do the same job under new policies and proceedures. I do have to state that my new immediate boss has been nothing but accepting and supportive in this year of transition.

I also started a new website www.LineDanceNews.com and also became the host site for Stella Cabeca's website.  Just taking my passion for dancing to a new level.

Paul met a milestone this year and after 30 years retired from the US Postal Service. He has been making a nice adjustment to the life as a retired person.

Then the most dramatic change came the last quarter of the year when we decided it was now time to make the move to Tennessee to be closer to both our families especially my Father. It then all happen very quickly with us selling the house in Florida.  So after 40 years for Paul and 20 years for myself in Florida, we relocted to Clarksville, Tennessee.

So this Holiday season, we got to spend with our families and not our our Florida friends. For me it was a very special holiday getting to spend it with my Father and sister afte 20 years. I know my Mom was smiling down at us, happy that her family was back together again.

I have to admit it was strange at first since for the past years, it was our Florida family that had made our holiday season so enjoyable and memorable.

We  tend to take many things in our life for granted and sometimes neglect to express or show our true feelings for those immediately around us in our daily lives. Being from a farming family, family gatherings with lots of good food, good fun and camaraderie were what was important throughout the year. It was during these family gatherings that you caught on family and nurtured the bond that makes us all family in one way or another.

Paul  and I come from very different family backgrounds but the one common thread was that family was the most important aspect of our daily lives growing up. The weekly or Monthly family gatherings that included everyone from Grandparents to cousins. The feeling of having that common denominator that made you whole and who you are today. 

The old saying you can pick your friends but not your family  is so true. Yet we have friends in our lives that we consider family and have the bond that comes with family.  Knowing they will be there for you in your time of need and support you in whatever venture you undertake. 

So as 2011 draws to an end, We know that our choices were the right ones for Paul and I. Our Florida Friends will always be a part of our lives but now is the time for us to spend with our Family. 2012 is going to be a good year, now we get to show our Florida Family the area I grew up in and around.

What Attack on Christmas?

I keep hearing that Christmas is under attack. Congress has even touched on the matter as if that is the most important issue they have to deal with at this time. But I digress.. I am having a hard time understanding just what is attacking Christmas.  Is it the fact that the retail stores start advertising and putting out their Christmas items before Halloween has past.  Maybe its the Condo Association that is fighting a owner for putting out colored lights instead of only clear lights. 

I just can not figure out what is attacking Christmas, as I sit in front of our beautiful Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music and all the Christmas cards from friends and family. Where is the attack, what is the attack, who is doing the attacking?

Can anyone tell me? 

The only thing I can think of is the attack is from those spouting the issue that Christmas is under attack.   I just don't understand why human beings can not just get along, this country was founded on freedom.  Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion, Freedom to be who and what you are without prejudice.  At least that was what I was taught in a small country school in the rural midwest.

I personally, think that those that are claiming there is an attack on Christmas are just trying to create a diversion so they gain more votes in the upcoming election.  We as Americans are always under attack, from outside our borders and more dangerous within our borders. Ultra conservative, Ultra liberals, Ultra Religious, Ultra white, Ultra Black, Ultra, Ultra Ultra. Oh there I go digressing again..

Attack on Christmas, I don't think so. The attack is on the American people, who for the most part just want to enjoy the Holiday in Peace and Good will to all.

Merry Christmas  and Happy Holidays to All.....

Holidays, Family and Extra Pounds

Since this will be the first Christmas Dinner in 20 years with my Father, I want to make everything special and start a new tradition for our family. I have been researching for a new dessert for the dinner. My  first thought on each recipe was how much sugar was in the item, Dad watches his sugar intake. Paul, my sister Cindy and I can eat or I should say will eat anything.

Of course, then we will be the ones trying to work off those extra holiday pounds.  My sister will walk extra miles on her treadmill. Paul and I will walk the dogs on extra long treks. I will dance as much as possible.  The grand part is that we will be doing it as a family and that support will be what gets us through the holiday pound syndrome.

So what are you going to do to get through the Holiday, the family and those Holiday pounds?
Why should you think about it now, you ask. Well without a plan those holiday pounds will become New year pounds, then Spring pounds.  So get that plan together now and then you won't be struggling to get that Beach body when Summer time arrives. 

If that is not enough to get you motivated, then read the following article from Jim Salophokos.

Slimming Down Will Benefit Your Health--And Much More

by Jim Salophokos

Men and women typically attempt to shed weight simply because they wish to improve their health or have been told by their health care provider that it is quite crucial that they do so. We now know just how directly related many health problems are to a person's excessive weight. Everywhere you go you hear about the serious implications of heart disease and increased blood pressure levels. Even with all the information, a large number of folks don't feel that the health benefits are cause enough for them to shed weight. In the following paragraphs we're going to take a look at some of the other benefits that can be gained through following a fat reduction program.

The first place to check out and one that might be a huge motivating factor is the fact that shedding some extra fat could actually save you money. Obviously, you tend to eat less and get rid of many expensive bad snacks when you are on a diet. It is the case that over some time these cost savings can amount to a rather significant amount of money. As a matter of fact, you can count on more savings if you opt to grow some of your own healthy fruits and vegetables.

An additional beneficial effect of your losing weight may be a new belief in yourself, which will manifest in all areas of your life. This could reflect itself in a more optimistic outlook toward your job and the people in your life. The fact that you come to see results from the desired goals you set for yourself with regards to losing weight may help you to achieve targets in the areas of your life. It is obvious that if people start to compliment you on the changes you have made to your physical appearance, this begins to have an effect on your self image and this will show in how you relate with others.

As an overweight person, maybe you steer clear of a few activities. This can be a consequence of your lack of self-confidence or because you have not had the physical ability to do it. This can change as you begin to get in shape and will open doors to new ways to spend your spare time. For instance, if you have the strength to try out a new sports hobby, you will without a doubt find that it is a nice way to work out and interact with other people. If it is a team sport, this is a great way to connect with other people and strike up new relationships.

Therefore, while the improvements to your health after losing weight should be a sufficient reward, you can find many additional reasons to remain faithful to your weight reduction plan.

Till Next time LB