new tradition

On our way home from parent's home, we drove through a local christmas light display. Usually, the line of cars is long and slow. Tonight the place was open, but the gift shop and visitor's center were closed. All this meant that the line was non existant and the viewing was great.

Girly was calm in the back taking in all the lights. We played Sarah Mclachlan's Wintersong CD and took in the sights.

It even snowed a tiny bit. Perhaps this should be a new Thanksgiving Day tradition

not invited

I was invited a month and half ago to a bridal shower for a friend/professional colleague. Except, I am no longer in the profession. As far as the friend thing, I have not seen the bride to be for over a year and that was when she lived close. Recently, she moved to another state, and chances are slim I will see her soon.

Her bridal shower is tonight. It is being held in gym at her brother in law's church. I was asked to speak a little about our time together in grad school. Others are too speak about childhood, grade school, college etc. I was sort of wondering what in the world I would say. But, I am was sure I could some up something.

Here is the thing. I was not invited to the wedding. Supposedly, it will be a small wedding.

Nonetheless, I find it, well, tacky to invite people and expect them to show up w/ gifts at a shower two days before the wedding is to take place and not invite them to the actual event.

In my opinion, if you are having a small wedding, then perhaps don't have a big shower and except that you will probably receive fewer gifts.

state mandated

The OB director of my hospital called today.

According to my birth plan, I did not want the baby to get eye ointment because I don't have gonorrhea or any other std.

Turns out the eye ointment is state mandated.

My birth plan was reviewed by both my kid's pediatrician and my OB, and neither one of them said anything. Perhaps, that is something they should know.

my thoughts on halloween etc

Halloween trick or treating is over for the night. Phew, and I was almost able to pass out all the candy. I definitely do not need to eat that stuff.

I am a Lutheran Christian. I like Halloween. Growing up and attending Lutheran Schools we celebrated Halloween without anyone's souls being hurt. My 6th grade year we got a new principal who banned all Halloween costumes. The only costumes that could be worn had to be biblical characters or cute animals and we were NOT celebrating Halloween, but instead we were celebrating Reformation Day (Oct 31st) and All Saints Day (Nov 1st). A little pious, are we?

Gimme a break, was my thought back then and today. My dad is a pastor and saw no problem letting his children enjoy the fun that is trick or treating with friends. They even let me dress up like a witch. A witch! My father is the least pious man I know, but he can preach the gospel with the best.

I am actually thrilled that Halloween has become so commercialized, because I think it gives the message that it is just another silly "holiday".

Reformation day is fine day as well, but it is a civic holiday and outside the reformed churches it means squat. I think Luther would be aghast that so much attention would be paid to him on one particular day. Of course, he probably would not like Halloween either. I wish I could remember the author that stated how Luther would have not liked a church being named after him. In any case, I see so much attention being paid to Luther on Reformation day and again Jesus Christ is in the background.

At least with Halloween there is no pretense. To me and most folks it is about costumes, candy, and pumpkins. And, I dig it.

picking names

One of my best friends died in freak car accident during our high school years. His name is Jeff. I love the name Jeff. My husband suggested we name our boy Jeffrey. I agreed. We told a few people. Today, I changed my mind. I can't name my son Jeff. The name is too emotional for me. Even after all these years.

So, we are back to the name drawing board.

pumpkins

What kind of Halloween mom am I? I realized this morning that whether I like it or not I am a just a little bit like my mom. Well, I knew that already, but it is always humbling when it hits me like a brick. Or in this case, a pumpkin.

When the Target put out the Halloween stuff, I snatched a very cute soft pumpkin costume for my girl. This was like two months ago, because they put that stuff out way too early. At the time, I remember thinking I need to get black or green tights. Well, girly was with me and shopping with a toddler does not always go the way I want, so we left before getting a chance to buy the proper colored tights.

Today is our first Halloween party and when I woke up at 7AM my first thought was, "The TIGHTS!" So, I laid in bed thinking of the tights she already owned. All white. Okay I can make this work. What about pants? No, too uncomfortable, plus I don't have any black ones or anything that is a solid color except pink or navy blue.

Then it was the shoes? Girly is picky about what shoes she wants to wear sometimes. And, all her shoes have some type of pink colored flowered or other feminine embellisment on them. Totally, not a pumpkin shoe. Oh, well, I can just say she did not want to wear the shoes I bought.

I am now thinking of lies! Lies to tell other moms, my friends, as to why my daughter will not look like the perfect pumpkin. Could I sink any lower?

kick the habit

I am the main woman in charge of this weekends caramel apple booth at a local festival. My MOMS Club decided it was a good idea.

I am so sick of looking at caramel recipes on the Internet. I have bags and tubs of caramel in my office and I have no desire to eat even one little square.

So, if you are fighting a constant craving of something my advice, but copious amounts and read all about the stuff and you too can kick the habit.