Drafts, beautiful music, shopping, parties, and giving

So apparently I have five drafts that I have not posted. Mostly I just don't have that much to say. And if/when I do, I tend to reread it and decide it is just too disjointed to a post.

So, here comes yet another attempt, which will be yet another bulleted update on my life, for the two of you who still stop by occasionally. :-)

I finished most of my Christmas shopping yesterday. Hooray! The snow falling and my playing Bach's Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake) made the day pretty darn good. If I could find a way to upload the version the string quartet at our Lessons and Carols did last year, I would. I am telling you it is hard not to listen to that song and feel a a sense of calm as well as an appreciation for the beautiful music. Google it (or find it on You Tube), and you probably won't be disappointed.
I went to my first building holiday party Friday. I knew only the people on my floor and a handful of people on two other floors. But I did meet a few more. The food was good and plentiful, and there was a nice, small selection of beer and wine. One guy asked a coworker if I was his wife. I took that as a compliment because said coworker is nine years younger than I (no, don't even suggest that this guy just thought I was his older wife). Another guy asked that same coworker why he did not bring me downstairs for the "early start" to the party. Sounds as if I am "in" next year.
The Steelers have a losing record. Yeah, newsflash, I know. What I find weird, but I guess not surprising, is how people have jumped off the bandwagon. Normally there are at least two dozen people at mass on a football Sunday wearing some type of Steelers garb. Today I did not notice a single person. Now, maybe someone had a shirt underneath the coat he/she did not take off, or maybe I just missed a person or two. But the dearth of Steeler attire was quite noticeable. I did, however, notice two people wearing Pirates clothing. Never thought I would see the day that Pirates gear would outnumber Steelers gear in December.
I am probably the last person to sing the praises of technology. And you can bet I will always be one of the last people to try anything new. But I so love that you can upload a picture for a Christmas card online, and have your cards ready in a couple of hours. I remember years ago going to Target and getting J's Christmas pictures, along with our cards, done. I think it took about a week, maybe 10 days. One year, I was picking up the Christmas cards the day before Christmas Eve. This same-day thing is all that and a bag of chips!
As much as I fail as a parent, at least I am teaching my child the importance of generosity and appreciating what we have. She told me the other day that she took money out of her bag at school (she keeps $2.75 in there in case she forgets her lunch or lunch tickets) because not that many classmates contributed to the collection for a boy in the community. J told me that he really wanted clothes, and with the small amount of money, he would not be able to get much. She had already turned in money, but I was glad she wanted to do more and felt empathy for that boy, whoever he is.

And that, to me, is a big part of what the holidays are about. Even if you have no religious beliefs, this time of year you can be a little kinder, a little more generous, and a little more understanding. I am really trying to do my part.

Peace and blessings to you.

Why do they stand up there and say that when they are just lying?

That extra-long title is courtesy of my nine-year-old and was something she uttered during "Say Yes to the Dress" on Friday evening. I watch very little reality TV, but I make an exception for this show because I like to look at the dresses. And sometimes, the stories are heart-warming. Typically at the end of the show, a snippet of a wedding is aired. In this particular show, a woman who was confined to a wheelchair was exchanging vows with her fiance. After the two of them finished, J made her comment. I asked her what she meant as I must have been on the computer while the TV was on, and she explained that because so many people just get divorced, why do they even say "as long as we both shall live"? That is tough one, kid. I tried with what I thought was a sound explanation: Most of the people who get married truly believe they will be together the rest of their lives, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. But if you don't think that you will be ...

Do you ever just want to run away...

Yesterday's post was a rant about a fairly pointless two-hour delay. For the record, if it is snowing in the morning or if it has snowed throughout the night, I am not against a delay; the road crews have a lot of ground to cover. It is unfortunate for those who still need to get to work and are left scrambling to find child care or have to go in late. But I am all about safety. It is the temps that are clearly going nowhere any time soon that do not warrant a delay, again, in my opinion. It will be cold all day today. Having another delay today, once again, seemed pointless, but I am over it. ***** I had a rough weekend, and I have debated whether I should write about it. As my mom and one of my brothers are so fond of saying (though I will be paraphrasing), "Once you put it down in writing (on paper or in an email), it will always be there. You can't take it back." For that reason, when things weigh heavily on my mind, I don't always share them in this blog....

TMI

When I refer to TMI, I am not talking about people sharing (often gross) things they probably should not. But rather sharing a friend's or a relative's personal information with a spouse or significant other. I know people who have cheated on their spouses, had abortions, have been raped or victims of domestic violence, committed (minor) criminal acts, did not disclose things to the government that they should have, suffered from various mental aliments, and who have been drug addicts or alcoholics. In most cases, I have not shared that information with Brian unless the person told me I could or I felt he needed to know for family safety issues (e.g., you have to consider who you let your children around). I am certain he would think less of some of these people if he knew things they did, so what purpose does it serve telling him? But more importantly, I want these people who confide in me to know they have my word. I can honestly say I don't think I can trust any of ...

Facie’s Ramblings

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