Favorite Xmas Ever!

What has made your favorite xmas your favorite? Mine was painting ornaments with Kathleen. It wasn't my idea. It was her's...

We happened to get an arts & craft catalog for a new store in Georgetown one year around thanksgiving time. On the cover of the catalog were packages of clear glass balls, some painted and some not. So we went to this store in Georgetown to check out the ornaments and paint. Now I had been painting for a few years and felt I knew my way around liquid acrylic paint. I might give this crafts thing a try but I considered myself a "painter" and well above all that hobbyist stuff. Well was I in for a surprise!

The arts & craft store was so chic and modern because, of course, it was in Georgetown, DC. The paint was top shelf quality and many times more expensive than what I got from Michaels. But Kathleen was having fun and I didn't think she was going to buy hundreds of bottles of paint (like I had been known to do at Michaels). So as Kathleen was finishing up at the register (with a modest purchase of 6 glass balls and 6 bottles of paint), I asked the store clerk how does one paint these balls.

And then he told me. Take off the ball's lid, and pour in some paint (more than one or two colors is encouraged). And put your finger over the lid's opening and SWIRL. Pour out the excess paint and let the paint dry.

Well I tried it and just loved the results. The kind of love that leads to obession and doing over a hundred balls. Kathleen also fell in love. She must have done close to 75 that year. And we gave our artful ornaments to everyone. Our bosses. Our colleagues. Our friends and our family. Some people loved them and some people were confused by them. One person was even offended that I gave him "balls" Nevermind, our painted ornaments were that year's hit (at least with us!)

We kept many of the ornaments and each year a few hang on our tree. We had so much fun together painting those ornaments. Sure we spent a chunk of change making them but we bonded joyfully. And that's what has made it our favorite xmas ever!

Oh Xmas Tree

I have a fondness for xmas trees. I didn't have them as a child so they're a happy addition to my life. I even moved to Oregon where there's lots of xmas trees and double rainbows. But you know, I've never had the experience of hiking into the backwoods and cutting my own. No, I've always gone to the lot.

Now I'm very discriminating about which lot I go to. No Boy Scouts or religious lots for me. I apply my political correct standards even on a poor xmas tree that has no control over it's origins. But nevertheless I'm picky these days about whose pocket I'm lining with my hard-wrought money. Something like I don't want to give my money to the enemy and undo all our work.

When I was with my ex and was properly introduced to the xmas season, we bought our tree, a Blue Douglas Fir, from a nursury. It was so beautiful. I got to give my ex that, she knew her xmas trees. My ex had worked for Oregon's forestry service and was a country girl too. Xmas trees were an art form of nature to her. Bless her.

Well, soon after my ex and I split up, I went shopping for xmas trees with Kathleen. We'd go to a lot around the block from our place. The guys who run the tree lot look like they could also be selling moonshine, if you asked for it. But I shouldn't say that because they've been respectful and helpful to us (They even delivered and set-up a couple of our trees. We weren't feeling too butch in those years.).

But for all their beauty xmas trees are messy. Sure they smell great and aren't really a fire hazard if you water them everyday but when it's time to take them down...well you know about those little needles and all the vacumning. I guess as I've gotten older the effort to clean-up the mess just got overwhelming.

So we made the switch. We brought a huge 7 foot artificial tree. It was a bitch to put together. Almost impossible for us to manage. But we put it together twice and since then we have given up. It's trunk is made out of steel and is just too heavy for us. So in the spirit of xmas we're giving it away for FREE!!!

This year we have a table top artificial tree. I'll put a few of our hand-painted ornaments on our baby tree. It's enough of a xmas tree for me. And anyway it's really a solstice tree for me. Well, xmas or solstice...it doesn't change spirit of the season.

Cheers,
Diane

Tis the Season

It's begun. Thanksgiving Day kicks off the Holiday Season. Now it's time for shopping and parties. (And for us Kathleen's birthday on December 2nd) Then it's shorter and shorter days which usually have cloud cover or just grey skies. The temperatures drop toward the freezing mark and you need to get your car winterized because you know the defroster and heater just doesn't work like it use to last year.

You get your xmas/solstice tree or a menorah or something for your lights or candles. Because we're all celebrating the light amidst the darkness. And its dark when you wake up and at 5 pm when you leave your job or walk your dog.

And then there's the xmas cookies and the cakes and just the vast amount of desserts. But what would the season be without all the chocolate. It's like medicine for the soul (or the mood!)

And close by Solstice on the 21st, everyone gives up on working and we just feast, socialize and party our way towards New Year's. And yes, the Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus and there's this vast gift exchange between people on the 25th. After the 25th, xmastime fatigue usually sets in. Sure you love your presents but sleeping off those holiday dinners and desserts becomes imperative.

So then, the sleepy and social week between xmas and new year's takes over. No one in their right mind tries to work unless you desperately need the money. Kathleen and I just try to make it to the end of the festivities because New Year's Eve is our anniversary.

We've only gone out a few times on our anniversary. Most of the time it's too cold and we don't want to be driving on the roads. We rarely go out at night...we're two little old biddies now. (It's okay. We were both wild and crazy in our youth.)

So 2013 will most likely arrive despite the Mayan calendar and we will have more parties and football on the 1st. I'm looking for another dish to make to bring us good luck for the year. Please comment with the dish you make.

I hope you enjoy the Season! I think that it's just a helluva way to wrap up the year and start a new one. But it does have it's moments, doesn't it?

Sunday Night Blues

I've got the Sunday night blues. You know, it's a case of I don't want the weekend to stop but tomorrow is Monday and the week beckons. So what do you do before you call it a wrap for another weekend?

Most of us used to watch 60 Minutes. It was mandatory if you wanted to retain your cultural citizenship. Because what else was worth watching? Nowadays I don't think there's anything worth watching. Instead I listen to Buddhist youtube.com videos or just listen to New Age music. I like to think I've evolved from my more political and news junkie days into something well more...spiritual.

Now don't think I've gone out and found Jesus and God. No gods are involved just one enlighten and awake guy named Buddha.

I'm new to all of this meditation stuff (I can barely keep my eyes shut when I do it outside.) And I'm still reading lots of books on compassion, loving-kindess and becoming enlightened. I hope to become enlightened one day and I'm okay with having to still chop wood and carry water afterwards.

But mostly I feel at peace. Don't know if it's all due to this Buddha guy. But I like that he's fat and laughing. He's happy. And the more I learn about his wisdom, the more happy I become.

And to think this all started with listening to some music---Buddha Bar. So this Sunday night I'm listening to more Buddha Bar, watching another youtube.com video and catching-up on my daily Buddhist inspirations.

Let me tell you it sure beats 60 Minutes!

We're Doing Thanksgiving Twice

Just ordered the free-range turkey from Whole Foods. Some years, like this one, Kathleen and I like to do our own turkey dinner after we visit Kathleen's family for Thanksgiving. We like our cooking and we like turkey (and so do our cats!) So we'll pick-up the bird while everyone else is engaging in black friday madness. We'll just have to watch out for the traffic and pray to the parking fairies for a good parking space.

Mentally, I'm making a list of all the people I want to "give thanks to." Kathleen, of course, my mother, other family members and friends. When I tally up how many people really touch my life, I'm amazed at how many connections I have. I'm sure when you do your "gratitude list", you'll be amazed too.

And then there's the all-important shopping food list for Thanksgiving and then the gift list for your Winter Holiday. It's fun to splurge this time of year (and all that good food can be quite comforting too) but try to remember that these holidays are about re-affirming connections and bonds --- not just getting presents!!!

So in the meanwhile, safe travels everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!

Putting Off That Flu Shot

I've been putting off getting a flu shot. I'm really not that much of a procrastinator. Oh sure, I put off other things like housework and laundry. But doesn't everyone? Ok getting back to my flu shot...I've had ample opportunities. It's just that something always comes up.

I belong to Kaiser and they're really into this preventive medicine and flu shots. If you're a Kaiser member, a flu shot is free. But in a weird way this is working against me. You say, "What? How can free work against you?" Well it's harder for me to get to Kaiser and easier to get to my CVS Pharmacy. But the flu shot at CVS Pharmacy costs about $25. So me in my putting off ways doesn't go to Kaiser because I'll have to make a special trip and doesn't get the shot at CVS Pharmacy because I can get it free at Kaiser. And anyway, I want a trained nurse to give me the shot, not some CVS Pharmacy store clerk (I know, I'm having a princess moment!)

This may all sounda stupid because I really need the flu shot. So today Kathleen is taking me to Kaiser and I'm going to get a flu shot. Even if I have to beg for one. Because I need one and there are too many other important things to be a procrastinator about. Like when am I going to clean up my studio and start painting again?

So you see it's easy to put things off and I do it so well. Maybe one day my future will feel more finite and I'll get to it all. Because I've got a lot of things that really need to get done.

We Won!!!

It was an unusual day for November. It was warm and sunny so Kathleen and I decided to have brunch in a restaurant's outdoor patio. Even though the service was lacking, there was a distinct shift in attitude towards us. We were the victors in a town where elections are everything (well, maybe for only 2 to 4 more years at most.) And being gay and middle-age probably meant we had something to do with getting marriage equality passed (even if only in a small way).

We were happy and we talked about politics like real citizens do who have interests in our democracy and high hopes for our first lesbian Senator Tammy Baldwin. Her bio looks ultra-liberal and she's been in the political game for a while so she's seasoned and knows all the moves. We wish Senator Baldwin the best of luck!

And thank gawd about Obama. We did it. We all voted. And made it happen. We won. 

(So now I'm tired and am going to rest for a while. Because Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I've got to work on feeling grateful and thanking everyone for their love and kindness. See ya soon.)

Insomnia of a Political Kind

Can't watch TV---too many political ads.
Can't listen to the radio---too many political ads.
Can't do email---too many "please donate" emails.
Can barely get through home page on Facebook---too many political ads.

So what do two Washingtonians do the weekend before the most important election in their lifetime?

Since this election is such a nail-biter, we're getting our nails done. And I don't care if that's politically incorrect. I know I should be knocking on doors, making phone calls and soliciting for last-minute donations. But I'm old and tired and I gave my attention and a whole lot more too.

So I've done early voting and now I'm worrying about how New York and New Jersey are going to vote this Tuesday. These things wake me up at 3 am and then I can't fall back to sleep. I've got political insomnia. So now, what do you worry about when you can't sleep? Politics or bills?

Earning Your Right to Complain

Well, the fur is flying!!! It's countdown time for the elections and it's never been quite this intense. It's the presidential election of a lifetime and, of course, you're voting. Because you just must. Alright it's like this: if I'll wait an hour in line to do early voting days before a catastrophic hurricane otherwise known as Sandy descends upon our beloved East Coast then you can vote on November 6th. It's really quite simple.

Just care about your country, our world and yourself. And don't fall into the trap that they won't miss my vote. Because all those missed votes can add up and could make a world of diferences.

We need your vote this November 6th. You're right no candidate is perfect and the system is imperfect, but I'll choose democracy over any other form of goverenment. So participate...Anyways, if you vote, you've got a right to complain. And we all love to complain, don't we?