Beyond the Rainbow

Once upon a time, once when you were mine,

I remember skies reflected in your eyes.

I wonder where you are, I wonder if you think about me

Once upon a time… in your wildest dreams.

“Your Wildest Dreams” – The Moody Blues

I heard the song the other day as I was driving on the highway. As I’ve mentioned, I spend a lot of time in my car these days going on what I have unfortunately dubbed the foreclosure tour of my state. I travel to do trials and I log a lot of time behind the wheel.

That means I listen to a lot of music.

Now, that's usually a good thing, because I love music and I often find it to be energizing and inspiring when I need it to be, but also relaxing and calming when I need it to be.

Yet still, there are those days were the specter of grief pops into my mind out of nowhere and I think about my best friend and how much I miss him. It's amazing how powerful those emotions are. He's been gone for almost three years now, which I can hardly believe, and still in a random moment when I least expect it, I feel his presence – or, rather, the lack of his presence – and it overwhelms me. 

Snapshots: Catching Up!

Now that I'm getting back into this, I thought that before tackling some of the topics I want to discuss - fun stuff like ADHD, crazy sports parents, and gun control - I'd at least fill you in on what we've been up to these last few months while I've been out of commission in the blogging world.

Earlier last year, I already wrote about some of the great things that happened to us in 2012:  Anna's adoption being finalized, her first braids, my job change, etc. But we've had a lot of fun since then too!

And because it's more fun this way, I thought we'd catch up in snapshots, so here goes.

Fighting The Christmas Hangover

Hello, everyone! I hope all of you who celebrated Christmas yesterday had a wonderful day with family and friends.  For me, the best part is, of course, seeing the pure joy on Anna's face.

Christmas represents many things - for some, a religious celebration, for others a special reason for quality time with family and friends, and for others an occasion for spoiling those we love with awesome gifts.  For many of us, it may be all of the above. Whatever one's reason for celebrating, there's no doubt that Christmas is wonderful, fun, joyful, and.......totally exhausting.

Zzzzzz.......

I know what you're thinking - maybe I had a little too much Bailey's last night. I didn't, although I do enjoy the stuff.  I'm not talking about that kind of hangover. I'm talking about the tired, over-full, headachy, run over by a train feeling that often follows Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of our readers who are celebrating Christmas the merriest and happiest of days! Despite some serious sniffles and fever, Anna managed to have a nice time - I think unwrapping presents was her favorite part! We also spent a nice day with our family and consider ourselves very blessed.

The package was almost as tall as Anna!

To all my friends and family and other loved ones with whom I couldn't celebrate today, I'm thinking of you and hoping you had a wonderful day as well. Merry Christmas!

The Season of Giving

Here we are again, that magical time every year when many of us spend extra time with our loved ones and buy each other gifts in the spirit of giving, of making each other happy however we can.

Sometimes, though, it's hard to keep a "giving" perspective when the holiday season also brings with it various stresses. So if you're having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit, as I am right now, please read this post from Single Dad Laughing, called "Paying It Forward This Christmas." 

It's all about giving back, helping others, and remembering that our dramas and stresses pale in comparison to those that others may be facing - others who would trade anything to have our dramas and stresses.  It's a healthy dose of perspective and a touching story.

Check it out. Consider giving - to these people, to other people, to people in your community. Remember what this wonderful season is supposed to be about.

Photo from www.qt.com.au

'Tis the Season to Max Out Cards

Every year when Christmas rolls around, those who celebrate it go off on the hunt for just the “right” thing(s) for their loved ones.

Be honest – we all get caught up in it. Even those of us who aren’t remotely materialistic (and I admit I do not include myself in that number) probably still go crazy shopping and decorating and trying to get everything just right for the holidays.

Crazy Xmas shopping capital of the world - NYC, Dec. 2010

Rushing the Season(s)

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way...."

Oh wait, it isn't Christmas time yet?  It's almost two months away?  Well, you could've fooled me.

Halloween was just last week, and already plastic Santa figures and garlands adorn store windows. Many of them were even there before Halloween.  When I ordered a chai at Starbucks the other day, the cup was red with snowflakes.  Very holiday, if you ask me.

from www.uncrediblehallq.net

It's not like we don't go through this every year, but still, it always bugs me.  What I want to know is, why do retailers always feel it is necessary to get such a huge jump on the season?