Toluu

Wit's End

Yesterday

Meet the Parents. Scene 1, Take 1.

Alrighty Internets. I've been hit hard in the past few days....

--an application for AARP arrived in the mail

--my son is turning 20 (that's two decades, ladies)

--my daughter has invited her boyfriend to visit over break.

Needless to say I'm verklempt. I can deal with the first two by either:

a) recycling

b)selective memory

'Meet The Parents' was one of my favorite movies.... until it happened to me. In truth, Jeff and I are less like Jack and Dina Byrnes.... (really, because I have NEVER worn a sweater like that in. my

January 6

Epiphany...of sorts.

It would be an understatement to say that I was pretty much of a grinch this holiday. You've read the previous posts; you know it's true. Poor planning on my part, the fatal combination of overlapping Chanukkah and Christmas in a Judeo-quasi-Christian household, two unexpected snow days and a respiratory virus in a pear tree pretty much ruined my spirit.

Santa did arrive with presents in tow; however, fewer that he originally planned. But in hindsight, a reserved holiday was a blessing. Each gift is appreciated a bit more when it's not lost in the multitude. Dinner was served, a friend's baby was born and the holidays were gone.

Tonight is the 12th night of Christmas. The Epiphany. And so I had mine. Although the holidays were simple, although the parties were few...the company was good. It was just family on a simple scale. It was enough. Dayenu.

So, this evening we FINALLY got around to the gingerbread house decorating. Yes, it was a mess and yes, it was late. But it was still fun

January 3

The Big 'O'

I have recently discovered that Oreos are sexually dimorphic.

Yes, it's true.

How do I know this?

Because I've tasted Oreo balls.

And you can too! Here's the recipe:

January 1

And so will go my year...

There are lots of New Year's superstitions.... eat lentils and black-eyed peas, make noise at midnight to scare away bad spirits, kiss your true love at midnight.

I'm not sure if I'm superstitious. Somedays I am, just for the 'insurance'. But one New Year's thought has always resounded. As the first day goes, so goes the year.

So, what of my first day? I slept late, showered and breakfasted leisurely and then drove west to pick up my two oldest children from their dad's house. We drove back towards home (a three hour drive) and we had some of the best conversations. Yes, about school and grades but also about sex and STD's. And about the origin of diseases and virulence and risk (oops, the epidemiologist in me came out a teence).

We arrived home and the oldest two were enveloped in the love of the youngest two. We dined together, shared laughs and enjoyed each other's company. We said "I love you" and, we meant it.

On this first day of the year, my family was complete. And I reveled in it. And this is my portent of the year to come.

I am blessed. This my year.

January 1

Happy New Year!

I'm not one for making resolutions...at least not anymore. But I do resolve this, to post a bit more in the new year. I've missed this community of friends and I've missed contributing! So Happy Holidays and here's to 2009!

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