Ready

Maria, Delia, Max and Benji, William, Geoff, Alex, Suki :: Bird House Thanksgiving

"Are you ready?"
That's what people ask, more often, the closer we get to Christmas Day.
And I say "Yes."
I think of my children, and Geoff, all residents of the Bird House. I think of our home, and the comforts we have here. I think of my extended family, my friends. I smile. I think of the dirty laundry which has blocked the door to the laundry closet and refuses to submit to my will, and I grin knowingly. I think of the special gifts I have stashed away, and the gifts that will be sent late, and the gifts I'll never track down. I think of the tamales I have not made, and the cards I won't send. It only takes a moment to assess all of this, and still I smile and say "Yes."


James, Maria, Sammay, Suki, Alex :: Mission to Mars

I don't need a parking space at the mall, or bows and perfect wrapping. I've had my fill of delicious cookies! And every time we have gathered with family and friends, I have thought: This is my Christmas, this is my peace and joy.


Natalie, Geoff, Alex, Suki :: Slightly Twisted*

It may be messy, and incomplete, it may tempt me to bite my lip, or feel a bit frazzled... but I know where my blessings come from, and they are plentiful and good. I am already having a Merry Christmas... sometimes easily... sometimes defiantly!


William :: Gingerbread engineer

Thank you, all. For comments, for reflections, for gifts, for cards, for encouragement.


Max :: Tree Walker


Maria :: Fearless Leaper

Face to face friends, blog friends, anonymous friends, cousins and brothers, sisters, familia, all of you... my wish for you is peace and laughter, joy in the midst of the setbacks and messes, light, your favorite traditions, companionship, wonder, warmth, healing comfort, and a Happy New Year!

Now that I feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I am going to shove my way into the laundry room and smite some foes! God bless us, everyone.

*Update... for Max's sake: These are not real cigarretttes cigerettes cigarehettes smokey sticks. Heck, I don't even know how to spell "cigarettes." They are candy. We will rot our teeth before we tarnish our lungs. This image is meant to be humorous and not an endorsement of tabacky. When I was five years old I would walk to the Rexall on Main Street, in Ramona, and buy candy. I liked the wax bottles with colored sugar water, the Chick-o-Sticks, and the bubble gum cigarettes. When you blew through them, cornstarch smoked out the end, and I found that endlessly fascinating. It did not tempt me to pick up real smokey sticks. It did not lure me down a path of hard drinking, gambling, or cussing. Okay. I did do cuss a bit, but I can quit anytime! Anyway. That's about it. Smoking is harmful. Don't do it. Candy cigarettes are hilarious. Thank you. Sorry. Amen.