The Aughts in Review

No one really seems to know what to call this decade that began with the year 2000 (remember Y2K?) and ends today. The first decade of the 1900’s was known to many as “The Aughts,” a term that has mostly fallen out of use now, but some use it to refer to this decade, for lack of a better term. I happen to like it, so, “The Aughts” it is.

I’ve been thinking back through the decade over the last few days, and I believe I can say it was my best one yet. Of course there have been a few bad times, but far more good ones.

Beginning on January 2, 2001, my nieces and nephew came into my life one by one. God hasn’t given me any children of my own so far, but I am so thankful for these children whose lives I can be a part of, watching them grow and learn and building relationships with each one of them.

Also in 2001, I joined Weight Watchers and lost 90 pounds, mostly during that year. I had come to the conclusion that I was destined to be a “fat” person, that nothing could change that, but thankfully, I was wrong. I do still struggle with my weight and have gained some of it back, though I have kept a substantial portion of it off and now know I am capable of losing the rest if I choose to.

I had been in Bible Study Fellowship since the late 90’s, and during the ‘00-’01 and ‘01-’02 years, I was asked to be treasurer, which required me to stand up in front of as many as 300 people every few weeks and give a brief report. At first I was terrified, but as time went on, I became more comfortable. During the ‘02-’03 and ‘03-’04 years I was a discussion group leader, a time of huge spiritual and personal growth. This experience was also where I met Ramelle, the friend who would ultimately introduce me to . . .

Don. We began dating in March of ’04, and in August of ’05, we were married. At nearly 39, I had pretty much given up on the idea of ever getting married, but God is faithful. His choice for a mate for me was far better than any I could have ever made, and though we may not fully understand His timing in this life, it is perfect. I am so thankful that I am going into this next decade with Don by my side.

Shortly after we were married, Don gave me a birthday gift that I had wanted for a long time: a flute. I took lessons, and while it has been a challenge for me (and I am not as dedicated as I should be), it has been a great experience to be able to play along with Don on our church’s worship team and also be a part of a community band.

I have had my dog Dasha since 1998, but in early 2007, Nash arrived and turned our world upside down. The first year with him was a huge challenge, but he has since turned out to be a really good dog who brings a lot of joy and laughter into our home.

In mid-2008 I started to blog. Though I only have a handful of faithful readers (and I appreciate every one of you!), it has been a great outlet for me to express myself in ways that I can’t always do verbally. Those who do read say they feel they know me much better now, and I have also enjoyed reading the blogs of others and getting to know them better.

This decade has also brought some sadness. I have lost several loved ones, including my grandmother, my friend Pam and her daughter Ashley. Even in my grief though, this makes me all the more thankful for my salvation, as I look forward to seeing each of them, as well as other loved ones, again in heaven.

So many other things have happened during this decade -- too many to mention, of course, but the changes have helped me grow in my faith, as well as bringing me joy, peace and confidence, not in them, but through them. God is good. He has brought me a long way, and I look forward to seeing what He will do in my life in The Teens!

Family Christmas

We went to my brother's house on Christmas day. It was a great time of exchanging gifts, eating, playing games and just generally being together. We even saw a few snow flurries! (A white Christmas is almost unheard of in Nashville.) I am thankful for my family and for this day we got to spend together celebrating Jesus' birth. Here are a few pictures I took (you may need to click the "Play" button at the bottom after it opens):

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Great Piñata Bash

We made one in my class when I was in kindergarten. Perhaps that's where my love for them began. When I was in high school I had to make one for my Spanish class and figured out then exactly how it was done. I have since made several of them through the years. For whatever reason, I love piñatas.

We broke one once before as a family Christmas activity, and I wanted to do it again this year, so I made this one:

I had planned to let my nieces and nephew help me make it, but I just ran out of time, so I did it myself. It takes a week or more to do the layers of paper mache, letting them dry in between, and making sure it is completely dry before popping the balloons inside and then filling it and decorating it.

I filled it with all kinds of goodies for adults and children, ranging from traditional (candy and toys) to strange (gloves, bars of soap, toothpaste, lint rollers, first aid kits). But it didn't matter. It was breaking it that was fun.

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We had the "bash" on Christmas Eve after church. Everybody got blindfolded and spun around and got to take a swing or two at it. I made sure my brother went last, because he is always bound and determined that he is the one who is going to break it. Don almost did -- he was next-to-last -- but Andy gave it the crushing blow.

It made a mess, paper mache and broken candy canes all over the floor, but it was still fun. I hope to do another one next year, hopefully with the kids' help. Maybe we'll make a star . . .

Merry Christmas

In these uncertain times, let us remember the good news that Christmas brings:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

From our home to yours, have a very Merry Christmas!

Buffalo Wild Wings

They recently opened one of these just down the street from our home. For the first several weeks it was always packed, so Don and I waited until this past Sunday to check it out.

The first thing we both noticed when we walked in was that it was NOISY! But then, it was Sunday afternoon, and there were a lot of football games on, including the Tennessee Titans. We weren't really there to watch football, but that wasn't their fault.

Neither of us opted for their specialty (wings). Don ordered the Jerk Chicken Sandwich, which he said was good, and I got the Chili Queso Burger, which was huge and kind of a mess to eat, but very tasty. Don, who got to eat part of it, thought so too. All the sandwiches came with fries and were in the $8-$9 range.

It is a grill and bar, so they serve a variety of drinks, as well as salads, ribs, wraps and a number of other things. Both of us agreed that we would probably go back, but it won't be when we're looking for some peace and quiet. This is probably not somewhere you should go with someone when you want to do any serious talking, but if you want to take in a game, eat some good greasy food and just have fun, it might be a good choice.

A Night at the Schermerhorn

On Saturday night Don and I went to hear the Messiah performed by the Nashville Symphony and the Symphony Chorus. It was amazing! This was the first time I had really sat down and listened attentively to the whole oratorio.

Written by George Frideric Handel in 1741, Messiah beautifully covers Christ's life, beginning with Old Testament prophecy, His birth, His life, death, resurrection, and even His second coming. Handel expertly incorporates scripture from all parts of the Bible.

The symphony used mostly strings for this occasion, adding a harpsichord, organ, oboes and a bassoon, with small trumpet and timpani parts. The approximately 130-member chorus, which I later found out are mostly volunteers, was incredible. Of course, the highlight of the evening was the well-known "Hallelujah Chorus," during which everyone stood, a tradition which was begun by King George II of Great Britain.

The Schermerhorn Center itself is a beautiful concert hall, which we have been to several times. Our seats were near the back of the balcony, but I suspect our view may have been at least as good as the main level seats. Built specifically to house the Nashville Symphony, the sound quality is excellent in every part of the building.

It was a fun outing, a good cultural experience, and we were blessed not only by the talented musicians and by Handel's impressive composition, but also by this Christmastime reminder of the sacrifice that Christ made for our salvation.

It's a CHRISTMAS Tree!

A Jewish friend of mine wished me a "Merry Christmas" yesterday. She didn't get offended. I have had a number of Jewish friends through the years, and none of them would have hesitated to wish me a Merry Christmas. If any of them came into my home, they would have commented on my Christmas tree. They may have even sent me a Christmas card or given me a Christmas gift. And I am happy to wish them a Happy Hanukkah as well.

So why is it taboo to use the word "Christmas"? Who, exactly, is offended by it? My latest pet peeve is going in Wal-Mart and seeing "holiday" trees, candy, cards, gifts, etc. I think Wal-Mart has actually made a point not to sell anything with the word "Christmas" on it, though they certainly don't mind profiting from the season's sales. The weatherman tells you what the weather will be for your "holiday travels." There is even "holiday music" playing on the radio.

If you are going to put up a tree, aren't you celebrating Christmas? And if you are going to celebrate Christmas, how can you not call it that? If you don't want to acknowledge Christmas, then don't celebrate it! Don't buy a tree or gifts, sing carols or send cards. Because it's Christmas, and it's our holiday, and I refuse to call it anything else just because there are a few people in the world who are offended by a word that contains the name of Christ, even though they are celebrating His birth.

So, I may be the only one to do it this year, but I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Parade

I haven't done one of these in YEARS! But last Saturday I took part in the Mt. Juliet (a Nashville suburb) Christmas parade with my community band. We played "We Need a Little Christmas" over and Over and OVER.

Honestly, I was dreading it. The forecast originally predicted a high of 40, and since this parade was in the morning, I figured it would be 30-35. Not exactly weather that makes you want to spend a couple of hours outside riding on the back of a truck.

In the end they changed the high to 48. I bundled up, and we were pretty cozy on the back of the truck, and all in all, it was fun! We all wore Santa hats and acted silly. We waved at people when we weren't playing. Many of them waved back and smiled.

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I'm in the front row, right in the middle, with the red socks and white shoes.

Several people I know said they saw me riding by, and our band got a lot of good comments about how we sounded. Now I'm hoping we'll do it again next year. Really, I am!

Pancake Pantry

My dad, Don and I had breakfast this morning at Pancake Pantry. This is a Nashville landmark, of sorts. It has been here longer than I have (since 1961), but oddly, this was the first time I had ever eaten there.

Located on 21st Avenue in Hillsboro Village, near the Vanderbilt Campus, finding a place to park is no small task. (We actually walked from the retirement home where my dad is now living.) Unless you're lucky, you will probably get to stand in line outside for some length of time (there is no indoor waiting except for a small lobby area), so dress for the weather. It is open from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends.

The food is good, typical pancake house fare. I had the "Pigs in a Blanket" (pancake-wrapped link sausage). Don had the Wild Blueberry Pancakes, and my dad had Potato Pancakes. They are served with warm maple syrup. We all had our fill, and then some, in my case. The usual sides of bacon, sausage, eggs and other breakfast foods are offered, as well as coffee, juice, milk, soft drinks, etc. They also have a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches. The prices are moderate. Most of the pancake plates are $7.50.

This restaurant has been owned by the same family since its inception. Many of the staff have also worked there since the earliest days. The restaurant is small, but has a cozy atmosphere. I would recommend it if you have some time on your hands and plenty of room in your stomach.

The Ornament Party

Our pastor's wife holds an annual "ornament exchange" for the ladies of all ages from our church. We each bring an ornament and exchange them white-elephant style, except that, unlike the usual white elephant party, everybody gets to go home with something nice!

I got this pretty little ball. It has a Christmas tree inside and lights up with changing colors. It got stolen from me once, but I was able to reclaim it later when another ornament got stolen from me too.

My sister-in-law Melissa wasn't able to come, so I brought my three nieces (it's a milestone that they're old enough that I'm not afraid to try to bring all three of them!). My niece Grace won the second place prize for "most stolen from." She was a pretty good sport while 5 or 6 ornaments got taken away from her throughout the evening, and she played right along, stealing from others, including me!

Here's Hannah. She seemed pretty happy with the snowman ornament she ended up with.My niece Abbie shed a few silent tears at the end because hers didn't get stolen. I consoled her, reminding her that her mom and dad would love her ornament, and she got over it quickly.
Afterward, all 3 girls sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" in the back seat of the car all the way home! It wouldn't have been so bad, except they only knew one verse, so they sang it over and over. I'm pretty sure I'd be fine if I never heard that song again.

All in all, it was a fun evening -- fun to spend time with the ladies of my church and with my nieces, to laugh and eat and see all the pretty ornaments people had brought. It has become an event I look forward to every year.

. . . and at Christmas, too!

This is something that I sort of get a chuckle out of every year, but not really. It's certainly not the misfortune of others that I think is funny, but the phrase itself.

Here's what I'm talking about: whenever anyone relays a story of something bad that has happened to them or to someone else during this season, someone inevitably adds, "and at Christmas, too!" This automatically doubles the "badness" factor.

Christmastime is supposed to be perfect in every way. Nothing bad is supposed to happen.

How in the world can we ever live up to that standard? It adds to our stress!

Jesus didn't come to add to our stress. He came to bring "peace on earth, good will to men." So if something unpleasant happens to you or someone you love during this season, as it almost inevitably will, rather than letting Christmas multiply its "badness," try instead to remember what Christmas reminds us of: that Jesus came into the world to die for us, to bring eternal life to those of us who would receive it. We will spend eternity in heaven, which WILL be perfect. No more bad things will happen, even at Christmas.

The Christmas Program

I went to a Christmas program tonight that two of my nieces were in. They did a great job! My niece Abbie (age 5) did a duet with another child (she is on the far right). The song she sang was called "Perfect for the Part," which was fiting because Abbie is one of those kids who loves to be on stage. Grace (almost 9) (middle of photo, wearing green) was in the choir. She has been blessed with a wonderful singing voice.This was through the homeschool co-op that they are a part of. I am so proud of both of these girls!

To Tree

We couldn't decide whether to put a tree up this year or not, for a couple of reasons. So I put as my status on Facebook: "To tree or not to tree, that is the question. . ." and explained my dilemma. The response was overwhelming: "Tree!" A few people suggested we get an artificial tree instead of a real one because they are less trouble.

Now, that is something I thought I would never do. They're just not the same. But this year we broke down and did it. Mind you, we still don't plan to put it up every year, but for this year, it will have to do. And it's not bad. With lights and ornaments, and a pine-scented candle burning, it's still Christmasy. It's a little smaller than what we usually get, so we had to pick and choose our favorite ornaments, but it's okay. I'm glad we decided to tree. Even in an artificial sense.

Catch-Up Day Update

My dad's Internet is working! Apparently there was some software on there that was causing the problem, and once we removed it, everything is working fine. ( :

Catch-Up Day

Well, I guess the Christmas season is officially here, and as usual, I'm so busy, I hardly know which way is up. I have decided not to post my "Grinch Countdown" this year. I thought it was kind of funny last year, but I don't think everyone agreed with me. Oh well.

My dad moved to a retirement home this week. It's not a nursing home, just an apartment for older people, though he does have a chain he can pull if he needs help. He wasn't aware of this feature until he apparently leaned against it and a short time later had people beating on his door wanting to know if he was okay.

He has switched Internet companies, and I spent 4 1/2 hours over there yesterday trying to help him get his new one set up (2 solid hours on the phone with AT&T). We never did get his problem resolved, which is frustrating for him and for me. He can receive e-mail but not send any, and apparently he has an Internet connection, but he can't get on it. Any suggestions?

So between my 3 part-time jobs, helping my dad move, getting ready for a band concert. Christmas preparations, plus my usual activities, I haven't blogged in a week. I'm behind on my blog reading too. Today is a catch-up day, so I'm hoping to do some of that, between laundry, grocery shopping, running errands, practicing my flute, preparing my Sunday School lesson, doing my Bible study, and a few other things. Better get busy!