Upcoming Events

Mike is having a New Years party on Saturday, December 31 at his home in Spanaway, Washington. All family members are invited. If you need more information, please let me know and I will be happy to provide directions, etc.

Steve and I are having a housewarming party on Saturday, January 14 at our home in Hillsboro, Oregon. If you would like to attend, again, please let me know.

My dad, Rich aka Rog or Roger, is retiring effective December 31! My dad has worked hard his whole life and he deserves time to relax, do his crosswords and eat his special recipe Top Ramen (ask him about that one!). Please join me in congratulating him in reaching this milestone. My parents will be celebrating their 42nd anniversary next month as well.

If you have a special event you would like to announce, please let me know. If you don't know my e-mail address, leave a comment. Anyone is able to comment to any posting to this blog. I would REALLY love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas

It's hard to believe it's Christmas Eve. I hope this finds everyone well and excited about Santa's arrival.

Congratulations to Janelle and Adam on the birth of Kyla. Not sure of her stats but you can view Kyla's first photos at Jan's shutterfly.com online album. Congratulations also to gradparents, David and JoAnn.

In the past couple weeks, I have had a couple things bring me joy. I know that probably sounds silly but joy is the only word that describes this emotion: the feeling of re-connecting with special people from my past.

First, I received a Christmas card from Susan Goulet (well, her name isn't Goulet anymore but she's Bob's daughter and not sure it's wise to put last names here). Enclosed she sent three pictures: two of her beautiful daughter, Samantha and one of herself and Samantha together. It has probably been 10+ years or so since I last saw her. I've thought of her often and missed her lots. I would like so much to visit her in person in the near future.

Next, I called an old friend I first met at Amber's kindergarten orientation, 13 years ago. I felt a little sheepish because I hadn't called her since moving back to Oregon. But Doreen and I are always able to pick up where we left off. She is a great friend and I love her like a sister. I cannot wait to see her next month. I have one more of those calls to make. Joanne is anxious to hear from me... I sent her a Christmas card. She responded by telling me to get ahold of her now! I know she'll forgive me but I feel sort of guilty for neglecting these two friends who I value so much.

Yesterday, I had to run in to Target to get a couple last minute things and by the time I got parked and walked into the store, I was asking myself, "What am I thinking! This is a madhouse!" But do you think it was just coincidence that I bumped into my good friend/locker partner from high school, Erin, whom I hadn't seen in 22 years?! I said her name (something that I wouldn't have done 22 years ago, shy as I was) and we stood in the store hugging and catching up on our lives in ten minutes time. She looked great and told me the same. We promised we would keep in touch and would make arrangements for getting together and trying to track down some of the other "kids" we were friends with back then.

JOY! : )

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas filled with your own flavor of joy, peace, and love!

Season's Greetings

Tuesday, December 20, 2005: CNN: Much of the greeting debate has been driven by how people prefer to be greeted by clerks at stores and public institutions. In the poll, 61 percent of respondents said more stores and institutions using "Happy holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" is a change for the worse.

What is wrong with this picture? What happened to our foundation of tolerance? The United States should embrace people of all faiths; it’s ignorant to assume everyone in this country is a Christian. It has nothing to do with making Christmas a secular holiday or taking Christ out of it altogether… it has everything to do with being sensitive to others’ beliefs.

I could take the opposite stance: the people protesting at Wal-mart and other businesses are trying to make corporate America spiritual establishments… is that appropriate? It's laughable and ridiculous!

As long as I’ve climbed up on my soapbox…

There are some over-zealous conservative Christians giving the rest of us a bad name. And I hate the thought of religion mingling with affairs of state. I respect the right of religious freedom in our country. I respect those of diverse beliefs. But I don’t want some ultra-conservative politician making decisions based on his personal interpretations of what’s right and wrong because what’s right for him may not be right for me—or the majority of people. What someone interprets quite literally, I may interpret very symbolically.

Interested in my opinion on the prohibition of gays in Catholic seminaries?

Tuesday, November 29, 2005: CNN: The Vatican has published a controversial document on gays and the Catholic priesthood, affirming its policy against gay priests but saying anyone who has "clearly overcome" homosexual tendencies can start the process of becoming a priest. … Meanwhile, gay groups have said the church is using homosexuals as scapegoats for its sexual abuse scandals, Reuters reported.

When will the church come to the conclusion that humans are sexual beings? Forcing people to renounce their orientation isn’t going to change that! If the church wishes to attract moral people to the priesthood, perhaps they should allow married men and women to become priests. The prohibition of such is completely based on tradition.

Besides, I don’t buy the argument that married families would drain the church financially… the pedophile priests and those who have covered up for them have done huge damage—both fiscally and otherwise.

I’ll step down now.

Happy Holidays!

Disclaimer: My intent is not to offend anyone. I felt compelled to post my impression of these current events. Please post your comments if you feel inclined! Would love to hear whether you agree, disagree, or have any other opinion.

~Denise

Do you buy your pets gifts?

Recently, I stopped in at this hi-end pet store. Inside I found every specialty item a dog could want: clothing, beds, organic treats, grooming supplies, even dog shoes! There were Christmas gifts for dogs and a family was having their dog's picture taken with Santa!

I know everyone who really knows me is surprised to find that I truly am a dog-person but I am!

My dogs do not have stockings hung from the mantle. I feed my dogs premium dog food (it cuts down on the poop). I buy them small toys sometimes for no reason (Chloe, the Chihuahua thinks they're all hers though). I give them dog cookies for pottying outside.

I cannot afford to drop my dogs of to doggie daycare. I cannot afford $60 cashmere dog sweaters. No dog massages for my pups. But if I were independently wealthy, would I indluge my pets in such luxury? Absolutely!

Spoiled? Probably by some people's standards but my dogs give me warm fuzzies all the time.

I cannot imagine my life without them and I pray they have dogs in Heaven.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas - ? Who said that? Not me!

Seems like forever since I wrote anything here. I don't know if I have any regular readers any more so let me know if this gets read by posting a comment!

I am planning on having a little get-together. I have ton of work to do to get ready for that but I'm looking forward to it.

I went shopping today. It wasn't nearly as crowded as past years at this time of year. I think more and more people are shopping online. I do a fair share of online shopping myself. I have had pretty good luck.

Some of my favorite online stores are Pottery Barn, Yankee Candle, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Lane Bryant, J Jill, Coldwater Creek, and Chico's. If you can't tell, I like to shop for housewares and clothing.

What are your favorite online shops?

Please feel free to add a comment or send me a note. I would love to hear from you.

PS: Christmas cards will be forthcoming!