Thursday, December 29, 2011

Happy New Year, Everyone!

2011 is winding down, and it is time to put away the Christmas decorations and take down the Christmas tree. The season is always too short for me, but my family and I enjoyed being together. My daughter will be returning to Manhattan and my life here in the desert will revert to the usual daily routines. I am eager to make the most of 2012, and I have lots of projects and ideas in mind. I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and may you and your loved ones be blessed in every possible way.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Have Safe and Sane Holiday Celebrations

Today I am scurrying around trying to finish my seemingly never-ending to-do list (just so you know, even my lists have lists). My daughter arrives tomorrow from New York where she lives in the heart of Manhattan. I always get so excited about seeing my children. No matter their ages they are and always will be the joy of my life. My son and his family live in Tokyo, Japan so they won't be joining us for the holidays although we would love it if they could. So for those of you surrounded by little ones, whether they be children or grandchildren, treasure the moments and make happy memories for them. They will grow up before you know it, and sometimes when we are young we think these days will never end.......but they will so have a wonderful time! Whether you have already begun to celebrate Channukah, or if you will be celebrating Christmas this weekend, I wish you and yours all the best. Remember the reasons for the seasons which are not shopping, toys, presents, baking, Santa Claus, partying, or exhausting yourselves to make things perfect. They are to remember the miracle of Channukah and to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. May you have peace in your homes and in your hearts, and may your spirits be filled with the thrill of hope for the coming year. As Tiny Tim said in A Christmas Carol, "God Bless us, every one!"

Monday, December 19, 2011

If You Like Skiing, Bed & Breakfast Inns, Great Food, And Beautiful Views

Today I received brochures from the newly refurbished and redecorated Heavenly Valley Lodge. This B&B is a wonderful property located in South Lake Tahoe, California. It is owned and managed by my friends the Du Plooys. Both of them enjoyed hugely successful careers but decided to give them up, leave New York and return to California to pursue their dream of owning an inn. I used to own a Bed & Breakfast Inn (it was a 132-year old house when I refurbished it and converted it to a B&B) which I loved. Having been an owner/innkeeper I know firsthand how much work the Du Plooys have done to provide their charming accommodations. No matter what time of year you choose to visit South Lake Tahoe there will be an abundance of things to do for the entire family. If you are looking for a vacation spot, a honeymoon location, a wedding site, or a family reunion location or you know anyone who is, please check out the website of Heavenly Valley Lodge and see for yourself the amenities and activities available. I received no compensation for this recommendation of their B&B but rather just want to do what I can to help some very nice people succeed in their new business.

Friday, December 16, 2011

It Is Friday, Time Is Flying, But Enjoy The Anticipation

Today is the 16th. Hanukkuh begins on the 21st. Christmas Eve is on the 24th. New Year's Eve is on the 31st. Now I realize all of you know these dates .......so why am I writing them in this post, you ask? If you are like I am, then your to-do lists are overly ambitious and guaranteed to cause stress and anxiety as the days on the calendar go by and the hours on the clock tick louder and louder. When this happens I seem to try to kick everything into high gear and just get it all done (must have been all those years in retailing that did this to me). Well, not this year.......I have decided that I want to enjoy the anticipation of the holidays, the actual preparations for them, the shopping and baking and wrapping and decorating, the parties and music........I will not just rush to get it all done this year. Life is so fragile that we never know what can happen between these holidays and those of 2012. Slow down, take some deep breaths, kiss your children and grandchildren, turn off the lights and sit in front of your Christmas tree or your Menorah and remember what the holidays are actually about and why we acknowledge and celebrate them. Enjoy peace, tranquility, togetherness and happy memories. That is what I am going to do!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Season of Miracles and Sharing Good News

Miracles come in all sizes..........and the size may be determined by how important they are to the people affected by them.........what may be small to some is huge to others and vice versa. Today I feel as if a huge miracle occurred because my older and only sister had surgery this morning and came through it very well. Lots of rejoicing going on in our family today, and blessings are being counted. I hope all of you have some good news today.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holiday celebrations create opportunities for our little ones to dress up and join the festivities. We have velvets, plaids, cottons, and knits so visit http://www.malcolmfortots.etsy.com Perhaps your purchase will be passed down for future generations. Be certain to take lots of pictures because they will be enjoyed for years to come. Capture the loveliness and joy of the holiday your family chooses to celebrate whether it be Christmas, Hanakkuh, Quanza or Happy New Year and enjoy these precious moments.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men

As the different holidays we celebrate draw closer, I find myself wondering if we humans really do long for peace on earth, good will toward men. If we do, then we need to start by having peace in our homes and good will toward the people we love, people who depend on us, and people on whom we depend. Do we actually hear how we speak to spouses, children, parents, neighbors, and other people we encounter? We should pay attention because careless words hurt people we love, people we know,and people we come in contact with in public settings. Careless words create conflict which disrupts otherwise peaceful homes. Not only do we need to create and maintain peace in our homes and neighborhoods, but also when we venture away from home. Remember that the goal is peace on earth, good will toward all people.... whether we are in cars, on public transportation, in the workplace, waiting in long lines at the Post Office, shopping in busy malls, going to the movies, attending parent/teacher conferences, attending church services, dining out, participating in organization meetings, discussing politics or religion, or anything else we may be doing and anywhere else we might be. It amazes and appalls me when people behave badly toward others. By now we grown ups have realized that life can be hard so why do we want to make life more difficult or unpleasant by being rude,hateful or unpleasant toward others? Why do we feel the need to be disagreeable when we have a difference of opinion with anyone? Why do we exhibit a lack of respect for so many others? Why do we allow children to be disrespectful to anyone whether it be other children, their parents or teachers, or other people in authority? Whether celebrating either Christmas, Hanukkah or Quanza let us all begin the New Year 2012 with a sincere desire for Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward All Men and back up that desire with our actions no matter where we are. I know that life can be made better for everyone if all of us behave better toward each other. That is my hope for 2012.