Contentment at the End of 2009

There's a fire in the fireplace, the television is on Turner Classic Movies, my cat is at my feet, and the sparkling Christmas Tree is on it's last glow of the season. In a word, I am CONTENT. I'm about to watch the Thin Man marathon, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. They are the ultimate in classics, and I think it's a great way to send in the New Year. Of course I will most likely take a moment to watch the ball go down in New York City, and give my hubby a peck to start the new decade out right. Another decade is about to go by the wayside. Where does the time go, eh?

Ah yes, and I can see the "Blue" moon, bright and beautiful, outside the family room window. Wonderful!

Christmas Past and Present

When I was quite young my older brother called Santa Claus for me, and had me talk to him. It was a magical moment. That's how I like to think of Christmas, magical. I want my son to feel that magic, himself, but I don't want to make quite the spectacle of it. He believes in Santa, of course, but I tell him that mom and dad have to help because there's just too many kids in the world today for him to get to all by himself. I think I have a fear of some mean kid telling him that there's no Santa, and then he catches us putting presents under the tree. That would just be a big bummer. I don't think anyone ever actually told me. In fact, I still believe, even if I am the one filling the stockings in the middle of the night.

My parents always dig Christmas in a BIG way. We'd have presents from each other on Christmas Eve, then Christmas morning we would wake up to a massive array of gifts under the tree, and overflowing stockings. My goodness, the excitement that filled that room! We, of course, put out cookies and milk for Santa the night before too. We would tear into the stockings, but would have to do a big yummy breakfast before getting to the packages under the tree. We would each take turns when it finally came time to open them. Mom liked to drag our Christmas out as long as possible, because once the last Santa Claus wrapping hit the floor, Christmas was over. Well, until we went to Granny's house. Then, of course, it started again.

I can't do BIG Christmases for my son, and any future children (god willing), but I do keep to my mom's tradition somewhat. We have one present on Christmas Eve (Kyle actually gets more from his grandparents who go to Florida every winter), and Kyle puts cookies and milk or eggnog out for Santa. The next morning, we do stockings, then breakfast, then presents under the tree. This year, we'll be heading to Memaw's after we finish. I still wake up before everyone else, just like I've always done. I still get excited and overjoyed at seeing all of the presents under the tree. These days, however, I thrill at the joy on my son's face when he comes into the room. Glorious, glorious Christmas!

Am I Going to Die?

Well, I have to tell you that I am pretty honest with my son. When he asked me the other day if our cat was going to die someday, I said yes without hesitation. Then, of course, he asked if he was going to die. Naturally this gave me pause, but I went ahead and told him that yes, we will all die eventually. He then asked if I was going to die faster, and I said yes, that I'm supposed to since I am older. We also had a little talk about heaven and angels. Ever since that day, he has been springing random death questions at me. Last night was the deepest conversation to date. He asked me why we couldn't just live forever, and will I still watch over him when I die. Good grief! He asked if I would still go to heaven if I got shot. Creepy! Then, he asked if bad guys shoot kids. I was flabbergasted. I don't know where this came from, but it's very unnerving, let me tell you.

So, I tried my best to allay his fears, but stay honest at the same time. Of course, with the whole heaven and angels thing, I have no way of knowing if I'm truly being honest or not. Still, it's what I believe, so I feel that a person can't go wrong with that. I was wondering, though, do all kids go through this death thing? If so, why?

I Love Rainy Days

It may seem strange to you, but I really do. Rainy days mean getting all cozy and happy indoors to me. Whether curling up with a good book, watching a movie, or just finishing up chores around the house, it just makes me feel content. I like listening to it, too. Nothing is more soothing then the sound of rain falling in a steady rhythm outside your window. Yes, these darkened days are definitely good for napping, if I were the sort that took naps. Getting out in it, well, that is a different story. I don't mind dancing, walking, or playing in the rain, but I am not thrilled with driving in it. That's the only downside to a rainy day, and I've got nowhere I need to be right now, so there.

It's Not That I Haven't Been Inspired...

I've just been busy doing other things. I started this blog thinking I was going to get very creative, and I sort of got distracted from it. Haha! That's definitely one of my worst traits, I am way too easily distracted. I didn't think of that until right now. Well, in any case, I will try to write on here a little more often. We'll see how that goes. It may just be a bunch of babbling, though, since I have a habit of doing that too. In the mean time, I hope that you are safe and happy whoever you are. :0)

ABC's of me

Saw this on another blog (http://melanies--musings.blogspot.com/), and liked the idea. So here goes:

Available or single? Happily married, thanks.

Best Friend? I only have a few friends, and I don't single one out over the others.

Cake or Pie? It really depends on my mood. I love both. Right now, I'd love a piece warm apple pie. Oh my gosh, I just remembered the cherry pie from Trader Joe's. It's the ultimate!

Drink of choice? Green Tea, preferably the one with a hint of orange.

Essential item for every day use? The computer, of course. It's how I keep in touch, keep informed, and keep happy. Haha!

Favorite color? Red

Google? Sometimes.

Hometown? Bowling Green, Ky

Indulgences? Chocolate, movies, books

January or February? Well, my son was born in January, so that's gotta be the preferred month. Haha!
Kids and their names? one, Kyle

Life is incomplete without…? book, movies, and family vacations.

Marriage date? April 25, 1998

Number of siblings? 3

Oranges or apples? Apples

Phobias and fears? Spiders, Sharks, Jelly Fish, Heights, and Alligators/Crocodiles.

Quote for the day? "All you have to do, is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know." -Ernest Hemingway

Reason to smile? Fall is almost here. It's my favorite season.

Unknown fact about me? I'm an open book, really.

Vegetable you hate? Cauliflower

Worst habit? Computer usage. I'm working on it.

X-rays you’ve had? My mouth, my hand, and my ankle

Your fave food? Pot Roast, strawberries, and pizza

Zodiac sign? I am a true Cancer.

Internet Blather

Oh the addictions! I can't believe how much time I spend on the Internet just doing silly things. I putter around until half my life is gone. The Apps on Facebook alone suck away much of the morning. I am a little better at containing myself these days, but every now and than I fall into the abyss. At least by writing this, I am exercising the author within. It's really amazing how far off the writing path I've fallen. I keep trying to get back on my feet, but something knocks me down again. I'll keep trying, though, and working on my many addictions.

My New Favorite Show

If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should. It is a great show full of drama, action, interesting characters, and original plot lines. I like Eliza Dushku's style, and I enjoyed her performance on the short-lived show, Tru Calling. She can play a meek and shy victim of circumstances just as well as a hard core fighting machine. This show actually gives her that kind of variety and it's amazing to watch. I hope it lasts, although many of my past favorites have not.

Introduction

I have always been a dreamer. I come by it honest, though, as my parents are both extreme dreamers. My granny always told me that if you're going to dream, dream big. The Claypool family are definitely big dreamers. The Wagner family in which I married into nearly eleven years ago are not, but that's ok. Robert, my husband, keeps me grounded. That is certainly what a dreamer needs. We balance each other out, and I like that. So, this is my life. You will see that I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a wishful writer, an avid reader (my book blog says it all), a nature lover, a movie watcher, and many other things. The simple things in life please me to no end. I love to laugh, and do so quite often, and quite loud sometimes. I adore my family, and would be absolutely nothing without them. I'm not exactly sure what all I will write about, but whenever I am inspired, you will see it here.