One of my all-time favorite Saturday Night Live "commercials":
Colon Blow
(Warning: Do not try at home)
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Gone But Not Forgotten
You remember the story of Cocoa the Elf...our Christmas-time visitor who reported back to Santa every night on the naughty/nice status in the Kelly household. Well as everyone knows, Cocoa goes back to the North Pole on December 26th to hang out with Santa until next Christmas season.
That fact did not go over well with our eldest, and chief Cocoa fan. "Daddy...let's find Cocoa," Brian said with excitement in his voice.
"Sorry buddy, Cocoa is not here today. He went back to the North Pole. We'll see him next Christmas," I said.
"NO! I want Cocoa to be here!," he pleaded. Next came the crying, then the hunched-over-with-hands-over-eyes stance. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen.
I knew there was nothing I could say that would make it better. Only time would eventually heal this wound. And it has. Cocoa is still mentioned, but in a more matter-of-fact way. And Brian still wants to read his "Elf on the Shelf" book at bedtime. I oblige, careful not to open the door for a Cocoa return before next Thanksgiving weekend.
So I guess all-in-all, the Cocoa experiment was a success. And next year, we will have many more places for him to hang out in the new house!
That fact did not go over well with our eldest, and chief Cocoa fan. "Daddy...let's find Cocoa," Brian said with excitement in his voice.
"Sorry buddy, Cocoa is not here today. He went back to the North Pole. We'll see him next Christmas," I said.
"NO! I want Cocoa to be here!," he pleaded. Next came the crying, then the hunched-over-with-hands-over-eyes stance. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen.
I knew there was nothing I could say that would make it better. Only time would eventually heal this wound. And it has. Cocoa is still mentioned, but in a more matter-of-fact way. And Brian still wants to read his "Elf on the Shelf" book at bedtime. I oblige, careful not to open the door for a Cocoa return before next Thanksgiving weekend.
So I guess all-in-all, the Cocoa experiment was a success. And next year, we will have many more places for him to hang out in the new house!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Day One
We are officially homeowners again! Since we sold our Virginia house on July 30th, we have been renters in one form or another. First, we rented back our former house until we moved to Florida in early September. That was a bit of a strange feeling...and expensive!
Upon our arrival in Melbourne, we were guests of Harris in a short-term corporate apartment for 60 days. Pretty nice setup -- fully furnished with a stocked kitchen -- and the price was right at $0 per month.
Since the first weekend in November, we have been residents of "101", the apartment downstairs from the corporate apartment. This has been the most challenging of the three rental environments as we have had minimal furniture (sleeping on air mattresses the entire time, for example), no washer/dryer, and only the kitchen items we held back from going into the storage warehouse.
So we haven't exactly followed a conventional route to home ownership, but we are there nonetheless. This afternoon, we showed up at our builder's title company with a big check and ready to sign our names and initials over and over and over. Again.
For all that work and money, we were rewarded with a couple of pens, two portable chairs, two key rings, and the most valuable gift of all...the keys to our new residence. After retrieving Brian and Sean from the Killicks -- who were nice enough to let them have a play date with Leighton while we signed and signed -- we headed over to bask in the emptiness that will soon be transformed from house to home (our household goods will arrive next week).
It will be a busy and hectic next few days as we get everything set up, and it has been quite a year of change for us. Four addresses in the past four months...nuff said. But we made it, and we're really looking forward to 2008 in our new community.
Upon our arrival in Melbourne, we were guests of Harris in a short-term corporate apartment for 60 days. Pretty nice setup -- fully furnished with a stocked kitchen -- and the price was right at $0 per month.
Since the first weekend in November, we have been residents of "101", the apartment downstairs from the corporate apartment. This has been the most challenging of the three rental environments as we have had minimal furniture (sleeping on air mattresses the entire time, for example), no washer/dryer, and only the kitchen items we held back from going into the storage warehouse.
So we haven't exactly followed a conventional route to home ownership, but we are there nonetheless. This afternoon, we showed up at our builder's title company with a big check and ready to sign our names and initials over and over and over. Again.
For all that work and money, we were rewarded with a couple of pens, two portable chairs, two key rings, and the most valuable gift of all...the keys to our new residence. After retrieving Brian and Sean from the Killicks -- who were nice enough to let them have a play date with Leighton while we signed and signed -- we headed over to bask in the emptiness that will soon be transformed from house to home (our household goods will arrive next week).
It will be a busy and hectic next few days as we get everything set up, and it has been quite a year of change for us. Four addresses in the past four months...nuff said. But we made it, and we're really looking forward to 2008 in our new community.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Night Before Christmas
I stumbled across this while searching the Internet for Christmas stories. Enjoy!
The Night Before Christmas
by Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, "There's no room," they said;
When even the inkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay?
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
"Let's go there," said Mary, "it's silent and still."
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Saviour was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love.
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came,
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
"Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give."
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light.
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Saviour is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore.
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Ne'er did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day.
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
"Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"
The Night Before Christmas
by Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, "There's no room," they said;
When even the inkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay?
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
"Let's go there," said Mary, "it's silent and still."
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Saviour was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love.
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came,
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
"Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give."
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light.
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Saviour is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore.
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Ne'er did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day.
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
"Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"
Friday, December 21, 2007
Early Christmas Gift
Amidst all the "hot" Christmas gift items -- from iPhone to Wii and everything in between -- we received an early present that on its face doesn't seem like much at all. A piece of paper. While of no value to 99.99% of people on Earth, it is of immense value to us.
A Certificate of Occupancy for our new house.
Yes, today the City of West Melbourne deemed our future home complete and fit for people to live in. After a big last-minute push by our builder, and thanks to the persistence of our project supervisor Tony, the city inspectors came out today for a re-inspection of the outdoor sewer pipes that had failed just 24 hours ago.
Tony had his plumbing guy at the house waiting for the inspectors. When we saw him, he was confident that they had repaired the problem. His confidence was well placed, and we received the phone call this afternoon from Maronda's closing coordinator.
"Would you like to close on Wednesday or Thursday?" she asked.
"Is that a trick question?" I thought. "Wednesday if possible," I said, although I was thinking "WEDNESDAY! WEDNESDAY! WEDNESDAY!"
So Wednesday it will be. We will enjoy Christmas with our families -- Kellys in the morning, McDonalds in the evening. Then we'll head back to Melbourne, full of family love, Christmas joy, and standing rib roast. Hours later, we will write a really big check and receive the keys to our shiny new home.
115 hours (give or take -- we still don't have an exact closing time). But who's counting?
A Certificate of Occupancy for our new house.
Yes, today the City of West Melbourne deemed our future home complete and fit for people to live in. After a big last-minute push by our builder, and thanks to the persistence of our project supervisor Tony, the city inspectors came out today for a re-inspection of the outdoor sewer pipes that had failed just 24 hours ago.
Tony had his plumbing guy at the house waiting for the inspectors. When we saw him, he was confident that they had repaired the problem. His confidence was well placed, and we received the phone call this afternoon from Maronda's closing coordinator.
"Would you like to close on Wednesday or Thursday?" she asked.
"Is that a trick question?" I thought. "Wednesday if possible," I said, although I was thinking "WEDNESDAY! WEDNESDAY! WEDNESDAY!"
So Wednesday it will be. We will enjoy Christmas with our families -- Kellys in the morning, McDonalds in the evening. Then we'll head back to Melbourne, full of family love, Christmas joy, and standing rib roast. Hours later, we will write a really big check and receive the keys to our shiny new home.
115 hours (give or take -- we still don't have an exact closing time). But who's counting?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Coffee Conundrum
It's one of the things I look forward to come Christmas season: Starbucks Christmas Blend. Sure, it's certainly not the most important thing, or even in the top 3 (those would be Christ, family, and goodwill toward others).
But it is something I have looked forward to with relative certainty. And it's been fairly easy to procure said Christmas Blend any time I wished after about Thanksgiving.
Until this year, that is.
I do have to give the Harris Wickham Road cafeteria credit here. They had been brewing Christmas Blend until they ran out on Tuesday of this week. Impressive for a fairly small operation.
No, the problem I've been having is with our local Starbucks store. The first time I wanted to pair up a cup of Christmas Blend with one of my other favorites, the very delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, I was unsuccessful. Cindy brought the bad news. "They had your muffin, but no Christmas Blend."
"Huh," I thought, "that's weird. Maybe it's because we're just beginning the Christmas season. Surely they will have some in a couple of days."
Well several cups of Sumatra and/or Verona later, and I have yet to drink some freshly-brewed Christmas Blend from my local Starbucks store. Did I mention the fact that it's a Starbucks? Full-up store. With a drive-thru and everything.
Now Harris has been supplying my fix, but today was my last workday of 2007. I am really nervous about what tomorrow may bring when I make another run at the Viera Starbucks.
"A grande Christmas Blend and a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin please."
"Sorry...we only have Decaf Christmas Blend."
I may just have to join the Dark Side and get me a Peppermint Latte.
But it is something I have looked forward to with relative certainty. And it's been fairly easy to procure said Christmas Blend any time I wished after about Thanksgiving.
Until this year, that is.
I do have to give the Harris Wickham Road cafeteria credit here. They had been brewing Christmas Blend until they ran out on Tuesday of this week. Impressive for a fairly small operation.
No, the problem I've been having is with our local Starbucks store. The first time I wanted to pair up a cup of Christmas Blend with one of my other favorites, the very delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, I was unsuccessful. Cindy brought the bad news. "They had your muffin, but no Christmas Blend."
"Huh," I thought, "that's weird. Maybe it's because we're just beginning the Christmas season. Surely they will have some in a couple of days."
Well several cups of Sumatra and/or Verona later, and I have yet to drink some freshly-brewed Christmas Blend from my local Starbucks store. Did I mention the fact that it's a Starbucks? Full-up store. With a drive-thru and everything.
Now Harris has been supplying my fix, but today was my last workday of 2007. I am really nervous about what tomorrow may bring when I make another run at the Viera Starbucks.
"A grande Christmas Blend and a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin please."
"Sorry...we only have Decaf Christmas Blend."
I may just have to join the Dark Side and get me a Peppermint Latte.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
So This is Christmas Music?
Lest you think I am a scrooge when it comes to Christmas music, let me first point out that I love it! Can't wait for the non-stop Christmas music blaring through the car speakers. Turning down the TV sound and listening to those old favorites at night. Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams. Even the contemporary music is pretty good.
These all are general statements of course. They apply in over 99% of cases. Notice I did not say 100%.
[Warning: Here comes the Scrooge part.]
I cannot stand The Chipmunk Song. It's the Christmas music equivalent of nails on a chalkboard (which I would actually prefer to that screechy whining that attempts to pass for a song!) I mean really now...is this "song" really getting you in the Christmas mood? Does it cause you to hearken back to your care-free childhood days awaiting the arrival of St. Nick? Conjure up images of a beautiful snowfall outside and a blazing fire inside?
No. None of these things. Maybe a cat being tortured in a back alley.
Let the record show that I have nothing against chipmunks per se. I just think they should stick to chipmunk-ing and leave the Christmas crooning to Johnny Mathis.
These all are general statements of course. They apply in over 99% of cases. Notice I did not say 100%.
[Warning: Here comes the Scrooge part.]
I cannot stand The Chipmunk Song. It's the Christmas music equivalent of nails on a chalkboard (which I would actually prefer to that screechy whining that attempts to pass for a song!) I mean really now...is this "song" really getting you in the Christmas mood? Does it cause you to hearken back to your care-free childhood days awaiting the arrival of St. Nick? Conjure up images of a beautiful snowfall outside and a blazing fire inside?
No. None of these things. Maybe a cat being tortured in a back alley.
Let the record show that I have nothing against chipmunks per se. I just think they should stick to chipmunk-ing and leave the Christmas crooning to Johnny Mathis.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tracking Santa
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is an important component of our homeland defense. Keeping a vigilant watch for any man-made threats in the skies above us -- missiles, aircraft, spacecraft -- NORAD has been in business for 50 years.
At this time each year, they add another duty to their list...they track Santa.
Enjoy!
[As a former government employee, I feel compelled to point out that NORAD does not use any official government resources on this project. A coalition of private companies and contributors funds the program.]
At this time each year, they add another duty to their list...they track Santa.
Enjoy!
[As a former government employee, I feel compelled to point out that NORAD does not use any official government resources on this project. A coalition of private companies and contributors funds the program.]
Saturday, December 15, 2007
P (wC) = 0
One of the things we knew we were giving up in moving to Florida is "real" winters. For the most part, that's OK by me. Yes, snowfall is beautiful...until it mixes with road salt and sand, partially melts, and becomes this nasty mix of dirty ice mounds that take weeks to full melt. Not to mention getting stuck in your own driveway, or having to scrape a layer of ice off your car before heading off to work.
The one time of year that creates an exception to the above is Christmas. There's a reason why Bing Crosby dreamt of a White Christmas. So with Gaudete Sunday upon us, my thoughts turn to the place we left. Weather forecasts have been calling for a significant winter storm to hit the Northeast tomorrow. Perhaps the New England Patriots offense will be slowed to a mere mortal scoring pace (less than 40 points). And in Northern Virginia, home of the infamous "Rain/Snow" line...who knows.
Weather.com, that's who. The Weather Channel's website is now calling for rain in NoVa tonight and not much else. The New England area will still get hammered, so the Patriots battle with the New York Jets (SpyGate II) will be worth a look.
I then checked out the "White Christmas" predictions for both NoVa and our new hometown, Melbourne, FL. The site disclaimer notes that "until the week before Christmas, [the] map is based on historical climatology." OK, fair enough. I really just wanted to quantify what we had given up.
According to the map, the chances of a White Christmas is the same in Northern Virginia as in Melbourne! Now to be fair, they only have four categories of probability: 0-25, 25-50, 50-75, and 75-100%. Still that means we gave up less than 1 chance in 4 of seeing any kind of snowfall, or snow on the ground, on Christmas.
And in exchange for moving to a thoroughly Green Christmas town, we significantly increased the probability of seeing our families over the holidays.
I think we made the right call.
The one time of year that creates an exception to the above is Christmas. There's a reason why Bing Crosby dreamt of a White Christmas. So with Gaudete Sunday upon us, my thoughts turn to the place we left. Weather forecasts have been calling for a significant winter storm to hit the Northeast tomorrow. Perhaps the New England Patriots offense will be slowed to a mere mortal scoring pace (less than 40 points). And in Northern Virginia, home of the infamous "Rain/Snow" line...who knows.
Weather.com, that's who. The Weather Channel's website is now calling for rain in NoVa tonight and not much else. The New England area will still get hammered, so the Patriots battle with the New York Jets (SpyGate II) will be worth a look.
I then checked out the "White Christmas" predictions for both NoVa and our new hometown, Melbourne, FL. The site disclaimer notes that "until the week before Christmas, [the] map is based on historical climatology." OK, fair enough. I really just wanted to quantify what we had given up.
According to the map, the chances of a White Christmas is the same in Northern Virginia as in Melbourne! Now to be fair, they only have four categories of probability: 0-25, 25-50, 50-75, and 75-100%. Still that means we gave up less than 1 chance in 4 of seeing any kind of snowfall, or snow on the ground, on Christmas.
And in exchange for moving to a thoroughly Green Christmas town, we significantly increased the probability of seeing our families over the holidays.
I think we made the right call.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Small Victories
OK, so this post is not centered around Christmas as each previous post this month has been. Rather in this season of blessings and thanksgiving for the Lord's birth, I want to share with you a recent blessing that you may think small, but in our house it is potentially huge. (How that for a Christmas tie-in? It does work...think about it when you're done reading the story.)
Last night, we began the dinner-time routine just as we had many, many times before.
All kinds of cut up food in front of Colin, and just let him go. Low maintenance. Just gotta keep an eye out for choking. OK, so low-medium maintenance.
For Brian and Sean, Mommy decided to make them a special treat. Quesadillas! Yummy! Moe's restaurant is one of their favorite places, so Mommy was trying to capitalize on that and bolster our chances for a pain-free dinner.
No such luck.
"I don't WANT QUESADILLAS!!!," shrieked Brian. Sean soon followed suit, good little brother that he is.
Brian then followed with a full-fledged tantrum, complete with crying, screaming, back-arching ...the whole enchilada (pun intended). One of his better efforts.
At 4 years old, it's now become more of a control thing rather than an "I don't like the food" thing. I could understand if we were trying to feed him liver, or okra (sorry Mommy), or beets. I'd be with him then. Beets...really, what's the point?
So I guess I had decided enough was enough, or something. I don't really know. But I pulled him aside and explained to him how it was HIS choice whether or not to eat his dinner. And it was also HIS choice whether to get a special treat after dinner. Simple...eat dinner -->> get treat. No dinner, no treat.
He looked at me with kinda a blank stare, just as he has in the past when I've had that discussion with him. So my hopes were not high that I had made a breakthrough.
We returned to the table. I proceeded to eat my dinner, and after some brief stall tactics...Brian actually ate some of the previously vile, nasty, undistinguishable-from-his-favorite-from-Moe's quesadilla!
Not only did he eat a bite, he ate the whole thing! Cleaned his plate. Asked (politely) for another one. Was this really the same kid from about 15 minutes ago? Amazing. He finished the second quesadilla, got his treat, then we went off to start the bedtime routine. I felt really good that we had potentially made a breakthrough, but tried not to get too ahead of myself. Let's see what happens tomorrow night.
Well tomorrow night is tonight. On my way home from work, I had a hankerin' for Moe's. "This will be easy," I thought. Brian will be the perfect straight man.
Shortly after arriving home, I put my plan into action.
"Hey Brian, what do you want for dinner?"
"Quesadilla from Moe's," I whispered into his ear.
"No Daddy," he said, "I want a quesadilla at home!"
Doh! Yeah! Small victories...
[Note: We did end up going to Moe's. Daddy is persistent!]
Last night, we began the dinner-time routine just as we had many, many times before.
All kinds of cut up food in front of Colin, and just let him go. Low maintenance. Just gotta keep an eye out for choking. OK, so low-medium maintenance.
For Brian and Sean, Mommy decided to make them a special treat. Quesadillas! Yummy! Moe's restaurant is one of their favorite places, so Mommy was trying to capitalize on that and bolster our chances for a pain-free dinner.
No such luck.
"I don't WANT QUESADILLAS!!!," shrieked Brian. Sean soon followed suit, good little brother that he is.
Brian then followed with a full-fledged tantrum, complete with crying, screaming, back-arching ...the whole enchilada (pun intended). One of his better efforts.
At 4 years old, it's now become more of a control thing rather than an "I don't like the food" thing. I could understand if we were trying to feed him liver, or okra (sorry Mommy), or beets. I'd be with him then. Beets...really, what's the point?
So I guess I had decided enough was enough, or something. I don't really know. But I pulled him aside and explained to him how it was HIS choice whether or not to eat his dinner. And it was also HIS choice whether to get a special treat after dinner. Simple...eat dinner -->> get treat. No dinner, no treat.
He looked at me with kinda a blank stare, just as he has in the past when I've had that discussion with him. So my hopes were not high that I had made a breakthrough.
We returned to the table. I proceeded to eat my dinner, and after some brief stall tactics...Brian actually ate some of the previously vile, nasty, undistinguishable-from-his-favorite-from-Moe's quesadilla!
Not only did he eat a bite, he ate the whole thing! Cleaned his plate. Asked (politely) for another one. Was this really the same kid from about 15 minutes ago? Amazing. He finished the second quesadilla, got his treat, then we went off to start the bedtime routine. I felt really good that we had potentially made a breakthrough, but tried not to get too ahead of myself. Let's see what happens tomorrow night.
Well tomorrow night is tonight. On my way home from work, I had a hankerin' for Moe's. "This will be easy," I thought. Brian will be the perfect straight man.
Shortly after arriving home, I put my plan into action.
"Hey Brian, what do you want for dinner?"
"Quesadilla from Moe's," I whispered into his ear.
"No Daddy," he said, "I want a quesadilla at home!"
Doh! Yeah! Small victories...
[Note: We did end up going to Moe's. Daddy is persistent!]
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Meet Cocoa
We have a new member of the family! No...Brian, Sean, and Colin do not have a new little brother or sister. I think you would've read about that here or over at Kelly's Klassroom Korner.
No, we have a new temporary member of the family. A little scout elf named Cocoa. Santa sent Cocoa to be with us during the Christmas season. His job is to watch over the daily activities and prepare a report for Santa on who has been naughty and who has been nice.
Each evening, just after Brian, Sean, and Colin are nestled in their beds, Cocoa travels back to the North Pole to deliver his report. He returns in the morning, just before the boys awake. Every day is an adventure for Brian and Sean as they try to find out where Cocoa is setting up shop for the day.
Part of the Elf on the Shelf tradition is the naming ritual. "What should we call our new elf?" we asked Brian and Sean.
"Christmas Tree," said Brian.
"Santa?," offered Sean.
"Let's try again," we encouraged.
"How about Cocoa?" said Brian.
"Cocoa sounds great. Guys...meet Cocoa," said Mommy.
And the tradition of Cocoa was born.
[For more information on starting your own elf tradition, visit the Elf on the Shelf website.]
No, we have a new temporary member of the family. A little scout elf named Cocoa. Santa sent Cocoa to be with us during the Christmas season. His job is to watch over the daily activities and prepare a report for Santa on who has been naughty and who has been nice.
Each evening, just after Brian, Sean, and Colin are nestled in their beds, Cocoa travels back to the North Pole to deliver his report. He returns in the morning, just before the boys awake. Every day is an adventure for Brian and Sean as they try to find out where Cocoa is setting up shop for the day.
Part of the Elf on the Shelf tradition is the naming ritual. "What should we call our new elf?" we asked Brian and Sean.
"Christmas Tree," said Brian.
"Santa?," offered Sean.
"Let's try again," we encouraged.
"How about Cocoa?" said Brian.
"Cocoa sounds great. Guys...meet Cocoa," said Mommy.
And the tradition of Cocoa was born.
[For more information on starting your own elf tradition, visit the Elf on the Shelf website.]
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Grinch on Christmas
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons.
It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Music
Temperatures in the 80's two weeks before Christmas. Sleeping on an air mattress as our main bed. Walking around my former place of employment with a "visitor" badge. Apartment living, makeshift furniture, all of our belongings in a Melbourne warehouse.
Our lives have been turned upside down so dramatically we're just about right-side up. On the other side of the earth that is. Change seems almost comfortable. I'm not sure what we'll do for excitement once we get settled into our house.
"What does this have to do with Christmas?", you might be wondering. Well amidst all the new experiences the past three months have brought, I found an oasis -- continuous Christmas music on the local Lite Rock radio station, WLRQ 99.3 FM.
I basked in the familiar tunes that I was used to hearing year after year on DC's All-Christmas music station, WASH 97.1 FM. No matter that it was Spring-time outside, inside my car it was clearly a winter wonderland.
Until today that is.
I was driving home in the midst of comfortable Christmas melodies when it came. I was barely paying attention when the words hit me: "Later on if you wanna, we can dress like Madonna."
What was that? There was more: "Put on some high shade and join the parade."
OK, not. Is this for real? Then came the chorus: "Walkin' round' in women's underwear."
Oh no. In the paraphrased words of Charlie Brown: "Isn't there anyone [at Lite Rock 99.3 FM] who knows what Christmas is all about?"
Thank goodness for Sirius Channel 2.
Our lives have been turned upside down so dramatically we're just about right-side up. On the other side of the earth that is. Change seems almost comfortable. I'm not sure what we'll do for excitement once we get settled into our house.
"What does this have to do with Christmas?", you might be wondering. Well amidst all the new experiences the past three months have brought, I found an oasis -- continuous Christmas music on the local Lite Rock radio station, WLRQ 99.3 FM.
I basked in the familiar tunes that I was used to hearing year after year on DC's All-Christmas music station, WASH 97.1 FM. No matter that it was Spring-time outside, inside my car it was clearly a winter wonderland.
Until today that is.
I was driving home in the midst of comfortable Christmas melodies when it came. I was barely paying attention when the words hit me: "Later on if you wanna, we can dress like Madonna."
What was that? There was more: "Put on some high shade and join the parade."
OK, not. Is this for real? Then came the chorus: "Walkin' round' in women's underwear."
Oh no. In the paraphrased words of Charlie Brown: "Isn't there anyone [at Lite Rock 99.3 FM] who knows what Christmas is all about?"
Thank goodness for Sirius Channel 2.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Christmas Message
Nancy and I are very happy to send our warmest greetings and best wishes to all those who are celebrating Christmas. We join with Americans everywhere in recognizing the sense of renewed hope and comfort this joyous season brings to our nation and the world.
The Nativity story of nearly twenty centuries ago is known by all faiths as a hymn to the brotherhood of man. For Christians, it is the fulfillment of age-old prophecies and the reaffirmation of God's great love for all of us. Through a generous Heavenly Father's gift of His Son, hope and compassion entered a world weary with fear and despair and changed it for all time.
On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate. It is present when men of any creed bring love and understanding to the hearts of their fellow man.
The feeling is seen in the wondrous faces of children and in the hopeful eyes of the aged. It overflows the hearts of cheerful givers and the souls of the caring. And it is reflected in the brilliant colors, joyful sounds, and beauty of the winter season.
Let us resolve to honor this spirit of Christmas and strive to keep it throughout the year.
Nancy and I ask you to join us in a prayer that prudence, wisdom, and understanding might descend on the people of all nations' so that during the year ahead we may realize an ancient and wondrous dream: "peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
-- President Ronald Reagan, December 24, 1981
The Nativity story of nearly twenty centuries ago is known by all faiths as a hymn to the brotherhood of man. For Christians, it is the fulfillment of age-old prophecies and the reaffirmation of God's great love for all of us. Through a generous Heavenly Father's gift of His Son, hope and compassion entered a world weary with fear and despair and changed it for all time.
On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate. It is present when men of any creed bring love and understanding to the hearts of their fellow man.
The feeling is seen in the wondrous faces of children and in the hopeful eyes of the aged. It overflows the hearts of cheerful givers and the souls of the caring. And it is reflected in the brilliant colors, joyful sounds, and beauty of the winter season.
Let us resolve to honor this spirit of Christmas and strive to keep it throughout the year.
Nancy and I ask you to join us in a prayer that prudence, wisdom, and understanding might descend on the people of all nations' so that during the year ahead we may realize an ancient and wondrous dream: "peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
-- President Ronald Reagan, December 24, 1981
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
-- By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897. [See The People’s Almanac, pp. 1358–9.]
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
-- By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897. [See The People’s Almanac, pp. 1358–9.]
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Teach the Children
This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement: "Teach the Children!"
I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,
"Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
"Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."
He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.
"Teach the children that I, St. Nick, ( Santa Claus ) symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.
"Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,
"Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said:
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."
-- Author Unknown
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement: "Teach the Children!"
I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,
"Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
"Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."
He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.
"Teach the children that I, St. Nick, ( Santa Claus ) symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.
"Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,
"Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said:
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."
-- Author Unknown
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
What Christmas Is All About
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid.
And the angel said unto them "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
-- Linus, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", 1965
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid.
And the angel said unto them "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
-- Linus, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", 1965
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What To Do This Christmas
Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust.
Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time.
Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate.
Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude.
Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself toward the core of life. Then, only then, is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas—to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir; to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, behind the eyelids the ray of light that fell athwart a darkened path and changed the world.
-- McCall's magazine, 1959
Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time.
Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate.
Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude.
Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself toward the core of life. Then, only then, is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas—to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir; to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, behind the eyelids the ray of light that fell athwart a darkened path and changed the world.
-- McCall's magazine, 1959
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