We went "home" for July 4th. You know, that place where you can kick back and relax, where everything is familiar, where you feel safe and loved. The way I lived as a child--on a cattle and tobacco farm in TN--is nothing at all the way I live or my children live now. I needed that time at "home" to recharge, reboot even. I've uploaded lots of pictures of my "home" to share. Enjoy

We are Knee Deep in the Hoopla of the Buzz Ratings change. And ya know what? I don’t care! I originally came here because my friend, The Farmer’s Wife, told me about all the great people here. I came, I looked around, I stayed. This place is awesome!! Where else can you find so many different people from so many walks of life with so many interests—all in one place? I have met super talented writers and photographers who encourage me to continue with my work those areas. I have met women and parents who are living the same life as me with kids and school and marriage. I have made awesome friends that I would not have were it not for The Buzz. So I’m staying. Can’t get me out of here! Doesn’t matter if I’m at the toppiest top or the lowest low. I’m here to stay!! Thanks Antman!!

Best Wishes to all Buzz-land! Here's to a great 2008!!

We are off again tomorrow--this time on a ski trip. It's supposed to be frigid (highs in the teens with wind chills of 10 below). Sound like fun? Anywho, we will be gone the rest of the week so I'll be looking for you all come this weekend.

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
   Wrapping paper. The kidlets can see in the bags!!




2. Real or Artificial tree?
   Artificial. I really love a real tree but the kidlets like to put it up early and we always travel at Christmas so it’s not really feasible.




3. When do you put up the tree?
   We try to get it up Thanksgiving weekend so the kidlets can enjoy it. And I admit, I enjoy it too!!




4. When do you take the tree down?
   The goal is by New Years but at the latest, the first week of January.




5. Do you like Eggnog?
   I love eggnog but it is so rich!!! I usually cut it with just a little milk and then shake some pumpkin pie spice on top. MMMmmmmm!!




6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?
   HHhhhhmmmm…….probably my Barbie Beach Van. Santa heard us coming and left so fast he didn’t have time to unpack it so it was still in a burlap sack!!




7. Do you have a nativity scene?
   I do but I don’t really have a good place to display it. It’s a shame. I need to find a place. My job as a little girl was to put out the manger scene each year and I loved it!




8. Hardest person to buy for?
   My parents. They are very simple and frugal people and don’t want or need anything.




9. Easiest person to buy for?
   Probably my son. He has specific items he wants/likes but he is generally happy with anything he gets.




10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
    Last year, my MIL gave me an iron. I don’t iron a single thing!! BUT it was a Rowenta and I always wanted a Rowenta so I kept it. Hubby, btw, laughed his butt off!!!




11. Christmas Cards...Snail mail or E-mail?
    Well, I love Christmas cards but I must admit I don’t do either. No time. I try to email to very small group of close friends but that is it.




12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
    A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life.




13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
    Sometime in December, YIKES!!!! When I was in college I never started until after finals were over so I usually was shopping the week before Christmas for everything. But I got a lot of good deals!!




14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present?
    I don’t remember doing it but I’ve been tempted!!




15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
    Snickerdoodles, Homemade Chex Party Mix, cookie press cookies (spritz), my Daddy’s fudge.




16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
    We have a pre-lit tree with clear lights. But I do like the multi colored ones too.




17. Favorite Christmas Carol?
    O Holy Night, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Do You Hear What I Hear?




18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?
    Travel but I really miss all the Christmas traditions we had when I was growing up. My kids will soon be past “Santa” so I want to incorporate some before the magic is gone for them.




19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
    Yes




20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? Star




21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
    Well………since we travel, we open gifts with Hubby’s family on Christmas Eve (their tradition) and with my family on Christmas morning (my tradition) and we do Santa and our family when we return home. BUT…….this year, I want to do our Christmas before we leave. Santa can come early since he knows we won’t be there!!!!




22. 22.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
    Craziness in the stores.




23. Shopping...Mall or online?
    I can’t remember the last time I actually went to a real mall. I hate them with a purple passion. I do a ton on-line and the rest at Walmart, Target, Lowes and Best Buy




24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?)
    We never really did much outside and we did nothing outside because of Piper the Hyperdog. Inside we really only do the tree and mantle with stockings and I have some Father Christmas figurines that I’ve collected over the years that I scatter about.




25. Favorite Christmas cookie?
    cookie press cookies (spritz)




26. Do you own Christmasy clothing or jewelry?
    I love Christmas socks and I have some Christmas tree earrings, my daughter gave me.




27. Do you believe in Santa?
    Of course!!! That’s all you have to do……believe. I can still hear the bell, can you?

Okay, your turn!!!

On Her Own

She rose early, just before dawn, sliding her feet into her slippers and wrapping her robe around her to guard against the morning chill. She shuffles down the hall to the kitchen and puts the kettle on to boil. While the water heats, she takes from the cupboard a dainty cup—adorned with delicate blue flowers and slightly yellowed by years. The kettle whistles and the water steams as it flows over the tea bag in the cup. The sun is just starting to glow on the horizon as she walks to a tattered burgundy wingback chair by the front window. Her frail body is warmed by the hot tea as she sits and watches the morning sky awake from shades of grey and steel blue to vibrant pinks and oranges.

She was just finishing her tea when she heard the children’s voices--laughing and singing as they walked to school. Her thoughts raced back to when her own children would walk down that same sidewalk so many years ago. Then the house was filled with sounds. Feet running up and down the hall. Toys buzzing and ringing. Songs and laughter. So bright and happy. But now the house is so quiet she can hear the wall clock slowly ticking time away. It feels dark and cold.

Movement at the corner of her eye brings her back to today. It’s the Postman making his daily rounds. He pauses at each box to take the outgoing mail and leave the new mail—the party invitations and birthday cards, the long homesick letters from kids away at college and the short notes from grown children with families of their own. He is a very sweet young man who always brings her mail to the door for her, pausing to chat for a moment before continuing his route. But today he only gives her a slight shake of his head and a little wave. There is no mail for her today, no letters from the children, not even a bill or a sales paper.

The afternoon sun is warm and comforting on her face. She slips into sleep where her dreams keep her company. She finds herself taking long mountain hikes with the family, singing in choirs, jumping into huge piles of orange, yellow and red leaves and dancing grand waltzes at some of the finest halls. These dreams comfort her and she smiles faintly in her sleep.

Hunger wakes her. She sets the dinner table for two. They were together for 60 years until he passed a year ago. She still half expects to turn and see him sitting in his old chair reading the newspaper. She makes a cold ham and cheese sandwich on the plate with delicate blue flowers slightly yellowed by years and eats silently.

Darkness has fallen and house has a chill to it. The dishes are clean and put away. She shuffles back to the bedroom and crawls into bed. The right side is hers. The left side was always his. She pulls the covers up around her shoulders and turns to face his pillow. His scent still lingers there and for a moment, she can hear his voice, "I love you, Darlin". She falls asleep imagining him holding her close and dreaming of days past.

She rose early, just before dawn...