Happy 2011 to one and all

The between week . . .

True friendship is like sound health,

the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.

~Charles Caleb Colton

The week between Christmas and New Year is always hectic.  Strangely busy with odd activities. 

On Monday, we hosted the SJA Swim Team brunch.  I stayed home from work.  I could have left Dave with the Swim Team Brunch.  Oh the joy.  22 teen age girls between swim practices  . . . during the Christmas break, they swim 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon.  On Monday, they came to our house for brunch and a Christmas sock exchange.  A couple of things:

• these teenage girls do not know how to park . . .
• these teenage girls do not know how to back out of a drive . . .
• these teenage girls know how to eat lots of food.  Lots and lots of food.  Two egg stratas, three pounds of bacon, three pounds of sausage, two loaves of french toast, three pitchers of orange juice, three pitchers of grape juice, a variety of cookies and donuts, etc. But it could be because they spend so much time swimming.

None of the other parents showed up.  Last year, at least three other parents showed up to help. 

Monday evening, we were at my sister's home for dinner and other things.  My nephew, Michael, who had been in a serious accident in October was there.  He still has the trach but he can talk and eat and looks great.  He is going to have to undergo about four or so more surgeries, all except one will require hospital stays but nothing like what he had to endure after the accident.  He looked wonderful and it was great to see him and his bride and their four month old daughter.

Zachariah had spent Monday at a good friend's home playing Wii.  He then spent Monday night/Tuesday with Mary, his cousin/sister . . . a long story . . . and had a great time.  He is exhausted and it is only Wednesday.  Tonight he is going to a birthday party/sleepover.

Lindsey has two swim meets this week.  I haven't gone to either.  Oh well.  Too much to do.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Like many companies, ours will be closed for Christmas Eve this year.  Usually, it is just a half day but with Christmas falling on a Saturday, we get all day on Christmas Eve.  Sweet.  I am also taking off on Monday.  We are hosting the annual Christmas Brunch for the SJA swim team.  During the Christmas break, the swimmers swim twice a day.   Two hours in the morning, two hours in the late afternoon.  So on Monday, we will be having around 26 teen age girls at our house for brunch and a Christmas Sock Exchange. 

Keep in mind that these girls spend HOURS in the pool.  They eat enough food to put most high school boys to shame.  I think I figured it out last year on the USAA website that given the amount of time that they swim during over the Christmas break, my daughter, who weighs about 105, needs to eat approximately 7,000 calories a day just to maintain her weight.  Most of the girls are buff.  They swim.  They do dryland workouts.  They exhaust me.  I will make two egg casserole dishes, 3 pounds each of bacon and sausage, two loaves of french toast and they will go through it like locusts.  You have to make sure that your fingers aren't anywhere near their mouths cause they just don't pay attention.

Anyway, I have shared the following with many people and in case I missed you . . .

Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles-

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing along song on the radio.

Your keys right where you look.

I wish you a day of happiness and perfection-little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.

I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Take the time!

Wishing you the very best for 2011

True friendship

True Friendship is a plant of slow growth!

~George Washington

Yesterday, December 8, was one of my best friend's birthday.  I live in a suburb of Cleveland and Janet lives in a suburb of Dallas.  We have been friends for more than 30 years.  We talk to each other about once a week and spend time together online. 

Happy birthday Janet.  I wish you were closer so that I could give you a hug.  Looking forward to seeing you in March.