KALEIDOSCOPE

Although my children and step-children are adults, my husband and I still ask them to put together a Christmas wish list.  The children have vastly different personalities that range from “I don’t know what I want,” to “anything dragons and Twilight books,” to “I want a laptop (in a specific color) and collector trucks,” to “You and Dad should put aside your differences and all of you chip in to buy me a voice amplification system.”

My husband and I have never hid our monetary situation from our children, so I find it interesting that some of our children have no clue about how to ask for presents in times where money is tight.  We have set about a $20.00 - $25.00 spending amount on each of the children.  It is difficult, however, to find presents for that price.  If you are trying to shop on a tight budget, here are a few suggestions.

*Paper back books

*Magazine subscription

*Movies

*CDs of favorite groups or musicians

*A themed basket (If you put it together, it is much cheaper than the pre-packaged ones they sell in many stores.  Creating your own also allows you to choose things you know the people like.)

-A collection of coffees & cookies

-A variety of popcorns for the microwave and & movie

-A bucket and car washing supplies

-Kitchen tools / pans and a brownie mix

*Experience gifts

-movie tickets

-live community theater tickets

-concert tickets

-sporting event tickets

There are a wealth of ideas for under $25.00 that will allow you to stay within your budget.

As I sat in the audience for the winter theatrical production where I teach, I looked around to see the space filled with more students than parents of students.  The show, as all of the ones at our school are, was wonderful; a fabulous comedy called Shakespeare in Hollywood.

I would like to thank all parents who actually support their children in their extra curricular choices.  You are helping your child become a well rounded individual.  You are your child’s support and strength, and you have a bond with your child.

I am, however, more in awe of those students who get involved on their own without any type of support at home.  The students who come to school and work to succeed and get involved while their home life is wrought with arguments and emotional abuse, where the parent says “That’s a stupid thing to be interested in,” rather than saying “That’s awesome that you were cast in the play,” even though they have absolutely no interest in theater.  My hat goes off in respect of the students who work hard during the school day, go to rehearsals or sports practice, and then go home to a house where they are expected to watch their brothers and sisters, make dinner, wash dishes, do the laundry, and various other so called chores.

To those of you students who fit this mold, I would like to give you a standing ovation.  Congratulations in your endeavors and keep reaching for the stars.

When the temperature drops, the clouds roll in, the sun stays out for shorter periods, and the snow starts to fall, my taste for comfort foods sky-rockets.  When my husband and I first got together, he had a number of recipes in his head.  The following is one of his comfort food recipes that we have made into a recipe for two.

INGREDIENTS

2 russet potatoes

2 – 3 servings of frozen beans

4 chicken thighs

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 / 2 can of water

Cube the potatoes and place them in the bottom of a 2 – 3 quart casserole dish.  Top with the beans, still frozen.  Lay the chicken thighs on top of this.  Mix the can of soup with 1 / 2 can of water and pour over the chicken.  Bake 400 covered for 1 hour. Uncover and bake till potatoes are tender and chicken is done.

The holiday season tends to get many children overly stimulated which, in turn, makes many parents frustrated. This becomes obvious when bedtime rolls around. With young children, it is important to keep the bedtime routine to help them unwind and feel ready for bed.

During the holidays in my house, we followed the same routine even if we had been out later than normal. We did, however, add a few specials into the routine. During bath time, we played or sang Christmas songs and carols, especially the slower ones. Then, after dressing in the wooly, footy sleeper pajamas, a glass of milk was poured and we proceeded to the couch for story time. Story time during the holidays consisted of one or two special holiday or Christmas books. These were special books I took out the Friday after Thanksgiving and put away around New Year’s Eve. Since they were only read for four to six weeks a year, my boys snuggled in to listen: “The Shoemaker and the Elves,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Polar Express,” and of course “The Night Before Christmas.”

Then it was time to brush the teeth, get a last drink of water, say the prayers, and snuggle into bed. Sometimes, if it wasn’t too late, I put Christmas music on softly.

Even the most hectic day seemed to melt down as we settled into the bedtime routine.

If you live in one of the Northern states, you have probably seen your first snowfall.  I know I have.  It is so beautiful as it falls from the sky, but when it decides to land and gather on the sidewalks and roads, it doesn’t appear so beautiful anymore.

If it would just stay on the grass, I wouldn’t have to snow blow and shovel.  It’s not that I mind the task; it’s that the task usually needs to be done somewhere after 9:00 pm or I have to make sure to rise early enough before work that I can clear the driveway and sidewalk.

The first snow fall in this area dropped four inches.  The news shared tales of accidents and road hazards.  Now granted, most people haven’t driven in the snow for about eight months, but I find it utterly ridiculous that far too many people can’t remember to slow down, ease up on the brakes, begin to break earlier, or leave enough space between their car and the car in front of them to stop safely.  Along with that are the people who drop their speed 50% below the speed limit even though there is no accumulation on the road and the road is not slippery.

This year, give some common sense to your winter driving; slow down so you don’t lose control, but don’t go so slow that you are a traffic hazard.

In today’s fast paced society, the phenomenon is seen every day, everywhere:  cell phone addiction.  People are walking, people are driving, people are checking out at the grocery store or shopping for clothes while they are talking on the cell phone; people can even be heard talking on their cell phone while using the public rest room.

It is truly amazing that, with the invention of the cell phone and the little blue tooth adaptation that fits in the ear, many people haven’t a clue about communication between two people face to face.  Rather than put the cell phone on vibrate or silence, people will answer a ringing cell phone while in the middle of talking to someone else; or if they are not talking on the phone, they are texting someone while they are talking to you.  It is most unnerving to be engaged in a conversation and have the person’s cell phone ring, and have that person answer their phone and begin a conversation with the person on the phone.  We rarely have the other person’s undivided attention in a conversation anymore.

It is inconceivable to many people that they should hang up the phone when they order at fast food establishments or even in restaurants.  Shopping while talking on the cell phone has become normal behavior to many people.

Ladies and gentlemen.  It is time to relearn the etiquette for having a face to face conversation.  First, turn off the cell phone, or at least put it on vibrate.  Second, give the person you are having the conversation with your undivided attention.  Enjoy what the other person is saying.  Ask questions and contribute ideas and information.   Reclaim the politeness necessary for a face to face conversation.