Go Loka...

Santa and Mrs. Santa have retired for another year.  WHAT-it's only December 9th., not even actual Christmas yet!  This yearly party is met with the gamut of 'feel's' ranging from anticipation, anxiety, and relief-when we've pulled it off.

Last Tuesday Randy and I hosted our annual R.S. Dale Christmas party.  Bath City Bistro's bar was bustin' at the seams with our employees ready to get their cheer on!  BCB servers and our girl Katie were kept running keeping up with our crew.  Cocktails and a sumptuous buffet got the party started.  Then the games began.  Rounds of Right, Left Center, a guessing game, a reverse raffle and a trivial game got the night rolling.  The action was fast and furious with a final Wheel of Fortune spin and a safecracker game to round out the night.  All kinds of cash and prizes were won and some unlucky person was awarded the annual rubber chicken booby prize. (Not namin' names, GARY!) Needless to say, this party was lit!

It's a fun night and all of Randy and I's organizing and planning went off without a hitch and everyone seemed happy with the outcome.

 And I ate far too many sugar cookies before hauling my tired cookies home.  Until next year, Mrs. Claus is dunzo.   Dat Santa doe...xo

Grateful...

It was a perfect dozen that celebrated Thanksgiving with us this year.  Lindsey and Joe from Denver plus Mom Julie as well as my nephews from Traverse City and niece from Ann Arbor.  Add in 2 Yorkies and 3 ducks (those we ate!) and you get the full picture.  We also celebrated Mom's birthday. As always, I am grateful for family and all of their love and support.

But now it starts....Needing to pick up a few things on the way home was a nightmare with Home Depot being a full on madhouse as well as another store we couldn't find a parking space in!  Many houses had lights out and decorated trees were in many windows.  As usual, I am just not ready.  I have actually overheard people say that they just had to pick up a few last minute gifts.  Huh?  Thank goodness I don't shop anymore, I just can't take the madness.  A white elephant gift exchange for an upcoming party is more my speed.  I'll just go downstairs and pick some random goodie and call it good.

So I ask you dear friends, how do you handle the full thrust of  'holiday cheer' that comes before the Thanksgiving turkey cools?  

While answering that question, you might want to ponder this one; 'But was everybody really Kung Fu fighting?'  What if?  

Have a great week, Dolls!  XOXO

Then There Were Two...

A very wise woman, Reba McEntire-to be exact, once proclaimed, "to succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone."

Well, I think 'ol Reba nailed that one as did the two dolls behind the meat counter at Nino Salvaggios!
I love a man with a sense of humor as well as the confidence to sport a turkey on his head while working at a store with say...200 women wandering about.  Backbone, funny bone and certainly wish bone are all wrapped up with these two hot turkey's!

Hit up Nino's on Hall to get yourself a giggle plus whatever else you need, poultry, pastry or just to check out the Turkey(s!)

 Happy Thanksgiving!  Be grateful, laugh a little and good luck with the wishbone.  XO

La Vie En Rose...

A family wedding this weekend found us exposed to some traditions that were totally new experiences for us.  My cousin Carli and her handsome groom, Lupce were joined in matrimony at the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Macedonian Orthodox Chapel.  The Chapel itself is among the most gorgeous I have ever seen with detailed gilded paintings of the saints on the walls and ceilings.  There was a cantor that sang all the prayers and verses.  The bride and groom were crowned with grand crowns in a ceremony that involved blessings and kissing of the crowns.  It was unusual, foreign, exotic and very steeped in tradition.   But when it was announced 'You may kiss your bride,'  we knew that it was official.

Downtown at the Masonic Temple, we were greeted with a sumptuous table laden with any type of hors d'oeuvres that you could imagine.  After dinner we were treated to another Macedonian custom that involved the Godfather of the groom, a roasted baby pig, and a parade.  Oh, and money thrown about in hopes of some type of feast payment. A Macedonian Junkanoo-if you will!  I'm not sure, but it was highly entertaining!

Dancing and sharing bottles were the order of the night and the revelry was in full force when we slipped off.

Among the new things we learned, was the commonality that in any language, marriage is about love, family, spirituality and food-in any language.

Congrats to Carli and Lupce!  The best is yet to come!  XOXO

P.S.-how cute is my Mom?

Say it Again...

I love what I am seeing this Veteran's Day.

Recently I noticed that Lowe's has 'Veteran's Parking Only' spots.  How cool is that?  I also saw a barber shop offering free haircuts today.  In Alpena, a local restaurateur gave free meals to customers that served our country.  And in my hometown of Ossineke, my elementary school hosted an 'American hero's on Veteran's Day' program.  This event has been honoring Veteran's for 10 year and includes the children reading poems, singing songs and doling out special gifts- to 30 Vet's!  God bless you all for your thoughtful efforts.

Every year I struggle to write something that expresses my gratitude and respect.  For all of you that did what I never had the guts to do- I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  XO

7th. Heaven...

On Saturday I had the wonderful experience of spending time with some old friends.  As hard as it is to make time to get together-this was a very special event.  Held in a beautiful venue, we were treated to some very angelic vocals.  The food was local and homemade and the desserts were decadent. (As all desserts SHOULD be!)  Warm hugs and reminiscent stories were the order of the day.  Emotions ran high and there were tears as well as much laughter.

Can you guess where I was?  Yep, at a funeral.  Family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of a very loved man and give him the send off he deserved.  It also provides a gathering to share stories, as well as facing our own mortality.  Efforts are made to keep the mood light, but the inevitablitly of death is the commonality that joins us.  The great equalizer.

We all have the time between our birth and death to live a life we can be proud of.  The famous 'Dash' poem reminds us the importance of what we do in the middle that is what we will be remembered for.

I think that funerals are really just parties that celebrate, evaluate, and refocus on how we are doing so far.  Are we kind?  Respectful? Considerate?  Patient?(a hard one for me!)  Compassionate?  I am going to make an effort to use funeral celebrations a time to reset goals for my 'Dash.'  Isn't that the best way to honor someone?  OXOX

The Other Side...

Whoo Hoo-I'm back and feeling all refreshed and rested!  Vacation was filled with sun, sea, laughter and more good food than should be allowed.  And wine-yes there was wine....Sun and sand is sooo necessary for my soul and I feel strong and very blessed to have this time with family and friends.  I have hit the ground running with goals for my yard as well as my house.  It's a good feeling and I have Lisa and Steve to thank. XO

Are you superstitious?  I am-a little.  When I see an ambulance, I always do the sign of the cross and say a little prayer in hopes that my good wishes will be heard and make a difference.  If I see a cardinal, I always think it is a sign that someone from heaven is thinking of me and maybe paying me a visit.  I love it and feel very blessed.  When I spot a penny, I will ALWAYS pick it up, hold it to the heavens, and thank the Lord above for sending me this 'sign.'  I know you may think it's silly, but these little things bring me great comfort-and I love having these perks in my everyday life.

So today, after Zumba class, I spotted this fiver while unlocking Berry Manilow. By chance, I glanced down and saw my little piece of good fortune, nestled in the beautiful fall leaves.  I muse that if pennies are from someone in heaven than a 5spot must be from the whole gang!  How amazing!

As I pulled thru the Tim Horton's drive thru ordering my usual egg white spinach bites and coffee, I pulled out the found fiver and (almost!) paid for the order.  I felt like my breakfast was a treat from my personal angels.  It gave me a smile and again-a smile and a little prayer.  Sigh.....

How cool is that?

Happy Monday and may you all be blessed from angels above.   XOXO