The End is Near

I don't remember who recommended that first Harry Potter book to me, but I know I was mesmerized.  The amazing detail of Harry's fantastical wizarding world had me totally spellbound (pun intended) from the very beginning.

Over the next 13 years, I was constantly anticipating that next book or that next movie.  I remember purchasing one book on the way to the lake and having it almost finished before we got home.  Another book was purchased on the day it came out in an airport bookstore on the way to some educational conference somewhere.  What a great way to spend an airplane ride or two!

That first book came out the year my babies were born...1998.  How many late nights, doctor waiting rooms, afternoons at the pool, and long rides did Harry and his magical friends help me endure? 

Not only that...but I also discovered them in audio format.  Have you ever listened to the audio books?  The narration is beautiful with a British accent that makes them so darn charming.  Miles and miles have been put on my vehicles going to and from meetings with the drama of Snape and the silliness of the Weasley twins occupying my thoughts.

As the movies have come out, I have been delighted with the directors' abilities to put on the screen the pictures that were in my head.  Yes, they have had to cut them down...leaving out precious details here and there, and yet I'm always "Wow-ed". 

And it's ending.

This young man and his friends that have been a part of our lives for 13 years are leaving us with only the memories.  We've loved some.  We've despised some.  We misunderstood many at one time or another.  They made us laugh.  They made us think.  They broke our hearts.  They gave us hope.

In the meantime, my son graduated high school, then went off to college and the Navy.  My toddler transformed into a beautiful teenager. (She attended the midnight viewing last night with her friends. They only know life with a new Harry Potter adventure just around the corner!)  My twins were born and have grown into Junior High kids. 

What a perfect time in my life to have such magical company!

What a bittersweet day as I say a much anticipated goodbye to my friends.

Thank you for the memories, Harry.  I look forward to introducing you to my grandchildren one day.

Funny Things My Kids Say--Part 3

I remember when I was a kid that my mother would buy chickens and try to explain how to cut them up so that you would end up with all of the pieces looking right. Her mother had taught her when she was young. She cut it so that there were four breast pieces, two of which would probably be considered the tenderloin pieces now. And, she always had a seperate wishbone piece. So, really, we ended up with 5 pieces of good white meat. Sometimes she would buy packs of chicken pieces to add to it, but usually she bought whole chickens.

Nowadays we are spoiled. I have never bought a whole chicken. In fact, I rarely buy chicken pieces. Instead, I just buy the boneless chicken breast filets. And we eat chicken often so we just pick it up when it's on sale and stuff it in the freezer for future use.

When Tana was pretty little, I would say 4, she came into the kitchen as I was putting the chicken in the crockpot. Since I was cooking it all day to shred for enchiladas for supper, I decided to save a few bucks and buy the chicken breasts that were on sale that week at the store rather than buying the filets.

As I was taking it from the package, rinsing it, pulling off any extra fat, and throwing it in the crockpot, Tana watched intently. She asked, "What are you doing?" I told her that I was going to cook the meat for supper. She continued to watch and finally, with a look of horror and disgust on her face, she asked, "Is that dead chicken?" I looked at her and said, "Yes." In her little four-year-old voice she then matter-of-factly stated, "Well, I don't eat dead chicken." And with that, she turned up her nose and was gone.

Christmas Eve 2008

This Christmas Eve was perfect! Nearly...

My day started with my sister ringing the doorbell. I told her I would meet her at the YMCA for a workout but she came by "just to make sure" I was getting up and around. True to my word, I was already in sweat pants and sports bra when she showed up. It's always more fun to sweat with a friend, and my sisters truly are my best friends.

After the workout, we stopped by her house so I could borrow my neice's karaoke machine. I'm a karaoke junky but my machine is apparently dead. However, I have 80-some CDGs that have just been waiting for attention!

When I got in, the kids were up but still in their pajamas and eating cereal. I made some toffee bars as the twins played with their Webkins. I knew that Todd would be getting home earlier than usual, so we all got around and popped "Wall-E" in the DVD player. Dad showed up about half-way through--while all of the girls (including mom) were snuggled together on the couch dozing and Andy played on the computer.

With the movie over and naps taken, it was time to make sure that the karaoke machine really worked! Although I hogged it for several songs, the kids soon took over. I went upstairs and helped Todd make the menu that was requested by our children, Chicken Fried Steak. In reality, I just heated up the corn and mashed the potatoes. Todd loves to cook (and is very good at it) so I usually try to stay out of his way. Dinner was absolutely delicious!

After cleaning up the dinner mess, we loaded up the kids and went on a Christmas Light tour. Several neighborhoods have beautiful displays and we always like to take the time to look. Then we got called home for our next activity...

When we pulled in the drive, my sister's family was bundled up in their vehicle with sheets of words to Christmas songs. Yes, we went caroling! We actually went to our friends' doors and sang to them! All of us! Of course, we made the obligatory stop for hot chocolate. Andy, however, chose a blue slush. As he shivered later in the evening, he commented, "It seemed like a good idea at the time." My kids will always remember this special evening with their aunts, uncle, and cousins. Our friends are probably still laughing.

After making our last stop, our oldest son and his wife called from San Diego. I said that it was nearly perfect--Heath and Stef were not able to join us for Christmas this year. Heath is in his 2nd year in the Navy and could not get away over the holidays. However, there is something to be said for the satisfaction that comes with knowing that your child is happy, content, and enjoying the company of the love of his life. It is hard to be sad knowing that they are so happy and just a phone call away. Each of us took a turn wishing them a Merry Christmas and letting them know how much they are missed.

We then came home to prepare for the candlight Christmas Eve service at our church. Our church home is beautiful on a normal day, but tonight it took our breath away. As mentioned earlier, the girls all took naps earlier in the day. Poor Andy fought exhaustion, but his lolling head finally hit the pew. After switching the kids around so that he could lean against me, he settled into a more comfortable sleep. In fact, he was so comfortable and soundly sleeping that he proceeded to "rip a good one" that vibrated our pew. The girls and I fought the giggles for quite a while! He did, however, wake up when our candles were lit and we sang Silent Night.

Upon our return home, we tucked our tired kids into bed with hugs and kisses. I retrieved some unwrapped gifts, wrapping paper, tape, and gift bags from my office then grabbed Love Actually, one of my favorite Christmas movies (about love--first love, unexpected love, love against odds, love weathering a storm, lust, moving on after losing love to death, jealous love, love of family, and love of friends). If you haven't seen this one, it's worth watching but it is NOT a family movie. Then I settled on the floor to wrap while Todd snuggled under the covers to keep me company.

Although he was soon fast asleep, I relished this quiet time to reflect on a beautiful day. I finished the wrapping at about 2:00 and finally turned off my lamp at 2:30. My day ended listening to the peaceful, deep breathing of my incredible husband and maybe even the sound of some reindeer waiting on the roof.