It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Now it feels like the New Year! Yes, I know we’ve had Christmas and New Year’s celebrations on a Wednesday before, but this year it threw me for a loop. I kept thinking it was Monday for a few days, and then I was looking for a Monday to start my resolutions and my cleaning! My, my, how set in my ways I can be.

Really, I don’t clean on Monday anyway. That’s a Thursday ritual. And resolutions? I make them every day, so I didn’t need today for that either. Perhaps it was the idea of getting back to a routine, which, when I have a routine, I get bored. Sigh.

Perhaps I shall celebrate the Irish tradition of Women’s Christmas with a hearty stout instead of tea, and a chocolate candy instead of cake. That seems like the way to usher in the year, even if I’m not Irish. Thank you for that information, “Pann,” my Irish lass friend!

We had fog today, dreary and unusual conditions. It just made everything feel colder. So, I plunked down with my heating pad and watched “Extreme Ice Machines” on the science channel. What a crazy informative show!

Of course I had no idea how the northern countries managed their snowfalls. Snow can be on the ground in whatever place we were watching for eleven months of the year. They have major machines for everything from the airports, ski hills, roads, etc… It did nothing to warm me but was intriguing. So, I laid a fire, turned on plenty of lights, and lit a bunch of half-used candles. I am now warm and happy, watching football and continuing to welcome the new year.

What a way to enter into the new year! From the archives of Old English…we shall go forth “coddiwompling.” Happy 2025.

Those silly new year’s “lists” are somewhat intriguing. It’s basically rehashing everything with a different twist. Trends for the new year per “The Today Show” include two items we know and love: the sleeveless jacket and the multi-stick.

First of all, a sleeveless jacket is a vest. Vests have been sported by moi for so many years. I travel with a five-pocketed one because it provides easy access and security to whatever I’m dragging with me. The vest movement began on my safari to Africa – that was eons ago. I have longer-length vests for warmth in the winter which also provide the same benefits, thus keeping me from dragging a purse along on my escapades. The “sleeveless jacket” has been a staple in my wardrobe for nearly a quarter of a century. I do update to the newest models at times. This year saw a Husker-red vest added to the closet.

The multi-stick. This is a cosmetic item better known in my life as a lipstick. Apparently this new-fangled trend is a stick to be used as rouge, eye shadow, or lipstick. I bought rouge once from the Avon lady, probably in high school. Otherwise, I knew oh-so-many years ago, that lipstick worked the same magic. Consolidation is the key to magical beauty results. (Cough, sputter…)

Trending today? Trying to recall what my weekly routine was before the holidays! It is Thursday, not Monday. It was my prior cleaning day. We’ll see if that happens in this shiny and bright new year. I’m off to make my own list!

The beginning of anything signals the opportunity to get rid of the old. Thus, I am cleaning the refrigerator today, and of course, the fine cuisine of our leftovers will garner a place at the table. In the spirit of the new year we shall not waste, yet not hold on to the things that must go.

Years ago I wrote an amusing piece for a little known publication – the school newsletter. I offer this excerpt, simple in its thought.

”The Refrigerator as LIFE”

I was sifting through my refrigerator and came up with this highly intellectual analogy. “Life is like the refrigerator…”

Look at your fridge. (Life.) There is some stuff sitting in there that just plain needs to be tossed out! It is old, you’ve been hanging on to it for a while, it stinks, and it serves no purpose. There is some stuff in that fridge of your life that has a long shelf-life and is valuable once in a while…some stuff can be used right away and is handy to have in a pinch. (Refrigerated “sense of humor” and “flexibility.”). Some of the things in our refrigerators are unhealthy and should be tossed promptly. (Refrigerated “negativism.”) Some things are healthy and we need to use or buy more of. (Friendships.)

What is in your refrigerator that is moldy, waiting to be used and never will be, being held “just in case,” or really good and should be used now? The greatest thing about the fridge (life) is that you can toss out the worthless, make use of the current items and create great dishes, mix and test ingredients, create new recipes. Possibilities!

Yada, yada, yada. You can see my style has changed a tad over the years, yet I still remember that silly analogy from 23 years ago. Perhaps I should take my own advice and toss this article, clean out the files of yesteryear?

One day at a time. The refrigerator is first. Happy 2025!

Only two days left to consume the rest of these treats. Yes, they are cheap and rather crappy, and I love them. My daughter remembered this year.

I used to hide them so no one else could swipe one, until I realized no one else really likes them that much. Notice how they “may contain pits or pit fragments.” They are truly the best in fine chocolate.

However, the new year and continued resolution to decrease that sugar intake looms. Thus, today’s diet will include about four of these cordials. They do complement the coffee quite well.

It hardly seems like winter with the squirrel out there munching on the buds of the pear tree and the furnace not kicking in because it’s so warm. Thus, I am staring at the Christmas tree and tempted to take it down on this fine, balmy day.

When my mom was still around, it was impossible for her to bring the artificial tree up from the basement and stand on a ladder to decorate it. My brother and his wife often did that. However, as soon as Christmas dinner was finished and the festivities over, we swiftly disassembled that tree for her, making a game of it.

We would form a “bucket brigade” with one of us throwing the ornaments to a kid to put in the bin. It was efficient and fun, and nary an ornament suffered. It is quite tempting to begin that process as I bask in the warmth of a December day, dreading the continuation of watering trees. There is no bucket brigade here to help me – which might make things go faster?

Alas, I’ll continue the Christmas season and await the Kings arrival before I dismantle things. Maybe by then we’ll have some moisture from Mother Nature?

For many years, many, many years, my spouse would sleep on the floor in front of the fireplace with the kids, trying to catch Santa. Santa showed up around 2:00 a.m., after she had spent a few hours at church singing for Midnight Mass. Santa was tired.

Much to Santa’s dismay, the very first year of this “tradition,” a little pipsqueak woke from a dead sleep to query, “Mom, is that you?” “Go to sleep.” “Mom?” “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Morning came and that little girl remembered all too well and Santa had to think on her feet, hoping to keep some semblance of belief in a generous and goodly fat old man for at least a few more years. Santa was still awfully tired.

”Yes, it was me.” A few moments of silence. “Does that mean you are the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, too?”

Sigh. “Yes. But now do you know what that means? YOU are now the Easter Bunny and Santa’s helper. You can’t say anything to your brother!”

There must have been some delight in that response as my daughter took that task to heart for many years. Also, Santa learned to run a fan on Christmas Eve, drowning the noise of her clomping down the stairs and placing crinkly wrapped packages on the fireplace.

Sending Christmas smiles and joy to you and your families!

There were five errands on my list, and I wanted an early start. I dreaded my trip to the local mall, however, I was first in line at both stores I needed to visit! I was also first in line at the McDonald’s where I consumed an ice cream cone for my breakfast dessert. Somehow shopping and ice cream go hand in hand – thanks, Mom!

Most everything on the list has been accomplished. I’m back to watering trees…a Christmas tradition it seems. Three presents to wrap, and then voila!

Wishing you serenity as you prepare to welcome the Lord.

The temps are 65 degrees, buds are on the trees.
I feel the need to water all I’ve planted in degrees. 

Personally, I hate it!  Why is it so warm?
Reminds me of my college days, too hot in the dorm!  

Alas, I do my duty, cherishing the earth, 
doing my best to spread the joy…and substantial mirth.  (Obviously!)

I truly wish it would snow!  I hate this brown display.  
It’s Colorado and  December - what else  can I say?