Author: Rene

As a seamstress, I have had plenty of practice in threading needles. However, I have to wear readers to see anything smaller than my pinkie. So when I sat down to sew without my glasses anywhere in sight, (ahem,) I thought, “Oh, let’s just wing it.” (Like that ever works.)

Channeling my inner Star Wars, I emulated Luke and just used the force. I aced threading the machine’s needle not once, but three times on each thread change! No specs required.

Now I await another miracle – to see whether my outdoor decor and trees stay planted in my yard and do not visit my neighbors. Tropical storm strength winds today? I guess Mother Nature is also busy this time of year.

Buy the same thing your sibling would buy.

This has nothing to do with Christmas, but it’s wild! Stupid crazy.

I had to buy shoes out of necessity yesterday. I had no pair that were closed-toe and able to serve my strange struggle with plantar fasciitis. Truly, I own no closed-toe pair of shoes, other than boots and a couple of slip-ones which are not sustaining me. Last year did a number on my wardrobe and feet. After hobbling through Portugal, this became a true mission.

So, I went to the largest footwear store with options. I found shoes. Not only was I looking for comfort and support, but also aiming for fun. I purchased a pair, the most comfortable out of the five I tried and I sent a pic to my sis. She replied with a pic.

Seriously? We both bought shoes within the same week. We bought the same brand. Same style. I like hers better.

I want that marketing person in my league. He/she has our number.

Don’t just bake the cookies and frost them, eat one!

Yes, sometimes you have to sit down and have a gingerbread cookie with your coffee. Maybe two. But don’t go for three or all motivation flies out the window.

It would be nice to say, “I’m ahead of the game,” but I think I’m lagging a bit this holiday season. If it would just snow, I could quit watering trees and moving hoses around, thus enabling me to actually purchase my Christmas cards, which now look to be New Year’s greetings, as well as a few presents I have yet to consider. I suppose in between my gardener’s duties I could wrap a present I have acquired rather than stuffing them it in a gift bag? Or maybe I could re-shampoo the carpet after the dog’s recent mishap. Finish washing the windows? Sigh.

Think I’ll have a cookie.

When the winds howl and the snow falls, light a fire! This festive enhancement will perk up the spirits and spur you to conquer any gift-wrapping you may have to do.

Of course, if you have a real wood-burning fireplace like we do, you will think twice about this option, eyeing the mess that such a hint entails. It can be a pain in the ash. Instead, you might like a candle for ambience? Perhaps turn on your battery-operated tea lights? Just do whatever “soots” you.

And don’t forget to pull out your sense of humor. It is the saving grace during busy times!

Need to get something done today? This is my go-to when “Little House” is not airing. The music channel with “Sounds of the Season,” and if I’m lucky, Trans-Siberian Orchestra to get me going! It’s the musical arrangement that makes me wish I could play the violin, specifically, an electric violin.

Okay, I’m running out of hints.

My recommendation for enjoying some beautiful Christmas lights is to drive through the Cherry Creek shopping district at 6 am one morning. Top it off by going past the Botanic Gardens where the trees are bedecked in colorful lights. Then you can turn around and enjoy it all again on your way home.

Why 6 am? No traffic. You can enjoy the beauty in a relatively slow-paced mode.

Stay tuned for more “Hints for the Holidays.”

It was only fitting that my uncle’s funeral was yesterday, 80 years after Pearl Harbor. He was a veteran of the war, and a wonderful man. I was reminded of him all day as I watched the tributes and documentaries on Nat Geo.

My uncle and his wife lived on the farm, and my sister and I loved to go there for a week in the summer to play with our cousins, the same age. They had a stream running through the property – with tadpoles! Muddy messes, we were. The stock tank was also a neat swimming pool for us, probably more of a quick bath for my aunt’s sake? They had the famous barn which scared me at night when we played “kick the can.” That barn is still standing, though definitely not habitable.

I had the opportunity to visit my aunt and uncle in October and am most grateful for that. I’m also thankful for those who have fought and continue to fight for us and our freedom.

Thank you, Uncle Ray. God truly blessed us with you.

Upon returning and conquering sleep deprivation, it’s always interesting to see that really – nothing changes. The world continued with its machinations.

• Frank Azar ads did not go away
• The entire US must still be gambling online from the comfort of sofas
• Our high desert provided no moisture for the vegetation, thus enabling us to water trees again
• The Denver Post continues to experience delivery issues
• The Broncos stink
• The butler and maid did not show up again

However, it was nice to return to an organized “Tupperware” cabinet, my Christmas tree alit and decorated (!!!) and the dog still limping around here. Thanks to my “olive trees.” They made the return home quite joyful.

Dreamland. That crazy little place where you revisit topics of the day, sort out deep-seated issues, rerun anxiety-ridden scenarios, and just plain force yourself to awaken from the all-too-realness.

Last night I was walking a million steps to achieve a beautiful view of a park – I get that part! An instructor popped up and informed the class we were to write a spontaneous poem on any topic the following day. (Not very spontaneous if you have a day to think about it?) Thus, I arrived for class, excited to expound on my topic of, “the park.” My instructor, a mean “Meryl Streepish” – “Devil Wears Prada” woman, informed me that I hadn’t listened at all to the instructions. We were to spontaneously promote a product in advertising form, not compose a poem. The class was agasp, as they knew she was lying. I told her, “Perhaps some of us hear differently.” Another gasp.

I got up on the cobblestone stage and proceeded to do a sales pitch in comedy routine form, eliciting profound laughter in my “sale of kale.” Picture a used-car salesman hawking the benefits of kale at the spa, in ice cubes, Pinterest projects – all very tongue-in-cheek jokes and slams appreciated by all, sans my instructor. She gave me a kale-fail.

The only reason I awoke was because my jokes were so darn clever, I thought it could be a great stand-up gig for me to try at the Comedy Works. It won’t be. I can’t remember any of them, and it’s 10 a.m. in Portugal. Time to bail on the kale.

Two took a Tuk Tuk!

Seeing the city lights at night is stunning. Lisbon knows how to celebrate Christmas! Every street has illumination criss-crossing it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Some of the lights are just twinkling strands hanging from all of the trees – but LOTS of them. Over-the-top impressive. Maybe I could do that? These jellyfish were too fun. You’re only seeing a teenie portion of the street.

Well, you shall arise and we shall be en route. Thank you to everyone who prayed for our safe travels, because they have been! Keep it up – we still have to negotiate customs, DIA, and our favorite Uber driver. Obrigada and Ciao!