Today marks the last day of 2009.  It marks the end of a year, and a decade.  I am not feeling either sad or happy about the end of 2009.  Overall it was an okay year, not the best, but certainly not the worst in my books.  In fact, its heading out on a good note.  I always tend to look forward, though with hesitation of the unknown.  But looking forward to 2010 doesnt seem to bring as much as hesitation as the years past.  I attribute that to the Bean.  Or Hamilton as the family has now nicknamed him.  Even, Hammy, for short.  (trust me, that is NOT his name!) 

Here's a recap of my year in photos.  I am SO thankful that I continue to document my life in photos.  If I didnt, I wouldnt have the ability to do this...

Happy New Year everyone!  I wish you all prosperity and good health!  Enjoy 2010! 

ps - be safe tonight - call a cab, a friend or family member - just be safe! 

...things like this snowman appear.  When I look at this, which is now melted and gone, I instantly smile.  Its been awesome having my sister Sharon and her kids home for Christmas.  Saturday, Sharon and I spent the afternoon together doing one of my favorite things...grabbing lunch at the pub.  A perfect afternoon to close out the holiday season. 

The seven grandkids.  Post present opening.  Not the best picture of them, but I dont think we would have been able to get a good one, no matter how hard we tried!  They were too occupied with each other and their new toys!  I dont blame them!

Its been a great Christmas.  I've thoroughly enjoyed having the family together. 

Merry Christmas to All! 

All the presents are wrapped and under the tree.  Also under the tree are a few gifts I've received already from friends.  I especially like the fuzzy polar bear my friend Robin gave to the bean.  Not to me, remember, to the bean!  I cant wait to show the bean!

Each year as I wrap each of the gifts, I get a bit more excited about giving the gifts.  I cant wait to see the expressions on the receiver's face when they open the gift and they are surprised!  (except for Zachary, who knows he is getting Legos!) I am more of a giver than a receiver.  I like to see the happiness and smiles on everyone's faces when they open their gifts.  I would rather spend the couple of hours opening gifts just watching and taking pictures.  I just might do that on Christmas morning this year.  We have the twinkies joining us...and with Sharon and the kids home, basically all grandkids will be in one room together.  Definitely spending time capturing those moments!

The Wagner family, sans Geno, arrived this afternoon for the holidays.  We were all very excited to see them.  They were very excited to be here.  The two younger kids, Erika and Zachary, went straight to the tree and saw all the gifts that Grandma had already wrapped and put under the tree.  Erika found her gifts.  Zachary, too.  Zachary blurted at dinner that he knows what he is getting.  He knows he is getting Legos, because he shook the box!  HA! 

Andrew hung out in Naperville today, he had some things to help Mom with, then they headed out to get a gift.  It was nice to have him around, just chillin', chattin'.  Though it would have been the icing on the cake if Kelly and the boys came with.  But we'll see them on Friday.  I hear that Tyler is walking now!  Holy Cow!

Today is also my oldest sister's birthday.  And when I use the word, oldest, I do not mean that in the sense of her age.  I use it in the identification of her birth order compared to me.  ;o)  Happy Birthday Laura!  Hope you had a good day!

*Heritage Place subdivision, Romeoville, IL

On my way home tonight I took a gander thru the neighborhood at everyone's lights.  There are more houses decorated than not.  What is it about christmas lights that makes one smile? 

I love christmas lights.  I love the magic they bring.  I love the comforting feeling they bring to a neighborhood.  I love the way they light up neighborhoods.  I am surprised how many people do decorate their houses.

I think if its not too cold one of these nights, I might take to foot in the neighborhood to see each and every house.  Each are beautiful in their own unique way.   (but then again, if I take the car, I can listen to christmas music while viewing the lights...)

Its good to see other people wanting to capture the christmas magic as much as I do!

*Kris Kringle Market, Daley Plaza, Chicago

This is the second year that I've made it to the Kris Kringle Market in Chicago.  This market has vendors come in from all over the world - mostly Germany, Poland and the Ukraine - selling traditional european food and trinkets.  The glass blown vases and ornaments are the best.  Unique and colorful and beautiful.  I cannot leave there without consuming some spiced wine (though not this year) or roasted nuts.  I sit here and type this all the while consuming roasted cashews and cinnamon roasted almonds.  I could have gone for the Apple Strudel, as seen above, but the line was too long to wait, especially today when the weather was raining, snowing and just all around crappy.  Thankfully it wasnt super windy or freezing cold! 

My friend Jessica believes that the city should pay all the street performers.  They were out in full force today, on each street corner.  And in the El stops. 

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Each time I ride the El, I am reminded of my grandmother's memories she had of the Elevators (their full name, as they are trains 'elevated' throughout the city).  She was a 'north'-sider and my grandfather a 'south'-sider.  Back in the 30's, the north side then is surely not what the north side is today.  Same with the south side.  But still, Pop-pop had to take the Orange Elevator to the Blue Elevator, all the way to the end, and then walk 8 blocks to see Grandma every Sunday.  It was true love.  I miss my grandmother's memories.  (especially the ones where she dishes on pop-pop...like the time when she locked him out of the house for coming home late! heehee! Love you Grandma!)

 
*PEHS Concert Band, Holiday Concert

Tonight was my niece's holiday concert.  It was a nice 50 minutes of holiday music.  The only thing I would have changed up in the program would be more band time, and not so much choir time.  All the students did a great job, so talented!

Here's Megan playing...
 

Today I received a thank you note from my brother-in-law Geno.  He is currently deployed overseas in the Middle East.  I had sent him some homemade granola to help spice up the grub served in the mess hall, in addition, give him a taste of home.  

It was a great surprise to see this today amongst a dental bill, many christmas advertisements and a christmas card.  I opened it immediately.  He's a funny guy in person, and even funnier in a note!  I cannot pray hard enough for it to be March/April so he can come home and be back with his family. 

I watched an episode of the Little People, Big World tonight because it was about the father of the family risking his life traveling into Baghdad to collect a family that has 3 little people themselves, to bring them to America so they can get the medical treatment they need.  If these 3 little people, and literally little (I think they were all under 7), didnt receive the treatment, they were on the road to paralysis or even worse. 

I am reading this book, A Simple Christmas, by Mike Huckabee.  Its about lessons he's learned over the years about the simplicity of Christmas and the core meaning.  Christmas is about thinking of others before yourself, having patience, sacrificing and embracing.  I know my simple gesture of granola to Geno isnt as grand as the Little People helping the Iraqi family, but its my gesture to Geno letting him know that he is special to us and we CANNOT wait for his return.  Christmas will be one less in physical presence, but in our hearts he is sitting next to us cracking the same jokes as he always does!  

Today I spent the afternoon shopping with my dearest friend Rich.  He and I wandered around downtown Naperville for a while, checking out Barnes and Noble, Williams-Sonoma, Gap and finally took a break at Starbucks.  I normally love the hustle and bustle of christmas shopping, however today when I walked into Barnes and Noble I saw the many many people I felt the urge to leave right away.   As we stood in the kids section, Rich would surf Amazon.com to compare prices of the books I was interested in. 

Here we are, me all nice and plump from my 2 shirts, one bulky sweater and a down vest, and Rich in his stylish hat.  We sat in Starbucks and dished about everything and nothing, and were witness to the constant line for trendy stylish gourmet coffee.  
 
Me + Rich, circa December 2009

Its Friday night, 14 days before Christmas.  I decided I needed to freshen up my holiday music mix.  While Deck the Halls is on the tube, with hot tea in hand and sitting by christmas tree light only, I surfed iTunes for an eclectic mix of holiday songs. 

I found I continually went to the classics, especially performed by those greats who defined a whole genre of music.  Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and many others.  Below is my iTunes mix.  Enjoy!

2009 Holiday 
The Christmas Song, Diana Krall 
Silent Night, Andrea Bocelli
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Ella Fitzgerald
I Cant Wait for Christmas, Mindi Abair
A Marshmallow World, Dean Martin
Mistletoe, Colbie Caillat
Carol of the Bells, The Bird and The Bee
Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Harry Connick, Jr
My Favorite Things, Tony Bennett
Ive Got My Love to Keep Warn, Frank Sinatra
Baby, Its Cold Outside, Dean Martin
Caroling, Caroling, Nat King Cole
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Frank Sinatra
White Christmas (1947 version), Bing Crosby
The Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone Chorale
Mele Kalikimaka, Bing Crosby + Andrews Sisters
Joy to the World, Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Let There Be Peace on Earth, The Boys Choir of Harlem
Winter Wonderland, Louis Armstrong
Its Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas, Bing Crosby
The Christmas Waltz, Frank Sinatra
Jingle Bells, Harry Connick, Jr
Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Dean Martin

This photo is from tonight.  I missed Tuesday because there has been so much happening in life.  But that doesnt mean I didnt think about the holidays.  I actually came up with the perfect gift for my 7 year old nephew, Zachary.  I sent a text to my sister with the idea, which warranted a call back from her with the first words out of her mouth, 'Perfect Idea!'.  I highly doubt he reads this blog, so I can safely say that my Lego.com gift card will bring a smile to his face! 

Tonight I tackle the christmas cards.  I am not all that excited about sending them this year, as I have in previous years.  Probably because over the last three years I've traveled world.  I had something to share.  I dont need to travel to exotic or wordly places to send out a christmas card, but short of sending a picture of the bean, I dont have anything else to share.  (I want to wait on the bean picture!)  But in christmas tradition, I will send the cards.  They do bring holiday cheer to me, so I hope it does the same for others!

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Lately, it seems the trendy thing to do is find yourself or someone you know make a ER or urgent care visit.  Started with my brother, before thanksgiving.  Then my father for his surgery.  Two ladies I work with had parents in the hospital.  Monday evening my step-father had to go the ER.  My Aunt Dorothy is in the hospital also.  I even had to go to the urgent care for an infection.  So, I am going to safely speak for all people I know...'nuff with the doctors.  I hope everyone mentioned here and others who have experienced the same is on the mend and feeling better soon! 

My christmas present arrived today!  Since its just me, no boyfriend or husband, I buy myself a little something each year.  This year I found the perfect gift!  Its a mama + me necklace.  I will wear this everyday!  I love it so!

My brother called me Sunday to discuss gifts for my mother + step-father.  We talked about a necklace my mother has of people charms ... one for each child and grandchild.  There are so many that the necklace throws out her neck wearing it!  It was nice to chat with my brother about christmas and life.  We dont do it often, so when he calls I make the time.  He's a good kid (I say kid, because he will always be the bouncy blonde hair kid that I remember!).  He's at a career cross-roads and part of me envies him because he has an opportunity, possibly, to make the change that we all dream of.  If he truly wants to do it, I fully support him.  I pray that you have the career V8 moment soon Andrew! 

The front door wreath.  The one shipped from Michigan, Christmas Farms.  I love the look of the boxwood.  It doesnt need any decorations to help it look like Christmas.  Plus its perfect against the red.  House isnt decorated until the wreath is up. 

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Dad's surgery was a success.  I talked to him today, he sounded good, though I think he was ready to go home.  I think he is anxious to get back to his routine, life with the new knee. 

I purchased these retro bottle brush trees a couple weeks before Thanksgiving and they have been living on my dresser, bringing Christmas magic to my dreams.  

This afternoon I met my mother and step-father at Wal-Mart to do some shopping.  Nothing special.  However, Mom needed 'Santa' wrapping paper.  It dawned on me then that I will need to have 'Santa' paper.  Each day I am reminded that my life IS going to change.  And I have so much to learn!

 
Thursday night I did something creative to release my mind from the days events.  Nothing unusual happened other than a few new changes for some of the department and conflict of auras with someone.  I came straight home from work, cleaned up the kitchen and pulled out the chocolate candy to be molded using my grandmother's candy molds. 

The end result is a container of yummy christmas chocolates.  And I know exactly who will get these great treats! 

Each year I usually do my best to give to someone who needs it more than my family or I do.  This year at work, the Giving Trees were for the local organization called Little Friends.  They work with mentally challenged adults.  When I saw that this was our organization I immediately grabbed two cards.  I have a special place in my heart for those individuals who have Downs Syndrome or other mental challenges.  I wish I had the ability to not have such high expectations of people, because I believe I could easily work with these individuals.  I am sure I would find great reward vs. software end user support (current day job). 

But my perfectionism and lack of patience get the better of me therefore I find myself in a position that allows me to have the money to give to others.  I guess its the next best thing!

What amazes me the most about these people, is that their wants and desires are so simple.  These two cards, one for a 54 year old man and one for a 70 year old man, are for gift cards to Subway, Burger King, Walgreens and Walmart.  Are you kidding?  No Xbox.  No WII systems.  Just simple necessities.  So tonight on the way home from work, I stopped at these places and got them exactly what they asked for.  I sure hope they are surprised and  happy on Christmas!

I was tired tonight and not in the mood to run a bunch of errands, though as I ran from store to store, annoyed with the cold weather air, I reminded myself of the definition of Christmas and giving.  Thank you Little Friends for this opportunity to do something good. 

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My father, Ken, is having knee replacement surgery today.  Its long overdue.  I am very optomistic the surgery will be a success.  He is a very active person and with the new knee, it'll get him back in the game.  Here's to your speedy recovery Dad!

**christmas card from me to my maternal grandparents, circa 1980  

I found this the other night when I was going through the bag of photos from my grandmother's house.  Its a handmade card (as if you couldnt see that!) I had made for my grandmother.  At Christmas in 1980, I was nine years old.  Apparently I was learning how to spell ... notice how I spelled 'christmas'?  It says the same on the tree and inside the card.  God Bless Grandma's heart for embracing this slight flaw of mine! 

I have very fond memories of the holidays at my grandparents house, with my grandmother in the kitchen cooking, making us cookies.  She would walk through the swinging door to the back room to smile at us every so often.  I would hear her yelling at all us kids when we were up to no good in the basement.  And my grandfather, always sitting in his chair, reading and smoking his pipe. 

This has been sitting on my kitchen table since I found it.  I think it will become a part of the regular christmas decorations.  Thank you Grandma for saving all these things.