Happy New Years, Everyone! To A Blessed 2010!

While time closes in on 2009 reaching for 2010, I think about this year and all that has happened in MY LIFE. I’ll admit that I was blessed in 2009 and hope to continue those blessings in 2010. My family and friends have remained healthy and safe, which is the biggest blessing of all.

I’ve continued to write and improve on my poetry while submitting to several online and print magazines. Although I’ve received many nice rejections, it was the one acceptance that boosted my writing confidence. In early 2010, I will be published in a big online magazine, so stay tuned.

I went to Germany and experienced a whole new culture. It was beautiful and being of German decent made the experience extra special.

My condominium is up for sale. I hope to complete that transaction in 2010 and purchase a house. I know the market is bad, but it’s not impossible.

I’m working towards a new career in teaching. While taking the appropriate tests and researching online certificate programs, I’m trying to add to my resume by getting published and tutoring.

Last but far from least, is the amazement of finding my soul mate. It all started at the end of last year, but it was this year when we both let the secret out. He is a wonderful, gentle man who woke me up to life, learning and love. He helped me start breathing again, and is my biggest fan. What started out as a friendship grew into something so extraordinary that most people never get to experience. There was a reason for my 41-years of single life. I was merely waiting for him to arrive. We both hope to be living together in the new year.

For my Love, A Happy New Year for us – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUOUx--wKBo&feature=related

As you can see, I hope the things I began in 2009 are completed in 2010. I also hope that all of your wishes are granted, and those who struggled this year and prior will get the compensation they deserve in 2010.

A toast to all of you. May you remain healthy, may love warm your hearts and may your pains of yesterday be rewarded today. Have a safe and wonderful New Year!

A toast to all of our military men and women. May you stay safe, may you know we are all thinking of you and are aware of the sacrifice you and your families make, and may you safely come home to us in 2010. We’ll be waiting for you.

'Twas the Day after Christmas!

I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas. My Christmas was full of food, family and fun. We have not been together much lately due to our hectic lives, so Christmas Eve and Christmas were especially wonderful for me.

Presents this year mainly consisted of personal things, and I want to share one of them with you. My brother is an excellent videographer, who owns his own business called Photoplay Productions. He videotaped my nephew, David singing When Christmas Comes to Town from the Polar Express. David sang it A cappella and then my brother fit the song to it and added additional camera effects. Of course I cried the entire time watching it because it’s such a precious gift, and I’m not only talking about this video but my nephew.

May the rest of your holiday be full of wonder and excitement.

Merry Christmas!

If you live in the area, I highly recommend the Christkindlmarket in Chicago. The weather isn't the best, but the shops and food make up for it.

I apologize for the inactivity on my blog. You see, I’m a procrastinator so I’m doing everything now to be ready by Christmas Eve and Christmas. I’ll be spending Christmas Eve at my brother’s house enjoying good food, yearly memories and traditions. On Christmas, I’ll be celebrating at my sister’s house. Christmas Eve and Christmas are my favorite holidays and I am looking forward to being with my family.

A recent tradition we started is letter writing. On Thanksgiving, we put all our names in a hat and everyone takes a piece of paper with a name without telling anyone who it is then writes them a letter. It’s a time to express what that person means to you. On Christmas Eve, we put our letters on a plate and on the way out the door take it home to read in private. Sometimes we forget to tell the ones we love the most how we feel and this gives us the opportunity to do so.

Does your family have any traditions?

I most likely will not be back until after Christmas, so I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. May God keep you safe in your travels and celebrations.

It’s Holmes. Sherlock Holmes!

Ever since Weird Science, I fell hard for Robert Downey Jr. He was funny with boyish looks distinct from the other actors of his time. Then Robby, he lets me call him that *wink* starred in a movie called Less Than Zero, which not only showed he was a versatile actor but exposed his raw talent. Through the years he played in Blockbuster movies and flops while struggling with his drug addiction, yet I still remained a loyal fan.

On December 25, Mr. Downey will become Mr. Holmes and *squeals* I can’t wait to see it. Last year for my 40^th birthday, I took a road trip to Connecticut and went on a tour of William Gillette’s home, who received fame from the role of Sherlock Holmes. I admit to not seeing William Gillette play Sherlock Holmes, but I believe Robert Downey Jr. will live up to the role.

Sometime after December 25, I plan on seeing him on the big screen smiling back at me. Yes he will. It will be me he’s smiling at, so you can sit in the audience ogling Robby but remember he’s winking, smiling and laughing for me.

“I have a sense of destiny that you are led to the things you are supposed to do.”

When it comes to my writing, I hope he's right about destiny.

Once upon a Time in Chicago..

… there was a group of ‘writing friends.’ I took off work and I'm waiting to pick up a few friends from the airport and head into the city for some fun. Several people from a writing forum I belong to are coming to Chicago for a gathering. In December. LOL! They have no idea what they’re getting into. It should be a good time after my nose hairs, feet and fingers thaw out.

This made me think about how we categorize our friends, and I think we put rules with each one. We have our childhood friends, the ones who know everything about us. Then our college friends, the ones we keep in touch with as we move on with marriage and children. Work friends, the ones you complain or gossip with about work. There are plenty more categories out there, such as my ‘writing friends,’ who I get to talk with about reading, writing, (not arithmetic) and who is in the process of or who is already published.

So I’ll see you later, hopefully with book referrals, a new poem by me or a friend, and/or talk of a new published author in the works. Take care and stay warm.

It's a Wonderful Life!

It’s that time of year for my favorite holiday and one of my favorite movies. To celebrate, I decided to give a quiz to test your knowledge of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The winner gets to pick from a few choices, which I will name later on. You may post your responses in the comments area, or send them by email through my profile. Deadline is December 20. Good luck, everyone! Extended until Sunday, December 27. Winning prize choices:

1) $25 Amazon Gift card

2) Me as a Chicago tour guide for the winner

3) “It’s a Wonderful Life’s” picture on a coffee cup

1) If George was never born, what would be the name of the Building & Loan?

2) What are the years on Harry Bailey’s tombstone?
3) What day and time on earth is George contemplating dying?
4) How did George lose his hearing and in what ear?
5) What is the name of the woman who works at the Building & Loan?
6) What does Mary say (the quote) in George’s deaf ear when she’s in the drug store as a child?
7) What does Uncle Billy use as reminders?
8) What is the name of the actor who plays old man Potter?
9) What are the cop and cab driver’s names?
10) What does George say (the quote) to his dad at the dining room table after his father tells him to get an education and get out of this town?
11) What year did Harry Bailey graduate high school?
12) What book does the angel leave George and what did he write in it (quote it)?
13) What is the name of the town “It’s a Wonderful Life” takes place?
14) As a child, what role did the actor who uses the key to open the dance floor play?
15) What song is Mary and George singing walking home after falling in the pool?
16) Give the address and the name of the house Mary and George wind up living in?
17) What three things happen to show George is alive?
18) Name of the bush Mary hides in after her robe comes off.
19) What is Mary’s brother’s name?
20) How old is the angel?
21) What’s the name of the drug store?
22) What did Harry achieve at college?
23) How much money does George and Mary have for their honeymoon?
24) Why did Mr. Gower put poison in the medication?
25) What is the name of the angel and what was his profession before he died?
26) What movie is playing at the cinema when George is running through the town wishing everyone a Merry Christmas?
27) What are the three things George and Mary give to the Martini family and what do they represent?
28) How much money does Potter offer George to work for him?
29) How many children do Mary and George have and what are their names?
30) What did these men do and/or receive during the war? Burt, Ernie, Marty, Harry and George
31) What is the name of the male employee who works at the Building & Loan?
32) How much money does Uncle Billy lose?
33) Where does Violet consider moving to as an adult?
34) What is the angel’s title?
35) If George was never born, what would be the name of the town?
36) What is the complete drink the angel orders?
37) What book is the angel reading?

Bonus: The world would be different if we were never born. Name one thing you know of that would have changed someone’s life, good or bad.