Hanukkah O Hanukkah come light the menorah...

This is the year we made the transition to Hanukkah. Previously, because my home is multi-denominational, we celebrated both. When my daughter was born, my son was in highschool and we celebrated Christmas, so Hannah grew up with a tree and Santa and 2 holidays. Lucky for her, a little rough on the parents.

Well, this year she older and Santa is for littler kids (so she says...frankly I don't get it, I'm 50 and adore Santa). But, since she has opted out, we have transitioned to a single holiday household. Now for those who wonder, it's a mediocre transition, but it boils down to this. We are doing all 8 nights of Hanukkah, and we are having a Hanukkah party on Friday. However, we do have a tree and decorations throughout for both holidays. We still have a Christmas eve party every year, which is our family tradition that includes lasagna this year and stromboli and cream puffs and karaoke.

The real change is going to be Christmas day. We are not getting up early to unwrap presents cause there won't be any this year under the tree, they will be done that evening when we light the candles for Hanukkah instead. We always had a kick back jammies day on Christmas anyway, cause my son used to see dad in the afternoon, so mom chilled with Chinese food and a movie, and the tradition will continue. We have monkey bread for breakfast, a movie and leftovers or Chinese for dinner planned. I'm actually looking forward to it. I think we are seeing Muppets or Hugo, either are supposed to be great.

I like transitioning traditions. I'm sure soon the Christmas eve party will move to my daughter in laws house and they will take over where we leave off. They will add to it, change it and make it there own, while carrying on things they loved from my tradition. It is how families carry on and share. I love that about the holidays. Sharing, melding, mixing, creating memories, traditions, and love. What could be better. Oh, I know, it's sprinkled with cookies, chocolates and latkes!!

'Tis the Season

I cannot believe that it's only 19 days till Christmas. Stop the Polar Express already, I need more time. First of all, Hanukkah starts on the 21st so I'm really pressed to get this done. Time is my enemy all the time. Between scouts, work, scouts, work, oh and did I mention work. As if I didn't have enough on my plate, I started working as a 31 consultant in July. Yes, a second job. Isn't that great!! 25 years working for the same company and I have to get a part time job cause the skyrocketing prices combined with my shrinking paycheck (not only haven't I had a raise for about five years) but they are taking more for taxes, insurance and pension (almost $100.00 a week more) Add to that the 200.00 a month gasoline costs and I'm in the whole a paycheck every month. So, I decided to give 31 a try, my friend Lisa was going gangbusters and really doing great and making money so I thought Okay, I'll try it -- and guess what?? It's great!! I'm making the extra paycheck everymonth so far (thank you God) and I promoted to Senior consultant already -- and I'm hoping to be a Director by March. I'm really excited about the prospect and the new found success. Who knew? Can't wait till I get to the place where I can retire. I'm thinking by September maybe. -- CROSSING FINGERS AND SAYING PRAYERS!!! Wouldn't that be the best thing ever!!

For now, though I'm busy and tired and trying to get the house decorated, the scouts through to the holiday, and I have Service unit stuff to do and Cookie Sales start soon. It's madness. I need a clone. LOL. Or elves maybe.

Any volunteers? Pointy ears optional. LOL.

Scouting time again

Hard to imagine that these girls are growing up so fast before my very eyes. They are practically young women full of ideas and wisdom and energy. I am in awe of them. This year my troop consists of 5 juniors (5th grade) 11 cadettes (6th grade) and one senior (9th grade). We have so much going on already in just one meeting they were off and running.

The most amazing thing for me though is when I see them change and morph into these confident girls. One girl was very very quiet -- okay non-verbal -- not couldn't just wouldn't talk unless forced then it would be nods, shrugs, one word answers etc. Well last night when it was her turn to talk she was loud and spoke clearly and didn't hesitate and was confident and making eye contact and I thought. WOW!! Well look at that. Now I have forced her hand a few times in the last five years. I put her in a field with a mega phone and had her read from a script and she did it. I've had her talk at ceremonies and events and she has done it but this was voluntarily and animated. It was delightful.

I also got lots of excited hugs and smiles that make me know I'm doing my job and the girls love the experience. Which makes me really happy.

And best of all I have awesome co-leaders who help me make it all come together. It is so much fun. So what are we up to this year? Well, camping, doing 2 journey books, 2 girls are getting their Bronze this year, the rest are working on Program Aide, we are doing 2 countries for our Thinking Day event in Feb, and We are running for the Bronze project a Teddy Bear Picnic event in the spring. We are going trail riding, and water park and ren faires and to the ballet and maybe even a play. Just so much happening. It is amazing.

Every year is an adventure and I'm sure this will be no different. YAY

Girls will be Crazy!!

The best part of Girl Scouts is I get to do a bunch of stuff with Diva Girl that I wouldn't probably do otherwise. For example we went zip lining this past June and it was fantastic. Diva Girl is part monkey and loved the climing walls, the vertical playground (a spider web for monkeys) and the zipline but the best thing of the day was the flying squirrel. The girls climb a ladder and have a line attached to the back of their harness. Then they are hoisted hiney first upward about 40 feet. Facing down, they scream "high enough" squeeking with trepidation as the hoister and comedian says "Oh you want to be lower okay wait a minute" and in mid sentence he pulls the release cord which sends them swinging like a pendulum back and forth. One girl, screamed for about a minute and a half straight before saying "aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh Oh my God this is so much fun!!!" LOL. It was a hoot.

Looking for great time and so much fun. Check out Ironwood Outdoor Center for a flying high great time!!!