Merry Christmas

I feel tranquil today; also happy and appreciative. This feels very satisfying. Today is Christmas day and my kids just left a couple of hours ago to spend the day with their dad and his family. This is my first Christmas day without my two children and my first ever Christmas day spending the remainder of the day completely by myself. I actually welcome this alone time. Some of my friends told me that this would be difficult to spend Christmas day without my kids ... well it is different, but I am completely okay with this. I think it is partly due to the fact that my kids are happy and caught up in the spirit of the day ... me too I must say. I did have them all of Christmas Eve --which by the way is my most favorite day of the year--and a couple of hours this morning. Also, I am feeling self-assured right now just because I successfully created a magical Christmas for my family and one that I could afford - nothing overboard - all within the realm of what I believe the deeper meaning of this time of year is. So today I am enjoying my home, the Christmas tree, the fire, the stormy rainy weather, I called all my closest family members and will work on some projects that are meaningful to me.

Merry Christmas!

Winter Solstice

My kids and I went to my friend's winter solstice party tonight. I enjoy going to parties ... any time of year. I like to mingle and try new foods, but I really like listening to other people's stories about whatever is it they are willing to share. I just like to listen and get a glimpse into the lives of others.
... Anyway, have you ever been to a winter solstice party before? this is my third one --same friend who has this celebration every year. This year the winter solstice will occur on Sunday December 21 (tomorrow). I don't recall the exact time but it only takes an instant marking the shortest day or longest night of the year -- depending on how you wan tot look at it. Then from that moment on days get longer and night are shorter until between June 20 and June 23 when this reverses.
Many of the guests at the party took part in a little celebration around the fire pit outside; throughout the evening we each wrote down a piece of paper the thing or things we want to release from our lives and then on a different piece of paper write down what we each invite into our lives. Then we gathered around the fire and released and invited -- placing the papers into the fire. Some people shares allowed. It was lovely!
I wrote:

"I release all energy blocks that are a disservice to me and I invite positive energy to flow through me enhancing all my intentions that serve me".

I know it sounds broad and somewhat ambiguous, but it really does mean something to me.

Happy Winter Solstice!

A Quote for Today: December

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
~ Lao Tzu

Investment Club Meeting: December Holiday Party

The investment club had a regular meeting and annual holiday party this evening. Out of the 15 guests from last month's Open House, there were seven prospective new members who attended this regular meeting tonight (first of two meetings they are required to attend). That is such a good feeling to see so many interested -- that tells me we are group offering something very worth while!

At our December meeting we always vote the new officers in for the New Year. I will remain the treasurer. Our current secretary will remain as secretary. We will have a new president and new vice president -- which speaks volumes about the personal growth of these two ladies! ... And we got a lot of business done! I love productive meetings like this one.

Our hostess for this meeting had hidden a Christmas fairy in her living room and for whomever found it she had a gift. I found it! She gave me a book called Green Investing, A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks by, Jack Uldrich. I'll read it and let you know what I think of it.

And we did a journaling activity this evening. All of the members agreed -- we were pleasantly surprised by how all the guests tonight openly shared their results of this journaling activity.

Altering A Christmas Tradition -- Best Gift Ever

Of course a Christmas tree is must -- every year we put one up in the living room the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and it stays up in until January 2. My December budget has always dictated the sized of the our tree -- usually around 5 feet tall and I gravitate towards a Douglas Fir type tree. Then loading, nearly stuffing, it with white lights and decorate it with silver, gold, red and green ornaments that have been collected over the years. When all is done the Christmas tree looks ... perfect ... in my opinion. Well this year I stepped out of that comfort zone. I didn't mean to and to be honest to felt a little uncomfortable at first. The kids and I were visiting a friend after school a few days ago and it just so happen that her father-in-law had "weeded" some saplings off his property in the mountains and brought her family three trees early in the day. My friend asked if we would like one. Something came over me and I accepted the frail, meager 7' gift -- the kids were thrilled! All the way home all I could think of was how am I going to put lights on this tree? It reminded me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree only much taller. Well we managed and the tree is adorable. It is definitely not "my" traditional tree. Seeing the kids proud of their tree made the change worth it to me. I am proud of myself too for flowing with this -- observing my uneasiness about this and letting it go. I truly love this tree and it makes it one of the best gifts I have ever received!