Dancing in the New Year

Shalom:
Our Synagogue always has a talent show before we pray in the New Year.
This year, Mark and I are going to take part. It is a very simple dance, without a lot of motion so that it is easy on my hip and leg.
I have added some of my dance stretches to my PT and it helps. My right leg muscles are beginning to loosen up, but there is still pain. But I am able to do so much more.
After the talent show, we are returning to our little love nest and bring in the New Year.
Slow dancing of course.

A Reel Hanuakkah

Laini's Porridge

Shalom;
I have to be honest, I got this idea from Quaker Oats.
Many years ago, Quaker Oat came out with various flavors in its variety pack. I would take one plain pack and mix one of the flavored ones into it for my son. He loved it.
So, I found it cheaper to buy a gallon plastic container. One quart box of Quaker Oats. A cup of cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, chopped dry banana chips and pecans. Mix all of this in the gallon container and shake well to mix. Sometimes I make plain Oatmeal with a 1/4 cup of chocolate chips and dried strawberries. Yes, it is a little work, but much cheaper than the instant.
In a sauce pan, I use a teaspoon of honey, two drops of almond oil, pat of butter and a pinch of sea salt. Let warm and then stir in your oatmeal.
For Diabetics, cut your spices, dry fruit in half and do not use honey. You can also forgot the fruit if you wish honey.
While the nuts are a nice touch, if you are allergic to nuts, do not add.
And for the record, I love Oatmeal cookies.

An OatMeal Morning

Boka Tov:

Well it is time again....putting away the things from Hanuakkah This one of my flavorite times of the year, and it is sad to say goodbye. One of my Hanuakkah gifts from Mark was from a Winter Village figure. I love Winter Villages and left it to my beloved to start my cllection for me

So I am taking down the decorations and cleaning the house to begin 2009.

PT is going well, though my muscles are stll shakly from Therapy yesterday. Mark is sleeping in. He needs the rest with what looking for a job, the holidays and taking care of me.

In fact, I told him to rest. Mark loves to cook and serve me breakfast.

This morning, I plan to turn the tables and make Laini's special Oatmeal.

Funny thing is, I hate oatmeal.

Pictures and stories of the Holiday forthcoming.

Finally! Back Online

Shalom all:

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday time. It is a great time to be with family and friends.

AOL has acted up so much the past four days we had to uninstall and then reinstall AOL so that I can get my e-mail. We took my baby (Laptop) to the Greek Squad to download all of my data before mailing off baby to the Computer Doctor. She should be home in a week or so. We even recieved an refund of almost half of what we paid to that the downloads, which was great. The Laptop I have been told should not cost as much as we have been told and we should get a refund there as well.

Today, more was added to my PT workout. Yes, it hurts like all get-out, but it is worth it.

Our Holidays have been awesome and I will be sharing about them within the next few days.

Blessings.

"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence."
– Lin Yutang

Shalom:
Pt went will today. Mark had to go and get a Pet Scan to make sure the Cancer did not return. My therapist is pleased and now that I am no longer using the crutches to now start practicing lifting up my ribcage so I can start standing straight once again.
She reminds me that this is going to be slow going, but worth it in the long run.
I feel badly, however, since at this time I should be working atleast part-time to help out and I can't work at all.
But I have to keep giving myself the same sermon I give others: our hopes doesn't lie in the stars, a President or in ourselves, but in G-d. G-d has taken care of us in the past and He will do it again.
And that is the reason for this season; as a nation, these looked bad for the Jewish people. But G-d stepped in and we won! We got the Temple back. Yes, it was a bloodly mess (pig's blood had been spilled on the altar) and there was only enough for one night.
But Oil lasted eight nights. G-d doesn't always show up at the time you wish or even how you think, but He does.
That is why this is the season of Hope.

I Would Love a Do-Over

Shalom:
It has been a wonderful day, but I would a do-over.
If you are familiar with the game The Sims, you know if things go wrong, you can re-do the game by not saving.
Real life isn't like that.
This morning my arm hit my coffee cup and went all over the keyboard. Now half the keys don't work and we have to sent it back to the company to have it repaired. However, our warrity doesn't cover accidents, so we have to pay 419.00 to get my baby back up and running.
So, now I am using the Laptop I gave Mark to take to Iraq and he is trying to update the older laptop we have.
But it has for the most part been a happy Hanuakkah and once I get the pictures downloaded, I will post them.
The first night of Hanuakkkah we had two families join us. Mark and I made sweet pototoes latkahs and salmon cakes, served jelly dounuts and cheese cake. We each lit the lights and played dreid and of course told the story of Hanuakkah.
There were three girls, two teens and a little one, and all had so many questions. They were thrilled to realize they remembered so much from Mr.Howard's class.
But the best part: even with both sinks full of dishes and the kitchen needing cleaning, it was still good to share the evening with my beloved.

Pictures From Last Year

Boka Tov;

These pictures are from last year's Hanuakkah celebration

This is one of our Menorah. It is all Teddy Bears. Rabbi has one and I fell in love with it, so now we have one as well.

This is our celebration @ Beth Messiah Our Rabbi's wife and son are in the background. On Shabbat, each family brought their Menorahs to be lit. And when the lights are out, the whole Synagogue is aglory. And while I loved the evening, I missed Mark that night.

But Praise God, I have him home this year.

ve with it, so now we have one as well.

First Day of Winter

Boka Tov;

It is the first day of winter and it is fitting that it is a cold, rainy day. Mark is making eggs, cheese grits and coffee, then wil go shopping as I finish up for the First Night of Hanuakkah.

We are blessed to share this night tonight, having been apart last year. And will also have two families sharing the evening. Two new sisters from our congregation who have never celebrated Hanuakkah before. We are honoured to have them with us this year.

So, after Breakfast, I will matza balls for Matza ball soup.

Then finish setting up.

I have three wonderful Holiday CDs that I will start playing and until Mark get home with the rest of the things, work on Cookies.

A friend and former teacher is having a 'mommie moment'. She is one of the best dancer's I have ever seem or known. Now, her two daughers have followed in thier mothers footsteps and have being dancing in The Nutcracker this year.

So I need to go and find a NutCracker Cookie Cutter for the girls.

Yesterday, I did not use my crutches and had no pain until the evening. Today is the first day in about three days that I have had to take medication. I know the weather plays a part of it.

Well, breakfast is ready and my beloved is calling.

Blessing.

Eggnogg Tea

Shalom:

It is a cold, dreay day here in Virginia, but nice a cozy in the Reel Home. It is a several hours before Shabbat and of course we are getting ready for this special time as well as Hannuakkah. Mark and I are trying a new tea we found: eggnogg.

It's not bad for the season, but not something I would wish every day.

We have all of the Channukiahs in each window (except the bathroom) and they now just wait to be lit Sunday evening, the first night of Hannuakkah. I have stopped for a few minutes to finish up the Hannuakkah Kippur I am making for Mark.

Pictures to follow.

I am sore from PT, but feeling good. In fact, I realize I didn't take my medication last night or this morning. I have taken some now. My Therapist is really pleased with my progress. And so am I. But I am also wise enough not to over due things.

Besides, Mark won't let me.

Mr. Obama's Pick For Invocation Under Fire

Excuse me: Who's party is it? Doesn't Mr.Obama have the right to chose who he wishes to give the Invocation? Why does this have to be a politacal battle?

WASHINGTON (Dec. 18) - President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday defended his choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, rejecting criticism that it slights gays. The selection of Pastor Rick Warren brought objections from gay rights advocates, who strongly supported Obama during the election campaign. The advocates are angry over Warren's backing of a California ballot initiative banning gay marriage. That measure was approved by voters last month.
But Obama told reporters in Chicago that America needs to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said.
Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so.
Warren, a best-selling author and leader of a Southern California megachurch, is one of a new breed of evangelicals who stress the need for action on social issues such as reducing poverty and protecting the environment, alongside traditional theological themes.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance.
"We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination," the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider.
Obama's selection of Warren is seen as a signal to religious conservatives that the president-elect will listen to their views. During the campaign, Warren interviewed Obama and Republican John McCain in a widely watched television program that focused on religious concerns.

The Story of Hanuakkah-Posted in Enterainment

The holiday originated when Judah the Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the temple in the village of Modi’in from Syrian King Antiochus IV.
The temple was cleansed and prepared for rededication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication.” When the sacred temple Menorah (candelabra) was relit, there was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day. Yet, according to tradition, the oil miraculously lasted eight days until more purified oil could be found.
A lesser known story from the Apocrypha tells of the beautiful widow Judith who plied enemy Assyrian General Holofernes with cheese and wine until he fell into a drunken stupor. Judith beheaded the general in his sleep, and his soldiers fled in fear, thus saving her people from the Assyrians. This story is the subject of much renowned artwork.
In remembrance, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Children receive gifts of gelt (in remembrance of the coins minted by the new independent Maccabee state) or money and play games of dreidel (a spinning four-sided top.) The tradition of receiving a gift on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is fairly recent. Since Christians exchange gifts at Christmas, Jews have come to exchange gifts other than coins at Hanukkah, which comes at the same time of the year.
You will also see this holiday spelled Chanukkah and perhaps even Hannukah due to different translations and customs.

A Christmas Carol

Shalom;
This week's book choice is a no-brainer.
A Christmas Carol. Written in 1843, it is still in print. And while there are many movie versions out; some good, some not so good, the book is still the best. Charles Dickens paints a wonderful tale that gives you a good, scare, a good laugh as well as a good think. Without a doubt, his best work.
The morale is one is never too old to change.
But I think there is a deeper truth.
The Spirit Present states, the Child born in Bethlehem doesn't live in Man's hearts one day of the year but in all 365.
Does He? Does He really live in the hearts of us who claim to be followers of this Child, no longer a Babe in a manger, all the year?
At the end, Scrooge vowed to change his ways, and it wasn't just "keeping Christmas" Christmas Day, but for the rest of his life, touching the lives of all who knew him this time as a blessing and not a curse.
I believe there are lessons as to how to treat our fellow human beings in this Ghostly Tale.
Mark has never read A Christmas Carol, so this year, we are reading it at bedtime before our evening prayers.
The discussions are awesome.
Enjoy.

Getting Ready For Hanuakkah

I am now rested from PT and now about to pick up the Dinning Room.
We need to start getting the house ready for Hanuakkah.

I love this time of the year. I love to see the White lights in the windows, the candles. And while Mark and I do not celebrate Christmas, it is a beautiful time of the year.

While we do believe in the Messiah, we do not believe He was born during this time of the year. However, by the reading of Scripture, Yeshua was 33 and a half when He died. This would be about April 3-4, Nissan 14. If you count bac six months, this would put His birth some time in the autumn, betweent Yom Kippur and the Feast of Booths. Most likely the Feast of Booth, which is when we celebrate His birth. So that means Yeshua could have very well been concieved about Hanuakkah.

Now, this was not written to get into a Holy War over Christmas. I love reading the various jounrals (I hate the word blog and shall not use it) seeing the beautiful colours and decorations of the holiday. My own spiritual awakening at age eight years old came during this time so it is a special time to me. I just wish the special feelings, the kindness that is shown these 31 days we, we could carry them throughout the year.

And frankly, I believe we can. It is a choice we easy can make.

One day, I told my mum, if there had been no Hanuakkah, there would be no Christmas.

You see, that was a dark time. A nation much greater than Israel came and tried to wipe us out not only as a nation, but a people. To teach our children the Torah would mean not only the death of the parnet, but of the child. Even the Holy Temple was defile.

Until a small band of men, a Priestly family said: enough is enough! And stood up and in the Power of G-d Himself, drove that nation out.

If that nation has sucessed, there would be no Jewish people today. There would have been no Miriam, mother to Yeshua.

There would be no Christmas.

That is why I love this time of year; it is the time of Miracles.

Old Farmer's Advise

THEY DID IT RIGHT IN THE OLD DAYS This is great advice! (Enjoy the picture - an awesome pencil drawing!)

An Old Farmer's Advice:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled..

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight..

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge..

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty..

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen, anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, yo u'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.'

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
*Leave the rest to G-d.

Debbie's Birthday

Shalom:
Today is a quiet day. While Mark is at the unemployment office, I am working on Yosef's quilt and quite determine to finish it this week. It is going to look a little different than I first started, but I also think the outcome is better.
Today is also my friend Debbie's birthday. We have a tradition of getting together for each other's birthday since we became friends years also. And when I married Mark, he was blessed to be added to the mix. This year, because of the car accident, Debbie and Sturat brought my birthday party to me. This year is is so cool that Mark is here to join in the fun.
Debbie has been wanting to learn the Hebrew prayers, but being blind, there are no Siddur, (prayer books) for her to use. But I did find The First Steps of Hebrew Prayer on CD, so that will be our birthday present to Debbie. Sinc they both like Starbucks, we are getting them the Holiday blend for Hanukkah along with the Hanuakkah mugs.
If they haven't sold out yet.
Speaking of coffee....

This is a picture of Debbie and Sturat at Mark's surprise birthday party a few years. They are one of the sweetest, loving couples I know.

A Short Post

Shalom:

I am wiped out!

Yesterday was awsome. Though going at first, the pace picked up and we have tons of fun. I did get pictures which I will post later.

Most of the day I was able to go without of my crutches. It was only the last 20 minutes or so that I needed them.

PT was a little tough today because of all of the sitting we did yesterday and they weren't the best seats. My Therapist told me to take it eay today.

It was so nice to meet many of the soldiers Mark works with as well as their families. The families really don't know each other and the unit wishes to change that. One the programs they wish to improve is the family readiness group. I have offered to help with that, knowing first hand what it is like to be a mililary bride flying solo and don't wish to see this happen to another spouse.

The aim; just as the unit comes together for their joined missions, we as the families will also begin to meet and support each other. There are over 60 children in our unit alone, along with spouses. And it is hard to have your loved one gone for a weekend, a week, a month or a year. It is rather nice to have those who not only understand, but have walked that road and willing to come aside with you.

It does make a difference.

There is more to tell, but right now, I am ready to fall asleep.

Nite all.

86 the Cookies

Shalom;
Mark just came home and told me that the Christmas Party is an lunchen in our honour, so I won't be making cookies this evening.
Which is fine because I really want to work on finishing the quilt I have been working on.
Mark has taken a shower and now a short nap before supper.
I think he will stay up for the movie.

Quiet Shabbat

Shalom:

First, thanks to everyone for their prayers and encouraging words. And yes Beth, the chicken soup made a huge difference

Last night Mark and I weclomed Shabbat in by the skin of our teeth. Because of a busy week, we were running about getting everything done. Mark was upset because he didn't think we would be ready by sunset.

I took my beloved in my arms ans kissed his cheek.

"Last year during this time, everything was ready and perfect for Shabbat. But you weren't here. I rather rush through getting everything together by Shabbat with you, than to have it picture perfect and your in Iraq."

He smiled, kissed me and we went back to work.

Yes, we finished in time and yes, we had a wonderful evening.

Today with this being Mark's Drill weekend, I spend a nice quiet afternoon, reading, resting. My hip hurt some, so I did some stretches and felt better.

Tomorrow afternoon there is a unit Christmas party and we will be going. So, I will be making sugar cookies in the shape of Stars of David.

I think it is fitting.

The Chroncles of Narina is coming on this evening, but I don't think Mark will be able to stay awake to watch it.

So Far, So Good.

Shalom:
It was a quiet morning. Mark and I talking and laughing as usual. He's out right now. This is his Reserves Weekend, so he is off to get his hair cut and beard removed :( One day, when he retires from the Military, the beard shall stay!
As I went about my daily duties I notice two things;
1.I am moving faster and my step are steady.
2.I have no pain.
Now I don't plan to over do things, but I am happy to report that I'd had atleast one pain free morning.
It helps that the sun is shining.