December Determination ~ week 2

[dill]

December Determination ~ week 2

I was in a school building yesterday when I saw the news on the internet about the Connecticut shooting. I was so horrified. I kept calm and carried on because I realized that was all I could do. I treated the students around me with care and respect and I cherished life. I realized that I knew this horrible thing and that the students/teachers in the building were still innocent of the facts. I knew that they would learn of the event later in the day and would be as devastated as I.

Guns have been around for a very long time without people using them to commit senseless acts of mass murder. It?s not the guns that are the problem, it?s something else. It?s the unraveling of the culture perhaps. There are so many things wrong with our society right now that it can?t be put down to one thing.

I enjoyed the posts re: shifts in thinking. I'm still working on it, but maybe it is something that can't be forced, but comes with time. Slow learner here.

Cyn, Chill, Cat, Star, Papmom (fingers crossed), Rusty, Rustop, LBH, Lav, Kas, Love and peace to all.

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ week 2

Its been a tough 2 days, that's for sure. I sat in my office with tears in my eyes all day. Watched the coverage at lunch and kept watching FB throughout the afternoon. I just couldn't believe it. At lunch I overheard a young man sitting in back of me talking to his grandma on his cell. He apparently comes from Newtown and his family has friends with kids in that school. No idea of course if any of them were victims but its a small town and he's bound to know a few. You could tell he was scared but trying to "man up" for his grandma. I just wanted to hug him but I couldn't without him knowing I overheard the whole conversation.

This morning I found out that a Senior student of ours, scheduled to graduate at the end of this month was killed while crossing the highway in front of the school last nite. Hit by 2 cars. the whole campus is going to be in mourning on Monday. Last year just about this time, maybe a few weeks earlier another student of ours was riding in a car driven by a former student who was drunk and out of the 4 people in the car, our student was the only one killed. Aqua blue ribbons went up in her memory when we came back from Thanksgiving Break. Now another color of ribbon will be added to the doors and railings and lamposts. I feel so bad for her family and friends. I recognise her name so I'm sure I've had interactions with her in the past few years.

Not a happy weekend so far.

[Kaslo]

December Determination ~ week 2

My day off skiiing...and then my daughters church banquet.

Fingers crossed for you Pap.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ week 2

Good morning friends,

Boy that sure looks frosty Kas!!!!
Hope you enjoy your day!

I was pretty much brain dead after watching my grandsons for close to 12 hrs yesterday. They are getting tough & tougher to deal with ~ no kidding!

I awoke to an email from my daughter this morning after not hearing from her for two weeks.
It was one of those 'semi-apologies'...... clearly she is still not taking responsibilty for her major mood swing. I want to clear the air & keep the lines of communication open but I am done with letting people verbally & emotionally beat me up. That has been the story of my whole life

Papmom, it is so hard to see a young life cut short. We will never know why these things happen. When I look at my BIL & his wife I can see they still suffer on a daily basis since losing their son 9 years ago.

OK, enough moaning. I have a lot to do today so I'll wish everyone a good AF Sunday.
Lav

[cyntree]

December Determination ~ week 2

Hope all are doing OK on this Sunday afternoon --

Dill - I've been thinking about you so much. Every day in schools is a brave day for teachers.

PMom, what a sad story - life is precious, no matter the age or the condition...

Lav - you go girl, take good care of yourself - (PS 12 hours of babysitting is too much for anyone!)

I still haven't turned on the TV or computer to see any coverage - reading the NYTimes articles and listening to BBC and NPR is more than sufficient for me at this point - at least I can walk away more easily when it gets to be too much. I read a beautiful piece in the Christian Science Monitor this morning about 'what to do' with one's emotions and how to go forward. It is about sending peace and goodwill out into the entire world...I'll try to find the link and post it here.

Take care all -

[dill]

December Determination ~ week 2

Cyn, I would love to read the article you mentioned if you can find the link. I went to church this morning and listened to the homily. I somehow just expected the priest would talk about the Connecticut school shooting and I was hoping he would say something to help me process the emotions and thoughts...that he would talk about something real and present. I was upset that he never mentioned it. He just gave some old stodgy sermon and never attempted to help the congregants come to some peace or understanding. What good was that?! In today's second reading was one of my favorite lines: "and the peace of God which is beyond all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts " I closed my eyes and tried to find that peace.

I don't mean to get all religious here. I guess I'm just registering a complaint.

Lav, 12 hours is totally too much!

Pmom, I'm so sorry to hear about the tragedies in your community. I hope you can find peace and comfort.

Kas, loved the picture. We still have no snow here and I miss it!

I'm going to go to the kitchen and see if I can bake myself out of this funk.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ week 2

NO kids today!!!

Dill, I am disturbed by the way parents are allowing their children to be interviewed on TV. Do they really think that's a good idea? Haven't those kids been traumatized enough?
What a shame that a priest didn't even offer a prayer, huh?

Well, after a series of back & forth emails with my daughter thru the course of the day I think we are finally in a peaceful place. She is more stressed out now than she has ever been & I was the unfortunate one to get in the way...
Oh well, that's over now & hopefully we are on the way to a peaceful Christmas time in my house at least. Now, what to do about the rest of the world?

[Kaslo]

December Determination ~ week 2

I see Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) CA. has drafted a bill banning the new sales of assault weapons to the public to go before Congress on its first next day. Just multiple round firing war weaponry, but its a start. I would like to see that proposed in Canada as well.

I too find it shocking that the pastor at my daughters church saw fit to not even mention the massacre at yesterdays evening prayer. I could have used some words of comfort myself.

View from my bedroom this morning.... love to all. k

[Stargazerlily]

December Determination ~ week 2

Good morning...

Wow, Kas, what a fantastic view!!! The mountains and snow...spectacular. So blessed to live with such beauty on a daily basis, and to appreciate it.

Dill, so sad that the priest did not address a real issue, but I found that to be the norm when I attended Catholic mass. Loved the ritual, prayers, but the priests are overworked and out of touch. I am thinking that both teachers and students will all be on edge today, saddened and somewhat afraid. There is just no way to stop this from happening that I can think of. Metal doors, school security, that is not practical. The profile seems to be young white men, from fairly affluent families, with mental health issues, and access to guns. How does anyone solve that type of problem or predict violence? I don't know. Try and have a decent day, one more week then you should have two weeks off for Christmas.

I have a busy work week, and accomplished alot over the weekend. Presents wrapped, cards sent out, some food bought for later in the week. So feel at peace regarding Christmas prep.

Lav, so good your daughter talked it out with you. I have been on the receiving end of my daughter's negative moods and don't appreciate being the punching bag either. At times it helps that we live farther away so it is only over the phone. In the end the unconditional love shines through...we are always there for our kids, no matter their age. Forgiveness, letting go, and moving on is so important in any type of relationship...

Chill, hope your weekend with parents was good, would love to hear more from you.

Hello to LBH, Cyn, Rusty, Rustop, Pap, Cat, and all...have a great Monday.

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ week 2

Cold wet and tres icy here today. I will be working from home whether they like it or not. I don't do ice even in a V8 AWD. The sander couldn't get up the road last nite-had to back down, turn around and BACK his way up leading with the sanding mechanism. Kind of comical actually. This morning NO evidence of salt on the road. I've already spread pet friendly salt on the deck stairs 4 times for the boyz but it doesn't last long as more ice keep pouring from the sky. I didn't even think to buy another container of the stuff yesterday after my demo. What was I thinking (or hopeing?) The DPW has delayed garbage pickup by 2 hours. They won't be getting mine at all!

Kas-that first pic with the river and mountains is just so pretty it almost hurts! It sure is a balm today and is now my laptop's wallpaper. I now totally understand your indecision about selling and moving to Vancouver or staying even tho in somewhat isolation. Tough one!!

Star, Dill and Lav-you know i'm not a big church goer but I am shocked not one word was offered up by your respective priests. Unacceptable I beleive. Everyone in this country is hurting in some way over the events of Friday. It needs to be acknowledged.

After work I attended calling hours for my sis's SIL's father. He was a man I saw every christmas eve and I know my dad enjoyed talking with him as he was a vet as well and adored golf. The momentos that were set up in all the rooms of the funeral home were very touching and interesting. They also had tons of pics and 1 powerpoint on a large flat screen and movies from his kids early years that his daughters had a company put on DVDs for he and his wife's 50th 3 years ago. My sis's SIL was 3 days out of rehab (post hip replacement that the cancer broke) and very alert. She was sitting in a chair and seems very composed but very very small. I think she's lost a ton of weight but she was in good spirits considering the situation. She is looking forward to Xmas eve with everyone. I hope she likes the shawl I'll give her. My nephew was so cute. I saw him well before I got to Sue in the receiving line and asked how she was doing. He said she knew who he was so he guessed she was doing good. I said-"Silly, it's not her mind that's been affeced by the cancer, of course she knew who you were!" I think my sis needs to have a talk with them!!

So, I will crank up the heat, clear my desk and set a goal of 30 evals today. Ambitious but I do need to get caught up and Friday was nothing but interruptions.

I'll check in after lunch.

:l:h

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ week 2

Good morning friends,

Dark & raining here Papmom, no ice! I wouldn't walk outside in the ice either, take care

Greetings Star! My daughter has been extremely frustrated because of their job & living situations. I am not totally shocked that she blew up just sad that she lashed out at me so unexpectedly. It's over now & we are choosing to move on

Oh my Kas, you do live at the North Pole - goodness, what a pretty view!
Stay warm!

I am about to head out to Curves, deliver some local work them back here for more work. I am just watching kids this evening, not all day - yay.
Wishing everyone a good AF Monday!

Lav

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ week 2

awww Lav. So sorry you daughter is in pain. Glad she had someone safe to blowup to tho and so glad you are the sort of person who totally understands and had the patience to wait it out and help her verbalize what is really going on. Sending hugs to her that things improve very soon.

I hear my neighbors trying to get the ice off their cars and drive/walkways. I'll let mom nature do that naturally later today/evening.

[nurdl]

December Determination ~ week 2

Lovely photo Kaslo. What a beautiful view to wake up to.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ week 2

No rain at this point, just a heavu fog rolling in ~ weird weather!

Glad you stayed home Papmom.

Hi nurdl

For those you who remember - last Christmas I was able to come up a good dairy-free perogie.
This year's challenge is a gluten - free (wheat free) dairy-free perogie :H
Christmas is just not Christmas unless you can fill up on perogie!!!!
So, I'm exerimenting with rice flour/garbanzo bean flour doughs this week

Fun, fun!!!

[cyntree]

December Determination ~ week 2

Evening all -
Kas - what a wonderland you inhabit - now I am able to have a virtual snowy December because of your gorgeous pic, thanks so much. I keep hoping the temp here will drop just another 5 degrees and we will have some of that wonderful white stuff here in CT, but alas we get only rain and ice (I hear you, PMom). Thanks for the reminder of how beautiful it can be.

Dill and everybody - I did turn to baking, all weekend. I've made holiday cookies for the first time in decades...last night just before putting a batch in the oven we turned on NPR, and heard the last portion of the Memorial service from Newtown. There were some wonderful readings in that service...I'm going to try to find out what was read just a little before Obama spoke (and who the woman reader was as well). I only heard the end, but it was beautiful. Also the portion from Revelations which was read at the very end, one of my all-time favorite readings, more mystical than preach-y.

You had asked about the article that I read on the Christian Science Monitor - I retraced my steps and found it. It turns out to be a commentary rather than an article, called "What to say to ourselves". Newtown shootings: What to say to ourselves - CSMonitor.com. Hope it helps...

Hope everyone is taking good care of themselves -