A big eye roll from atop my X-mas soap box

I am soooooo over the self-righteous, self-appointed christmas cops who go around getting their panties in a wad about people who use X-mas and wish Happy Holidays. FOR REAL. I'm not even going to go into the whole X is a symbol for Christ argument here... we're just going to put it like this: Yes, I love Jesus. Yes, I am aware he is the 'reason for the season'. I am also aware that my beliefs and celebrations are not the only ones going on in this entire world. In fact quite a few people i meet on a daily basis have beliefs that differ from mine, so why would I want my good cheer to exclude them? I am celebrating Christmas and I love Jesus, but i kinda feel like Jesus doesn't wish ill on those who don't and so He's okay with me wishing them a Happy Holiday and spreading cheer because of him... even if i am not throwing his name in other people's faces. So there you have it. Don't judge me because I Wish you a Happy Holiday instead of a Merry Christmas... and for goodness sake I am not 'taking Christ out of Christmas' because I use abbreviations. No one needs the guilt trips or the judgment.
And with that... I want to wish each and every one of you the Merriest X-mas and Warm Happiest of Holidays wherever and however you are celebrating this season! Woot!

Christmas

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her Iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
(Isaiah 40 : 1-5)

Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of Hosts; Yet once a little while and I will shake the heav'ns and the earth, the sea and the dry land: And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come.
(Haggai 2 : 6-7)

The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
(Malachi 3 :1-3)

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, GOD WITH US.
(Isaiah 7 : 14; Matthew 1 : 23)

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
(Isaiah 40 : 9; Isaiah 60 : 1)

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
(Isaiah 60 : 2-3)

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
(Isaiah 9 : 2)

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9 : 6)

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.
(Luke 2 : 8-14)

Merry Christmas!

Anniversary

19 yrs ago today I was excited to get a day off school when my sister and friends were still in class. I went to the doctor with my mom. I got a sticker from the toy box. I went to another doctor with my mom, my dad met us there. I got a sticker and a toy from the toy box. They dilated my eyes, and I got a pair of sunglasses to wear home. I waited with the nurses and the staff for a very long time, and they gave me candy. I went back to the room and the doctor was crying. My mom was crying. We got in the car, they let me sit in the front seat, I was excited. My dad was crying. I had never seen my dad cry before. I remember patting him on the shoulder and telling him it was going to be okay. We went to another doctor. I got a ring from the prize box, the doctor asked me if I was married, which I thought was so funny. We went to have some 'tests' done. They strapped me into a bed and put me into a machine that sounded like a washing machine. They told me they were taking pictures of my brain, and I didn't know if I needed to smile for the pictures. My parents could finally come in and they were still crying and trying to smile and telling me I was brave. I didn't feel brave, I wasn't scared, but I didn't know what was going on. I didn't get a toy out of a prize box, but I did get a mini can of soda, which was COOL. I got to ride in the front seat on the way home again. My parents were talking about how to have a 'normal' Christmas. CHRISTMAS! I couldn't think of any reason why it wouldn't be normal, and I was excited about presents. My parents said after Christmas I had to have a surgery, because I was sick. I had cancer. I didn't know what cancer was, and I didn't feel sick, so I was not concerned. I was wearing sunglasses and felt cool.
This is all I remember from the day I was diagnosed with cancer. I know there was a lot going on that day, I was unaware of most of it and what it meant. Because of that, I was not upset or scared. Actually through the whole thing-- the surgery the next week and everything I remember having a great time. The doctors were really nice, my surgeon wore a funny hat that looked like a duck, I got stickers, toys, and candy every time I went to a doctor, I also got a teddy bear from my doctor when I had the surgery, so it was not an entirely bad deal for me.
I am happy to report that cancer hardly slowed down the happy-go-lucky five year old that I was. My recovery was quick, and mostly miraculous. Thinking about it now, i think it was a blessing to defeat cancer at the age of 5, as I can't imagine the toll such news would have on me at this point in my life. I can't imagine the toll it must have taken on my parents at the time, but I am also blessed with strong, faithful parents who led a our family past that crisis, while I was barely aware there was any crisis whatsoever.
So on this Dec 19th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis, I am happy to report that I have been cancer free for about a week shy of 19 years now. Praise God! :)

Appropriate Language for Work

WARNING: This posts does contain language that some of my readers may find offensive. If you are prone to take offense to mild expletives, this may be a post for you to skip over.

Today one of my co-workers came in to ask if I had completed a task he had asked me to do. I said that I had, and explained to him the rest of it, and he said, THANKS! You are the shit!
I replied, Nope. Try again.
He said, You are awesome? and I nodded my acceptance of this substitution.
Later his boss came in to ask if I had completed a task he had asked me to do. I said that I had, and gave him the info. Then we had the following conversation:
He said, "THANKS! You are the-- Wait, i can't say you are the shit because Jason said you yelled at him for that. Can I call you the shizz-nit?"
I replied, "Okay, First, Jason's is a rather broad interpretation of 'yelling'. And second, you may not call me 'shizz-nit'."
"Then what am I supposed to call you?"
"You can tell me you appreciate me, or you can call me awesome like Jason does... use your imagination, I am sure you will come up with something more appropriate."
"Poop. I could call you the poop."
"Nope. Try again."
Unfortunately... I have the feeling this is going to be an ongoing battle. But one I am willing to fight. If you are trying to compliment or show your appreciation to someone, you don't do so by calling them various names for excrement. Surely you can make a better decision. Surely I am not out of line for requesting they make a better choice of words?

In somewhat related news, little kids are funny. I had a 2 year old wander into my office this morning singing a song about the "Itchy, bitchy, spider" Of course, I just giggled as she was singing... I could have corrected her and asked her to make a better choice. But I didn't-- because apparently I find a two year old with an unintentional potty-mouth ammusing. (30 yr old plumber? not so much)

Let It Snow

Snowfall Music (Carbon Leaf)

Blog-gy Goodness

New blog for you to enjoy... still penned by Yours Truly, but different kind of deal: It's all foooooood. So you can see why this is appealing, right? I needed an outlet to post recipes I make and pictures I take of food, so here it is. I am sure you will love it. Maybe you will love it so much you decide to stop by my kitchen some day to see where the action REALLY happens... ? Well, thats okay too.
(for those of you not inclined to follow a click-y link enbedded in the text you can go to www.valsgoodtaste.blogspot.com to veiw the same information!)

What to get Valerie for Christmas:

I am seriously obsessed with this Christmas Apron. It is so cute I just want to squeal every time I see it. But for real? Check out the entire collection. It is adorable, vintage-y, charming, and ruffles and bows and everything that makes Valerie's heart sigh with happiness. I would take one of each-- but if you have to limit yourself (hey, I know economic times are rough) definitely DEFINITELY want the christmas apron.

A Good Night

Just spending a lazy night at home... in my living room lit up by the bright twinkle lights on my gold Christmas tree. I'm wearing PJ's and socks. I ate a cookie while it was still warm, and drank a glass of milk. My 'puppy' is sleeping close by and Josh Groban is singing Christmas carols from my computer with unparalleled sincerity. I watched some TV, read a book, compiled a list of things I *should* be spending my time on, then crumpled the list, because who cares? I think I will brush my teeth and go to bed soon. It's been a good night.

What I'm making tonight:

There are some days when you need to make something but there's not much around to make... but... some leftover junk. And So you make the favorite of roommates everywhere: Leftover soup. Okay, my roommates liked it. And I like making soup, because there is really nothing that can go wrong with soup. I always have a couple cans of chicken stock, beans, or tomatos in my pantry... use some leftover fresh or frozen veggies... easy and yummy.
The only regret for this one is I didn't take a picture. It was very colorful and pretty. And you know how I feel about pretty food-- I like pretty food so much I am considering making a food picture blog. (mostly for Rebecca's enjoyment) Hmmm... I'll let you know if that happens. But I digress... back to food:

Leftover soup: Mexican style
2 (ish) carrots cleaned and coursely chopped
2 (ish) cellery stalks cleaned and coarsley chopped
1 small yellow onion chopped
2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
saute until vegetables start to get soft then add:

2-3 cups chicken or veggie broth
1 can diced tomatoes and chilies
1 can beans (black, kidney, white, whatever you have in the pantry)
2 ish cups shredded chicken (rotisserie, baked, leftover turkey...)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1-2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
and bubble it for a while (till vegetables are fully cooked). Add chopped cilantro before you serve it and top it with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and/or more cilantro... Yummy!