*Goodbye to the year 2005*

For the most part, the year 2005 has been a difficult one in many areas. Mother Nature has shown her many sides. At the end of 2004 and well into 2005 a record-breaking Tsunami destroyed a lot of lives. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed a great part of the Gulf Coast, lives and homes of many American citizens. There were also earthquakes in Pakistan, all kinds of destruction that made some people think that Armageddon was beginning. Natural disasters take so many lives and the destruction has a domino effect on all involved.

I was saddened by the news that the war in Iraq has now taken more than 2000 american lives. The death toll to the innocent Iraqis who are victims of all of the suicide bombings is pathetic. I cannot hardly watch this ridiculous war anymore - Pandora's box was opened and now our president will just have to deal with the consequences. The Iraq war has proven to be a tremendous boost to Osama Bin Laden and Islamist militants around the world. Not only has the USA deposed Saddam Hussein, whom Bin Laden loathed for years, but the jihadists in Iraq are costing America in blood and money. The Iraq war has greatly expanded the pool of terrorists around the world and increased, not decreased, attacks. It is a fact that the year 2003 saw the highest incidence of significant terrorist acts (ones in which people were killed) in two decades, and the number tripled in 2004.
Mr. Bush gave more of his time and interest to this ungodly war than the war here at home in the US, and by that, I mean the division in this country. People in our gulf coast states still are living in motels, on cruise ships, in single wide mobile homes, don't have jobs - the whole situation is just so ugly. I say, charity begins at home. I got to the point that I would just start crying when I saw the homeless, the sick, the sadness, the damage that these hurricanes created. What made me so sad was that the current administration that is running our government took 5 to 6 days to even begin to take notice of it. Thousands of people in our own country were living in a superdome with no electricity, no food, deplorable conditions. It boggles the mind.
The current administration is on a downward spiral from the latest NSA bugging incidents, to Karl Rove and his role in the CIA links, to Donald Rumsfeld and his deranged handing of the war in Iraq, Dick Cheney's absence on the scene in Katrina for more than 12 days, to the choice of Harriet Mier for supreme court justice (thank heavens she withdrew her nomination) and then, of course, the Terri Schiavo thing, where Dubya and the kid brother Jeb created legislation for her benefit. The limits of the constitution have really been stretched this year. I cannot forget to mention the rising (daily) cost of gas, which nearly tripled in September, and then after the hurricanes, began a strange downward trend.

I am not Catholic, but I was very saddened by the death of the Pope. I think he was the finest pope ever. He did so much good for his faithful and was truly next to God. He is finally at home with his maker and I know he is in a better place. Johnny Carson's death was also sad, what a fine man he was. So classy and elegant, no one will ever replace him. He defined the late night talk show and as far as I am concerned, the only person worthy of mentioning to succeed him would be David Letterman. I will also miss Richard Pryor, what a life of pain and suffering he had - a lot of which was created by himself. As a child, raised in a brothel did not give him the tools necessary for a child to form a healthy ego. His gift of comedy will never be duplicated.
Michael Jackson was found "not guilty", imagine that. I hope those jurors are able to sleep at night. I personally feel that Jackson will be just like OJ though, never able to live in this world without people looking at you and knowing what you are guilty of, and the fact that you got away with it.
Of course, the whole year was not just death and destruction either. I am an eternal optimist, the glass has always been half-full. I have become a 'blogger' and it has been a wonderful experience. I read other's blogs and find my own writing 'therapeutic'. My husband started a really good job that he loves, he has good benefits so healthcare and prescriptions are no longer a drain. I have a good job, 2 miles from my home, that I love. I have began my craftwork again, exploring my artistic, creative side. I didn't realize how much I had missed it. I was so impressed by the kindness and generosity of strangers and other Americans when I saw their reaction to Katrina, people who went there and helped - just because.
I am working on staying in the moment, which is a true gift, being able to relish, cherish and live each day as it comes, in the best way possible, and being grateful for what I have. I will look back on 2005 without regret, say goodbye, and then let it go.
I sincerely hope that it is God's will that 2006 will bring about union rather than division in this country, peace in other parts of the world, and good health.

*2006, Here I Come*

Over the years, I have 'never' been one to make New Year's resolutions. When I was a little girl, I used to ask my Dad what his New Year's resolutions were. He would smile and always give me the same answer: I am giving up mountain climbing and deep-sea diving (something he had never done). I have lost weight without declaring it will be done on December 31st. I quit a terrible cigarette habit at the end of April eight years ago, believe me when I say this, quitting smoking was my 'ultimate' challenge, but I finally did it.

I will forget the goal of working out daily or joining a spa or health club, I know that is not going to happen.
I don't need a resolution in my life right now, I am happy and content. I could lose a few pounds, but I am not obese. I dealt with the smoking issue and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I anticipated a small weight gain with quitting that vile habit.
I know that I stated in my last post that I would not let the antics of our current leader, Mr. Bush get me upset. This declaration will cost me dearly because I doubt that I can or will even want to do that. As a American, I will continue to rant against people who have the sense of entitlement and assumed power that Mr. Bush feels that he has. What continues to amaze me though are his followers! I wonder to myself when I hear them praise him, "do they really believe he is doing a good job?" or "do they not want to admit that they were wrong in voting for him and are just now too ashamed to admit it?"
Today, though, I am resolving to be more patient, and this is one of my most serious flaws, blog-readers. If I ever do achieve that in this lifetime, I want to be bestowed with some type of award! I will really work on it though, I make that promise. Actually, I think that maybe I should just move into a Zen Buddhist Temple since I love their serenity and calmness. I will work on the belief that God's time, rather than my own, is the course to take. Secretly though, I have always believed that the "movers and shakers" of the world at least created 'change' instead of boredom.
My children will immediately answer that I have always been impatient, unable to allow life to unfold as it is supposed to in God's time, rather than my own time. I have mellowed though, after being on this Earth for so many years. Over the past several years, with the loss of my daughter, my Mother, my Stepfather and my Ex-Husband, and other family and friends in a very short period of time, I have had to accept God's time rather than my own time.
Currently, I am working on looking at my own behavior and taking stock of what needs to be done or undone. To me, this type of inventory taking is a daily process, wherein I look at myself, and try to make changes in my behavior rather than the other persons. Ultimately, I have a choice whether to have a good day or a bad day, the decision is mine.
One thing I HAVE learned over the years is to take this impatience and conquer it. Things will not change or happen faster just because you are angry about it. This is not how life works, and often by being impatient, I fail to appreciate the small steps and progress as it is before me at this very instant. Too much time is spent looking at the future, which I think should be better, rather than appreciating life's lessons in the moment. If one ever achieves this ability and is able to use it consistently, they are truly blessed.
With regards to my outspokeness, I am truly working on that. It was quite a problem in my youth when I protested the Vietnam war, carried placards, walked the Democratic protest lines, etc. Jane Fonda would have been proud of me! Since that time, over the years, I have, of course, mellowed and it is a 'work in progress'.

*My End of The Year Rant*

As this year comes to an end, I began to think of things that really made me upset, that pushed my buttons, so to speak. In the new year, I hope to roll with the punches and not let these things get to me, hopefully.

At the top of my list would be our current president, George W. Bush. The man will be in office for 3 more years, unless he is either assassinated, impeached or dies, so I have to learn not to let him bother me. What amazes me about this man is not only his arrogance, but his belief that he is above the law and can do as he damned well pleases. His arrogance and self-absorbed attitude only worsen in my opinion. The New York Times (which I read) and CNN broke the story recently that Mr. Bush had authorized eavesdropping on hundreds of Americans after the 911 attacks without getting proper court approval. Mr. Bush recently confirmed that he did just that and was angry that it had been discovered that he did so. The report confirmed how a highly classified program of monitoring communications between Americans and other individuals overseas were being spied upon if it was thought that they had terrorist ties in some way or the other. This program was run and done by the National Security Agency, approved by Mr. Bush, who justifies his acts as being necessary to "protect us" and our "country".
It staggers the mind that Mr. Bush consistently feels that he does not need to comply with proper legal channels if he doesn't want to. Many higherups in the administration have stated that he could have had immediate approval, or approval after the fact, if he needed to. He didn't have to push his way around. This somewhat reminded me of the recent Terry Shiavo case, which in my opinion, the government had no business even commenting on. Mr. Bush, and younger sib Jeb, basically highjacked Congress into creating a special law to protect her. Also, his recent attempt to amend the constitution of our country to define marriage as between a man and a woman only. He, under great stress, did admit finally that he relied on faulty intelligence to invade Iraq. When doing so, he puts on his arrogant face and attitude as if to say "so what?" "I am the president and I will do as I see fit to protect this country". The people in the New Orleans area are still struggling, a national sin, in my opinion. It amazes me that he has gotten away with so much and nothing has been done. Why is it that impeachment proceedings or federal investigations are not being done? What does it take for the people in this country to finally say, enough already, enough is enough? The final rant on Mr. Bush this year and I hope I learn to not let it upset me as much in the new year, but I sincerely doubt it. Politics are very dear to my heart, always have been, and I will probably die fighting for a cause.

I hope that the lack of progress and funding in the field of mental health do not continue to upset me. The mentally ill have done without and suffered for too long, no thanks to you Mr. Tom Cruise. I wonder why people think that his opinion is all that important.

Other things that I hope to not push my buttons in the new year: prejudice, narrowmindedness, threats to our civil liberties, government surveillance, corporate media monopolies, censorship of news, books, anything, reproductive rights, death penalty, any form of mistreatment or violence against animals, child abuse, people with senses of entitlement, gay rights. Oh my goodness, the list goes on..................

*Things That Make Me Feel Good*

While Christmas shopping today, I began to think of things that make me feel good inside - as the holidays always do! I love the time between Christmas and New Years and I love these things as well:
(Think about each before going on to the next)

Falling in love (this is magic, is it not?)
Laughing so hard that your face hurts.
A special glance from that special someone.
Getting mail that you have been waiting for.
Taking a long drive on a pretty country road, especially during change of seasons.
Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
Lying in bed, listening to the rain outside on the roof (one of my favorite things!)
Hot towels, fresh out of the dryer. (I love the fragrance!)
Finding a sweater you always wanted on sale for half price.
A chocolate malt or milkshake (or vanilla or strawberry)
A long distance phone call from a favorite person in your life.
A bubble bath, with candles and a chilled glass of wine.
Finding $20 in your coat from last winter.
Running through sprinklers on a warm summer day.
Laughing out loud for no reason at all.
Friends, dear and close friends.
Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
Watching the sunrise and watching gorgeous sunsets over the ocean.
Your very first kiss (don't you remember?)
Playing with puppies or with kittens.
Swinging on the swings with the grandbabies.
Going to a really great concert.
Holding hands with someone you care about.
Running into an old friend and realizing some things (good or bad) never change.
Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a gift from you.
Getting out of bed each morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.
Knowing that you are loved and cherished.

*Could Santa Claus Be A Woman?*

After thinking and thinking about it, I think that Santa Claus is really a woman.........
I sure hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but all things
considered, I believe he is a she.
Just stop and think about it - Christmas is a big, organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal. I have a very hard time believing that a guy could possibly pull it all off.
To begin with, the vast majority of men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas eve. Once they finally arrive at the mall, they only seem to be able to find Ronco products, socket wrench sets or mood rings left on the shelf. This fact alone makes me believe that Santa is a woman. If he were a man, everyone would wake up Christmas morning to find a rotating musical Chia Pet under the tree!
Another big problem for a male Santa would be just getting there. There would be no reindeer to take him because they would all be dead, gutted and strapped to the rear bumper of the sleigh amid wide-eyed claims that buck season had been extended. Blitzen's rack would already be on the way to the taxidermist. Even if Santa did have reindeer, he would still have transportation problems because he would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and would then refuse to stop and ask for directions.
There are other reasons why Santa could not possibly be a man:
Men don't know how to pack a bag.
Men would rather be dead than caught wearing red velvet!
Men would feel their masculinity was threatened - having to be seen with all those elves!
Men never answer their mail.
Men would refuse to allow their physique to be described, even in jest, as anything remotely resembling a "bowlful of jelly".
Men aren't interested in stockings unless somebody's wearing them.
Having to do the Ho Ho Ho thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women.
Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.
I can accept the fact that other mythical holiday characters are men - Father Time shows up only once a year unshaven and looking ominous, definite guy thing!
Cupid flies around carrying weapons!
Uncle Sam is a politician that likes to point fingers.
Any one of these individuals could pass the testosterone-screening test.
But Santa??? Not a chance......................