My, how time flies!!  I have barely had enough time to get everything done, let alone post to Vox.  I'm sorry for being such a holiday slacker, Neighbors.  No, I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the planet.

So, since my last post, we had Christmas, which was great! Yod and I drove up to my dad's house and had breakfast and opened some presents with him and his... now fiancée!!! Yep, they're (finally) engaged!  Man, everyone who started dating around the time Yod and I did is married.  Not that I'm necessarily rushing to get married, but it is rather strange.

We headed down to my sister's to open the rest of our presents and have dinner.  It was much better this year having another room for the older kids to play in and fun things to do outside for the younger kids.  I got put on kid watching duty, which wasn't all bad, but not necessarily what I signed up for (since it wasn't watching my nephew, but the children of one of the other guests).

I helped my brother paint doors on the 27th, then Yod and I headed out to Marin County on the 28th. We visited the Laguintas brewing company, had some beer tasting and the best tour EVER.  Then we drove out to Bodega Bay for dinner and a cruise around where I used to live.  Since it was so foggy and rainy, Yod didn't get to see the house where The Birds was filmed - maybe next time!  We ate at a place that, 24 years ago, was a dive and very cheap.  Now it's trying to be more upscale and, in keeping with the snoot level of everything else in Bodega Bay, overpriced.  The clam chowder was freakin' awesome, though!

We stayed at a nice hotel in Rohnert Park, then headed home through wine country.  We stopped at Prager and V. Sattui. for tasting, then headed home.  It was a lot of driving, but it was also a lot of fun.

Which brings us to today - the last day of the year.  There are people who have to be at my work today, and I feel sorry for them; the 31st isn't a paid holiday this year.  We do have tomorrow off, though.  I won't be back in until Wednesday. Yay!!  Tonight, we're heading over to my brother's for his New Year's party.  Should be fun!

So, without further ado...

Happy New Year!!
Stay safe out there tonight! Please don't drink and drive, and be extra careful when heading home for those who decided drinking and driving was a "good idea". 

Throughout the year, my Active 20-30 club does various events.  We have social events and fundraising events, but my favorite type of event is the "hands on" event.  These events help us stay connected to the community we've set forth to help, and there is nothing quite like seeing the joy in a child's eyes as they experience something wonderful -- something you were able to provide for them.

One such event is Christmas Promise.  Needy families write letters to Santa (or teachers write on their behalf) with what they want for Christmas.  Organizations, like Active 20-30, adopt these families and spend money that has been raised or donated, to try to fill as many wishes on their Christmas list.  Some letters are heartbreaking - they just want food or coats or a blanket for their sister (but nothing for them).  All gifts must be purchased and dropped off at the delivery center by a certain day.  Then, each family's gifts are placed in large boxes (like a half-wardrobe box) and are supplemented by other necessities that have been donated directly to Christmas Promise - toiletries, towels, stuffed animals for each child, toys, games, and anything else that is on hand.  Next - my favorite part - wrapping.

The family I was assigned to wrap was a family of 6 - Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Nanpreet, Diljay, and little Aleen.  The children are all GATE students (meaning they are smart - GATE is the Gifted and Talented Education program).  Their needs were pretty basic - clothing, coats, and study materials.  As I wrapped each gift, I was overwhelmed with the joy of knowing my time was being used to make one family's Christmas just that much better.

Once the presents are wrapped, volunteer Santas and Elves pack up the gifts and visit each home Christmas Eve to drop off the gifts and give them a little more wonder for Christmas. 

If you're feeling a little commercialized and lacking in true Christmas spirit this year, I highly suggest volunteering your time at various functions and charities.

Tell us about your holiday traditions. 
Submitted by Talk is Cheap.

One very sentimental (and very delicious) tradition is to place a box of See's Candy underneath the dining table.  This was my maternal grandmother's "hiding place" for the candy.  My mom and aunts/uncles, of course, knew where the candy was hidden and would sneak pieces throughout the Christmas break.

Who do you want to be caught under the mistletoe with this holiday season?
Submitted by An Ebony Epicurean.  

I should probably put Yod here if I want my Christmas presents....

I admit it, I'm addicted to Free Rice (and you should be, too!!!).  I learn cool new words and test my knowledge of word formations to guess the correct definition.  Today's word of the day from my Free Rice 5  (I spend 5-10 minutes on that site per day now) is "sesquipedalian", which, appropriately enough, means "using long words"!

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I understand why someone would want to give gift cards instead of cash.  It says "I want you to spend this on something fun and not just stash it into your bank account" while also saying "I know you well enough to know that you'll find something at this store you'll like."  Not all gift card gifts fall into such black-and-white categories, but let's just go on this premise for the sake of argument.  Gift cards are simultaneously a way to control someone's spending and give them more freedom in their gift choice.  You ensure that they spend the money at that store without actually picking out a gift that they might not like at that store.  Quite an interesting duality!

Let me take a short meander regarding the whole idea about gift giving.  In my family, we have a gift giving limit.  If you think about gifts in a purely abstract way, where everyone pretty much sticks to the same limits, it's a useless shell game at best.  Even if you don't give equally, the exchange of money for goods is still the same concept.

Example:
Mom, Dad, Sister1, Sister2, and Brother.  It's Mom's birthday, so Dad, Sister1, Sister2, and Brother buy Mom a gift.  It's Dad's birthday, so Mom, Sister1, Sister2, and Brother buy Dad a gift.  It's Sister1's birthday... etc.  It's Christmas, and everyone buys someone else a gift.  Everyone is basically just shuffling money around.  For Mom's birthday, everyone gives her $100.  Then, for everyone else's birthday, Mom spends $100.  The money flows from one gift giving day to another, collecting at one person, then the next, and so on.

What is the point of giving gifts, then?  It is truly the THOUGHT that counts.  The unique expenditure of time and effort transforms a gift from passing money around to creating memories.  That $100 is no longer $100, but it is a unique designer bag bought at 70% off that fits perfectly into your wardrobe, or the set of dishes that complements the home decor so well, the table stays set all day long.  It is showing that you care to give the personal touch and attention to gift giving.  And therein lies my issue with gift cards - they're impersonal.

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Yes, there are times when gift cards are necessary and appropriate.  It is cheaper to send a gift card than ship a couch.  It is difficult to buy something personal like art.  And if you want to send someone on a romantic dinner for their anniversary or get a massage and some pampering at a day spa, gift cards/certificates are the way to go.  But for most gift giving occasions, you can get a meaningful gift without having to resort to gift cards.  And if you really must resort to gift cards, don't just hand them a gift card.  Write down what you were envisioning buying when you bought the card.  Or, even better, take them shopping! Spend a little quality time together and learn something new about your gift recipient!

What's your favorite kind of homemade cookie?  Share the recipe if you have it.

My favorite homemade cookie is my grandmother's soft gingerbread cookie.  I could post the recipe, but then I'd have to kill you... or you'd have to "pay" me in 1 doz. cookies every time you made them! :-D

What's your musical horoscope?  (Put your player on shuffle and write down the first 10 songs that come up.)

Horoscope for Cancer: Your next 10 songs will be seriously eclectic, just like you!

1. Cake: Italian Leather Sofa
2. Bryan Adams: Everything I Do (I do for you)
3. Cheech & Chong: Low Rider
4. The Nutcracker Suite: Act 2 - Trepak (Performed by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra)
5. The Shangri-Las: Leader of the Pack
6. Genesis: I Can't Dance
7. Tag Team: Whoomp! (There it is)
8. Herman's Hermits: I'm Henry the VIII I Am
9. Carrie Underwood: Before He Cheats
10. The Mamas & the Papas: California Dreamin'

Another fun Thanksgiving, full of feasting and family.  It never hits me until after, though.  You know, how I miss my mom.

For those of you who have never lost a parent (especially the parent you're closest to), imagine never being able to see, hear, talk to, visit, or call your parent. Ever.

Shouldn't time make this easier to bear?  Shouldn't I feel better after the years, not worse?  I still cry at least once a week.  I still ache.  I still think about her every day. Every. Day.  Wishing I could ask her advice, or know a recipe, or hear one of her stories.  Wishing I could feel her hug once more, or look at her doodling on a pad of paper while she takes a call.  Wishing I could get her just one more Jamba juice.

When does it get easier? When does it get better?  When will the feelings of overwhelming sadness and loss finally become manageable?

There is an ache in my soul that won't go away. 
There is a love missing from my life that no one can replace. 

I know I've posted this song before, but it is one of my favorite songs (always has been).