Saying Goodbye to 2011 and Rain ???

Today, New Year's Eve, we just stayed home in our pajamas. We watched

Christmas movies we recorded and ate left-overs from yesterday's party. I am so glad

we were able to spend this last Christmas (probably our last, hopefully - I say hopefully even though a part of me wants to stay, but we will be moving anyway, so might as well move and get settled ) in our home.

 I want to 

savor my remaining time, days and months in this home where I raised our girls, made many friends had ups and downs, but many,many happy days of growing and growing and bettering and more bettering.

Some New Year with resolutions that were kept and not and some New Year without any resolution at all.

Today, New Year's Eve -

I ran outside in my pajamas, cold rain against my face -

ahh, rain, would I miss you ?

I will miss you ...

                                     
                                               

                                         Hello 2012... and Idaho ?? ( well, hopefully )
                                         
                                       Happy New Year !!

American Girl

       My eyes wandered through well lit, crystal clear show windows and examined each tender and alluring faces- all graced with two white teeth underneath supple painted lips and sweet expression.The dolls have different hair color and style of clothing, depending on the era they represent.
       My daughters browsed hurriedly from one window to the next, leaving Mister who was both amused and perplexed of the entire structure and pandemonium of female filled room. He was left to wander about the brightly pink and yellow corridors. The store cater birthday parties, doll saloon and cafe.
      I finally caught-up with my daughters and they took my hand to show me their favorites.
      Two weeks ago, day after day,they toiled under the sun in our rich green yard cluttered with yellow flowered dandelion that sprouted evenly in the west side of our lawn that lacked direct view of my ever roving eyes.
      They dreamt of owning the collectibles for years passed and I had managed to brush it aside bemoaning of the staggering price and " don't want them to think that money grows on  trees" kind of mother's disciplining attitude. I finally summoned them to our yellow clad yard and announced,"work for it! "-- for which they jumped with exhilaration and started their job right off the bat.
      I secretly watched them from my bedroom window as they weeded and pulled long sprouting weeds, their flushed faces - made me cry. Countless time, I stopped myself to protect them from my stern precept. 
" learn to work for in thy sweat you shall reap", was my mother's pronouncement. I would tell myself the same mantra over and over. The same discipline they would need in their lifetime, more than the follies of instant gratification.
      

 

     

American Girl dolls = $ 119  here: eachhttp://www.americangirl.com/shop/sale/savings-await?cm_mmc=paid_search-_-google-_-Brand+%7C+BeForever+%7C+Samantha__Clothing+%7C+Broad-_-samantha%20clothing__107046480493

smiles,hugs and thank-you-for buying,satisfaction and lessons learned = priceless !!

I even taught them to sew their doll's clothes. Another teaching moment.