It’s taken me a while to decide if I want to write something about New Year’s resolutions or not. I make them, break them and hate them. I don’t make resolutions anymore so I won’t feel crummy when I can’t live up to the expectations. To want to better yourself is a commendable goal, and I wish all of you who made resolutions much success. I’m just going to struggle along and take one day at a time; looking for opportunities to better my life and be a blessing to those around me. Hopefully, somewhere along the line, I’ll become a better daughter, wife, mom, grandmom, employee, teacher, etc.

Oops, I guess that’s a resolution, of sorts.

Resolute. I’m firmly resolved/determined not to be held hostage by resolutions this year. It’s an organic new year decade for me.

Darn. I keep making resolutions. Mental note to stop doing that.

Resolution: rěz’ə-lōō’shən:
A formal expression of opinion or intention made
A course of action determined or decided on

Traditional explanations we all resent, avoid, embrace at the beginning of a new year. I found some alternative definitions I think could be in the running. According to Websters Online Dictionary and Dictionary.com, definitions include:

1. Reduction to a simpler form. If resolutions absolutely have to be made, strive to make ones that simplify life instead of making it more complicated and stressful. Retirement comes to mind as a reduction to a simpler form.

2. (Literary) The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are resolved or simplified. See above definition. According to Shakespeare, all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Our lives are the stuff from which good melodrama is made. Let’s strive to not provide the fodder we have in the past.

3. (Medical) The subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition. Hmmm, this one is interesting. Sometimes I think my life is a very abnormal condition. This definition could explain all the drug use in the sixties…not mine mind you…I was a child of the sixties and teenager of the seventies.

4. (Physics and Chemistry) The act or process of separating or reducing something into its constituent parts. I guess dissecting your life down to its core has merit. I’d be afraid if I reduced my life down to constituent parts, it would result in “extra” parts when I put it back together. Much like putting something mechanical back together (like a car). There are always parts left over you have no idea where they go or what to do with them.

5. (Photography) the degree of sharpness of a computer-generated image as measured by the number of dots per linear inch. Another interesting analogy. When computer images are enlarged past their intended resolution (like most young design students like to do), the image distorts and details are not sharp. Everything is fuzzy. I guess life is like that as well. When we get carried away and don’t pay attention to our optimal resolution, life gets fuzzy and distorted. Returning to the resolution we were made to have puts everything into much sharper focus.

So there. Thoughts for a new year, a new decade and a new chance at life.

With all the challenges 2009 brought, I thought I’d attempt to highlight 5 things I hope we can look back upon and think, “yeah, that was a good thing.”

1. Mexico vacay. Entrepreneur and I took the whole gang to Mexico this year. That would be Army Wife, Army Guy, College Girl and Peanut. To give you an idea of how perspectives differ, most of us complained all week because it was cloudy and cooler than the other 5 times we’d been there. In the airport as we parted ways to return home, we apologized to Army Guy for the weather putting a damper on our beach fun. He replied that it was THE best vacation he’d ever been on in his life. I suddenly felt like a spoiled brat.

2. Peanut’s “firsts.” Army Wife and Peanut moved in with us late January as Army Guy headed off to war. Circumstances aside, we were blessed to be able to watch, first-hand, all the amazing things a baby can accomplish during the first year. It’s a blessing I don’t take for granted. Coming home from work to the smile of your first grandchild was the highlight of my days.

3. The company weathered the economic storm and stayed solvent. I don’t talk much about our company, but it’s safe to say there were a few times we both looked at each other in panic and seriously thought we’d be looking for other jobs. And, as we all know, there aren’t a lot of people just throwing job offerings at you when you’re fifty-something.

4. Teaching continues to top my list as I taught the capstone for journalism students going into advertising for my 4th year; plus covered a graphic design class for an instructor who took a leave of absence. I’m happy to wave goodbye to many of them by the end of the semester, but there are always a few that seem to attach themselves to my heart. The ones that go out of their way to tell me how much they learned give me a shot in the arm to keep coming back for more. Capstone begins again in just a couple of weeks and I’m already excited.

5. Family survival. No teenage nephews killed themselves in motor sports. A niece turned into a teenager overnight. Two 11-year-olds are toying with the idea of how to become pre-teenagers. Our parents are all in good health. Sisters and brothers are still speaking to each other. No deaths or divorces in the immediate family this past year. Two one-year-olds wrap the rest of us around their fingers.

All in all, a better year than some others we’ve weathered. I wonder what the fates have planned for us this year. I continue my mantra:

We plan.
God laughs.
We adjust.

A happy and blessed New Year to all of you.

Seriously.

I know people like this.

Something for all those who find it more convenient to bother you with their question rather than Google it for themselves.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+many+innings+in+a+baseball+game%3F

To create your own version, visit lmgtfy.com

WooHoo! Sometime yesterday Peripheral Perceptions hit 1,000 visitors. I’m sure that sounds oh so lame to those who enjoy thousands of followers every month, but for me, it’s a milestone. What started as a need to understand the blogosphere so to better teach advertising students has turned into much more. Somewhere along the line I totally lost track of the technical, objective, advertising, tactical reasons for blogging.

Now, it’s just fun.

I’ve met people I never would have met otherwise. People I’m sure I would be friends with and meet for fun if it weren’t such a geographical challenge. I love receiving their comments and emails. I don’t blog for money, to advance any agenda or to hawk products. Not that there is anything wrong with those that approach it that way. I still find it amazing that I can throw out random thoughts and people actually read them. There is a definite sense of community among bloggers and blog readers. I count myself fortunate to have stuck my toe in the waters.

Long underwear?
Found buried in a dresser drawer.
Check.

Snow boots?
Found in the garage.
Make sure there aren’t any spiders inside.
Check.

Snow pants?
Forget mine. That was 15 pounds ago.

Nanook of the North coats? Hats? Gloves?
Absolutely.
Check.

Snow pup?
That’s a given.
Check.

Sled with small child on it?
Check.

Okay, we’re ready.

Peanut’s first snow event.
Sled-power courtesy of Grandpa.

We stayed outside 20 minutes, tops. I think it took longer to get ready.

But who could resist this opportunity?

After two days of rainy 50ish degree days, the snow started on cue in the wee hours Christmas morning. Army Wife was excited. If you live in the Deep South long enough, snow becomes a novelty. Santa arrived and brought Peanut toys…big toys. The Cadillac of all red wagons, deluxe play gym, a toy box so big we could fit 3 of her inside, and books, books and more books. She is destined to follow after her Momma and Nanna.

And the snow continued. All day. So did the winds…the 45 to 50 mph variety that cuts through coats and makes it feel like ice is running through your veins. The puppers were mercifully kept inside. Tanner, the Golden, looked longingly outside all day with eyes that said, “Puleeeeeze, can I go play in the snow?” Peyton, the dog who is more cat than dog, was happy to park herself by the nearest warm body. The cats took refuge under the tree.

We did brave the bitterness and venture out to Entrepreneur’s side of the family for the Christmas clan gathering. Four hours of pure chaos. Once back home, there were Christmas movies to watch and hot chocolate with Bailey’s to drink with my two girls. We watched 6 hours of movies after Peanut was tucked in her crib. Entrepreneur left us after the first movie. Just too much estrogen, I imagine.

I can’t help but believe this was my last Christmas with both my girls home at the same time. Next year, Army Wife and family will be stationed someplace else with little leave time. College Girl will become College Graduate and be blown to parts unknown. My Norman Rockwell Christmas is gone. Not that we EVER even remotely resembled a Norman Rockwell painting, but, hey, it’s my fantasy so I can dream. Next year, the nest will probably be painfully empty. Betcha Norm never painted that one.

But, this year, my clan was safely gathered under one roof. The Christmas was white. There was enough food to “feed Cox’s army,” as my mother would say. The wine was in abundant supply. In my mind, it was almost a perfect Christmas. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to see Army Guy walk through the door.

She came on her due date. Today. December 23. In 1987. College Girl is 22 years old and I can’t help but reminisce. She’s coming home this morning and I’m doing the mom thing and worrying about her travel until she steps through the door. She thinks I’m nuts. Because she is nine foot tall and bulletproof. At 22.

She was always the quiet child. Didn’t speak a word until after 2. Her older sister did all the talking for her, so what was the point in using words? Well, she makes up for it now with well over 200 texts a day (yes, that counts as “talking” in today’s world). How many to us? Maybe two. Three at the most.

But back to reminiscing. College Girl weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds, 13 ounces. Army Wife was C-section because she was coming into this world feet first (more on that one in March). In my nine-foot-tall-and-bulletproof days, I insisted on having the second one normally. The nurses rolled their eyes and casts looks of doubt at each other. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be given much for pain as they needed to “monitor” the previous C-section incision in case it started to tear. They did give me oxygen so I wouldn’t pass out during contractions! Bless their hearts.

I didn’t believe them when they told me how much she weighed. I should have believed them since my 8-month ultrasound couldn’t fit her tummy on the screen. But it wasn’t until I saw the picture of her on the scale did it really sink in. We spent Christmas in the hospital. It was a white Christmas. The nurses dressed all the babies in red socks for the holiday. Santa made a late run to our house for the then 2-year-old Army Wife when we came home on the 26th.

So now, 22 years later, our baby will graduate college in 5 months. She is no longer a little girl. No longer an awkward teenager. A young woman, yet not without an immaturity that will only be cured by making “grown-up” mistakes. As a parent, I want to force her to learn from mine. But she resists. It’s so hard to accept her independence.

Happy Birthday, College Girl. Your angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries is waiting for you.

Peanut visited Santa (again) at Breakfast with Santa at a local high school. I have to say she looked like a Pippi Longstocking/Rainbow Bright/Punky Brewster hybrid in her striped dress and tights. Adorable, none-the-less (says the ever-objective, slightly-partial grandma). When it was her turn, she walked up with her wish list. Don’t know if Santa can give what’s on her list, but I’m sure he will give it his best shot.

As we dive headfirst into the holiday hoopla of Christmas this week, I pray we all will treasure the precious time spent with family and friends, regardless of how dysfunctional we are. Please remember those who are separated (for whatever reason) from their family this Christmas. May they be reunited soon.

May your cocoa always be hot and your holidays always be merry and bright.

For those still needing to put up lights. Notice the house on the right.

Here’s another I couldn’t resist.

Once again I was disqualified from the Christmas lighting contest in my neighborhood, due to my bad attitude.

I’ve been to Middle Earth a few times, am regular visitor at Hogwarts, and have wandered around in Narnia from time to time. But, I arrived late to Forks, WA.

I just watched Twilight and went to see New Moon with Army Wife, who “runs with werewolves.” I have not read the books yet, but noticed one has appeared on my nightstand. I have to admit, I was not really keen on this story in the beginning. I sneaked into the movie theater with friends when I was an underage teen and saw Andy Warhol’s Dracula (the violence-laced  X-rated version), watched Interview with a Vampire on cable when Tom Cruise was normal, and suffered through the  TV series Buffy, the Vampire Slayer with preteenage girls back in the 90s. I just didn’t think there could be a new spin on this old tale.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the movies. Aside from great marketing, I totally understand why it has achieved cult status so quickly. It’s a sweet chick flick…if a vampire story can be sweet…and recognizable themes of Pride & Prejudice and Romeo & Juliet are woven throughout.

There are some twists and turns that cause me to turn to Army Wife for an explanation. Her response is always the same. “I can’t tell you. You’ll have to read the books.”

The romance between Bella and Edward is a little sappy at times, but that adds to the appeal of love over lust. The Jacob-Bella-Edward triangle leaves you rooting for the underdog wolf much of the time, and Bella’s teenage angst feels very real for anyone who has found themselves as an outsider…especially in the low self-esteem teenage years.

For me, the Twilight phenomenon won’t surpass Harry Potter’s story of sacrificial love. It will never come close to the two icons of fantasy literature, The Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia. However, within the story is a theme that is super appealing. Personal free choice and being able to change your life’s path and direction…to reinvent yourself…has huge crossover appeal to many generations, especially in this day and age.

But unlike Middle Earth, Narnia and Hogwarts, Forks is a real place. And, because of the Twilight phenomena, is enjoying quite a tourist boom due to the books and movies. I always find it fascinating how art (film) intersects with culture, mimicking values, trends and the priorities of the age. And how the stories and characters come alive and catch people up in a frenzy. For now, for me, it’s a nice little fantasy break from life. I will take Army Wife’s advice and read the books before I weigh in completely on the saga.

1. Chocolate Oranges. My all-time fave for holiday candy. Shaped like an orange, this hunk of chocolate is made up of sections, just like an orange and has a hint of orange flavor. Comes in milk or dark chocolate. When taken out of the box, you whack it on the table to loosen the sections, peel back the “orange peel” foil and devour. Repeat if necessary.

2. John Grisham books. I’m a sucker for anything John Grisham writes. I love the way he spins a story. While his strength is in writing lawyer-type stories, I really enjoy his books that don’t have an attorney anywhere between the covers. Painted House, Skipping Christmas and Playing for Pizza are total breaks in genre, and I liked all three. I hear a new one is coming out in January. Hmmmm, just in time for my birthday…….

3. Dinner at my favorite restaurant. One the two best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at is CC City Broiler. The other is The Savoy Grill in Kansas City, although it’s been years since I’ve been there. Why travel when this one is so close and soooooooooo good? Good is a gross understatement. Steaks cooked over a live oak fire, fresh seafood that is overnighted daily plus a wine list of more than 100 selections, what’s not to love? And the prices? Lets just say I can get a salad with feta cheese, toasted walnuts, greens and other goodies wrapped in a paper-thin slice of cucumber, fresh-baked sourdough bread, bacon-wrapped filet mignon, loaded rock salt baked potato and nice glass of Pinot Noir or Shiraz for a little more than $35. And, perhaps most importantly, the white tablecloth service is impeccable. Very rare to find the whole package in one place. Peanut accompanied us for her debut into fine dining as a toddler. She navigated the meal like a pro and was a hit among all the servers.

4. Comments from blog friends. It may sound corny, but I love it when a post triggers a response. It makes me feel like someone is actually reading these things. A heart-felt thank you to those of you who take time to comment.

5. Time spent with daughters. Army Wife and I watched Twilight the other night. A precursor to attending the showing of New Moon at the local theater. Times like these are all the more precious to me now as I probably only have about 40 more days before Army Guy comes home and she packs up and moves away.

Angels were sure busy around this time of year back in the year zero. Yes, I know there never was a year zero, and yes, I realize Jesus was not born in December. All that aside, you can’t argue that Gabriel was a very busy being appearing to Zechariah, Mary and the wise men from the east. Gabriel may have been the angel appearing in Joseph’s dream and among the countless angels appearing in the sky to the shepherds the night of Jesus’ birth. Yes, angels were busy.

We all have our version of what an angel looks like. We mainly think of them as beautiful, or at least cute, beings. Our Guardian Angels float in the air over us with outstretched arms, keeping us safe. Our impressions probably are influenced by these images over the years.

Raphael's angel cherubs

© Precious Moments

Pasquale's angel © Rose is Rose

Cute, but hardly the impressive sight that caused people to drop to their knees and hide their faces. I have a hard time envisioning a host of these little darlings filling the sky and saying things like, “Fear not!” Are they kidding?  Likewise, I think if one of these appeared to Zechariah or Mary with life-changing news, they would probably have giggled. When the apostle John was in the presence of an angel in Revelation, he fell at his feet in worship. I find it impossible to think it was to one of these.

No, I think angels are not as sweet looking as our culture would like to believe. On one hand, I would love to have an angel appear to me. On the other, I think it would scare the begeesers out of me. What do you think?.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
Daniel 10:4

There’s somewhat of a disconnect between this image and the three at the beginning of this post. While I’m certain they can take on any form needed (with our without wings) to get their point across, I bet they never appear as chubby infants.

I routinely pray for angels to be sent from the throne room to protect my children and Peanut. I pray for legions to shield Army Guy from harm so he can come home to be a husband and daddy.

In my mind’s eye, angelic beings look more like this. (I’ve tried to put a copyright line to give credit to the artist. I hope I got them right.)

© 2004 Waters

© Litruthes

© Darklncr

Now, those are angels one could not help but pay attention to when they speak. They look very impressive. I hope my Guardian Angel looks like one of these.

South of town, tucked away in a small neighborhood is a magical sight that delights the soul no matter what the age. It’s called The Magic Tree. Every holiday season since 1995, neighbors of the tree have sacrificed the tranquility of their street to a parade of cars and onlookers who want to take in this unique sight.

The Magic Tree is a labor of love by one man and his family who decorate this tree every year for the pure enjoyment of others. He’s called Will Treelighter. The tree is a “senseless act of beauty,” but not without purpose. The Magic Tree symbolizes the light within the center of each soul. The 45-year-old crab tree is adorned with 75,000 lights of every color imaginable and shines every night during the holidays until Epiphany.

The sight of the tree causes my heart to jump. Being one who loves, Loves, LOVES Christmas lights, I am awestruck at, not only the beauty, but the labor of love that brought this tree into reality.

Every branch, limb and twig is wrapped in lights.

I was trying to figure out why the sight of this tree…the soft, serene glow of the lights in the darkness…so stirs my soul. I’ve been thinking about it and can finally put it into words. I have two observations.

The first is my belief that 2000+ years ago a soft, serene light was born into the darkness of this world. Darkness that illicits fear, pain, depression, worry and sadness. A darkness that is filled with many questions and few answers. A feeling that all is not the way it should be in this world. This simple crab tree is not a might oak tree. It’s not a beautiful maple tree. Nowhere close the the majesty of a sequoia or redwood tree. Yet, when this humble tree is draped with 75,000 lights, it’s stunningly beautiful and takes on a new persona. Similarly, The Light of the World, was born in humble conditions, to a teenage girl, in a strange town, not surrounded by any friends or family other than Joseph. Probably born by candlelight in the darkness. The Light of the World didn’t come as a strong military leader. Didn’t come in majesty and splendor. Didn’t come with any human pomp and circumstance announcing his arrival.

Jesus came quietly to shine a light in the darkness; and when he reveals every aspect of his being draped in light, he takes on a new persona and shines to dispel our darkness.

The second is, just as Will Treelighter takes an ordinary crab tree and with his lights transforms its very being into a thing of beauty, so does our Creator take his Light and transforms our lives into things of beauty as well. The inner glow of his love within us should also provide a light in the darkness to guide others and offer a feeling of serenity and peace.

As mesmerized as we all were standing under the glow of this magic tree, I am equally mesmerized at the thought that the God of the Universe loved his creation enough to subject his majesty to the humbleness of our world. Just as this tree shines a soft light, illuminating the darkness, Christ surrounds my soul with his light, illuminating the darkness and lighting my way.

^“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light: on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Silence is golden. This is so very creative. I’ve watched it about 10 times and smile every. single. time.

The 40 mph wind gusts, not my alarm, woke me up this morning as it mercilessly whipped the windows screaming, “Don’t get out of bed! Are you crazy? Stay home. Play sick! Don’t go outside under any circumstances!”

It’s one of those Midwestern winter days that remind me why I’m certain I could find some type of employment in the Caribbean. High temps for the day are going to happen this morning, sink to 15 by the afternoon and bottom out around 8 tonight. Eight degrees. Add a wind chill of -5 and the dogs will raise their heads from the warm family room floor and say, “HECK NO, I don’t need to go pee.” Where are the hot flashes when I really need them.

But am I at home tucked away in a warm house with cocoa and my feet snuggled into my slippers? No. I’m at work. With my space heater on full blast and drinking hot tea as fast as the microwave can make it. And, I’m going to run out of honey today. And, of all days, I have a lunch appointment.

And to top it off, the snow that was predicted has predictably missed us and gone north. At least a little snow would make the aggravation of the cold seem worthwhile.

At least I have Christmas music.