December 2011 - Holiday Letter

Another year…another letter.  You may be thrilled to hear that this year I will finally be keeping it brief.  I seem to be running out of time and if I ever what to gets these out on time I better move it!

William is growing daily; at least it feels like he is.  If we have to buy him pants one more time this year, I just might scream.  I think he will be taller than Russel before this year is out.  He is a junior at Coral Academy of Science – a local charter school he has attended since 7^th grade.  He is still into computers, engineering, robotics, legos, and video games.  In May he made his confirmation, using the name of Saint Joseph in honor of his grandfather.  This summer he began working as a cashier at Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse.  He stayed through September when we decided it was best to him to focus on school and just become a back-up cashier when they are in a pinch.  He has been doing very well in school this year although AP Physics has been a bit of a struggle.  They changed the Robotics Club into an actual class and he has been really enjoying himself this year.  He has also made some really good friends.  One of his classes is an SAT prep class that helps the kids understand how to navigate the test plus completing college applications and those dreaded essays.  He wasn’t thrilled but as his mother…I was.  He is still taking summer engineering classes at UNR and plans to attend in the fall of 2013.

Russel’s business is having a fabulous year.  I joke if it has a wire, battery or plug, he can (and will) fix it.  Most days he is running around so much he forgets if he is coming or going.  But his clients love and (who could ask for more).  He still teaches karate and helps at their tournaments and other events.  He is now also teaching the Coral’s junior high robotics team.  It has proven to be taxing…if he had any hair left it would be turning grey.  Regardless, he is having a good year.

I am happy to say I have now been with the District Attorney’s Office for six years.  Being a county employee is tough, between the pay cuts, lay-offs, and budget slashing it’s a wonder… But despite all that negativity I still love my job.  I get to use both my creative and analytical sides, which is fun.  I have few remaining accounting clients on the outside, just enough to keep my skills sharp.  I am trying to be a “good” girl and listen to my doctors.  My arthritis and asthma sometimes contradict each other but I am fortunate to have excellent doctors who care.  I still sing at church but have cut back much of my other volunteer work to focus on the art of relaxation.

We’ve had our ups and downs this year but continue to survive and maybe even (do I dare say it) thrive.  We have been scrimping and saving and couponing our little hearts out.  In January we will spend a few days in Disneyland…the last hurrah before William goes off to college (and bankrupts us).  Then budget season begins anew at the county and my nose will be to grindstone to find new ways to save money.

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with peace, joy and happiness.  No matter which holiday you celebrate, may if be a happy one.

All of our love,

Vicky, Russ, & Will     

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays

The winter holidays seems to bring out the extremes in humanity – both the best and the worst of us.  There is the classic “my holiday is better than your holiday” and the visceral “I must get [fill in the blank hot toy] for my son /niece/grandchild/etc.”  But the spirit of this season can be summed up as celebration – a celebration of life, family, and survival.  There are years (if not centuries) of traditions for Christmas (religious), Kwanza, Solstice, Hanukkah and christmas (secular).  I have to stress that no one holiday or tradition is superior to the other.  I may celebrate Christmas as a Polish Catholic, but that is me and my family.  What you do this time of year is just as valid. 

In my family we enjoy a big meal on Christmas Eve which includes kielbasa, ham, pierogi, cauliflower, homemade applesauce, and oplatek.  Pierogi is a Slavic dumpling most commonly made with potatoes and cheese but can also be filled with meat, sauerkraut, or fruit.  Oplatek is a rectangular wafer similar to modern Christian Eucharistic hosts with pressed religious images.  These wafers are shared with everyone at the table with hugs, kisses and Christmas cheer.  We then attend Midnight Mass which I personally believe is one of the most beautiful services. Christmas day is filled with gifts and leftovers and visiting the homes of our loved ones.  I continue my mother’s tradition of giving three gifts to my son – she used to tell us three gifts were good enough for Jesus so it should be good enough for us. 

I also observe the 12 days of Christmas.  I bet most of you have no clue what the song really means.  Well, over the centuries the Christian celebration of Christmas has evolved. First of all, many of the symbols we now connect with Christmas (such as the decorated tree) began as symbols of other winter celebrations predating Christianity.  Also, traditions from other countries (such as Santa Claus) have become mainstream.  There is of course the whole controversy of moving the celebration to coincide with the Winter Solstice (as we all know Jesus was probably born in the Spring but we already had Easter).  And finally, the gift-giving traditions have changed.  During the Middle Ages, after the four weeks preparation (Advent) Christmas was just day one.  Christmas, and often gift giving, lasted 12 days - until Epiphany, which celebrates the day when the Magi find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Egypt and present gifts [bit of trivia, the Bible does not tell us how many came nor their names nor from where but because there were three gifts the assumption was born].   So the big gift giving day is January 6^th (in today’s calendar) – the 12^th day of Christmas.  Perhaps in these economic times it is good to not have 12 days of gift-giving…oh well, at least wait until after Epiphany to toss the tree and decorations..

We give gifts to say “Thank you,” or “I love you,” or even “I appreciate you.”  Sometimes the gift giving gets out of hand.  We try to out-do each other, going for the biggest, newest, or coolest.  We are swept up by the images we see on tv, in the ads, and online.  If you recall, the Grinch learned that is isn’t the “stuff” but the love that makes the season (read the original book, and skip the Jim Carrey movie).  The act of giving a gift should be an act of love.  Homemade gifts are the best…even a hug can be the best gift of all.  So stop, breath, and don’t go too nuts this year.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you.  Do something nice for someone.  If you are blessed this year, give back - contribute to a food bank, donate you gently used items, drop your change in that red bucket, or even adopt a family in need.  If you don’t know anyone personally who needs help this year, the reach out to organizations such at the boys and girls Club – they always have families in need.

So, as I celebrate the last week in Advent, may I wish you peace and joy this season and in the new year.  A heart felt thank you to my friends and family who bless me everyday with their love and support.  I am truly blessed and what you to know how special you are.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays