The best Christmas gift I got this year was from my sister Katherine. She is one of the most thoughtful and talented people I know. She put together this amazing and very sweet work of art for all of her siblings which I am lucky enough to be one of. It's an ode to our childhood and growing up together, that I will cherish forever. Thank You Sister, I love you too!
My family is too darn big to buy gifts for the whole crowd, so a few years ago we came up with a gift exchange. Everyone brings one gift based on a theme and then draws a number to decide the order of choosing and opening a gift. There is stealing involved and it's pretty fun. This years theme was "plastic" and after getting my original gift of saw blades (in a plastic case), stolen (I was not unhappy!) I got this great book. It's covered in a plastic sleeve, and record albums (for those who remember them) are made of vinyl which is a form of plastic, right? It's filled with both iconic and obscure album cover art, that brings to mind visions of my sisters and I driving over to Music Millennium to roam the stacks. Those great memories are really the best gift!
A few years ago I saw an adorable knitted advent calender in a Garnet Hill catalog. Being an avid knitter at the time with a large stash of scrap yarn and a lot of time on my hands, I did what any good do-it-yourself-er does. I said those 4 magic little words that can sometimes (often) lead to trouble...."I could make that." And I did. I had no pattern so I just made it up as I went along. In about a week I made 12 little mittens and 12 tiny hats and stitched numbers on them all. I fill them each year with small trinkets or candy and for the month of December at least, it gets my curious kids out of bed on time! 
My sweet little girl is turning 11 today. It's so strange and wonderful to see a better version of yourself, a new and improved model. She is so much like I was at that age, glasses and all, but with so much more beauty and confidence. She is smart and artistic. She plays the piano beautifully and I never have to ask her to practice. She is a fearless and responsible rock climber. She is funny and a good, kind friend. Her 2 brothers would say that she is a sweet and patient sister (most of the time!). She has her own style and isn't going to let anyone, including me, change it. She is at that magical age where she's watching "Cartoon Network"and riding her scooter one minute and wants a "Juicy Couture" charm braclet and a pedicure the next. I love her more then I could ever express here, and I am proud every day to be her Mom. Most importantly, my sweet big girl is herself, her true wonderful self and that is the best thing a mother could want.
I have been a stay at home mom since right before my daughter Clare was born almost 11 years ago. I have been lucky enough, thanks to my very supportive husband to be there for every major and minor milestone in my 3 wonderful kids lives. I have loved every minute of it. Now that I have seen my big kid off to college and my 2 little ones are at school all day and have started to develop their own independence, it has become time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I am trained as a hairdresser and have worked in a few very nice salons, I have also worked out of my apartment, dunking my clients in the kitchen sink. Recently I have been cutting hair in my very comfortable home salon. I have felt lately that I want to make a change. I knew that the sky was the limit and that I could reinvent my self if I wanted to. After a lot of thought I knew that hair is where I still wanted to be. I truly love my clients, some of whom I have known for close to 25 years! I found a great little 3 station salon in my community that felt just right when I walked in. The other 2 women that already work there are close to my age, and are nice and seem drama free. I start January 1st and I am scared and excited at the same time. Wish me luck and hope I don't need it!
Its been a while, I know! I have been in a whirl wind of Christmas shopping and decorating, last minute clients before the holidays and a very wonderful spur of the moment trip to Arizona with my husband. The holidays always sneak up on me and kick me in the......but I love them! I want to share this wonderful birthday present I got from my 2 great sisters and 1 fabulous brother. I guess it's time to say Goodby Kitty!!
