Do you hear what I hear?

One of the great things about the holiday season is the constant barrage of Christmas music. What can I say? I am one of those people who listen to the radio stations that play it nonstop. Do you have any idea just how many holiday songs are out there? Well, neither do I...but there's enough to keep a radio station on-air 24/7 without too heavy of rotation of the same stuff.

My husband gets an his annual case of the bah humbugs around this time and doesn't enjoy listening to it like I do, so I get my fill en route to work or while doing errands. My kids are getting into it as well. Just yesterday my son was walking around the house singing "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells." My problem is that I don't have that many songs memorized, even some of my favorites. Every year I try to learn a new one to add to the reportoire. Since I am queen of the lists, I thought I'd list some of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. Except for number choice, "Silver Bells", the rest are in not particular order and I love all versions I hear by various artists.

• Silver Bells


• The First Noel


• Sleigh Ride


• Let it Snow


• It Came Upon a Midnight Clear


• Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Some old favorites by specific artists:

• Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
  
• Last Christmas (Wham!)


• My Grown-Up Christmas List (Amy Grant)


• Hey Santa (Carnie and Wendy Wilson)


• The Hannakah Song (Adam Sandler)


• Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)


• Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)


• The 12 Days of Christmas (John Denver w/ the Muppets)


• Winter Wonderland (Dolly Parton)


• Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Five)

Now keep in mind that I didn't even list all the ones I love. Popular songs such as "Jingle Bells"..."Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"..."Deck the Halls" and such were omitted because they are kinda just givens. They are so catchy and mainstream that they are hard not to love. I miss my son attending his old preshcool. It was a church preschool so they held holiday concerts that were so great to attend.

When I was in school we got to have Christmas concerts, but many schools these days don't because of the separation of church and state. The school I worked at last year found a great compromise for this issue. They held a Winter Celebration and honored all of the holidays and cultural traditions so that everyone felt included. They held skits, dances, and sang songs for a big concert. My son's school isn't doing that, so I'm a little disappointed. The bright side is that we were invited to a Christmas concert next week that will be held at my childcare provider's church. Apparently, it's a huge deal in the community and so I'm excited for that. Can't wait for a night of Christmas music! Yes, I know. I'm a bit on the nutty side.

PBS Telethon

I'm sitting here blogging while listening to a tribute to James Taylor on PBS during their holiday fundraising drive. This is when they show their best stuff. The show tonight is an all-star celebration of James Taylor's music and legacy. I've always loved him and it's a great reminder to listen to new voices bring back some great classics. What's awesome is that I'm getting to hear some of my favorite singers perform too. The Dixie Chicks sang the hell out of "Shower the People." Sheryl Crow sang my sentimental favorite, "Mexico," with David Crosby and Jackson Browne doing backup for her. Keith Urban, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, and many more permformed as well. His music is so enduring. Some of my faves include:

• Carolina on My Mind
• Mexico
• Shower the People
• You've Got a Friend
• Copperline

For me, listening to his songs is like the sounds of a waterfall, soothing and beautiful. Yes, I am gushing. I am a folk enthusiast, so I adore the great artists of the past like John Denver; Peter, Paul & Mary, Fleetwood Mac (okay maybe they're more rock), of course James Taylor, and so many more. Okay, I am done raving and I seriously digress...

Thank goodness for PBS. They have some great stuff on that channel and I look forward to the day when I can financially contribute some real support to them. I volunteered a few years back for their holiday drive and had a great time. I got some freaky callers and no pledges for support. Instead, I received more than a few complaints about how the regular programming schedule was messed up and why weren't we showing Lawrence Welk? My mom loves that show and I remember loving it a kid. However, what control do I have over programming on PBS? None. The callers didn't seem to get that and so it was interesting to listen to the many issues people had and their need to share them with a telethon volunteer. However, my partner-in-crime that night, Mo, got a bunch of pledges for donations. She must've just looked cuter on tv. I got all the freaks. Maybe that should tell me something...:) Okay, this has to be one my strangest ramblings as of late. Nighty-night.

Breaking News

Does the news amplify everyday problems? I'm beginning to think so. While cold weather and ice storms are no laughing matter, I think that the media plays a big role in exacerbating normal seasonal events. For example, we had a huge winter ice storm a few years back that brought the city to a halt. People were literally homebound because the foot of snow was covered with a top layer of ice several inches thick. Was it dangerous? Yes. Was it newsworthy? Yes. Did it warrent 24 hour coverage for a whole week on every station? I don't think so.

The local media devoted almost all of their news crews to covering the weather. In addition to the real dramas, we were treated to breaking stories about...get this...piles of snow left behind behind the snow plows...transit buses putting on chains...etc. The way these mundane events played out on tv were actually riveting thanks to the way the media portrayed the stories. A year so ago, a local fox affiliate took some major heat for interrupting the show Prison Break during a major plot point to bring us another breaking story...it was snowing on Mt. Hood. Can you believe it? It was snowing on a mountain? I mean we are talking big time news here, I was shocked that the Associated Press hadn't picked it up...:) In an ironic twist it was the news station that found themselves as the major news story for having the gall to interrupt a show with such a silly topic.

I have to admit that get sucked in the drama as much as the next person, regardless of how trivial the subject matter. I'll even confess to tuning in frequently for weather updates during that snowstorm a few years back. The media knows how to hook its viewers and reel them in. It's the images and drama that we must be drawn to. Even though the images are often horrific, it's hard to tear your eyes away. It's a bit like a trainwreck, you can't not look.

The good stuff

Well, now that Thanksgiving is officially over it is time to celebrate my favorite time of year. Last year I was so immersed in grad school work and my job responsibilities that I neglected the holiday spirit too much. I didn't decorate the house nearly as much as I would've liked and never even got around to sending out Christmas cards. Just had too much on my plate to deal with. Pretty pathetic on my part. That is all about to change.


However, this year I am not feeling so crazy about school stuff and intend to do better by my kids. While I still have a ton to do for it, I am only working part time as a sub so I have a bit more time on my hands. The downside to this change is less money to go shopping with, another favorite pasttime. I was able to snag a few holiday things at the Dollar Tree that were of decent quality. I got some window/wall clings and stocking hangers (so I don't have to poke more holes with tacks).


This lack of funds has forced me to get creative and look into alternative activities to do. I think I've always relied to0 heavily on the Christmas shopping to get me into the spirit, but I am beginning to get back to my crafty roots. I want to finally make the wreath I've always wanted. The materials have been sitting in the garage for a couple of years. And also, I've never actually made a gingerbread house and thought the kids and I would give it a go. Maybe it'll become an annual tradition. I don't want to use the readymade stuff, I want to make the graham cracker version of it. I will try and take a picture of it to see if it turns out. Maybe we'll even make some cookies too.

Adult responsibilities sure have a funny way of changing us. I have always been like a big kid around the holidays, but I think I had forgotten to just enjoy it for what it is. Life gets so crazy and I don't want to miss anymore of the good stuff. Jobs, school, and the like are all fine and dandy, but nothing can replace the little moments with family. I can't wait for Chistmas!

Black Friday

As we reflect on all that we are thankful for this year and count our blessings, we must also pay homage to another celebrated tradition. One of the busiest shopping days of the year is under way. For some, the day began as early as 3am. All of the sales are only about 4-5 hours long and end by 11am. So the day after Thanksgiving is definitely one of those days where the early bird gets the worm, metaphorically speaking.

What's really interesting about the whole commercialized nature of Black Friday, is that it is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Lots of families get out and about to enjoy the day together, stores play Christmas music, and so on. As crazy as the day is, it's become a part of our pop culture. And even better still, the shopping is great cardio for burning off the Thanksgiving feast...:) Happy shopping!

Memory Lane

Okay, while this may not be a wild night on the town, I had a jolly good time with some friends tonight. We spent our Saturday night reminiscing about stuff from our childhood. On a lark, we checked out some of the outrageous bids for the PS3s on Ebay (some were up to $2500 and a "buy it now" price of $4500!). We continued to check out other stuff and childhood toys that we loved as kids just for fun. We found auctions for Barbie stuff (i.e. Angel Face Barbie, Malibu Barbie, Barbie and the Rockers--Ken had quite the hair helmet going on), Holly Hobbie, The Ginghams Paper Dolls, Dolly Pops, and Sea Wees. I was very good, I didn't bid on anything...even though I wanted to.


We also found some old favorite television theme songs and listened to them online at http://melaman2.com/tvshows/index.htmlman2.com/tvshows/index.html. We had a good time laughing and remembering all the great moments. It's not so much the shows per se, but the memories that go with them. We of course had some favorites tunes.


Some standout themes included CHiPs (can't beat that intro baby), Miami Vice, Greatest American Hero (still know the words!), Grizzly Adams (very John Denver-esque), Charmed (For you Rosie!), Family Ties, Bosom Buddies, The Love Boat, Married With Children, etc. Obviously there are too many to list here, but they are great little songs that stand the test of time. What is so great is that they were a snapshot of a time that reminds us exactly where we were in our lives at that time. Anyhow, we enjoyed ourselves on our little walk down memory lane.

Bloodthirsty shoppers

As a spinoff to my friend's blog about the PS3 craze, I got to thinking about nuttiness of our commercialized Christmas culture. It seems that every so often a product comes along that turns normally reasonable human beings into crazed, bloodthirsty shoppers...

Once upon a time there was a cute, red, furry monster from Sesame Street that loved to giggle when you squeezed is tummy. Sounds harmless enough right? Well, Tickle Me Elmo became the most sought-after toy of the season and then some. Stores were running short everywhere and fights broke out between parents desperate to fill their child's stocking. The Furby brought on similar chaos as well. These bizarre, but lovable little creatures were innovative for their time and it seemed kids and adults alike were hooked.

I personally experienced a little bit of this temporary insanity over the summer after the release of the movie Cars. Disney licensed a number of items that became immediately sought after. I wanted to get my son some of the die-cast miniature cars and so I went to Target. The shelves were barren. I tried again about a week later and experienced the same thing. I checked with the clerk and he told me that they can't keep them in stock.

Over the next couple months I periodically checked a number of Targets in the area and only managed to get a few the little cars. It became a little bit of a mission of sorts to track these cars down for my son's upcoming birthday. When I checked eBay and realized people were bidding insane amounts of money for these $3 cars, I threw in the towel. A few months went by and I thought I would check the shelves again and lo and behold the craze had died down and shelves were well-stocked again. I was grateful that patience won out and I got out of that one with my dignity still intact.

With all the craziness that comes with the Christmas shopping season, I wonder whether children would really care that much if they didn't get the hot ticket item of the season. Some might pout, but it is a sad commentary on the family today if it actually ruins a holiday. Hopefully, we are raising our children to realize that even though every wish may not be answered, they can still be happy. If parents become that nutty, then we can't be surprised when the kids follow suit.

Family Hour

It is another wholesome Sunday night on the Fox Network. Whatever happened to the sitcom? It seems to have been replaced by risque cartoons. Except for The War at Home (not a bad show by the way), it is chalk full of animation. While I tend to favor the crime dramas over on CBS, occasionally I get sucked into the oddball humor of these shows. Let us commiserate for just a moment about the evolution of the family cartoon. While Disney brought us the adorable Mickey Mouse and the gang, I think it would be fair to say that the inaugural primetime family toon was The Flintstones. I was brought up reruns of this show. So many fond memories of Fred's yabbadabbadoos, Barney's obnoxious chuckle, Wilma and Betty yelling "Charge it!", and of course the wonderful little diddy by Pebbles and BamBam...

"So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
And frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Open up your heart
And let the sun shine in."

We then had The Jetsons, but that one did not quite have the staying power of their prehistoric counterparts. Then came the The Simpsons, also known as the decline of humanity in some circles...:) I was never a big fan of this show, but my kids and husband seem to adore it. Hence, I tolerate it. One of the longest running shows of all time, Homer and his clan are still going strong. "Eat my shorts!" and "Cowabunga!" are now part of the our vernacular. Since I think I somehow subconsciously married the reincarnation of Homer, I can't completely dismiss this show. "Mmmm, doughnuts..." is now a common phrase uttered in our house with the food choice being interchangeable. My husband gets really giddy for the annual Halloween episode.

MTV helped revolutionize the primetime toon genre by bringing us Ren & Stimpy and Beavis & Butthead. Then Trey Parker and Matt Stone ushered in a whole new level of wrong by giving us South Park on Comedy Central. And now we come back to the Sunday night cartoon lineup on Fox. We kick on the evening with the now sedate Simpsons (incomparison with new shows), the spicier American Dad, and then we cap it off with disturbingly funny Family Guy. This last show is so off the charts at times that you can't help but laugh at how random it is. While it appears to follow a basic plotline, you must be prepared for it to digress every chance it gets.

It will be interesting to see what comes down the pipeline next. I know I've left some cartoons out, but my hands fingers are tired of typing and it's time to call it a night to go watch Family Guy. Fred Flintstone would be most likely be yelling "Wilma!" at one viewing of these newer incarnations of the primetime cartoon.

Holiday Traditions

Well, it is officially the most wonderful time of the year. After we hang up our Halloween costumes and begin to gorge on trick-or-treats, November 1st seems to be the first day of the holiday rush. For two months, the stores get cracking on the their merchandise sales. While we still have to stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, Christmastime is here as far as the retail world is concerned. It really kicks into high gear the day after Thanksgiving. It happens almost like clockwork, you can set your watch by it. My kids love to roam the aisles of Target look at all the Christmas items or window shop at Toys 'R US. What's funny is that Christmas is so commericalized that I can still remember the holiday jingle..."Merry Christmas from Payless, Merry Christmas!"

All this holiday cheer got me thinking about some of our favorite holiday traditions. While I love to shop and get ready for the big day, I also cherish the little things we do as a family every year. For as long as I can remember, I have set out milk, cookies, and a note for Santa. I did it as a little girl, as college student, and now as a mother of two children. It is a personal tradition that I know many do, but I am glad to have passed onto my own kids.

Also, my mom and grandma made a handmade, felt advent calendar. We would draw an ornament each day until Christmas. Now my kids do it.

Every year, we drive around the neighborhoods and look at the light displays. We really look forward to that one. Someday we hope to have the money to create an amazing display of our own.

Every Christmas Eve, I read The Night Before Christmas to my kids at bedtime. Then we sing their favorite Christmas songs.

As a child, I never got to experience cutting down a Christmas tree (that I know of), so it has been entertaining to start this annual event courtesy of my husband. He grew up doing it, so it is a big deal for him to have our kids get to that. We dress in our grungies and sip hot cocoa while we find the perfect tree.

We are slowly creating little traditions of our own to carry on. There are more than I have listed here. I love this time of year like no other. It is uplifting and special. One really nice perk to becoming a teacher is that every year I will get to spend the holidays with my children because we'll have Christmas vacation together. I spent too many holidays in my twenties having to work, so I am grateful to have these precious memories to make with my family.

Do or die

Last night I saw one of the most disturbing, sadistically-twisted shows I have seen in a long time. I haven't been an avid watcher of CBS's Criminal Minds. However, I am beginning to get hooked on this very intense show about FBI criminal profilers. Last week I was haunted by the episode about a child that murdered his classmates. If that alone wasn't bone-chilling enough, yesterday they showed an even more sinister episode.

Three teenage girls are kidnapped. They grew up together and were the best of friends. All were from loving homes and had bright futures. They found themselves locked in a basement storage room with only their underclothes on. Their captor informs them that they will receive no nourishment during their stay. He promises to let them go, but only two of them will go free. One of them must die and it is up the the three girls to decide who. After several days, the girls are cold, starving, and very disoriented. At first they held out hope that someone would find them, but they soon realize they have to make a decision.

The first girl becomes desperate and tries to convince the second girl that they must take action. The third girl is near death and too weak to move much. The first girl reasons that the third girl is close to death anyway and it is the only humane choice they have. The second girl doesn't want to do it, but reluctantly agrees that they have no other way out. They announce to their captor they have reached a decision. Two hammers are thrown down and the girls realize they have to do the killing themselves. Just as the first girl musters her courage to go through with it, the third girl grabs a hammer and wacks her her with it. The second girl is in complete shock. Their captor releases them as promised. When the FBI finally figure out who their captor is, they find him sitting in the basement storage room next the dead girl's body. He was getting revenge for something their parents had done years earlier and wanted to show that everyone's true colors come out under extreme circumstances.

This episode reminded me of the movie Saw. Though I haven't seen it, I've read the synopsis at imdb.com and was intrigued and disgusted at the same time by the plotline. I've seen some really dramatic stuff in reality and in tv land, but this episode just shook me to the core. Imagine if you were faced with such an intense situation. It isn't hard to answer questions like, "If someone threatened you and your child, but you had to choose who got to live or die, who would you choose?" That isn't a far leap if you have any parental instinct, the child would get to live. However, I don't know how I would react if I were in those girls' shoes. It is a bitter pill to swallow, that's for sure. Trying to rationalize who deserves to live or die would be crazy-making. Trying to be fair would be just as hard. Can you imagine doing rock, paper, scissors? What would you do? Not an easy question to answer.