This Christmas morning my husband and I were visiting before the morning chaos approached. It was way after 8 a.m. and I realized something wasn’t right.

I had a daughter home from college, and two sons both in high school, and I realized when talking to Joe (my husband).. “The magic of Christmas just ain’t what it used to be.”

We didn’t stay up until midnight assembling bikes, swings, installing batteries and stuffing stockings.

This year we were in bed by 9:30 p.m.

This morning there was no patter of excited little feet jumping with squeels of, “Santa was here!” echoing through the house.

This year, you could hear crickets (if we had them.)

So we laid in bed discussing what we had to do that day; Make prime rib, ham, pasta, potatoes, squash, ambrosia, cranberry relish, pumpkin pies, dress the table, etc… and it hit me, “The magic of Christmas morning is gone. Christmas is officially a chore.”

Not to sound too “bah-humbug.” I love, love, love Christmas. My heart is filled with joy and honoring the birth of my Savior doesn’t escape me. But the magic of Christmas morning from the eyes of little children is no longer in my home — and it’s sad.

I have a hunch I’m not the only one that’s had to go through these withdrawls — so am looking for stories from others — Misery loves company.

And from those faithful bloggers of mine, maybe some tips on where to find that silver lining?

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Gretchen Losi

Post from: A few Random Thoughts

Post from: A few Random Thoughts

Though there are similarities.
But now my daughters are married and in college and my boys are in high school and quite independent.
Maybe it’s early onset of “Empty Nest Syndrome.” But all of a sudden a dog seems palatable.
This was HUGE news to my family. They have wanted a dog for years — but not me. I blame bad pet owners for this.
We are bombarded with news stories about irresponsible pet owners whose dogs kill and maim neighbors and pets. Our local streets are filled with dogs running loose. I have neighbors who allow their dogs to bark, and bark and bark — 365 days a year —oblivious to the fact that there are families trying to live right next door. I never once have seen them take their dogs for a walk. I never hear them playing with the animals in their yard. They seem neglected and lonely and it leaves me to wonder.. “Why do people have dogs if they don’t bother with them?”
Not wanting to be that person, I made a point of not entertaining the idea of getting a pet until I knew I could care for it and give it the attention it so rightfully deserved.
So the years of my children begging and pleading for a dog, and their patience with my, “No’s” have finally paid off.
Mom is ready to take on a Fido.
First stop, checking out local no-kill shelters.
I logged onto Petfinder.com and while there was no “Love at first sight,” my heart did melt a little when I saw a few at <a href=” “>Wee Bar None Ranch, in Apple Valley.
The one I was willing to give my heart to, wasn’t “potty trained”.. So alas it wasn’t meant to be. Then I came across “Dax” at the <a href=”“>Great Pyrenees Rescue in Devore.

Dax is a four year-old <a href=”“>Wheaten Terrier/Chow mix.
I called Dottie, the owner, who invited us to come out and meet him. Me and Joe packed up the kids and we went to visit Dax… And just like that, we had a new member of the family.
Well.. not JUST like that. There’s this whole application process. Then he had to get groomed. Then he had to visit his Vet. And we had to go spend hundreds of dollars on food, a crate, toys, shampoo, leashes, pillows, doggy bowls and “How to” books.
We will pick him up this week, our own personal sweet, quiet, potty trained ball of fur.

Now I’m curious to hear from you with your pet stories. Are you a pet lover with advice? Are you an annoyed neighbor who has had it with barking? Maybe you have a great story about your pet you want to share?
Bring it on. I feel like I am one of you.. and want to know all about this world.
But by one of you.. I mean the one’s who truly love their pets.. not the one’s who view their pets as disposable members of the family and don’t give them the love, affection, attention and care they long for.
I want to hear from those who spoil and love and walk their pets. The one’s who know what food is best and shampoo is less irritating and can tell me where their dogs favorite place to get petted is. This is the pet owner I hope to be.

And as soon as I can figure out how to post a photo of Dax, I will. In the meantime, you can go to The Daily Press and post a photo of YOUR furry family member under “Publish your stuff.”

P.S.

Cat lovers, you can too!

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Seriously stupid.

They may as well have just named them, “Beat Meup” and “Ima Loser,” and instead of starting college funds, start saving for Major Therapy funds.

Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, named his daughter Moxie CrimeFighter.

It’s like Citizen Toxie and McGruff the Crime Dog mated and — viola! Moxie CrimeFighter was born.

There’s simply not enough magic in the world to save this kid from the lifetime of teasing in her future.

Gwen Stefani tried to make everyone believe she was sophisticated by naming her first son Kingston Rossdale. A year of THAT facade was just too much, so her second child is blessed with the misfortune of having his mother’s IQ evident in his name; Zuma Nesta Rock.

In an attempt to make sure everyone on the planet knew he wasn’t a “real” hillbilly, Jason Lee, from My Name is Earl, named his son, Pilot Inspektor.

As if naming your kid after a cheap pen that’s only goof for dismantling to make spit-wads, he spelled Inspektor like a hillbilly would, I assume.. since all the hillbillies I know can’t spell. (Hi Mom!)

People, you should really think hard about the choices you make for your children when naming them. These names will stick with your children for life— unless you decide to legally change it like my hero in Hesperia did. (Mr. Bingo Badabing, if you’re reading this — You ‘da Man!)

Names aren’t simply a reflection of you, you narcissistic dimwits. Get creative, like I did with my four children, Leslie, Ceslie, Wesley and Presley.

Wait.. Hmm.. After some reflection I’ve decided that perhaps I’m not the best one to be blogging about weird baby names.

After all, my full name at birth; wait, you have to picture this properly, a tiny little blond haired girl with pigtails and big blue eyes, named Gretchen Augustina VonAugust Ostin. <sigh>

And I kid you not… every friggin’ kid in elementary school had a German Shepperd named Gretchen. So yeah, I got asked if I ate Alpo for breakfast — a lot. So what? My grandma said they were just jealous.  (You’re all hurtful jerks and it was ME who stole the twinkees from your lunches.)
Anyhow, the moral, if there is any sembelance of one to this story…is,  throw some good baby names out there.. weird whacky and wild are welcomed.
In the meantime, blog and let me know what crazy names you’ve come across over the years.

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In order for my two boys to get a quality education, we have to send them to a charter — on the other end of town. No bus. They aren’t old enough to drive. So we depend on the city bus.

Another inconvenient hurdle. There isn’t a bus stop near Eagle Ranch, so we have to drive the boys to the mall in order to catch this bus.

As a result, my day goes something like this.

Go to work, go home at 8 and grab a boy.. bring him to the bus, go back to work. Around 9:30 I go back home, get the other boy (different school schedules) take him to the bus, go back to work.

And of course through all of this, I’m spilling coffee on my lap, losing my cell phone, getting annoyed having to slam my breaks for yet another stray dog or dingbat on the road oblivious to anything because they are talking on the cell phone (FYI, if you’re the ditz in the white convertible, yeah you.. you know who you are. The cell phone law went into effect… even for you) and all of this while watching the dollars pour out of my gas tank.

Then the fiasco starts again at the end of the school day when we have to make two separate trips to get the boys home from the bus stops.

Do I sound resentful and bitter? No way! ……..Well, maybe just a little.
But then we look at how well rounded the boys are thanks in part to the quality education they are receiving. How nice and normal their friends are. The safe and friendly atmosphere of their campus, where every teacher and administrator knows you and your kids by name. In high school, accountability is key. And they have it by the barrel full.

And then there’s all the benefits afforded the boys in terms of music, volunteering, educational field trips, and of course the BIG perk of them having the opportunity to graduate with a diploma and an Associates degree all at once.

And amazingly, my bitterness turns into sweet quiet thankfulness.

Thankful that I have a job that allows me to run back and forth for my children.

Thankful that for years I reported on education allowing me some insight into the high school campuses so I could make an informed choice on what school offers the best educational opportunities for my boys education.

Thankful that the end product will be me knowing I did everything I could to raise well rounded young men. One who hopes to be a paramedic, the other who hopes to be a military pilot.

And thankful each night that I’m still sane enough to do it again when I wake up.

Still, (Warning: Here come that bitterness again) why do parents have to go through so much inconvenience and cost so their children can get a solid education in a safe environment?

It just shouldn’t be this hard.

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Drop outs are at their highest in local schools, while quality charter schools are busting at the seams. Some having 20 year waiting lists. Others having to turn kids away because there is no more space. So there are tons of parents like me going the extra mile for our kids.

My day is filled with inconvenience as a result.. but I know some of you have it harder. I know some moms who had to quit working to make sure their kids get the education they deserve. Others are setting up carpools and leaning on family to help out. There are lots of stories out there like mine. So share them! After all.. misery loves company — right?
What are some of the ways your life has had to change so your child can get the education they deserve?

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The family at a resort for two days in Palm Springs. We pulled into the “Family Resort,” saw the awesome pool, Tiki gods peppering the resort with tiki lights all over.

We swam until midnight with the kids and had a blast.

The next day we hit the pool before noon, only to discover a couple having “marital relations” in the pool… a lot. Not that we were looking.. just sort of hard to walk by them on the steps and not notice.

So we took the kids to the cabana area to play frisbee, (though I’m sure my teenage boys had noticed what was going on and would have much rather stayed put).

We get to the cabanas and Hmmm… “Why is that pile of towels on the lounge seat moving?”

It was another couple.. who, and I’m only guessing here, saw the couple going at it in the pool, and got so excited about the idea they simply couldn’t make it back to their room.

We did make it back to the room.. kids in tow. Peeking out the curtains every now and again to see if the coast was clear.

The two couple, and again, I’m only guessing here, must have been in some quiet competition. because for over and hour, we were held hostage in our Palm Springs Suite while this unusual marathon was going on around us.

Finally, we gave up hope and took the kids to Soak City for the day.

Note to self: Family Resorts in Palm Springs…not the best place to take the family. But I’ll definitely go back with my husband… only we’ll keep the excietment in the room.

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That’s when I realized the ugly truth — I am a full-on Facebook junkie.
So now I come to you with a plea.
“Help me. Please. There must be some 12-step program out there somewhere to get me off of this.”
And if there isn’t. If I’m simply doomed to be jonesen’ for Facebook for the rest of my life…
Can someone please help me learn to twitter?

Post from: A few Random Thoughts