Tidings of Comfort and Joy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!  And fresh little springs of Mistletoe -

Chocolate goodies for one and all!  And multiple trips to the shopping malls

Glass balls fall each day from the tree   - We chase down the dog, pleading, “Give that to me!”

A piping hot cup of Hot Buttered Rum – That sits here beside me while this letter gets done.
Carols play on the radio – I look out the window and wonder ‘bout snow.

Is it coming or will it not?   It’s okay by me – cuz’I likes it hot.

We go over the river to St. Cloud this week. (Kayla’s a grad. Isn’t that sweet?)

They’ll give her a paper (that cost 40 grand).  We’ll all go to watch it and give her a hand.

She’s learned all they taught her (and might study more). But Pharmacy school is more years (like 4!)

She’s been selling drugs at a job that’s part-time. Legit!!  At the Wal-Mart (but I read your mind).

Kirstin still studies for nursing someday.  And she did alright while Ben was away.

They spent six long months while he was deployed - but he’s back in the states and she’s over-joyed.

And even better he’s flying back home and she won’t have to spend her Christmas alone.

It will make the whole holiday having him here … And together on New Year’s they’ll toast a whole year.

Kyle’s a junior at ole’ Brainerd High. If you saw him now – I swear you would die –

The hockey boys made a sort of a bet … about growing their hair and it’s still growing yet.

They slather the mousse and the spray all about - Its way worse than girls before they go out.

They talk styles and product (I know – I’ve heard!) ...The shears are on standby just waiting the word.

In March Kirk turned 50 he’s showing some wear – mostly memory and hearing.  (He’s still got his hair).

In June we were married for twenty five years. Celebrated in style with pizza and beers.

Just like it started way back in college … but oh now we have so much more knowledge.

We flew to Las Vegas with some friends this fall. We walked most the strip - hardly gambled at all.

Saw a few shows and took in the sights – And it’s true those fountains are way cool at night.

Most of our weekends this summer and spring - we spent up at mom’s helping with things.

The boys fished a little and hunted some too – They don’t have to look hard there for something to do.

In September she left us after such a good fight – And Christmas this year just hasn’t seemed right.

So here’s hoping your shopping is almost all done. And you find some time to fit in some fun.

Friend us on Facebook (or just stalk our site).  Check out our photos and what people write.

Its okay – There’s no need to feel bad if you do. (Chances are we have done it to you).

So Happy Holiday! May your wishes come true …and only the best things in life come to you!!

May your cheeks all be rosy - your Christmas cards done.  (May I recommend the Hot Buttered Rum?)

The Helmbergers

It's a Hard Knock Life

I probably have the perfect job.
I don't have to crawl out of bed, get dressed, brush my teeth, fight with my hair and report somewhere to punch anything to prove I was there.

Basically I can plan my job around my life and once in a while I walk to the mailbox to retrieve a paycheck - not a large one mind you, but one that gets to be semi-rewarding when I pool a couple together.  Also fortunate for me is the gift of a husband that has been willing to get out of bed, brush his teeth and do all of that other stuff so that he can actually leave the driveway and go to a real job.

Although my freelance writing doesn't always pay spades in hard cold cash I'm still rewarded with the opportunity to meet some pretty cool people and have some pretty great experiences.  It is an interesting gig this opportunity to write in my den in the dead of winter and on the front porch in the summer. People always ask - How do you know what to write about? Do they tell you what to do?
Sometimes they do. Sometimes I have an idea of my own and once in a while I get a phone call from someone who knows what I do and has a possible idea for a story. More than once a stranger in a store has come over and told me about something interesting and I've done a story on it.
I've written about food, shoes, the flu, high school graduation, camping equipment, walking trails, dogs, cats, grilling, babies, senior citizens, summer, fall winter and spring. I've wrote about thank-you notes and buying new cars. Garage sales and formal dances.
I've done several pieces on my own family and I've interviewed lots and lots of local residents. And now I'm writing a story about writing stories.
Just because I really do like to write I'm willing to do research on home flooring and school lunches.
I've interviewed child entrepreneurs and successful musical artists and couple of summers ago I, a non-swimmer, learned all about the world of sailing and a national race that was happening locally. Last winter I, a non-ice fisher person, drove 90 miles to talk to a well-known ice fishing expert. I have learned a lot sharing other people's expertise. Last fall I spoke with elementary school children diagnosed with Diabetes and was awed by how brave they handled their situations along with daily self-administered insulin injections.
Recently I took an assignment from a magazine in St.Cloud for a cover story about a young female BMX racer that has a great possibility of qualifying for the next Olympics. I interviewed her by phone in Baxter while she was at her home - the Olympic Training Center in Los Angeles. She was packing for a competition in South Africa.
How cool is that?!

Sometimes the world of freelance can be a little frustrating too. Often I get paid six months after I write an article and sometimes stories get killed altogether. After I've done the interview. After I've taken the time to sit down and write the article making sure I've met an editor's deadline. That's the not so fun part. Because even though I've done the work I might not see a dime. But it's something I know can happen.

I also write this blog. The one I don't update nearly enough. But Ive already made myself a promise to do better. That's what New Year's resolutions are for. (I'm also resolving to cook better, clean more thoroughly, exercise more often and a multitude of other things.)
Besides, I have interviews to do, topics to research and articles to write in my jammies.
I am going to be very busy.

I've got to remember...tis now is December

The tree is up.
Just one.
The one in the basement with the bulbs my kids have made and collected over the years is still sitting untouched at the bottom of the stairs beside the fireplace.
I will get to that one I swear I will.
Christmas is happening in baby steps this year.
I'm slowly getting in the mood.
Maybe it's because we don't have snow friends say. Truthfully, that would be cause for jubilation and celebration not disappointment.
And I'm not even very excited by that.
Grateful.
Just not excited or filled with jubilation and celebration.
Like normal.
Usually by this time I have my cards ordered, written, and stamped. Decorations sit on every shelf and flat surface and I've already played the holiday CDs multiple times in the kitchen CD player.
It will come.
I have two presents bought and wrapped and under the living room tree.
But it's December and there is so much more to do.
It's a start.
This year there will be no Christmas Day trek to my parents for a second celebration.
Their home is closed up until spring arrives.
Nobody is there.
We've locked the doors and the windows. We've turned down the temperature to a safe winter setting.
Already it doesn't feel like 'home' to me. It's nice to go there but it's just a gathering place for weekends for my brothers and I and our families.
It is definitely December.
Already we are a handful of days in.
And I know...I know...I am almost 50.  A grown up.
So this is the weekend I will dig through the other totes of decorations and lights.
I will put some more things up.
I know where the CDs are. I might even play them.
All of the songs except one.
The dumb one.
...I'll be home for Christmas.