Peace with Kim

I received this note from friends in thier Christmas card and think this is the best I've read. It makes a very good point that even though we may do things en masse, we still have a lot of heart behind the effort. Most do, anyway. So, I share this, to share my appreciation of you being in my life. Peace, Kim There is a list of folks we know all written in a book And every year at Christmas time we go and take a look. And that is when we realize that these names are a part Not of the book they’re written in, but of our very hearts. For each name stands for someone who has touched our lives sometime, And in that meeting, they’ve become the “Rhythm of the Rhyme.” We really feel we are composed of each remembered name, And while you may not be aware of feeling quite the same Our life is so much better than it was before you came! For once that you have known someone the years cannot erase The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face. So never think our Christmas cards are just ...

December 13, 1995. My husband and I showed up to a Knoxville church and put out our arms. It was a day to give blood and hope one of us became a bone marrow match for a little girl. Sadly, neither we, nor the hundreds of others who showed up were found to be a match. Sadly, no match was found in time and another little girl was taken from her faithful family. I’m embarrassed that I can’t remember her name. I remember the day, though, and remember how much her parents appreciated the crowds, and what a sweet smile she shared with us. Maybe she knew a match wouldn’t be found for her. She seemed wise beyond her few years. She seemed to be tapped in to a higher realm. I haven’t thought about this day in a while, but last night I opened a letter that brought it all back to me. The letter was from the National Marrow Donor Program, asking that I update my information. I did, and once again, the registry can find me in a moment’s notice, should I be a match to help save someone’s life. We oft...

What is it about a bundt cake? It’s just always a special addition to a party or celebration. Is it the design that’s special? Is it the flavor, or the powdered sugar on top? Any time I see a bundt cake, I have to have a slice because I know it’s going to be tasty and probably really moist. Come to think of it, I’ve never had a piece of bundt cake that disappointed. My friend, Sue, shared a blog about bundt cakes last month on National Bundt Cake Day of November 15th. Yum! My mouth salivates looking at all these cakes. I’ve included it here for you. You’re welcome. http://foodlibrarian.blogspot.com/search/label/I%20Like%20Big%20Bundts Bundt cakes are soooo easy. It’s nearly always a one-bowl gig with fewer than 10 ingredients. Frosting is a breeze, really a drizzle, if even that. This is when the powdered sugar shines. I can hear the sound of the sifter, squeezing the hinge to get a nice dusting on top. Ta Da! Done. Maybe that’s why my husband is quick to offer making our ‘trad...

I’m so glad I marked up our bedroom door! This last summer I blogged about how we didn’t have a wall or door jam in our home to mark the kids’ height. Well, after that blog, I decided to mark the back of our bedroom door. We started June 1st and guess what?! Since then, our oldest son has grown 2 ½ inches, our youngest, 2 inches! Wow! It’s amazing to see the difference in such a short amount of time. No wonder we’ve had cries at night of painful knees. They really are growing. My husband also marked his and my height because we know, one day in the not so distant future, both sons will be taller than their 5’5’’ mother, and possibly taller than their 6’4’’ father. THAT will be a day to literally mark, and I’m thrilled that I finally decided to dedicate a door in our house just for that.

Ah, I’ve been a little overwhelmed lately. I haven’t been on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for about a month! I’m trying to stay calm amidst the Christmas to do list, and still be nice to my family and get some sleep. So far so good, surprisingly. Just yesterday my husband asked how I’m doing, trying to make sure I wasn’t on the precipice of freaking out. It was nice to truthfully say I’m doing well, mostly. I let a lot of things go this year. I didn’t plan ahead for teacher’s gifts, for my hair and nail girl, for my co-workers. I felt guilty about that and then forced myself to wash the guilt away for the preservation of my finances and sanity. Everything has just all worked out. I received last minute epiphanies on what to give these people and I feel light. When I slow this crazy merry-go-round and wonder what I’ve missed, I feel tinges of panic so I get back on and do what I have to do this very minute instead. My theme right now: One foot in front of the other, and smile. Peace, ...