Holiday Time off Happenings

OK...so I have to go up into the attic twice over the holiday.  Once to see why our front porch is leaking.  Now, mind you--I'm no small chicken anymore but am still amazed at what I can still fold up and do.  I had to slip through studs that are only 18" apart and slither down into the space over the porch.  Find the leak and put a bucket under it until I can get on the roof and re-roof that portion.  I found it alright.  Finally.  This was the fourth trip up there to look. 

The next day, I have to go up there to find out why the corner of the ceiling in the living room is looking funky.  I go up and slither around on my belly in the attic out next to the wall.  Not much room to work.  I can't see any reason why this would be happening.

I come back down.

Then we go shopping for a new kitchen faucet with some christmas money that the SO's parents sent.  You'd think it would be a simple install.

Oh hell no.  Nothing in a midtown home is simple.  Took me 2 hours.  Had to stop all the leaks including the drain trap that got knocked loose.  It's in.  But I cussed a blue streak.  Even the instructions said I would.  They also told me to stop and take a beer break.  I should have.  I didn't.

I'm under the sink in a very uncomfortable position.  I've loosened the supply lines and have water dripping down on my face.  My arms are stretched up in some unnatural position trying to loosen the nuts holding the faucet in and my SO wants to know what I want for dinner.

What I want for dinner.

I don't give a shit at that point as long as it doesn't require water.

We order pizza.

Nevertheless, it's in and looks great.

Holy Schmoly

We got the Wii Fitness Advisor for the holidays.  There are several programs you can choose: Weight Loss, Flexibility, etc.  I did the flexibility for the first time tonight.

I'm not.

Can't touch my toes.

And the thing she calls the Child's pose.......whatevah!! 

I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow but enjoyed the workout.  Next workout will be weight loss.

We'll see how that goes.

UC Men's Octet - Bohemian Rhapsody

Straight No Chaser - Carol of the Bells

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days of Christmas

They are just fabulous!

Happy Winter Solstice

The shortest day and the longest night of the year.  Death gives way to
rebirth.  The sun god starts his journey back towards us. 

In
ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the feast of
Saturnalia, while in pre-christian Britain, the end of December
centered around the pagan Yule log in a fiery display to melt the heart
of a cold and dreary winter. Today, a similar response to winter
doldrums is the celebration of Christmas by many cultures around the
world complete with twinkling lights, holiday feasts & lively
festivals.

Winter solstice! A time of transition in the annual
war of light vs darkness, cold vs warmth, abundance vs shortage, life
vs death! All people in our northern climes have tended to view this as
the crucial time of year. A time to hold ceremonies designed to assist
nature in rebounding from the path toward oblivion to one directed
toward prosperity. A time to huddle at home with family and friends in
love and worship, or a time simply to hibernate, as much as possible,
sleeping more, and attempting to keep ones mind on other things.

It
has often been said that the greatest joy tends to follow deep sorrow.
What is so wonderful about the winter solstice is that once we are past
that moment of time we can look forward to brighter skies. Slowly at
first, then more rapidly as we go into January and February, days get
longer and everything around helps us celebrate the increase of light.
It speaks well for the human spirit that our greatest religious
celebrations take place at winter solstice time, as people radiate
warmth of fellowship and love on these dimmer days. The festivals of
darker days are really celebrations of light.

Winter Solstice
has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years.
This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth
of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul,
meaning wheel.

Today, many people in Western-based cultures
refer to this holiday as "Christmas." Yet a look into its origins of
Christmas reveals its Pagan roots. Emperor Aurelian established
December 25 as the birthday of the "Invincible Sun" in the third
century as part of the Roman Winter Solstice celebrations. Shortly
thereafter, in 273, the Christian church selected this day to represent
the birthday of Jesus, and by 336, this Roman solar feast day was
Christianized. January 6, celebrated as Epiphany in Christendom and
linked with the visit of the Magi, was originally an Egyptian date for
the Winter Solstice.

Most of the customs, lore, symbols, and
rituals associated with "Christmas" actually are linked to Winter
Solstice celebrations of ancient Pagan cultures. While Christian
mythology is interwoven with contemporary observances of this holiday
time, its Pagan nature is still strong and apparent. Pagans today can
readily re-Paganize Christmastime and the secular New Year by giving a
Pagan spiritual focus to existing holiday customs and by creating new
traditions that draw on ancient ways.

If you're really
interested, follow the second link to read about the traditions and
where they came from.  Much of our Christmas holiday has its roots in
pagan ritual.  I find it fascinating.

http://www.clarkfoundation.org/astro-utah/vondel/solsticewin.html

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticeArticle.html