"Had ourselves a Merry Little Christmas"

Well, these days with the way the Vandercar's are growing in numbers, I don't know if "little" Christmas is the right description...but it sure was Merry.

The highlights:
Christmas eve soups + watching dad slurp the oysters down + one more christmas eve in the old church (sorry Susie) + hearing my moms alto voice (in my memory) during Joy to the world + silent night by candlelight + childlike wonder and excitement over wrapped presents + sock monkey pjs + pictures and picture taking + hugs and kisses + eating again + Christmas in the cabin + brother mike and the grand trash/treasure gift exchange plan + sentimental stories + treasures, tresures, treasures + eating some more + videos laughs and tears + the kids + my dad + my brothers and sisters and in-laws and neices and nephews and the greats and friends + us + Jesus + love + memory + sight + sound + life

Christmas Video time

grandkids

Christmas cheers

sock monkeys

vintage Log cabin christmas gear

Christmas in the Cabin

grand santa ringleader of trash and treasure exchange

trash or treasure???

Directions to here:
sing along...."so have yourself a merry little christmas, now."

Christmas love

More details on the Vandercar Christmas later...but here's my favorite scene...Christmas in the Cabin....I LOVE my FAMILY !

Directions to here:
Step out the door and see this scene that makes your child-like heart burst! Take a picture...of course!

Merry Christmas eve

Put the cookies and the short bottle of coke out (cause Santa is tired of milk by the time he gets to the Vandercar house, yes i fell for that as a 6 year old)...Santa's on his way!

Merry Christmas everyone!

very scary christmas

Well, if we are honest, Christmas, at times can be just like this Santa...Fascinating but SCARY. (Is it any wonder conner and zach cry at the sight of Santa)??
The scary part of Christmas is over for me....hours upon hours of retail....and hours upon hours of video editing for the annual Christmas video. They are both done...and now the fun can start. After about 4 hours of sleep that I must get, right now.

Directions to here:

Find this scary Santa on Route 41 somewhere near Evansville ~ Find this Retail Santa calming customers down at Half Price Books ~ Find this creative Santa in the video closet (a converted closet is my studio) for 50+ hours for a 4 minute movie

Dreaming....wide awake

We were sitting closer than this in my dream last night.
Sitting shoulder to shoulder on the steps at some type of conference or concert watching the stage. Jolene was going to get up on stage and then she would be gone again...I knew it and she knew it. It was one of the more bizarre dreams I've had about her since the car accident last summer that took her life...but the ending was the same...waking up feeling the happiness of seeing and being with a long lost friend, only to have the sinking feeling that comes with the wide awake reality...she is gone...then tears.
I guess it's the time of year, working on Christmas video, getting all reflective, but I've been thinking a lot about Jolene lately. I've thought a lot about her family, Her parents...how they are doing in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. About those little nephews of hers...and hoping that they are old enough to hold on to the memory of their Aunt Jolene.
And thinking about Jolene.
My sweet friend.
Thinking how shocking it is...still...to think of her life...being cut so short. It still makes me shake my head and question, why? It saddens me to know that there was so much ahead of her...and it shames me on the days that I think things are too hard...that she would gladly take a hard day...just to have another day.

I've also thought a lot lately about Junior.
About my sister. About Darold and his family.
About that day. About how we all wish we could just reverse, go back...change things.
But, just like with Jolene and just like with my mom...the finality of it all just shocks me everytime I let myself think on it.

The most memorable dream I've had about Jolene was also the most symbolic. I think about it often when I'm trying to get perspective. She and I are in the kitchen of my mom and dad's house. My mom is on her way home and we are going to make something for her to eat. (Jolene was a chef). I'm standing at the refridgerator and I say, "Jolene, we aren't going to be able to finish this because we don't have enough ingredients. She smiles at my realization. I then go on, "and we're not going to get to watch those movies we wanted to watch and to get through all those books we brought here to read." She laughs a little and says, "I know, I know...it's okay."

The house, my mom and my friend. All things I've lost...and they are all there together in the dream and I'm having a realization that time is too short.
It is a telling dream...and it's made me try to make the most of my time with people I love. Hopefully my dreams will change the way I live when I'm wide awake.

directions to here:
"Forever is composed of nows." (emily dickinson)

12.11.o6....and many "moore.."

Happy Belated birthday to you...Happy Belated Birthday to you, Happy Belated birthday Janet and Taylor (Moore), Happy Belated Birthday to you...and many more...for the Moores!

Relax...it's not a cop....it's justagirl

So....my car saga has hopefully come to an end for the moment...as i purchased Lil David's ex-cop car. I was told by both David and Luke who had both driven these cars that they go fast and the best thing is people get out of your way. But Dave took the spotlight and pushbar off before I bought it so I thought I would look "normal." But he was right...even in the dark of night...I had more R-E-S-P-E-C-T on I-65 than I've ever had in my life. I could see a car come round to pass and then hesitate, creep by me, turn it's turning signal on and immediatly get back over in the slow lane. Little do they know, that I'm justagirl with "superfreak" coming thru the stereo. The same justagirl that they passed yesterday, driving the retro-grocery getter-wagon!
However, I did get attention that I didn't want on the way home. Of course, as soon as I stepped the tire into Carmel, at once of the round-a-bouts a saw a real cop and sure enough, 30 seconds later I saw the real red and blue lights in my rearview. NO....I was not "punching it" as David told me I must do in this car. Officer Friendly pointed out to me that the plates expired in October...and advised me to get my Crown Victor butt to the BMV in the morning! (my paraphrase). So, the police intercepter has already been intercepted by the real deal!

Directions to here:

cars breaking down = headaches; sub-zero walks to the rental agency = frozen face; 2 trips to shady mechanics = frustration; buying a Cop car and never being tailgated again = priceless!

pirates strike again...

You used to be able to see this on the way to the strip from the airport in Vegas. But the f-ing pirates work overtime in that kitsch forsaken city and now I quote:

"Easy to miss in the high-voltage spectacle is a small sign at the entrance to a dark and empty tract a few blocks from the MGM. "Tropicana Mobil Park," it reads, in crisp red-and-blue neon, glowing as cheerily as it has for some 40-odd years. In a few hours, it will be gone."

yes, this time it's for more shops....so the sign...not to mention the homes of the FAMILIES that lived in this mobile home park...have to go.
Viva lost vegas.

Directions to here:

drive with sister susie...and gasp at the sight of this sign. Take a picture...because you know how this town treats its natives.

(and i'm not kidding about the families...if you care, go here to read the sad story: http://www.lvcitylife.com/articles/2005/10/22/cover_story/cover.txt

You oughta know....

Having mentioned the African a few posts ago...
I thought you oughta know and hear this.
(okay the link isn't working...copy and paste this: www.myspace.com/almostisaac )
Almost Isaac is the band Heidi was in few years ago in South Africa.
She's now in London...enjoying domestic bliss and teaching a little girl how to sing like a rock star!

Directions to here:
link...download...import to ipod..."coming through in stereo"... big stars... mourn only the fact that you haven't seen and heard them live.

A year of Sundays later

We miss you, Junior.

The Birthdate of the African Queen

Happy Birthday, Heidi !!

Hip, Hip Hoorah! Hip Hip Hoorah!

It's been over 9 years since this photo...but rest assured the african queen still haunts main street.
Have a luvly birthday...Heidi!

Directions to here:

"Remember everything, she said when only memory remains" (adam)

december first.....na na na na.....yeah...

A long December
and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leavin'
Now the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven... I wish you would

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California...
I think you should

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower
about the things you could not show her

And it's been a long December
and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean...
I guess I should

na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
na, na, na, na,
yeah....

Directions to here:
Turn it up loud..stand up..hear the gospel truth.....
yeah, yeah,
yeah.....

11.27.o6....Dark day on 66...Tulsa, OK

This is the Metro Diner

on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma
This is my Aunt Mary and Cousin Barb
in a booth at the Metro Diner
on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma

This is what I ordered

at the Metro Diner
on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma

This is the message on my machine, Monday night:

"Nancy,
this is your Aunt Mary.
Uh, I have an emergency here.
The Metro Diner closed today at 3 o'clock, about 5 minutes ago.
They will turn off the lights and then they're gonna bulldoze it to make room for Tulsa University Parking.
So I just thought,
Oh Dear...
I've got to tell Nancy.
Talk to you later."

Have you heard the pirate story? Well, if so, you know that I am cursing the f-ing pirates. I mean, a parking lot? Americana is vanishing for a parking lot?? That's worse than a strip mall, but not as bad as a condo. Oh, but boo hoo students and teachers don't have enough room to park. Should have thought of that when you built YOUR building...instead of taking out OUR diner.

Directions to here:
"Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got til it's gone, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot" (joni mitchell)

11.o9.o6...Lexington Kentucky

Lexington's Best new business:

Lexington's Best Old business:

directions to here:
I-74 to 265 to 75 south to sir barton drive ~ sell 33,000 dollars worth of books and finish the day with the best and cheapest hamburger in Lexington, KY

10.21.o6 ~K.B.'s Alternative Party with the x-ers

Because K.B. thought I was working on Friday and didn't know she'd have an actual birthday party, I told her we'd do something Saturday. I didn't know whether it would actually happen or not...but we went ahead with it and called it the alternative party: = ex-crusaders + Alcohol !! (sorry Ray-I know you're not an x-er, but maybe someday you'll join us).
We had a nice Italian dinner and wine at Bravo...and then back to Main Street for a game of imagineif (as in imagineif Kirsten Beeler created a board game...this would be it) and drinks.


I found out that Kirsten had made it thru 60 years of life without drinking a Cosmopolitan, so that was the bartender's drink of the night.









Bobble and the Birthday Babe!








He = 5 diet cokes....She = 5 cosmos

Directions to here:
How old...you gotta be kidding me. Hope to God I look and feel that young, when I'm 50, let alone 60!

10.20.o6...K.B. and the big six oh

Unbelievable, but true, the fabulous Kirsten Beeler is 60 !!
She thought she was going to dinner with friends...and she thought I was at work...but she was surprised to find an apartment full of people waiting to shout surprise and sing happy birthday to the birthday girl.










I created a special mixtape (can't we still use that great phrase for cds too)...called 60 hotties for a hottie...All the number 1 billboard hits from 1946-2006 give or take a few...I was amazed that I had all but 10 or so in my cd collection!







Directions to here:
Happy Birthday, Kirsten !!

10.19.o6...My friend, Jimmy

After the Covered Bridge Festival, I rushed back to Indy to go to a memorial service for my friend, Jimmy Bongard.
I met Jimmy 14 years ago when I moved to Indianapolis. He was the "big" brother to one of my co-workers, Dan. He lived with Dan and his family and as I got to know the Bongards...I not only realized that they were a fun-loving special family...but that Jimmy was a part of what made them so accepting, caring, full of fun, giving and special. In every of the many hours I spent hanging out with the Bongards, Jimmy was always there...sometimes the center of attention or a story or an antic, but more often just there, in the background, bright eyes, smiling, laughing, taking it all in, just happy to be around. I spent a few weekends staying at the house with Jimmy while the family was away. In those times I learned that if given your attention, Jimmy was a great story teller. Jimmy loved Elvis. Jimmy loved sports and especially bowling. Jimmy loved Jesus...and Jimmy loved to dance and was quite good too. A remarkable thing about Jimmy was, he could remember your birthday (in a rainman like way)...even if you only told him once.
Jimmy intriqued me. He made me smile. He made me laugh. I had never known anyone with downs syndrome and he touched my heart with his childlike ways...but could also perplex everyone around him with his ability to scheme up ways to get an extra cookie or 15 minutes off his bedtime.
He was, Jimmy.

We were given the chance to say a few words at the memorial. I knew the Bongards would not be offended by the humor I used to describe Jimmy. They are like that. I put it simply. "You know, 14 years ago, before I met Jimmy, if there existed such a thing as match.com or eharmony.com...and I was so inclined to meet my match...and I came across a personal ad that said: loves Elvis and bowling, loves Jesus and loves to dance. And will always remember your birthday...and I answered the ad...who knows, Jimmy and I may have been a perfect match."
You are loved, dear Jimmy, and will be remembered and missed.

10.18.o6...It's all about the bridge, people

Can't you tell from this photo, that the Covered Bridge Festival is all about the bridges? I had to use my mean voice to tear these ladies away from the main attractions to get them to stand in front of the bridge. It's true, as cool as the bridges of whatever county we were in are, the festival is not about the bridges, it's about the stuff and the food and the making and spending of money. And lots of it. But that's okay...I happen to like not only bridges, but stuff as well. And the food was pretty good too.
I hadn't been to the Covered Bridge Festival since ?? 93-94 ?? with the adorable Stacy, when she was still Stacy Hurst. I don't really remember even getting to the main parts, or seeing any bridges for that matter. I do know that's where I found the bed I will sleep in tonight, in a field full of garage salers. And I remember it fit in the Honda but it didn't leave much room for much else. My purchases were smaller this time...but quite memorable.My mall......and Susie has a message for Kelly!The freaky silver people. Street performers who appear to be statues but sneak up on people who are passing by in deep conversation. Kelly and I about peed our pants when we walked right by the "statues" and they moved toward us!

Directions to here:
31 to 32 to 41 to the back of sister susie's trailblazer...all about the bridge. Don't forget to shut the doors of the truck, this time.

10.18.o6...In the back of the wagon

As most of you know the wagon I inherited from my Dad (best car ever) is somewhat of a traveling sideshow. It is better than paying for a storage space...it's "movable storage" as Sister Susie put it. It's my own personal storage on demand...who needs a P.O.D. when you have the wagon?
Anyway, since the house is full, many things have to live in the wagon for awhile before they make it upstairs. So what's in the back of the wagon?
The latest additions from the covered bridge festival:
Shopgirl:
She is a store display. The retailer would put a blouse or dress over her, making the perfect hanging flat mannequin. Isn't she perky? I think her name is Giget. Although she does have a hook on the top of her head...and Susie says "She's a hooker."











Bowler:
Cardboard poster of the all american bowler throwing a strike.


Gameboard:

Table top pinball that's all 50's era stars and moons and space age ideals.


I did show some restraint...I left the lady lamps behind...(actually I forgot about them til we were in the car, in a long line, on the way out..and no one would let me out to go get them. Sigh.

Directions to here:
Standard question: "What are you gonna do with that?" Make up an answer all the time knowing that it will just end up in the back of the wagon.