songbird's crazy world

Tonight will be spent at a friend's. She will cook dinner and her kids and mine will decorate the tree. Since it is still Chanukah, we will bring a menorah and light candles. A blending of traditions. Let us banish the darkness and let in the light of peace and understanding.

Just released:

A little Chanukah joy by way of Adam Sandler:

(cross posted at Midcentury Modern Moms ) So despite the pre-holiday meltdown and drama my sisters created, Jen and Becca and I had a great Thanksgiving lunch with Drew, and a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with my parents, family and friends.    I don't think it's a bad thing for two college girls to split their holiday between two sets of relatives, and I think my daughters enjoyed being with Drew's family no matter what they told their aunts. There was no drama at either  home Thursday, though my sisters...let's just say the weekend did not resemble Thursday at all.... Becca spent most of the weekend working!  The job she had at the mall last year -- well, she can work there anytime she wants, and she wound up taking shifts Wednesday, Friday (Black Friday shopping!), Saturday and Sunday.  Nice paycheck for that, I'm sure.    Considering that she doesn't work while at school, the money will come in handy.  Of course, she made time for ...

My sister's best friend, J, has become a member of our family. Every year J and her 3 boys invite us to spend eithe rChristmas Eve or Christmas Day at their house (it depends which holiday J's sons are spending with their father). this year we are invited for Christmas Eve, which also happens to be the 4th night of Chanukah. J always has a tiny Menorah in her house, her late father was Jewish, but it's too small to actually use for lighting candles. So I guess we will be bringing one of ours.

we have a party for the children -- we hire a magician -- and we also sponsor a crafts fair. I was afriad we'd have a low turnout today because of the snow, but we had a nice sized crowd. my job today -- the social action committee is collecting money for toys -- every year Rabbi goes to Jerusalem and brings Legos, which he gives to children in hospitals. we also collect clothes and etc. for a local social services organization and for a local outreach center. we had a succesful day, $250 for the Legos and a lot of nice things ofr the outreach program. though I wasn't happy about being at the center of the latest drama -- being aTrustee on the board means I have to deal with the bickering and politicking. groan....