Sheila Karner Photography – Portraits of 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas: Debate on a Facebook Wall

Me:  WARNING: Strong personal opinion… I do not have an issue with wishing people “Happy Holidays” and believe it’s presumptuous and indignant to expect everyone to accept “Merry Christmas”. I respect the beliefs of others. To me, “Happy Holidays” means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (TWO holidays)! Let the comments roll…..

MSE:  I’ve got a ton of non-Christian friends who are celebrating their own holidays at this time of year. I’m a “Happy Holidays” kind of gal out of respect to *all* the things people have to celebrate right now.

JM: Happy Hasha Wakinah

MHW:  Well normally Id keep my thoughts because no one ever agrees with me BUT Im a big mouth…I dont care that people say Happy Hoildays, But I am a MERRY CHRISTMAS person, was grown up hearing it said & thats what i say. I understand there are all kinds of people out there with their own beliefs but DONT try and push me into it or tell me what is right or wrong for me to say or feel. I just think Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year are for me I respect others beliefs but that does not mean I have to follow them myself. If someone says Happy Holidays I simply say and same to you too with a smile

I dont want to make people mad or upset or bash me this is just my personal opinion..Maybe they run in the family..lol

Me:  More food for thought: It would feel wrong for a Christian to hear someone wish them Happy Hanukkah. How about “Happy politically correct, nondescript holiday”? LOL

MHW:  So there cant be Jewish Christians? Im for real sounds funny I am sure lol There is so many mixed religions! Im all confused..

Me:  I wouldn’t turn down 8 more days of gifts! LOL

MHW:  LOL I would I don’t get any on Christmas why bother shooting for 8 more..lol Im sure the kids would LOVE it though our wallets wouldnt..lmao

SP:  Merry chrism-hanuk-kwanza …. I know there are more but those are the 3 big ones. Melissa, I think we grew up in the same family lol. We say Merry Christmas because that is what we celebrate. I use to say it too, but after working in retail I had to say Happy Hoildays. The funniest part about working through the holidays <– Haha I said it, was when I would wish people Happy Hoildays and they would be like no its Merry Christmas. When people would say that, that would be the only time I say Merry Christmas, unless I was talking to somone I worked with and I knew what they celebrated. Thanks for the topic Shelia

LN:  Without Christmas we don’t HAVE Christmas. So it’s Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, or Happy Hannukah. Kwanzaa is not a holiday. I would not be offended if a Muslim wished me a happy “one of their observances.” I would take it as good wishes from them, not an insult. So why are they offended if I say Merry Christmas, which is what the holiday actually is?

PKS:  Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious low carbon footprint, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, low saturated fat, smoke free, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of all other faiths and minorities or those who choose not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms – This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual applications of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of any subsequent holiday greetings, whichever comes first, and the warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Merry Christmas from me and my attorney.

SP:  A holiday is your own definition. Sure Kwanzaa is defined at a “celebration” but to some people thats is their holiday. JUst because Chritmas is the main HOLIDAY!!!! doesnt mean that that we have to say Merry Christmas. we say happy hoildays out of respect for other people because we don’t all celebrate the same thing. I do have friends thatcelebrate Haunakkaand sure I do say happy Hanukka to them, but in return they say Merry Christmas. Seeing aas we don’t know everyone in the world and what they celebrate then happy holidays is completely out of *RESPECT* …. my mom would be proud of me.

Me:  Petal~ That’s hysterical! Thanks!  Sarah~ Right on!

MSE:  Don’t forget the “Happy Solstice!” greetings that my pagan friends share among themselves! Or hey – Diwali also overlaps the beginning of what most people see as the Christmas season. LOL Eh, there’s just too much ground for me to cover and yes, I know people who celebrate all of the above. Far easier for me to stick with Happy Holidays to whomever I’m greeting, that way, I’m blessing *them* in their happy time of the year and not simply sharing my own beliefs.

And no, there really aren’t Jewish Christians since Jews believe the savior hasn’t come yet, and Christians think it was Jesus.

I saw a preview for The Office tonight and at one point dorky Michael yells, “HAPPY MERRY!!!” LOL I guess that’s his PC way to cover his bases. I may start using that. LOL

TW:  Another of satan’s schemes to create division amongst Christians. I celebrate Christmas but the older I get the more I want to celebrate it everyday instead of just one day of the year. Let the other religions have their celebrations and express it as they wish. I will do the same and I’ll do it at any time if I want to. I take no offense to other greetings and I ask that they take no offense to mine. That to me is true respect for the beliefs of others.

TW:  Oh, the thought just came that what if a satanist greeted me with “Happy Grand High Climax!” on Dec. 24th which is one of their most important days of celebration devoted to all kinds of anti-Christian activities and sentiments? Hmmmmm…..I think tolerance and respect just flew out the window.

MSE:  Well, good thing no one was suggesting we happily support Satanists! LOL The others mentioned are all loving, kind-hearted religions who, at their core, believe in the basic Golden Rule and a divine power that we all owe ourselves to the worship of. Tossing in Satanists to the mix is apples & oranges.

TW:  No one mentioned satanism specifically but respect for ALL beliefs and their celebrations was mentioned several times. You can’t pick and choose, is my point.

MSE:  Sure you can. We, as a whole, understand how to respect “these people” but not “those people” all the time. It’s quite easy to say “I’ll respect – and hope others will respect – the kind-hearted religions of the world” and exclude those without kindness at their core.

Me:  We can debate it to the ground since the original comment didn’t take 57 pages to clarify what it did and didn’t include. Of course, as Marla considered them, I meant the “kind-hearted” religions/beliefs. <wink> I kinda like that Happy Merry! It’s fun without even trying to be PC or indignant.

LN:  I celebrate Christmas. I say Merry Christmas. They can say back whatever they want to celebrate whatever THEY want. Otherwise the only “PC” thing to do is not wish anyone anything and just eliminate all good wishes so we don’t offend anyone. Geez Marie. If they don’t want to accept Christmas wishes, no one will make them.

TW:  Well, I will be sticking with Merry Christmas as it defines what I am celebrating better than the generic all-inclusive “Happy Holidays”. Maybe it should be “Happy Nice Holidays!”! : )

By the way, there are Jews who practice Messianic Judaism. They are Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah. See www.allaboutreligion.org/messianic-jew.htm.

Thanks for the topic, Sheila. It made some things more clear to me.

JCO:  Fun Read! My Jewish friends wish me Merry Christmas! Even though people may not celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t wish them a Merry Christmas. It is a holiday after all. If someone gets upset because you are wishing them a Merry day then that is their problem.

SM:  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Jesus is the reason for the season whatever the belief.

SKC:  My husband’s place of work (large Native American/tribal organization) banned the use of “Happy Holidays” a couple of years ago. If one wants to offer a holiday greeting, one has to reference a specific holiday (any specific holiday, not just Christmas.) I have *no idea how this has been enforced, but the memo was (unintentionally) hysterical.

LN:  There are most certainly Jews who believe in Jesus. We have close ties to two Lutheran based mission organizations.

http://www.lije.org/speaking.htm
http://www.appleofhiseye.org/

You can’t be all things to all people. You can’t serve God AND keep all mankind happy, too. Tamra, you are correct. Satan is indeed at work in dividing God’s people and secularizing them. When we begin to think there’s no harm in watering down our Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays so no one feels excluded, we deny God.Someone, somewhere is going to be upset no matter what you do. So don’t worry about pleasing man.

BH:  I say Merry Christmas. That’s what i celebrate. But the good part about living in Florida is you don’t have to worry about being PC… you can tell what people celebrate down here just by looking at them.

CG:  yes we say at work to customers Happy Holidays…

JM:  I believe I can fly.  I believe I can touch the sky. LOL

Me:  And the 11th commandment, set forth in the never published book of the New Testament said, “Thou shalt wish your neighbors a Merry Christmas.” I’m going to touch some sky now, too! LOL

JM:  To all who added the comments, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Me:  Exactly … TWO holidays right there, so Happy Holidays!

MSE:  Re: “You can tell what people celebrate down here just by looking at them.” How so? You can really tell a Jew from a Christian from a Hindu or whatever just by looking at them? I mean, I could understand it if they have a Santa sweater on or something, LOL, but other than that, I wouldn’t have a clue!

LN:  Maybe by looking at the decorations in their window! Or the cross or star of David around their neck. And Sheila, although there is nothing about saying Merry Christmas in the Bible, there are certainly enough places where we are told not to put man above God. The point is, if you compromise enough, you water down what the holiday is all about.

Tolerance is not about watering down your beliefs so that you offend no one. It’s about accepting that others have different beliefs and not expecting them to pretend not to. I am not threatened by someone who says Happy Hannukah or Happy Ramadan. Indeed I have more respect for them because they are not afraid to be who they are. But I am a Christian and I say Merry Christmas.

MSE:  Ah, I thought you meant by looking at them (not windows). I’m thinking of the cashier at the mall, the greeter at a store, the barista in Starbucks, the random stranger I encounter while out and about during the holiday season. If they aren’t wearing any religious jewelry or clothing, then I can’t imagine how I’d be able to tell “just by looking at them.” So in order to not make assumptions about what they might be celebrating, I’ll stick with “Happy Holidays.”

As for me personally and *my* beliefs, well, I have a Christmas tree & menorah, and in 11 days, I’ll attend a winter solstice ceremony. I like to cover a lot.

TW:  Wondering how the atheists feel about being greeted at all. The point is I don’t think there is any way to tell how a person celebrates any holiday and it is presumptuous to assume that everyone does. So I will be true to my own beliefs. There are probably those whose beliefs are not well defined and that is where the confusion originates.

EMP:  I think that it is perfectly fine to say “Happy Holidays”, but what is disturbing is the trend that people are trying more and more to keep all Christian references out of Christmas.

LN:  Marla I was not the original poster on that. I don’t assume anything about anyone based on how they look. I was just musing that possibly the poster was noting their home decorations or personal adornment in making a decision. And I agree with Tamra. If you truly want to avoid “upsetting” anyone – then don’t say anything at all. How sad that would be.

Me:  On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I absolutely say Merry Christmas! On New Year’s Eve & day, I say Happy New Year! In the days leading up to each and in between, I say Happy Holidays. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I’m not putting anyone above anyone/thing/spirit/inner being/etc. or vice versa. I’m perfectly content up here on my fence. Peace, harmony, & blessings to all!

Man vs. Machine – Never a Good Outcome

Around 10:30 pm on Friday, Greg tried helping a guy from work with his car but got too close to the fan belt.  In the photo, you can see the skin flapped open at points A, B, & C.  Point D shows the tip of the index finger missing skin and flesh.  They had to remove the tip of the bone above the joint (just past the nail bed) to have enough skin to pull together and stitch.

He made it through my company Christmas party the next night, but woke up in the morning with a little blood seeping through the bandage.  He was told he had to go back to the ER if this happened to get it checked out.  Of course, it’s snowing today after a few days of below freezing temps, so the roads are not ideal.  I drove him there in my car and did just fine, though.  The bandages were too tight, and I guess with the additional swelling, it was just too much.  All they had to do was re-wrap the fingers.  Not a pleasant sight, and definitely not a sight for the squeamish!

We have to call the hand specialist tomorrow morning to get him seen sometime tomorrow.  They’ll have to unwrap the fingers again.  We have no idea what time that will be, but I’ll be taking off work to take him there.

Frou Frou – Let Go

I love this song by Frou Frou.  Just let go, jump in … what are you waiting for?  So freeing!

Snob or Particular?

What makes one a snob?  The dictionary defines the word snob as “a person who imitates, cultivates, or slavishly admires social superiors and is condescending or overbearing to others”.  Simply being particular doesn’t necessarily make one a snob, though.

Looking down your nose at how others live, dress, or behave would make you a snob.  Preferring to live, dress, or behave a certain way yourself would not.  Appreciating fine things in life also does not make one a snob.  Defining “fine things” as better than what others may have might make one a snob.

I appreciate gourmet food, fine wine, and “designer” coffee, but I don’t consider them superior to food and beverages that others choose.  When I’m not in my work-from-home uniform of loungewear or sweats, I appreciate classy clothes.  I may have opinions about some of the clothing choices made by some, but I do my best to keep those opinions to myself.  I drive a Jag, but I don’t drive it because I think it’s better than anyone else’s car.  I drive it because I have dreamed of owning a Jaguar since before I could drive.

I worried for about a second that I might be considered a snob.  I am now comfortable with accepting that I am particular about some things.  I’m still me, though!  Take me or leave me.

New Page: “Let’s Cook!” – Recipes & Cooking Tips

Enough of the new blog ideas; that’s too complicated.  Instead, I decided to add a page to my existing blog where I will enter my favorite recipes.  Click on the “Let’s Cook!” tab above to get started.

Some of the recipes have been altered so I can call them my own.  Some have been adjusted for high altitude and will be noted as such.  So if you’re at a lower altitude, those recipes may not turn out quite as you would expect.  You could go to the Pillsbury site referenced on my “Let’s Cook!” page and reverse the recommendations if you really want to try them.  Since I live and cook at just over a mile high in Aurora, Colorado, I’m only publishing the actual recipes I use here.  Remember, not all need high-altitude adjustments.  There’s something for everyone!

“Shopping” a Popular Tag This Weekend

The Holiday Shopping Season Has Begun!

You all know my feelings about shopping in the first place, and this Black Friday was no exception.  I did get a start on my shopping, but I did it from my couch using the internet!

Amazon.com may seem to be the most convenient “one-stop” shopping solution, but be careful.  They are not always the cheapest on everything.  They did beat Toys R Us and Best Buy on a particular electronic device, but they did not beat Sears on another big-ticket item on my list.

My husband and I did venture out later in the evening to look for our house gift for this year.  Most of the brave souls who gave up sleep in favor of “door busters” had most likely collapsed at home by then!  Believe it or not, we did manage to find a nice home theater surround sound system with Blu-ray that was in Best Buy’s Black Friday ad.

I have always struggled with coming up with ideas for gifts for people that aren’t too expensive but that they will actually like, enjoy, or otherwise appreciate.  For this reason alone, I tend to “bah hum-bug” a lot.  I would be so happy to receive a box full of sugar-free Wint-O-Green Lifesavers, fuzzy slipper socks, and gift cards for Amazon.com MP3 downloads.  My favorite thing about Christmas has become spending a lazy day at home with the family playing games.  It’s not about the presents for me.

I guess since we don’t go overboard on gifts and only buy for immediate family, the mega-sales on Black Friday just don’t make much difference to me.

Psychoanalyze This!

 

Sally Fields as Sybil (1976)

Who Couldn’t Use a Little Sometimes?

In John 8:7, Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  That woman had committed adultery, but the inspiration for this post is nowhere near that magnitude or even in that direction whatsoever.  The verse just popped into my head and seemed to fit somehow.

The inspiration for this blog is the seemingly natural human tendency to judge others and form opinions of people based on random interactions with them.  People are often misunderstood.

Perhaps someone is having a bad day and is a little grumpy.  That doesn’t mean they are normally angry, hateful people.  Maybe someone is a little sad, but that doesn’t make them chronic depressives.  Some people are more carefree and choose not to stress over everything, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care.

Then there are some who may truly stand to benefit from some professional psychotherapy just to talk things out and be reassured that they are not “crazy”.  Some people may seem to have it all together in public but fall apart at home and constantly worry about what others think.  Worse yet, there are people who assume from a person’s actions that they need professional help.  It’s not their place to decide such a thing.

Picture the following:

1. A person is perceived as an attention seeker due to outrageous behavior and is outcast or shunned.  Maybe that person truly is an outgoing and fun-loving person.

2. A person seems to be a perfectionist, always worried about things being “just so”.  Many times this is a sign of insecurity, and that person just needs a little more assurance and recognition.

3. A person may appear lazy and not to care about anything.  Often these are the people who lack self-confidence or are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin.

4. A person may seem to have diarrhea of the mouth.  Well, this one may be true.  We just have to deal with that!  :)

Never assume you have a person all figured out before taking the time to really get to know that person.  I’ve seen a lot of people avoided based on opinions and assumptions, and I think that’s really sad.

I try not to care what people think of me, but I’m certainly the object of assumptions, too.  I’m not an excellent conversationalist in person or on the phone.  I trip over my own words and sometimes make no sense at all.  So I avoid phone calls, and I’m sure I sometimes appear to be a lunatic in person.  There may be a bit of truth to that one!  I am a bit of a loon, but it keeps me young at heart!

Remember what they say about assuming: ASS / U / ME  …

 

Another Car Purchase – Jason’s Tiburon

I found this in my drafts.  I guess I had signed off without finishing and publishing this one a couple months ago.

2004 Tiburon with trade-in truck behind it.

Wedding Day :: Carefree or Stressful?

There’s No Such Thing as Perfect

This particular wedding was far from one with a “bridezilla”, and there was no screaming or tears over anything.  I just think it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the fact that there are those who choose to stress out over every detail of their wedding day.  From the placement of decorations to the placement of every hair on each wedding attendant, there is plenty for the bride to worry about.  There really is no such thing as perfect; only the possibility that not everything will go exactly as envisioned.  It really is okay, though.  Things will go as things will go, and the best way to deal with it is to just roll with it!

Most of the girls stepped on their dresses a little walking up the steps at the end of the aisle, including the bride, but no one fell.  The bride had a little trouble getting the ring on the groom’s finger, but it did go on.  There was a nest of lady bugs somewhere in the wall of the church, but they didn’t steal the show.  The limo was a size smaller than agreed on, but we managed alright.  The air conditioning wasn’t the greatest in the limo either, but at least it wasn’t a hot summer day.  The photo session took a while, but the location was fabulous!  The DJ introduced us wrong, but we did a switch-a-roo and walked in as announced anyway.

I had a few incidents which could have had me in a tizzy, but I chose to roll with it.  The day before the wedding, I planned on taking my dress to David’s Bridal to have it steamed at 11 a.m. when it opened.  When I got there, the store lock was broken and they were waiting for a locksmith so they could open the store.  No matter!  We decided to go to Lion’s Choice for lunch first and drive to the cemetery before going back.  The dress was still steamed with plenty of time to spare.  Then I realized the evening before the wedding that I had left my shoes for this Missouri wedding back in Colorado.  Off to the nearest Payless to buy an identical pair before they closed – no need to freak out.  Finally, the morning of the wedding, I noticed that the hair comb with crystals that I bought especially for the wedding was still tucked away in a safe spot at home in Colorado!  Luckily I had some other hair “do-dads” that were elegant enough to use instead.  Disappointed?  Of course.  Crushed?  Nope!

But wait!  Back up a few days before the wedding to the morning we left Colorado on schedule (5:00 a.m.) only to have to turn around after just one mile because the rear passenger window wouldn’t roll back up on my Jag.  The guys managed some teamwork to get it pulled up enough and secured to a point where driving 850 miles was bearable, and we were back on the road about 45 minutes later.  The window shimmied down a bit more than a crack, but not enough to worry much about rain or loud wind noise.  The cause of this was an oversight by the collision repair shop a couple months back, and they are now fixing it.  In any event, we knew the show must go on, so we did what needed to be done and prayed it would hold!

You could look at things like this as Murphy’s Law or bad omens, but it’s really just life.  Life will happen as it will in spite of your plans for it.  Don’t fight it.  Accept it for what it is because it’s gone so fast, the time it takes to freak out about it isn’t worth it!