ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS... - Judith P. Vaughan

Dear Santa,

Remember me? I know I’m all grown up now, but can you please spread some good old-fashioned holiday magic this way? All I want for Christmas is to have my bills paid and be comfortable to provide for my children the way I would like to, but I would not mind finding an iPad or a large flat screen TV under my Christmas tree, if it fits. However, since I’m all grown up, I have to get my own gifts; I hope my book sales will pick up and I will get my wish.

But, that is not all I want this year, I have four more wishes on my list. I wish there was world peace. (Yes, I said it!) I also wish for my loved ones to be safe, happy, and that their wishes come true; and I wish the same for the person who is reading this blog post.

I still have one more wish, that I will tell you later, but first I want to know, what is on your Christmas wish list?

There are many things that we all wish for Christmas, some are spiritual and some are material, but it all depends on your needs that will bring you joy this Christmas.

Some ask for an iPhone, iPad, flat screen TV, laptop, jewelry, or a brand new SUV.

Some people wish for more simple things, like the joy of seeing their son return home from the war or seeing their loved one healthy again, or to receive a job offer after being unemployed for almost a year. Material gifts can only go so far, but they will never replace the happiness of the spiritual gifts.

In the spirit of the holiday, I would like to share a story with you all. Last week, a student in my son’s choir class was hit by tragedy when her apartment was completely destroyed by fire. The family lost everything, but they still had each other. In the spirit of Christmas, the choir students came together and each one donated money or gift cards so this family could meet their special needs this Christmas. The choir students presented their donation to the family in need and the family was immensely thankful for the children’s kind gift, but what this family received was not just a gift of cash —it was a gift of hope, that there is a brighter tomorrow and that Christmas still exists.

Christmas is not only giving and receiving, the true meaning of Christmas is a celebration of an incredible act of love, such as this.

And for my last wish, I wish everyone health, happiness and peace and that those who are in need see their future get a lot brighter like this family did. And may this holiday be so special that you never ever feel lonely again and that you be surrounded by your loved ones throughout the year.

All I want for Christmas is not too much to ask, I just want you all to have a Merry Christmas and peace to all.

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A smile is the second best thing you can do with your lips; the first one is a Kiss.

Why do we kiss?

First, you have to consider who you are kissing and why. There are thousands of reasons to give someone a kiss. A romantic kiss on the lip can be a very sensual experience; it can be an expression of love or joy. A kiss on the forehead is a motherly kiss, it can be consoling and calming to anyone.  In some cases a kiss on the forehead simply displays we are just friends.  A kiss on the cheek is the friendly kiss, it can mean a sweet hello or a sad goodbye, but it could also mean a flirty thank you or a way to say how cute you are.

What does a kiss really mean?

The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any romance story.  It can help you tell a frog from a prince.

The first kiss can be a determine factor to begin a relationship, often the first kiss can kill a relationship before it begins, but it can also give you the excitement and confidence of building a bond where one didn’t exist.

But there is a difference between men and women when it comes to kissing.  Women tend to place a big emphasis on kissing while men see kissing as a route to sexual intimacy.

A kiss denotes passion and romance, but what exactly is involved in the union of the lips?  What is really going on inside?

Just as the meaning of a kiss changes depending on who and why, so do the emotions we feel and what’s going on inside.  The lips have an enormously dense collection of nerve endings. Lip contact can unleash a storm of passion, a rush of hormones and sensory messages to the brain and body.  This is true even though the meaning of that message may be different depending on the circumstances.

Kissing can be beneficial to your well being, physically and emotionally. Kissing strengthen the immune system.  Kissing also releases endorphins, the hormone that triggers a "runner's high" and acts as the body's natural painkiller. Kissing is great for self-esteem. Kissing uses 30 facial muscles and it helps keep the facial muscles tight, so no more wrinkles!  Kissing is good for the heart, as the adrenaline released causes your heart to pump more blood around your body and those who kiss their partner goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.  Kissing helps prevent certain stress hormones from forming, and the best benefit of a kiss, it burns up calories, so it's time to start that kissing diet!

In conclusion, pucker up those lips because a kiss is good for you!

So there you have it, the reasons why we kiss and the physical and emotional benefits of that special smooch.  Kissing is fun and pleasurable. Kissing is a healthy activity. Kissing is a universal language that requires no translation. And if you really want to know the true meaning of the kiss, it’s not just the physical act of kissing that will tell you, but it’s everything else that goes along with it.  

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Calling all things ugly and knit, —the ugly Christmas sweaters have returned!

Calling all things ugly and knit, —the ugly Christmas sweaters have returned!

We're talking embroidered reindeer, red and green felt patches, really gaudy, cutesy and/or glittery holiday-themed clothing. Knitted vests, and embroidered sweaters in red, green, silver and gold colors, with reindeers and Santas, Christmas trees and gifts, candy canes and snowflakes, —they are back! 

You have probably seen or maybe even worn your own ugly Christmas sweater back in your days.  I have to confess, I did, and I have old photos to prove it.  The sad thing is that I thought I looked good.  Ha ha!

The ugly Christmas sweaters were considered quite handsome back in the 80’s. Then the sweaters disappeared for a while, but they've made a comeback.  Now the cool kids want to wear them, is the new trend.  Recently, singer Justin Bieber was seen wearing one at a live performance, and other famous people like, Usher and Cee-lo Green have been spotted rocking an ugly Christmas sweater.  Even the cast members of the hit TV show Glee used the ugly sweaters to promote their holiday album.

The ugly Christmas sweater has gone from the screen to party time. There is a craze for ugly Christmas sweater parties.   What’s good about attending an ugly Christmas sweater party is that you don’t’ have to worry about getting dressed up or getting ready, because the worse you look the better.  Where everyone is looking silly in their nose flashing Rudolphs, shiny snowflakes and ugly Santas, and they are all having a good jolly time.

Americans everywhere are getting into the trend of the Ugly Christmas Sweater parties; they are hot this holiday season.  This morning I received a call from my sister, asking if I had any old ugly Christmas sweaters, because my niece was going to an ugly Christmas sweater party and she was desperately looking for one.   Regretfully, I got rid of mine a long time ago, but now I wish I had kept them, because there is a market for them.  So if you need a quick buck and you still have them hidden away in the back of your closet or stashed away in a box in the attic, bring them out because they are high on demand.  Just ask those selling them online.

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