newbuzz...As the year comes to a close, there are many things I am glad to be putting behind me. Through careful planning, I can say goodbye to over spending, overdrafts, and indigestion. But what I really want to kiss farewell is the uncertainty that has brought out the worst in me as my job was eliminated and I faced the daunting task of finding a new one. I have landed a new job that will begin in January. It will keep me from collecting unemployment insurance checks from my government. It will allow me and my family to enjoy health insurance. I will have some measure of financial security. But more than that, it will allow me to rebuild the work persona that was cultivated over my entire adult life. Though we are not supposed invest our worth in our employment status, most Americans do so. Our identities are intricately woven into our economic status and when there is an interruption, we begin to question the path we have taken, and to doubt our choices. Anyway, I did. Did I work hard enough? Did I save enough money? Did I give too much away? Was it smart to take out loans for school? Will I find another job? What if I lose my house? What will people think of me now? Was it my fault that my job was eliminated? These are things that do not make for good dinner conversation and they are better left unsaid when you are unemployed and vulnerable. But now that I have a job, I can answer some of these questions in ways that favor my decision making. I realize that I am lucky to have found a job, and that I am healthy enough to work. But I will never forget the fragility that is felt when teetering on the brink of disaster. I have become stronger in spirit because of this experience. I have also become more generous of heart, especially for those who are less fortunate than I have been. And through it all, I have emerged more hopeful and more positive than ever before. I have seen firsthand how solutions can fall into place at exactly the right time to avoid trouble. I know that faith can carry me through uncertainty and fear. I am looking forward to a new year and new blessings to be thankful for.

newbuzz...I have seen the movie Precious, and read the novel Push, by Sapphire that it was based uopn. I saw the movie at the Lagoon theater in uptown Minneapolis on the early Sunday matinee. There was a good crowd for noon on Sunday. Most people in attendance were middle aged, like me. The movie was rough, raw, and thoroughly sobering as it dealt with the childhood physical and sexual abuse suffered by the lead character, Precious, a sixteen year old girl, at the hands of her parents. When the movie was over, the entire audience filed out in silence. It was so disturbing that we were all lost in our own thoughts, each wondering how this movie represents the real life abuse that is happening all around us. I was both saddened and angered by the subject, as I wondered who is out there protecting powerless children. The movie impacted my days in such a way, that I wanted to read the actual book that is was based upon. I got the book, Push, by Sapphire and quickly read it in an afternoon. The writing was so real, and so compelling, that I have yet to get the story off my mind. Now, I can appreciate the movie for taking a completely uncensored novel of horrors and making it palatable for general audiences while retaining all of the details that fuel the audience outrage for the subject matter. After reading the book, I am both discouraged and hopeful. I am discouraged and deeply saddened for all of the children, and young adults who have suffered abuse at the hands of friends, relatives, and the social systems that have failed them. I am hopeful that the human spirit can endure the worst torture and still survive and even thrive in the face of love. I am determined to put my love into action at every opportunity. This means I must be watchful and investigate situations I may encounter that could be harmful to children. I must be vocal in my distaste of child endangerment and pornography whenever it presents itself. I must let social workers, educators, politicians, and lawmakers know that I prioritize the safety of children and I want my tax dollars used efficiently and effectively on their behalf. I will not laugh at off color jokes, email forwards, or stupid television shows and comedy skits that seek to desensitize adults to the abuse of children by making it seem harmless or funny. Finally, I must keep an open mind and an open heart to generously support children and adults who have endured abuse and neglect, for they are survivors and should be treated with respect, kindness, and love.

newbuzz...I want to make Spritz cookies for Christmas. I have a cookie press that I got many years ago. The problem is that the Christmas tree disc is missing from my set. It has been lost along the way and now I cannot make Spritz cookies for Christmas. I always make green trees, red wreaths, and white swirls. It is a tradition. I have the secret Swedish Spritz recipe from my great - grandma. They are better than the Norwegian kind. I have gone to many stores looking for a replacement cookie press. Alas, the old fashioned, MIRRO, aluminum cookie press with the twist top is not to be found in stores. They no longer make them. Now it is a vintage item that must be found in a second hand store. I have tried the new, plastic cookie press models; the cookie shooter, and the cookie gun. Neither one works as well as the old aluminum one that I have. The makers of these new cookie presses have obviously never made Spritz cookies. If they had, they would know that cookie bakers do not really mind the twist top. In fact, it works very well. The most important detail though, is that Spritz cookies are made with real butter and the dough is very sensitive to temperature. The aluminum press can be chilled or warmed depending on what is needed to press the dough into perfectly formed Christmas trees, wreaths, and swirls. New is not always improved. I like the old one better.

newbuzz...The blizzard arrived right on schedule. We received 12 inches of snow. It is 13 degrees and the wind is blowing. Drifting has begun, and driving is treacherous. In the small town where I live, the streets have been plowed, but there is no sand or salt on them yet. I wanted to get to the grocery store three blocks away, but needed to take the car in order to get my groceries home. Thanks to my husband, our driveway was cleared and I pulled right out without any trouble. From there, it took six tries before I was able to clear the hill that is our city street and get on the main street to town. Normally, our street would be sanded by about 7:00 a.m. It is now 4 p.m. and it has not been done yet. I have a feeling that this is one of the casualties of a tight economy. If we are not going to have the streets and roads cleared, sanded, and passable as have become accustomed to, I fear there will be many more fender benders and accidents. While I was at the grocery store, I bought a bucket of ice melt to keep in the car. When I got home, I put the shovel in the back seat and located the scraper. The only thing left to do is update my winter survival kit, and remember to slow down.

newbuzz...Blizzard in Minnesota. We are expecting 12 inches of snow overnight, 30 mph winds and temperatures below 20 degrees. I am cozy at home; snug as a bug in a rug. I do not have to get to work tomorrow and my husband is home with me. I am keenly aware of how my expectations change my perception of the situation. If I knew that we had to get to work in the morning, I would be stressing out already. I would have to wake up early, get the driveway cleared and hope that my hill would be plowed so I could get to work. Then I would worry about the treachery of driving in winter conditions. But, since I do not have to get to work tomorrow, I am able to enjoy the beauty of the snowflakes as they sparkle to earth. I will get up in the morning and watch the birds in the feeder and the chubby squirrel who is able to pull corn kernels from the corncob we have hung from the tree outside the window. I will finish a cup of coffee before I head out to shovel snow. I will watch the news and be thankful that I do not have to fight the weather to get to work. Though I do not like having both of us unemployed, I do like knowing we will be safe in this extreme weather. I wonder about the productivity of those who do make it work after confronting a blizzard. I hope that many schools and businesses will shut down tomorrow so that everyone can enjoy the snow day.

newbuzz...I am watching the news report about Amanda Knox, the American girl living in Italy who has now been convicted, along with her boyfriend of murdering her female roommate in a mysterious sex crime. She and her parents claim that there is no evidence linking her to the crime. Amanda says that the police abused and disrespected her as soon as she was arrested. That may be true. She may be innocent. She may have connected with a bad guy and ignorantly followed him into trouble. The fact is: she has been convicted. American citizens who leave the United States should be especially careful of who they spend time with and what they are doing. Why test the judicial system of any foreign country? If there is such a thing as being too cynical, then there is just as surely a state of foolish trust. There is good and bad all over the world, and people should listen to their instincts to tell the difference. When instinct fails, common sense and critical thinking must take over to avoid trouble. Whether or not Amanda conspired to commit murder is something only she and her boyfriend know for sure. If she is innocent of murder, she remains guilty of stupidity,complacency, and befriending a young man of questionable character.