I have dubbed my youngest daughter - "Mrs. Good News". This has been going on for some time, but it finally hit me the other night when I was serving up dinner and was in a good mood, and she took this moment to inform me that some jackass in the family had eaten my gingerbread house.

The next day I was on the phone to the manufacturer of the products I sell, and she came running to me with "MOMMY! The toilet is overflowing!" Once I was off the phone, I inquired, "Kaitlin, do you remember how mommy showed you how to use the plunger?" The half blank and half 'Uh oh' expression on her face said it all. "Couldn't you have just plunged it, and come to me when all other atempts failed - like asking your brother to look, or something?"

Later the same day, we were out doing Holiday shopping, and as if things weren't stressed enough, here came this little voice out of the back seat of that van to inform me - "Mommy, we need to make it a rule that you can't eat cookies in the van, because there are cookies all OVER back here!"

"Thanks for the heads-up, Kaitlin"

Bri and I have decided that being the "informer" has become a way to get people to sit up and take notice of her. I remember in Bill Cosby's stand up about his kids, he spoke of the "little one" - "the informer". I wonder if this is something that is common amongst the youngest child?

Anyone else experience this?

The Winter Solstice was yesterday, but I spent the day baking 25 dozen cookies, and two loaves of banana bread, so I was too tired at the end of the day for the Yule celebration. We'll be doing it tonight.

Solstice is from the Latin solstitium (from sol: "sun" and sistere: "stand still"). During the year, the position of the sun seen from earth moves North and South. When it changes direction it stands still momentarily. So solstices are those moments of the year when the sun reaches its southernmost or northernmost position, at the Tropic of Capricorn or Tropic of Cancer.

This is the time of the year when the "sun" is born. After the shortest day of the year, the sun begins to grow, and brings with it - spring, or Ostara, the "rebirth" of life on our earth. Since Christianity, this time of year has taken on another meaning in the birth of the "son", who near as the historians can tell, was born in the spring, and the rebirth of the life on the planet also became the rebirth of the Christ.

The evergreen tree was the only plant that didn't die in the harsh winters, and so it was believed that the evergreen helped to bring back the warmth of the sun. It was lit with candles in a symbolic gesture - showing the evergreen bringing back the light. This is what we now call the Christmas or Yule tree.

Music was played all day long, and songs were sung in a circle - They are called carols. This festive music and dancing, not only took the "survival" aspect out of the winter, but it also was believed to help bring the sun back, in this, the circle of life.

Many candles were lit to chase away the darkness, and in modern days, we hang lights all over our homes.

Yule was believed to be a day when magic was most powerful, and to this day, that holds true for most people - No matter what religion they are.

Many people have said over the years that the newer tradition of shopping for the Holy-days has taken something away from the true meaning of the day, but I disagree. It's a time that was historically about scarcity, and bringing an abundance into the home at this time of the year, is symbolic to me of the abundance that the earth will provide for us in the months to come - when the sun brings on the rebirth of the earth.

Its a time of the year when we over-indulge, celebrate, become festive, and share the joy of life with one another. These traditions keep the "spirit" alive as we share the love and laughter with friends, family, and even complete strangers. That energy is felt by everyone around us! It's a time for a renewed sense of joy, abundance, and love in the midst of the darkness.

So, as you become stressed by the deadlines, the shopping lines, and credit card bills - Take a moment to just "feel" what is all around you, and be thankful that we're not spending the entirety of the winter months hunkered down under the blankets, and dreading the alarm clock that is sure to go off before the sun comes up. It's a great time to be alive!

And, if you dislike feeling the sense of "lying" to your children about the existence of a Jolly old man in a red suit, sneaking in the house in the middle of the night to bring them gifts - Just remember that elf really did exist once, and remains alive in the "spirit" of the season. Magic and miracles happen now, and they happen because everyone believes in them. Don't be afraid to believe!

This year we've all been bombarded with this "War on Christmas" nonsense, but this is the season of love, not war. So, take just take a moment to light a candle, be thankful of all you have around you, and enjoy this magical spirit of the season - No matter who you are, or what you believe in. It's that spirit in each of us that makes the Holy-day what it is.

Andrew Cory says that in celebrating our lives right now, we become the very lights against the darkness.

What do you believe?