Holiday Season 2005

What a rush I am having. I can't believe that I have done this!

Well, let me begin at the beginning. By that, I mean beginning about 20 years ago.

I had small children then and these holidays came with much responsibility. I would spend the months preceding December 25th baking cookies and freezing them for later decoration. I would be making unique and quality crafted tree decorations for the church sale (one Christmas I made felt Mrs. Santas in White, Black and Asian mode even!) I hand wrote notes on about 75 Christmas cards and got them out in the mail before I got my first card from anyone! I mean it was genius.

I would get the cookies thawed and decorated and take a package to each of my neighbors going door to door.

I would decorate my house from rafter to front door. I gathered my own greens from my yard and wove in ribbons and decorations...I REALLY did.

I would have my gifts shopped for and mailed in plenty of time to beat the long lines at the Post Office.

So, I had quite a system going. I mean I was a little snarly by the 23rd -- or the 21st if they forgot my birthday--but a little bourbon in the egg nog and I was mellow again. Come to think of it, we went through lots of bourbon that month.

Well, guess what I have accomplished this year and it is only the 23rd!!!

Trees up and decorated - 0
Cards sent - 0
House decorations up - 0
Cookies baked - 0
Crafts completed - 0
Gifts mailed - 50%
Gifts purchased - just enough

Dinner shopping--none--guess what?
I have finagled dinner at my daughter's in-laws' house.

Guilt for all this -0 (or should I say priceless?)

Happy Holidays! Joyoux Yule! Mele Kalikimaka! Greetings on whatever or however you celebrate!

(Finally got my part 1 draft on the trip posted below)