Christmas is in HOW MANY MORE DAYS?

I started my Christmas shopping and wrapped the gifts before we went to Germany. Yes, that WAS in September . . . I thought that if I got the gifts out of the way I could enjoy the season; take in an Advent workshop, look at the lights, do more decorating, bake cookies, etc. like those that are more organized somehow find time to do. (Another reason for the early wrapping was so that the girls wouldn't peak when they came to check on Zackie while we were gone). OK, so much for great intentions. Here it is the 22nd and I still have some gifts to wrap, meal to plan, and being the procrastinator that I am -- not much incentive to finish. Perhaps I'm secretly thinking that if I get all the stuff done on my to do list Christmas day will be upon me and all the anticipation will be spent in a couple of hours. I want Christmas to last longer, like when I was a kid and watching 'Rudolph' and 'Charlie Brown's Christmas' were just the intro to the season . . . when there was time for ice skating, sledding, going to Candy Cane Lane, listening to Bing Crosby . . . never did get into that baking thing though. This year we're hauling out my parents old slides and reliving those times -- I haven't seen these in years and am anticipating some great laughs at my expense. My Dad enjoyed taking still and movie pictures; perhaps that's where I get my muse from. This time of year is never easy with both of my parents gone but we've created new traditions and memories; the 'Zarling' of the year trivia game is met with much anticipation -- the girls get to learn a bit more about their cousins and share a couple of laughs inspite of themselves. Last year we started making gifts for each family member and my brother Jerry gave each of us Pillsbury cookies, the kind that you have to bake -- obviously he didn't quite get it. Niece Tena made some gorgeous ornaments and I made a picture collage of things in nature that look like letters which spelled out my sister's family name 'KLOTZ'. I'm hoping that they like this year's bit of creativity . . . stay tuned!