I used to love Christmas up through Christmas Day and then get very down the day after. It was because, as a wife and mom, there are so darn many preparations and so much shopping and cleaning to do that I never seem to have much time to sit and relax before Christmas. I do take some time for that, but like most of us, there's just a LOT to do beforehand. It seemed sad and unfair that once Christmas Day was past, we were taking down the decs and I never got a real chance to just sit and enjoy it all. And then I started reading about how the Brits celebrate (or at least, how they used to celebrate) Christmas right up through Twelfth Night. Right then and there, I decided that's how I was going to celebrate it, too . . . with my own spin on it, though. These days, this is my time to enjoy the Christmas Season . . . relaxed! My family loves it, too, though. Now, the day after Christmas is totally family day; no company invited! We spend the entire day lounging around in sweats or whatever, in our living room. The tree is lit, There's a fire going and we do whatever we want: read, nap, play games together, play with any new toys, etc. No cooking or cleaning allowed (LOL). It's a lovely, restful day for us to just breathe and enjoy the Season together. We try hard to keep the rest of these days after Christmas low key as well. Maybe taking in a special movie. DVD & pizza night (tonight); inviting a few friends over for a relaxing, low-key pot-luck dinner. One day we like to take nice leisurely walk in the bosque along the (Rio Grande) river with the dogs. Evenings in front of the tree reading or playing a board game like Scrabble or a Gin Rummy card game. Like Oakley, I find sitting in front of a lit tree in the evenings very romantic and relaxing. DH does have to go back to work that second day after Christmas, if it's a weekday, but we still try to keep whatever time we can special and still holiday-ish. If it were easier, I would pack away some of the knick-knacky holiday decs right after New Year, but it's all or nothing here because of how and where they're stored. I would definitely NOT have any big party after our annual Christmas Day event, though! But inviting a few friends over to sit and visit with us, all bundled up in front of our outside fireplace, with a couple appetizers and some spiked hot cocoa is festive in a low-key way. OMG, too funny! I've said "low-key" so many times here, but that's the only way I want to celebrate my 12 days of Christmas. It's the only way I can really enjoy them. So, yes, I did used to get very pooped out and tired of all the stress and busyness of Christmas, but then I decided to make it work MY way and we all enjoy it now. Lynn

Good luck to you. Our holidays were bittersweet, too. DS#1 got married this year to a real nice girl, so we had her with us this Christmas. However, DS#2 got divorced so that was hard. He has a 3-year-old son so we had to deal with sharing him for the holidays. We had to have our Christmas AFTER December 25. That was a bit difficult for us, but it will get better, we hope. I read somewhere that a mother can only be as happy as her UNhappiest child. That may be true.

Good Morning! I slept like a baby last night. I was already out in the garden, but it is really cold today. I planted the pole beans and that is the last of the gardening for this year/life! I will not have a garden at the new house. It is a association. Now we are looking forward to retirement, this yard is a full-time job. OK, We are back to packing again. We must conquer some more of this today. We only have 23 days, and some of those are busy with something else. OJ, you sound like a real hazzard in the garage. I can just see Tom, Ron and you out there building up the value of each and every piece of junk. I mean why is there value in a worn off screwdriver? As long as Linda is in charge out there, I'm sure it will get done RIGHT! OJ, if you pack those boxes with things of value in your area -- You be sure to take them along when you go home! LOL Janie, I bet the professional movers would be cheaper than all those medical bills. I need to remember that. Monica, I guess that is a good reason to save your energy. Are you moving to a smaller place? Summer, It has been 39 years -- YIKES! I must be old!!!! We fell in love with this little patio home about 2 years ago, and in that time I think the desire for the new house has grown enough to make us glad to move. The new house has square footage that is equal to just the main floor of this house. The house we are in is a story and a half with a breezway(dining room) and attached garage and full basement. The space that we will no longer have is actually the extra space around here. That space collects un-needed stuff. OK, back to packing!

Hats off to you all as I am taking my own bow and patting myself on the back. The baton is somewhat passed to my daughters. One of them prepares dinner Christmas Day while I serve a huge seafood dinner on Christmas Eve which begins at 1:00 PM - ends about 9:30 PM. I also make a meat sauce because one grandson is allergic to most shellfish. My kids and grandkids look forward to it every year. One of my grandsons says Christmas Eve dinner is the best dinner he eats all year. This dinner carries on family tradition. My parents are gone, and I read somewhere, maybe here, that we keep them nearby stepping into their shoes. So worth the effort! Before Christmas, I enjoy hosting just the grandkids for a children's Christmas party of sorts- food, movies, baking, making crafts, and decorating my house. This year they painted ornaments per Allisande's recommendation. I also have a shopping date every year with my eldest grandson when he does his Christmas shopping. This may be ending soon as he is close to being old enough to drive. It takes me three days to wrap the presents. I watch a lot of Hallmark movies which make the time go by. This cold weather forces us to hibernate a little and recoup. Good job. I loved hearing about your Christmases.