...things that we don't do any more. Sigh, I think it's true that it seems to take small children to make the decorating worthwhile. Or maybe it takes a child-like pleasure in seeing the colored lights, decorating a tree, shaking the presents, grabbing a warm cookie from the rack... DH isn't into all that, and I'm tired of swimming upstream against his non-participation and aggrieved sniffs at having the living room rearranged. Less [conflict] is indeed more [serenity]. But, yes, I remember the tinsel... one bro would carefully drape one strip at a time off each branch tip; the other bros tossed clumps which often slithered down to the floor. We made paper-chains (teensy-tiny links too small to fit your finger, not the big, clumsy ones today's kindergartner brings home), and cut out lacy snowflakes and stars from precisely folded paper, and strung popcorn with a cranberry every tenth place. Long before it was fashionable jewelry, we pasted and rolled colored paper into beads to be strung together, a necklace for the tree. One year Da surprised Mum with a couple strings of multi-colored bubbling candles... goodness, I remember those clearly, and I haven't thought of them in decades. The tree was set into a bay window and the lights reflected in each pane. For a week, each night after dinner, we would sit with only the tree lights on, nibbling cookies and luxuriating in the sight. Sometimes mum would play the piano, and we would sing all the old carols; going la-la-la until we learned the words. From the time I was very small, bro-1 would give me a box of kumquats and I remember counting the sweet-tart globes, and doling them out to myself carefully to be sure I had enough to last through the season. Many gifts were hand-made... there was the faintest implication that a 'store-bought' present was considered an indication that the giver hadn't really given much thought to the givee. Considering that even the fastest knitter needs a month to make a sweater, there was certainly some validity in that attitude -- It's much faster to run into the store to buy a sweater; and if the preferred color isn't available, it doesn't seem to matter. Sometimes I look at all the catalogs with their seasonal 'specials' stuffing the mailbox, and remember the single Sears catalog that arrived in September, which allowed enough time to choose, order, and receive something... and that it usually took about 3 weeks for the shipment to be delivered. Shoes, boots, and winter coats would be ordered, and it was toss-up whether the bad weather or the package would arrive first. And the grown-ups opened the package after the kids were in bed, because that was the box that might contain a surprise gift [a pocketknife for bro-1, or the trumpet bro-2 wanted] to be hidden until wrapped in colored paper and put under the tree.

Sorry for so few letters tonight. From around 6 to 11:00, I couldn't get online long enough to post much.(Must be the weather or something!!) To make up for it here's 2 #s !!!!! S 14 & N 42. Dan~stay seated!!!! Stockings in route to GA *Bunny-arrived *Scarlett *Michelle-mailed *Toni *Robin *Jodi B *Sue *Maryann *Linda *Joyce *Kamiljablo *Chere-mailed *Rhonda *La Donna *Dan-mailed *Kat *Megan *Joan *Crystal-mailed *Shannon *Kathy later...April

Work_in_progress, my tree is a Saratoga Spruce. I really liked the shape of it and while I could go taller in that room that particular tree fit into the place I wanted to put it very well. BTW, if you do need a new tree go out and take a look at the prices of the trees in Hobby Lobby. Yes, they do have them out already. After you've looked at the prices of those trees (and you pick yourself up off the floor) the Balsam Hill trees will look even better to you. Prettier tree at a much better price. (And no, I have no relationship with BH aside from being a very satisfied customer!) I think I'll probably leave the tree in the living room until Christmas. DH will be traveling a lot this fall so we're not likely to want to use the formal living room until about Thanksgiving. In my family we traditionally put Christmas trees up at Thanksgiving so, it's OK if it's sitting around then. (And shoot...if I do wind up giving a dinner party it'll be friends. I'll explain and they'll understand. I can't move it into a spare bedroom without hauling it up a staircase so that means pulling it apart.) Stinky Gardner thanks so much! I guess I need to go through my "house" photos and change some out. Both my Dobes passed away in the spring so I only have one dog now, Jovi the Border Collie. Belive it or not, alone creats much more "mess" than both of my Dobes did together! I do "cheat" a bit. My formal living and dining rooms are babygated off. Dogs are only allowed in by invitation. For the most part, the dogs tend to hang out with DH and I so if/when I tidy up after us I wind up tidying up after Jovi too. :-)

I miss so many things that were so wonderful from my childhood. I lived on a small town street with a ton of kids. We had so much fun. We all walked to school together. Kids nowadays don't know what they are missing. I miss my grandma. I saw her for the last time on my wedding day, June 1, 1968. She died a week later. I miss my wonderful FIL. He was so much fun to sit and chat with. I wish my dad had been that way. I wish life would slow down. Everyone is in such a hurry. I can't go anywhere that someone doesn't have a phone hooked to their ear. They stand in the grocery isle. Please move aside!! I miss the drives in the countryside we used to take. I love taking the back roads instead of the super highways!! People don't have a clue what they are missing.