For some reason this year, I didn’t quite have the level of holiday sadness that normally affects me. That ol’ pity-party feeling-because-I-am-usually-thoroughly-overwhelmed, extremely-over-tired, over-doing-it-and-so-sure-that-I-am-unappreciated-since-if-it-wasn’t-for-me- NO-ONE,-I-MEAN-not-one-single-soul-around-here-would-ever-have-a-Christmas…BLUES! You know, the standard, Woe is me, I am woman stuff!

This year, with Papa gone, it was entirely left up to me, so I couldn’t express my annual dissatisfaction that I had to do it all! Again.

Perhaps it was the focus I had on ensuring that Ab had the best Christmas ever, and seeing it come to be that kept me filled with the proper spirit.

Maybe it was the delight I took in making greeting cards out of my photographs and giving a package of them as Christmas gifts to people who really appreciated my creativity. One recipient kindly said, "I see some Ansel Adams going on here!"

Certainly shopping for little Riley; like she was my grand-baby, instead of my niece, added to the enjoyment. And, getting special charms and bracelets for my sisters-in-law, daughters and one to match for Riley! Now that was fun!

Or, the suspense and wonder when I was trying to figure out the "very special" gift that my children were planning for me this year. "Something that" Tam said, "Papa would get for you if he were here!" as she asked me to kick in a little of Papa’s money to help them with the purchase. I wracked my brain trying to figure that one out, since they say I have "everything!"

One of their clues caused me to think it was one of those stupid little round robot vacuums that returns to where it lives when it’s finished. Thankfully it wasn’t, because I would have had to hurt their feelings and return it. Because as handy as it might be, I’d probably trip over it!

Instead, I will be videotaping our family fun in the new year with my hand held video camera! Starting with the family trying out Ab’s new karaoke machine! I may even try belting out my version of Jail House Rock!

 

Thank you. Thank you very much!

 

No videotaping please!

Anything you sing may be used against you………