PARING DOWN THE HOLIDAYS

Frequent Visitors Here

Once the kids got older, we started thinking about where we wanted to end up, and how we wanted to live. One thing was obvious -- paring down was going to play a critical role. And, in the process of deciding what was important, and what was just "stuff", our holidays got pared down as well. It was my first Christmas spent here in this house that was the real eye-opener. Ever since, I have become more and more focused on quality, not quantity. These days, I put out just a handful of fall decorations, but the ones I do put out make me go squeeee inside, every time I pass them.

And now, it's on to Christmas! HaHa, I could hear my friend Nicki moaning all the way from Houston, just as she always did when I had to start ordering Christmas stuff in August at the garden center where we both worked. But, the thing is, I love Christmas more than all the other holidays combined, and with us leaving for Sudan before Christmas, and all the craziness that will be going on prior to departure, I fear it might get lost in the shuffle this year. Well, I'm just not gonna let that happen!

Besides, it's actually Hubby's fault. He opened the gates when he surreptitiously added these to my succulent centerpiece.

HO-HO-HO!