Tis the Season....

...and everyone's extremely busy with all that goes on in life around the holidays. No exception here, either. Because I work in retail, totally busy days don't leave much time for working on a To Do list; just the bare essentials get done on some days. I'm sure its the same with some of you, as well.

But this is the time I can celebrate something else: one year ago, I signed papers and bought my first house. It's been a good year *knock on wood* Even though my AC unit quit in the middle of summer, much of the cost was covered by my warranty -- a very good investment, in my opinion! Life has been good to me in Arizona, and I am extremely grateful for the people who have touched my life in one way or another. (ya'll know who you are!!) Work has been plentiful, no loss of hours, or wage cuts have affected me, and in this economy, that's very good news!

I'm not sure how many of you have put up a tree this year. I debated back and forth over putting up my tree, but finally relented, and it's up. It looks so cheerful standing tall in front of my bay window. Last year, I put up the Christmas tree in the new house, but it stood there looking so lonely as it was the only thing in the living room! This year, the traditions officially start, and the tree in front of the window is the first step, it appears. Which got me thinking: How do you feel when you put up your tree? Do you remember all the times you decorated your tree in the past? Are there traditions that you might not even be aware of? the location? when you decorate? who helps? I love the smell of a fresh cut tree; it brings back so many memories of growing up. We'd travel up over the hill to Santa Cruz to find the perfect tree, cut it down, then driving back, we'd stop at the beach, or maybe for pizza on the way home. The tree always sat in a bucket of water on the back patio until the next weekend (to get the bugs shaken off? give it a good drink? haha) And decorating the tree was for everyone to share in. I liked doing the strings of tinsel! *Note: You will not find any of that on my tree -- It was messy!

My daughter related a story to me: It seems my granddaughter, who is 8, decided to be a good helper while her mom was napping, and assemble the Christmas tree herself. I guess the small branches are toward the bottom, the bigger branches toward the top. I have this image of an upside down triangle shaped tree!! And bless her, she did it all by herself! :)

Tis the Season HUGGGS to everyone!