HUSTLE and BUSTLE

I LOVE this time of year. So much to do and prepare for. So many social activities. So much JOY!!

The first of November marks my deadline for creating a Christmas card photo of the dog(s). First I have to come up with an idea, stage it and then dress the dog(s) appropriately. As you can see, CLOVER was such a GOOD DOG for her very first CHRISTMAS PHOTO!!

Note CLOVER'S halo...... it's a joke!!! Here's one mishap to prove it........

So, after the CHRISTMAS PHOTO is a "go", then I search the web for the best "deal" for photo CHRISTMAS cards. And if you haven't signed up for EBATES yet, you're missing money in your pocket. For instance, EBATES is currently offering 20% back on any orders from SNAPFISH on top of the 60% off from Snapfish.  How can you beat that??

Most years I begin CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOPPING around August. This year because of the family trip to FRANCE in August and my eye surgery in September, I was late getting started. BUT, I had 90% bought and wrapped by THANKSGIVING so I could transport the gifts to my sister's home, where we spend CHRISTMAS together. I sure can make a mess while in "wrapping mode". And the car was pretty much packed full.

I'm surprising my grandnieces and nephew, GRACE, NORA and DEREK with a FRENCH COOKING CLASS on Dec. 22nd as one of their CHRISTMAS GIFTS. One will make CREPES, one MADELEINES and one COOKIES.  They'll then spend two nights with "AUNT JOAN" and we'll ride back to MD together on CHRISTMAS EVE, so pre-planning was required to get the gifts down there ahead of time.

My Greeting Card Business (that I thought was going to keep me busy in my retirement years) never got off the ground. So, I decorated sets of 4 cards in CHRISTMAS colors and donated them to my favorite bookstore - WELLINGTON SQUARE BOOKSHOP to hand out to their customers. Yes, it did cost me a little more to buy and add the ribbon and ornaments, but it's the season of GIVING, right?!

My Sorority Alumni Group (KKG) put together a gift box of gift cards, personal notes and goodies for a fellow Kappa in need, who lost everything she owned in the recent South Carolina floods. A couple of cat lovers made sure her cat also received some goodies. Needless to say, she was thrilled to receive our package.

Visiting 6 Chester County homes decorated for CHRISTMAS was a wonderful way to spend the day with friends last Sunday. This particular home used to be a one-room schoolhouse. It was decorated so elegantly indoors and was perhaps my favorite on the tour.

PARTIES, LUNCH and DINNER with FRIENDS, FAMILYTIME, GIFT buying and giving...... I'm in HEAVEN!  I hope you too are experiencing the JOY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

JOAN