Christmas Eve gift! (I have been fighting the urge to call people for hours).

IF, you haven't been out and about. You are one lucky person. Crowded. A large percentage of the shoppers are in a rush and rude while there are a smaller percentage of shoppers who are filled with the joy of the season.

I can only imagine how difficult it must be to be a cashier or wait staff.

Probably more than anything, I enjoy eavesdropping, listening to plans of friends, family and even strangers.

We have commercialized Christmas beyond any resemblance of the true meaning of the season.

Yesterday Krl and I were out and about and we couldn't help ourselves laughing at recalling Ollie's experience with the bell ringer at Target one year. Each year when the kids finished their shopping, we required them to put some of their change in the bell ringer's pot. that [articular year, Ollie had done her entire list for something around nineteen dollars. (This was the year she gave Rian a left handed baseball glove off the clearance rack). Visions of a financial boom were dancing in her head, only to have them dashed by Krl and myself as we made her "dig deep" when she made her donation to the Salvation Army.

For the first time in years, Krl and I re-visited an old tradition had lunch at Abuello's. Good food and excellent margarita's.

I use to enjoy their Top Shelf margarita and now find they list it as their third best. Call me crazy, but I tried their "top" margarita before and it is about like drinking perfume!

I ended my day yesterday taking truck signs and other items to Anson for one of the Loop seed trucks to pick up today. This morning I am traveling to Roscoe to do a few things before returning to Abilene to begin preparing things for tomorrow.

I am taking some finger foods, probably a spiral ham, and a couple of pumpkin pies to Memama's.

Memama continues to have a strong will about her Christmas dinner although she has told Pat and me that she is getting too old. Thankfully Pat and Steph are handling the delicate transition of power without "threatening" Memama's sacred kitchen. More and more meal parts are being prepared elsewhere and walking in the door. (Pat, Steph, Linda, Joni, Jeri, Christy, Lindsay, and me will all be contributors.).

I love the smells and sounds of the Holiday season.

By the way, Coach and his family are not attending again this year. Scheduling with Kelsi's job made them elect to opt out.

Personally I think we should consider "moving" the big Christmas to another date.

For me it is quite sobering to realize that while this is a very festive time of year for most, for others it is a time of struggle and renewal of old wounds.

My wish for you this Holiday season is this: safe travel, good food, good company, much laughter and lasting memories!

Roscoe today, Roscoe tomorrow. Dallas Sunday (to see Ollie).

Have a day!

FATHER, please bless us. Everyone.