Even after 17 years in Florida, it still seems funny to be Christmas-ing with the air conditioning on high in the truck. On the other hand, we had a couple of cold days last week and that didn't help me to get organized either, it was just inconvenient. So, today is warmer and I finished all the shopping - gifts, groceries... everything. Now, I'm going to put on the Christmas carols, sing along loudly (and very badly) and thoroughly enjoy the last of the getting ready. Best bet is either to get it done and the singing over with before the neighbors come home or make sure all the windows and doors are closed so no one hears me and calls 911 . I am a very, very, very bad singer, enthusiastic, but very bad.

I'm making a Yule Log, so definately wish me luck! I made them for several years when my kids were little and decorated them with marzipan mushrooms and leaves made of chocolate. I carefully washed the leaves and spread melted chocolate on them, pealed the leaves away and arranged the molded chocolate on top of the cake. I was married to a bozo who told everyone that the leaves were poisoned with bug spray and they shouldn't eat the cake. I was devistated. No one touched the cake I had spent so much time making. I had never used bug spray or any kind of spray on them, they were houseplants, so I knew they were safe and had been thoroughly washed anyway. So, I haven't made one for years, thinking that people may have believed that and might still think I would be dirty like that. Hopefully, they will either have gotten to know I wouldn't poison them or have forgotten about it altogether.

People in the shops must be getting tired, everyone seemed to be a little testy today. So I thought that since God really did make me a happy person I guess I should be spreading some happiness around. I talked to everyone, jovially wished them a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and tried to make everyone's job a little easier. The response was surprisingly positive.

The lady at the hardware store was pretty miserable. They are closing the store and managed to find jobs for all the staff except her and she's been there 20 years. I told her something good, something very unexpected may well come of it. She immediately perked up and said that she really did believe that. Her philosophy was that there were "somethings" in everyone's life, sometimes little "somethings", sometimes medium sized, sometimes big "Somethings", but good things always seemed to come along when most needed. Even if it was just a visit from the little squirrel that lives in her palm tree coming into the store for peanuts, it was still a "something".

The rather bad tempered lady at the optician was complaining that the other helper called in sick. She eventually agreed that he was missing a lot of fun - the last few days having happy times with co-workers before Christmas was definatly better than staying home alone.

It's so sad to think, that at this wonderful time of year, in the midst of so much happiness people are stressed, unhappy, tired, underpaid and overworked.

So people.... if you are any of those things, light a smelly candle tonight, sing some songs like "Away in the Manger", "Silent Night", and "Joy to the World" and try to enjoy the reason for the season. Maybe one of that lady's "Somethings" will pay you a visit!