This is a busy time of year for people, and no matter how much time we think we have it is never enough. This year I vowed to get my Christmas cards out early, I did not. Truth be told I hardly pick up any at all, most friends are no longer liking that tradition and I didn’t feel that inclined either. I enjoy a phone call, placing or receiving, there is something about hearing the voices of people I consider important in my life.

Today I spoke to my sister, she lives over four hours away from here and will not be making it this year for Christmas. Our conversation was great, she was decorating her gingerbread tree and we were laughing as she told the story of her husbands heart-felt attempt to lesson her duties this year by decorating their home. While she was out with her daughter this all took place, points are given for the thoughtfulness, creative/artistic merit….that may be left in the eye of the beholder. She has made some slight changes but I believe the Santa hats on a set of antlers they have hanging in the room will remain. That’s what decorators might call whimsy?

I decorated more than usual since we are having dinner at our home this year. I have been decorating for oh…three weeks. It is a work in progress that must end and if you looked at the final result you would question why it took me that long.

Due to the influx of guests that will be sitting in our living room on Christmas day, I called my Mum and she came up with an idea, put our large tree in our entrance way outside. It looked lovely right up until the freak snow storm and winds decided to hit it straight on. Now, I anticipated some wind and securely fastened my outdoor friendly ornaments in place, but snow on a fake tree, hummm? It is now wrapped up with plastic and string, awaiting a day when this all passes and I can confidently and gingerly reveal it. So far that day has not come, instead the wind continues to swirl the snow all around, it is a giant snow globe out there! This is Vancouver were are supposed to be griping about yet another rainy day, that’s tradition!

Oh well, traditions may be dying out in some areas but others are just beginning. Planning is still laughable as it pertains to mother nature, she has her own agenda. Festive bobbles, lights, toys and noise makers keep us amused. In the end it comes and goes wrapped with the memories we choose for it, for me this year it said “don’t take it seriously, have a good laugh.”