TIS THE SEASON

.................for wrapping, decorating, running, baking, shopping, running, exhaustion, traffic jams, 20 deep lines at the register, running, rude sales clerks, rude shoppers and did I mention, RUNNING???? As in like a chicken with my head cut off?????? Why, oh why do we do this to ourselves????? It just doesn't seem right! There are so many other more important things in the world to focus on! I'll tell you why, those of us that allow ourselves to get caught up in this "spinning out of control season" can't seem to jump off the merry-go-round! I vowed to go light this year on gift giving, and I have! I am happy with the gifts we have bought and the loot pile is considerable smaller!!! (Sorry kids) But all the other hull-a-balloo that goes along with this season is really getting on my nerves. It has gotten too commercial, and the real meaning (however you celebrate it) is lost. I am more convinced of this than ever when we took a trip to New York City a couple of weekends ago. I haven't been there in more than 20 years and BOY, has it ever changed! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the sites and the decorations in all of the window shops but I felt like I was living in a communist country with police on every corner and roped off lines to get into stores. As I was waiting to cross the streets (mind you, we were about 50 deep at each corner) seedy characters came up from behind whispering, "Pashmina??? You want pashmina???" Or "Bags??? you want to see my handbags???" Well in fact I did want to see the handbags being hawked on the side alley folded up in large sheets but the thought of actually going down one of those back alleys was terrifying! 20 years ago, they would just stand on the street corner selling them out of the trunk of their car! I know, I know, they aren't supposed be doing that no matter where they are but at least 20 years ago they were doing it in broad daylight where you weren't quite as afraid of being mugged or worse. (I did get a bag BTW; at night, they all come out of their corners and stand in plain site!) Customers were fighting over items and arguing! Anyway, we had a grand time despite the lurkers on my shoulder. Rockefeller Center was as beautiful as I'd remembered and the kids enjoyed the mobs of people and the street performers. Today, we are going to the Wang Center in Boston to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. (This is all part of their christmas gifts btw; I thought I was very smart to include some culture and cut out some material things).

On the knitting front, I am trying to finish up a pair of socks for someone for xmas, a scarf for someone else and a pair of toddler mittens to match the ugg booties and bomber hat I made for my son's teacher. I am also working on a snowman sweater for Sophie, thanks to Dorothea and Cassie for sending us the chart!!!!!!!

Sooooo.I just want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful, healthy new year ahead! I will talk to you all next year!