AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!!

And the race is on. Can you get all the wrapping paper, gift boxes, etc. that you need for next year at 50-75% off? Yes we certanly can and
did. We are set for next year and then some. Eric finally finished his village at 60% off and is a very happy camper. He did some beautiful job. He even bought cotton snow to give it the right feel of the winter The dept.stores were picked clean, but
did hit a buy one get one free at the Yankee Candle Company. I think we will hit K-Mart or Target tomorrow to see what
decorations they have left and on sale. I am not too hopeful.

Have a wonderful and healthy New Year.


Eileen

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The holidays have come and gone. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We had a nice holiday . We went to friends
for Christmas Dinner, which was wonderful. There was plenty to eat and lots of good company. A friend from Brooklyn was
done visiting her family and we got together after 37 years. We recognized each other immediately. It sure was nice tripping
down memory lane. It was nice that the husbands got along also. After dinner, I got to see her Mom. It was a real blast from
the past. We hope to do this every Xmas when she comes down.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year.



Eileen

HAPPY HANUKKAH

LAST NIGHT WAS THE FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH. WE WENT TO DINNER WITH MY SISTER IN LAW AND FAMILY. WE HAD A
DELICIOUS DINNER AT THE OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE. ERIC AND I MANAGED TO STAY ON PROGRAM WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS.
WE EXCHANGED PRESENTS BEFORE DINNER. PART OF OUR PRESENTS WAS THE DINNER. WE GOT AN ADORABLE HANUKKAH
BEAR WITH A MENORAH ON HIS TUMMY. YOU CAN LIGHT THE CANDLES EACH NIGHT BY SQUEEZING HIS LITTLE HANDS. IT
IS VERY DIFFERENT. WE ALSO RECEIVED A BEAUTIFUL FRUIT BOWEL THAT WILL BE MY DINING ROOM TABLE CENTERPIECE AFTER
THE HOLIDAYS. I GOT MY VERY OWN CHOCOLATE MOOSE. IT IS A BIG STUFFED MOOSE THAT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE, ONLY
NO CALORIES. HE SITS ON MY DRESSER AND LOOKS ADORABLE. I SNIFF EVERY TIME I WALK BY HIM. SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!
AFTER ALL THAT IT WAS ON TO SWEET TOMATOES TO MEET EL'S PARENTS FOR MORE GIFT EXCHANGING. SHE IS THE HOSTESS
THERE AND WAS GETTING OFF WORK. NO FOOD JUST GIFTS.

ALL IN ALL IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENING. SEVEN MORE NIGHTS TO GO.


EILEEN

Holiday Shopping Complete?

I think that I am officially done with all my holiday and birthday shopping. It is about time, especially since I started before
Thanksgiving so I would be done before the surgery that never happened. It seems that every time I would
talk to Bran and Matt, I got another idea for a gift for one of them, or a combo gift.

I am officially done shopping. I am so done. I have to admit that I do enjoy buying gifts for others during
the holiday season.




Eileen

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

This year we decided to only decorate the inside of the house because of Eric's broken elbow.

We bought a 7 ft tree that I did in clear lights and silver. I love the way it turned out. Eric put his village and train set up, and
I have all my snowman pieces throughout the living room. I love the way it looks.

When your kids aren't around for the holidays, it isn't the same.

It looks like we will be going to friends for Christmas dinner, so I get a break this year.




Eileen