MERRY CHRISTMAS OR IS IT?

I have been rather ambivalent about this fast approaching Christmas. I have not finished decorating my house for Christmas. I look toward Christmas with some apprehension and should I say it, dread. I, with immense help from my hubby, as I had no ideas whatsoever what to get for anyone, purchased one gift for each adult in the family, and some a second gift, and I have wrapped them all, but I am still not in the mood for Christmas. We purchased several gifts for our one and currently only grandchild, and I have wrapped them all, but even the anticipation of Samantha's delight in her presents has not brightened my mood. I have played Christmas music on the car radio and the house radio, and marveled in the amount of snow we have on the ground this year. Most recent years it has been pretty dry up to Christmas, which always dampens my mood, but this year with the snow, instead of fostering a Christmas spirit, the snow has done nothing except be a nuisance. I even watched for about the 40th time, How the Grinch Stole Christmas the cartoon, with my youngest daughter. I did not even want to sing along with the Whovillers. For some reason, Christmas time has become the time I mentally tally up all my loved ones who are no longer on this earth to celebrate Christmas with me. Today it occurred to me that the only one left from the generation before mine in my family is my cousin Eddy, who is 80 this year. Eddy was my Aunt's child, but he was born only 10 years after my father, so I always count him as in my father's generation, not mine. And I miss them all. Then comes my son's annual ba humbug e-mail and I come crashing down. He does not want to give presents to adults. He says we all have enough stuff we do not need any more stuff. Of course he is right, but what about the joy of getting and giving gifts. It is not the gift that matters, but the giving of it. I get more joy when I give then at just about any other time in life. You might say that is why I spent over 30 years doing Social Work. I loved and love giving of my time and talents and possessions. I believe, despite my youngest daughters concern that I am not spiritual enough, that I was called to do God's work among the less fortunate, the less able, and the less stable, more vulnerable members of our society. Despite working for a government entity, I even prayed with some of them, and of course prayed for them. How my son, could not feel joy in giving, will forever remain a mystery as though I have asked for an explanation, the ones he proffers ring hollow to my ears. I hope to salvage the situation by compromise. I think it is time that our family adopts the Secret Santa program. Everyone draws a name of someone else in the family to be a Secret Santa for the next Christmas. With Secret Santa's, no one would have to give presents to everyone, but everyone would get at least one present. What do you think? I would like to hear from those who have tried this or something similar in their family. How did it work?

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

***********Christmas Letter 2005 **************


good tidings of great joy

Our house in Eastpointe is up for sale but,we have the bad luck to be in the only part of the country that is not having a housing boom.

Our extra dock is still for sale. Any takers on either?
Joe and Jeff started a second business, a walk-in eBay store.
Auction-it-TODAY on eBay. Check out what they have for sale:
http://stores.ebay.com/Auction-It-TODAY-of-Sterling-Hts
Sue got the eBay bug too; selling stuff we no longer need or have room for.

Check it out: http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=sulustar
Blogging has become big for Sue and Joe.

Comments are always welcome.
Check it out:

Sue’s Blog Meandering with Sulustar: http://sulustars.blogspot.com/
And Joe’s Blog, Safe-T-Inspector: http://safetinspector.blogspot.com/
Once you are on either blog, there are links to our other blogs.
Joe has one for Samantha, one for his music, and one for his writing.
I have one for The Purple Gang, one about our ICM dock for sale,

and one for the South Park house.
Sue took Tom to her 40th high school class reunion for

McCluer Sr High, Florrisant, MO.
On the way visited Barbara at her beautiful new apartment, in Bloomington IL
Spent some time in Greenfield IL where Sue’s parents graves are located.
At the Reunion had fun visiting old friends we had not seen for many years.
Breakfast with Joy & Bud Bartold, & Alice and Dave Hunt.

Visits in Edwardsville, IL with Marge & Ed Witchie,

and in Oquawka IL with the Revs- Bob & Betty Meode.
Enjoyed it all, though Sue had to use a walker and Tom a wheeled chair.
We made quite a pair.

Tom had a bad leg, could not stand or walk a lot.
Sue had a strange condition causing loss of balance without warning

and felt dizzy all the time.
Tom is better, though not entirely, he is seeking a diagnosis and treatment.
Sue, it was found, had 3 herniated discs in her neck

caused the lack of balance and dizziness.
Oddly had no pain in neck and continued to enjoy full range of motion.

Traction did the trick.
Sue is almost back to normal now.
Thanksgiving at Jerry’s house was pleasant,

we met Jerry’s girlfriend, Irene, and surprising;
Joe volunteered to say Grace.
He was thankful for a long list of blessings

and finally for the fact that his wife is pregnant.
Whoa, what did you say? Heather pregnant? Yeah!

Tom and Sue want a boy.
Samantha wants a girl.

Heather just wants a healthy baby.
Joe is secretly hopping for a boy. Shh! Don’t tell Heather.
Victoria, in her junior year continues at GVSU and on the honor roll.
Brett asked Tom & Sue permission to ask Victoria for her hand in marriage.

We said yes.
Vicky said yes.

Wedding in two years, after Vicky graduates from college.
Brett is off to serve his country in the US Air Force.
He left for San Antonio for basic training on Dec. 13.
He plans to keep in touch after basic, through his blog: http://www.xanga.com/jetpackdivesavah
Sue had to get another car as her lease was done.
Bought the little Red Focus for Victoria.

She had been driving our old 1993 Tempo.
A Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible fit the bill for Sue.
Sue realized she was hanging onto her mother’s car, a 1961 Impala convertible, not just because it was Mother’s or ‘cause she drove it in high school,

but just because it was a convertible.
With a new, just as snazzy convertible, Sue thinks it is time to send the Impala on to someone who can do more with her than Sue can.

(Any offers, Buddy?).
Lisa continues to do well with her business,

but has decided to seek an advanced degree.
Taking all the classes on-line for a Masters in military history. Amazing.
Christmas will find us with our family

enjoying each other’s company and opening presents.
New Years we will host our annual open house for those with nothing better to do.
We do have fun and lots of food and drink.

Shrimp and Champagne at midnight.

Let us know if you are coming.

Hope all have had a joyous year and are in good health.

Hope to hear from you all.
Joyous Christmas,

Happy New Year,

Tom & Sue