Christmas has come and gone, and I am late in getting this posted. I hope your holiday season was a joyous one. I am still grading final exams and am happy I don't have to go back to school until January 9th. We also have a new addition to our family - a dog named Elvis. Michael found him wandering our neighborhood and since no one claimed him at Animal Control, we adopted him. Although he wasn't on my list, he was a great Christmas gift. And, Christmas was perfect in Arizona this year. Crisp, chilly nights and warm 75° days. I couldn't have asked for more. This year has been so very busy and has passed at lightning speed, and yet it is difficult to believe that 2005 is coming to an end. I look back and think, "What happened to 2005?" But when I think of what happened in 2005, I know. Time stands still for no man (or woman) and our busy schedules sometimes allow us to get so caught up in the day-to-day routines of life that we don't recognize the passage of time. With the New Year just around the corner and resolutions to fulfill, top on my list is to take time out. Spending time with those I care about is the best gift I can give myself in 2006. Twenty years from now, it's not going to matter if there was a load of wash waiting to be folded or if we ate take out for dinner. What will matter is that I gave of myself, and received a memory to cherish.

I pray you are blessed in 2006 in ways you've never imagined. Keep your news coming.
Ellen

Ann Colona Bennett writes, "Safe travel and warm family visits. Happy cancer patients, especially my dad (pancreatic), and cousins, Suzannah 31 (breast) and Keith 53 (mesothelioma), all currently doing well. And few cat toys brought in from the cold - and none still squeaking. Merry Christmas to all! I started a new temp assignment at OU - this time in the Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology. I'm hoping to apply for a different position in the same department - someone who is retiring at the end of December. We shall see. Jon had knee surgery on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (ACL replacement). I hated leaving him, but since my dad has pancreatic cancer, I couldn't not go to NC for the holidays! I had a wonderful holiday and Jon did too - his family dropped in on him every day to bring food and holiday cheer. And take care of cat business. The kittens (3 - "gifted" to us July 5th) have grown up quickly. And have begun bringing in toys. Hopefully the toys will stay small and, more importantly perhaps, on the floor. "

Carol Buterbaugh Hays wants a maid who does laundry for Christmas. She has also begun teaching water aerobics.

Kristen Sojourner Burgess writes, "What am I wishing for this Christmas? Peace in the Household. I've got teenagers. We'll take on Earth later."

"So the question is what do I want Santa to bring? An egroup I'm on tossed around the question of what do we do for birthday gifts for children who have so much more than they need or know what to do with. We were invited to a birthday party for a friend's 13-year-old son, so I asked him beforehand what he wanted for his birthday. The brazen fellow said, "Just money." I laughed thinking he was joking and when I asked his mother about it, she saw nothing wrong with his request. I did, especially after the lad began to count the money he received aloud during the party. We gave him a gift certificate to Books-a-Million, because I just couldn't bring myself to give him cash. None of which I realize answers the question but it has been food for thought over the past few days. I think what I shall say to family and friends who ask what I want for Christmas is a donation to one of half a dozen charities that suit my sensibilities, including Heifer International, Straight But Not Narrow, Planned Parenthood, American Cancer Society, Agnes Scott, and my high school alma mater.::::Peace!"

Margaret Shippen Sanders PS: Directed Crimes of the Heart for our local community theatre this summer. Homeschooling oldest child while middle goes to local public school since hubby figured having them both home might wreak havoc with my sanity. Youngest child (age 2) is toddling around watching Dora and pretending to be a cat. Also I was elected president of our UU congregation in July. I love hearing everybody's news. Thanks, Ellen, for keeping up with all of it!

"I want a leather case for my new laptop! But most of all I want to truly enjoy the spirit of the Holidays without getting caught up in the frenzy and commercialism of the season. Here's a pix of my daughter Lauren and me who is sporting a Rudolph red nose for our Christmas picture! Hope you and yours are well." Elizabeth Stevenson Fairleigh