YOU'VE GOT MAIL

Love this movie. Classic Meg Ryan. But, it was the first time I felt that both Tom Hangs and Meg were getting a bit long-in-the-tooth for the ingenue/true love roles.

Still, it's a great Thursday night-stay home-cold winter night DVD. Like tonight...

CHRISTMAS DECORATING: Day 6

I unwrap the big Santas and an army of snowmen this morning. Our artificial, pre-lit tree is shedding needles. Wasn't that the point of artificial?

Have decided to skip draping the staircase rails with garland and bows this year. Something's got to give with a houseful of little girls. They won't know the difference, and I've decided that we'll be doing no entertaining this season. Enough is enough, and the care and feeding of our current group keeps all four adults scurrying...

Besides, when the new baby arrives on January 2nd (or before?) we will have tons of visitors and well-wishers. There's nothing like a brand new baby girl (or boy) to draw in the masses.

POSING

Our Little Stars...

http://www.studiouphotography.com/

TRAVELING SOON

http://www.hotels.com/ho200390/sedona-summit-resort-sedona-united-states/

sedonavisitor.com

gatewaytosedona.com

kshp.com

CA and I have just gifted each other with a late winter trip to Sedona. It won't be gift wrapped or placed under the tree, but our anticipation and interest will carry us through the next six weeks of busyness and change.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING: Day 5

Hanging Christmas ornaments is like a travelog through 40 years of marriage, two kids, lots of travels and friendships. You can trace my home decorating phases--patriotic and nursery rhymes from the first years, sports-themed from the 70s forward--football, soccer, baseball, softball, skiing--patchwork and country bird houses, baskets, and hearts from the 80s, travel memories in the 90s--Maine, Vermont, Santa Fe, New Orleans, Charleston, Hawaii--and gifts from RvH and mementos of European travel in the 2000s.

Decorating the tree has been both a challenge and a delight with the little girls. Nothing is symetrical, or permanent. We've had laughter and tears. This tree stands 10 feet tall and will soon be LOADED with sparkles and memories...