MRS. CLAUS HAS BECOME SCROOGE

I have been home from California for a week now and have settled into the routine of home life. I am not loving the cold and snow, nor the icy roads and have noticed that the cars here are not clean and dent free like they are in the desert, no one is wearing shorts, rather they are wearing ugly boots with their downfilled, unflattering coats as they are rush around the mall trying to buy the Christmas spirit. We have chosen to nondecorate this year, along with nonbake, nonsew, nonwrap, nonspend and nonpanic. It has been fabulous to have a quieter, unrushed, nonfrantic Christmas so far. We are hoping that we can still have the spirit of the season by showing our love to our children by giving them impersonal cheques, eating out and ignoring the guilt of not doing things the traditional way (and not buying one more sweater or black dress to wear this holiday). Mrs. Claus is loving it so far and Santa is thinking it will save him money in the end, so he is happy too. We are hoping that the elves in the family will not grumble, but be happy that toyland is shut down and that they can now concentrate on feeling love, joy, friendship, service, peace... and thinking of the true meaning of Christmas. Best wishes everyone!