Thirteen Thursday #18 

• We cut down our tree at a tree farm this year and had a great time doing it.   Samantha thought the tree's were too little.  They did look pretty small in the field but once we got our pick home it looked to be the perfect size.  Not that I was complaining because the Spruce we got was only 10.00 vs. 30.00 or 40.00 elsewhere.

• Sami & I decorated the tree Sunday night.  It looks really pretty.  Below is my best picture of it.  A little snow falling in the window would make this "picture perfect"

• Speaking of snow will we have a white Christmas?  Or how about any snow at all, for that matter!

• Samantha's stocking is hung on an Apple hook in our dining room this year.  We have no mantle.

• Next year I intend to invest in some new holiday decorations and ornaments.  Most of what I have is getting very old looking.  I will never get rid of my ornaments, as most are sentimental, but I wouldn't mind adding to my collection.

• I am going home to Massachusetts for Christmas again this year.

• One of the last times I made a trip home to Massachusetts, I flushed my keys down a rest area toilet.  True story.... read it here & here. 

• Thursday night was Samantha's Christmas Chorus Concert.  The first Christmas Carol's I have heard this season! 

• One of my favorite parts of the Concert, with the exception of my daughter being on stage, was the Swing Chior.  They sang Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Baby.  Everyone left the school singing these two catchy tunes! 

• I almost have my shopping complete.  I am sending two boxes of gifts, in advance to Massachusetts, so I don't have to lug them with me this year.

• I really would like to start my Christmas shopping earlier next year, like maybe in October, before the shops get too busy and run out of the "good stuff".  I should join a Christmas Club too.

• I am still trying to do my Christmas cards, hopefully I'll get them completed and mailed before next Christmas.  I tend to procrastinate with such things... usualy I get my photo's developed a year later too.

• My daughter told me the other day that she is glad she has young cousins, because she gets to "believe".  I remember feeling this way about having younger sisters too.