We got back from Orlando last night, and spent today trying to fit in all of our Christmas preparations into one day. Partly because of having company until early this month, partly because I took on a project for the last couple of weeks, and partly because of being out of town for the last week, I really had no hope of getting everything done. Today I mailed off the last of our Christmas cards, and then Erica and I did the shopping for Christmas dinner, last minute gifts, and most important, a Christmas tree! We got a really nice spruce for under $30 (could have bargained it lower, but didn’t bother), so this might be a new tradition. Then Erica baked cookies, I wrapped the presents I had (ordering errors plagued me this year) and decorated the tree. Now we are sitting outside having our traditional Christmas Eve campfire, and will soon start on our traditional Manhattans, shrimp cocktail and fondue. Whew!