Merry Christmas

My Christmas Day draws to a close as I write this. I had a great Christmas and I hope you did, too.

This is definitely a year when the wrapped gifts did not make Christmas. My husband and I stopped exchanging gifts a few years ago, partly because of finances then. Now instead of gifts we do things together, put our money toward creating shared memories. We are blessed because our needs and our wants are met.

So this year we enjoyed a quiet day together with plenty of good food. We shared part of the day with a new friend, who is going through a rough time. Together we all saw Marley & Me (which by the way is not a family movie…if your children are under 17, no need for them to see it. Great movie, but it’s for adults!) Then we enjoyed dinner and lively conversation at our house.

As this day ends, I remind myself that as a Christian, Christmas begins today and ends Jan. 6, the day of the Epiphany. I’ll keep up my holiday lights and decorations and continue to enjoy holiday music. And I hope this year, I hang onto the Christmas spirit all year long.

Holiday travel

I know it stinks to travel right now with bitter cold temps and massive amounts of snow clogging all methods of travel. But I hope everyone remembers that not one of us controls the weather. It is up to God (or your higher power of choice). So please be kind to the airline, train or bus staff who are trying to help you. Be patient with other drivers and do your best defensive driving.

It is the holidays after all so spread some holiday cheer, even in those difficult, uncomfortable situations. If all else fails, stay home. You don’t have to travel for the holidays. It’s a privilege. Sometimes it’s just not possible.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will spread tidings of great joy wherever you are, to all you meet.

Merry Christmas!

Get your girl the right gift

There are two things a girl–and by girl I mean any adult woman, any age–should always splurge on. Professional hair color and designer perfume.

Stacey and Clinton of “What Not to Wear” fame won’t agree with me but I don’t think the expense of designer clothes is always necessary. But for a few classic pieces, women’s fashion changes too often so don’t spend the money on something that lasts only a season.

But designer perfume, in the scent that complements you, is a timeless investment. Each one smells different on each woman depending on our body chemistry. Here are some of my favorites:

• Black by Kenneth Cole–classy, elegant
• Be Delicious by DKNY–perfect for spring/summer
• Red Delicious by DKNY–heavier than the above so great for fall/winter
• Tresor by Lancome–another elegant scent, more floral than Black

Guys, you can’t go wrong buying your lady designer perfume. Get a gift receipt just in case the fragrance doesn’t mix well with her personal chemistry. Then…pay attention to what she gets so you can replace it when it’s gone or work with the sales counter rep to select something like it.

Don’t want to do that? Buy a gift certificate to her hair salon. Or one your female coworkers recommend if she doesn’t yet have a favorite salon. Professional hair services, either color or highlights make a difference. They tell us we can duplicate the look at home on our own, but we can’t. And it’s a pain. Make her life easier. Give her the gift of self-indulgence.

Quiet hero

Tallahassee (Florida) Police Department (TPD) Sergeant Mark Peavy recently donated  three German shepherds to the TPD. He bought and personally trained the K-9s. A newspaper article said the dogs cost about $10,000 each.

What a great Christmas gift from Sgt. Peavy to his coworkers and to his community! Police dogs contribute great things to law enforcement work, and in our post-Sept. 11, 2001, era with heightened security concerns, their work is even more critical.

Thank you Sgt. Peavy for your gift and for caring for your city.