And all the best to you and your family for the "festered season", whenever that begins.

As Frank Spencer said; "I'm a failure!"
The psychiatrist replied; "Mr Spencer you must be positive."
Frank said; "I'm positive I'm a failure!"

Just a catch up, been down in Sydney for the past week visiting with family. Brought our 2 year old moko (grand niece) back with us (mum will fly up on Thursday next and pick her up). Cleo is a "special needs" child so this gives her mum and dad a rest before they all return permanently to NZ in December. Cleo is actually a very quiet child, so far so good with us, her Nan is over the Moon at having her for the week. Its the children who are the future and all we can do is hope for the best.

"Surely it must get better?"

Why would you even assume that it will?
I hate to rain on your parade, but no Foxy,
It's going to get worse, and probably a lot worse.

Not even sure why people celebrate New Years anymore.
- It never gets any better anymore.

Thank you everyone for sharing your views.
Christmas has always been a very special time
in our home. Growing up, my parents stuck to the
old Lithuanian traditions - where Christmas Eve (Kucios)
is more important than Christmas Day. It's a holy night
where families get together during that evening - with
traditional food - predominantly seafood, and customs.
There's more at the following link:

http://whychristmas.com/cultures/lithuania

I learned all the recipes from mum and all the traditions
and they were repeated year in and year out. The most
important thing was spending time with family and
enjoying the excitement of the children, and maintaining
the old traditions. This is passed on to each generation.
And is strongly supported by each family. Christmas
without Christmas Eve would not be the same.

Christmas Day Lunch - we celebrate with the Aussie traditions
of roasts, pavlovas, and summer fruit. So we get the best of
all worlds. Plus the seafood left-overs from Christmas Eve
as well.

I'm hoping that as I'm getting older - that my daughter-in-laws
will take over some of the traditions - or make their own.
I don't mind because my health is not what it used to be and
doing everything as I used to do is becoming harder. Still,
I'll have to wait and see, I guess. No one's volunteering just
yet. Maybe we'll have to just stick with Christmas Lunch.

The gifts that I will leave beneath the tree
Aren't ones that you can touch and see
They're not wrapped in Christmas red bouquets
But rather gifts to bless you every day

There's the gift of friendship warm and true
It's one that I'll leave for you
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year

The gift of peace that comes from God
With prayers to guide each path you walk
And when your heart has lost its song
The gift of hope to cheer you on

These are the gifts I shall leave for you
'Cause the love and joy in my heart is true!

Hi Is Mise,

You might also enjoy this one:

"'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves"
"Virtually challenged" they were calling themselves
And labour conditions at the North Pole
Were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul

Something special was needed a gift that Santa might
Give to us all without angering the Left or the Right
A gift that would satisfy with no indecision
Each group of people in every religion
Every race, gender, and hue
Everyone - even me and you

So here's that gift, it's price beyond worth
May you and your loved ones enjoy -
PEACE ON EARTH!"

Something from Chevy Chase; 'tis the season....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGkcC1VrhU

Thanks for the link Paul,

Chevy Chase was great in that movie.