It has started. The wonderful season of Holiday Shopping is upon us. It was the dirty look I gave someone in the parking lot at Wal Mart the other day that drove the message home. A forgotten birthday gift sent me running to my local superstore in a panic, only to be nearly run over in another shoppers effort to score the perfect parking spot.

Every year, I swear I will shop early... or shop only on weekday mornings... shop only after midnight... shop online...buy only what is on sale...buy it now only if I know it will never be on sale, you get the idea. I don't care anymore. I am not going to worry about the perfect gift. Any gift is perfect - given in the spirit of the Season without expectations.

This year I vow:
I will spend more time with my family than shopping for them.
I will shop online...now.
I will choose gifts for children that are lasting and not worry so much about the "wow" factor.
I will put myself in the midst of crowds, not at the mall or mart, but by attending the programs and activities that are so plentiful this time of year.
I will spend the month of December enjoying my imperfectly decorated home.
I will not send store bought cookies to the parties at school.
I will throw away the toy catalogs that arrive in the mailbox, only to cause daily edits to the already written letters to Santa.
I will make magic.

Happy "Halfway between Halloween and Thanksgiving"
Michelle Coles
marshmallowdream.com

Just returned from my son’s Veterans Day program. Sweet 8 and 9 year old voices singing all those patriotic songs we learned as children but can’t truly appreciate until we’re adults – until we have actually visited Montana and seen purple mountain majesty or lived through war time and realize the meaning of land of the free and home of the brave. Patriotism and gratitude is alive and well, joyous and unencumbered... in 4th grade and in me. Happy Veterans Day.