Merry Christmas 2018

I remember 1978 as if it was yesterday. I was 12 years old, and my sister was 8. It was also the year my Mom purchased The Carpenters "Christmas Portrait" album. Every year, a few days after Thanksgiving, when I would come home from school, the house would be decorated, cookies baking and Karen Carpenter singing 'Merry Christmas Darlin'. It was also a time, when you had to go to the store to shop, write and mail Christmas Cards, all without going online to buy it or say it. I also remember on Christmas Day, we would open gifts, head out to our grandparents and then make a final stop for dinner at my Aunt Lea and Uncle Frank's and I got to be with my cousins Leann and Skip. Yet, today we claim there isn't enough time and yet we do all our shopping from home! This year, I will admit, I have been super busy, but I managed to get it all done by December 23rd, wrap the gifts and watch some Christmas Movies by the fireplace. Oh yeah, and as I write this, 40 years later, Karen Carpenter is singing in the background. Some traditions will not change. Merry Christmas to you and your Family and Friends.

xoxo Ike