•  Thanksgiving has come and gone for yet another year. Now we can begin our preparations for Christmas.  I can't believe how different I am beginning to feel about this holiday.  I don't agree with all the early inventories the stores stock promoting Christmas in a very commercial way but it's not going to stop just because I don't like it.  I could spend hours dwelling on it and I could also be stressed out fearing I wasn't going to get everything done but instead I'm feeling quite calm.  I don't feel the need to run myself ragged anymore.  I used to decorate every room of the house from top to bottom and make all kinds of goodies and stress out about what to give everyone.  Christmas still comes but I'm finding that I'm allowing myself to enjoy it more than ever before because I'm no longer putting myself in "take on the world" mode for 24 days each December.  I saw a woman at Hobby Lobby with a cart heaping with greenery and picks and ribbons and a lead weight resting heavily on her shoulders.  I remember that feeling all too well, especially the lead weight but I haven't rented space on my shoulders out to lead weights for a few  years now and I can honestly say, I don't miss it.  I hope you find some time to relax before your celebrations arrive.  It really is a wonderful feeling!
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•   Vern and Virginia Swanson were Thanksgiving Day guests at Veronica and Dick Paulson's home in Aberdeen.  Dorothy Dubs of Huron and Rhonda Dubs of Minneapolis were among the many guests there.  Dorothy, Rhonda and Veronica spent Friday and Saturday at the Swanson home enjoying their annual Christmas cookie baking days. 
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• Last week Tuesday Vern and Virginia Swanson were afternoon visitors at the home of Roger and Judy Andres in Britton.  They enjoyed coffee and a time of visiting.
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• Patti Bailey was a Thanksgiving weekend visitor of Yvonne Gibbs.  Patti and  Yvonne joined Dan, Megan and Maria Ogren and Iver, Monica, Lincoln and Harley Gibbs for Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Dan and Suzie Ogren.
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• Barney and Carol Hanse hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for all of their children, their partners and the grandkids.  I happen to know all of them and they're some pretty awesome people so I'm betting it was a very warm and friendly place to be!

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