Where did my life go?

I really don't remember Christmas being this busy!! Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me, perhaps this simply is a busier season than ever before, perhaps I'm just a little older. Whichever it is, every day is a rush with much to do and little accomplished. However, despite my personal impression of the proverbial headless chicken, people are still ringing bells, people are still donating money, angels are being taken from the trees and planning district 16 is again proving that it's a community that looks after its own.

Thanksgiving Day was wonderful and our last real family day until Christmas Day. Don't get me wrong, our children still see Christi and me...just not at the same time. In fact, I get more concentrated kid time during these weeks than most as I will often take one of my children on my kettle run, and that child will have my undivided attention for three or four hours. I treasure those opportunities. Incidentally we have so far raised $49,496 in kettle money. This is about $9,000 below my very aggressive goal though $10,243 above last year through this date. The major issues, however, is the massive increase in need.

On a final note, I have lost 4 pounds now. Not a stellar start to my diet, but it is going in the right direction. The major problem...finding time to exercise!!! Go figure.

Please pray for our Christmas effort, and for The Salvation Army nationwide as we continue to try and raise money during the most difficult of economic times.