I have stopped shopping till I re-check my stash piles. I will do that next weekend when the girls are at dad's house. It is way too hard to do it around them. I have whittled my gift list to people I HAVE to buy for as well. I have really narrowed things down. I also will only send out few cards. I have not really received too many. A clear sign of the times! I also noticed alot of homes around me do not have lights up and on for the season. I have a spot light but only turn it on here and there. I really hope to not buy too many more gifts.

Today a lady gave me a box of candy for delivering the newspaper each week. She asked me how long I have been delivering. I told her about three years. I think she felt badly she had not blessed me for three years. I really never expect anything from anyone. So that was a nice treat that I shared with my kids. In the past I would felt guilty and would of re-gifted it. Now I see it as a blessing to enjoy with my kids! Again...a nice treat to get a gift.