December 15, 2008. Chevy Chase, Md. Christmas.

The Christmas season is such a busy time. Between the gifts and the cards and the cooking and the entertaining it is hard to enjoy the holiday. When you add the church events and the decorating, it seems that the to do list never ends. Real Estate agents often get involved it a transaction, which of course takes precedence over all the personal tasks, so at this time of year agents get anxious. How are all the tasks every going to get done? The most impressive thing about the agents at work is their generosity. They contribute to Bethesda Cares, and a major support for Pediatric Aid. They give canned food for The Manna Center and toys for Toys For Tots. In addition they give money to the administrative staff, all pooled together so the staff gets to go Christmas shopping. This is an anxious time for Americans where everyone seems somewhat apprehensive for their job. Of course, Real Estate agents never have job security, so even tho the papers are full of doom and gloom, our agents are confident but careful. That is why their large collective efforts on behalf of other is so impressive. My hats are off to them.

My tasks for Christmas have changed a lot these past few years. I have plenty of time to complete my tasks. This year I have not decorated the apartment or the farm, as we have been here for such a short time. We entertain in restaurants. And soon we go to Texas to be with David and Suzanne and the girls, and I bet life will be busy there. Our routine is to take ourselves out of town every few years so our children and their spouse and children can spent time with the in-laws. Over the years I have seen my friends held hostage to their parents and in-laws where the demands to see the children seemed not pleasant for anyone, so we made sure we would not be a burden on our children. But this year we go to Texas, and we will have a grand time. Suzanne is so organized that I bet there will be no toys to assemble at midnight on Christmas Eve. At least I hope so!!