that time of year again

What is it about our culture that says that we have to buy gifts for everyone? It is amazing how people go into debt buying things that are not even appreciated over time. Think back about all the gifts that you have gotten. I'll bet you can't remember most of them. What really makes people happy? Is it the gift or the connection with another person? People create so much more stress for themselves by believing that they have to buy expensive gifts for others. Whatever happened to making something special or just writing a very nice card? What if you gave gifts in the form of donations or charity work? Can you imagine getting a card that said the person had given their time to a charity as a gift to you? How would you feel? Do you have to get and give material presents to be happy, or would you be just as happy with the satisfaction that something nice had been done in your honor? Remember, this is all about your belief system. You are the boss of your own values. - Dr. Rick Blue

i read this quote last friday and it resonated with me - its truth is so simple and yet so profound. mn and i haven't been buying christmas gifts for our families or friends for a couple of years now - we made cookies last year and the year before made donations. sometimes it's still hard for me, tho - the pull of tradition and advertising can be fairly strong. not to mention sometimes it's fun to go on an endless hunt for who knows what. but for me, the holiday season isn't about how many gifts you receive or how many you buy for others. the holiday season is about spending time with family and friends, focusing on each other and catching up on what's been happening while you've been separated. it's a time of reunion, a time of caring, a time of love.

mn and i won't be able to spend time with our families during the holidays this year because the airlines seem to think the holidays are the only time of the year they can make some serious cash - the price jacking is dumbfounding. for example, i'm travelling to atlanta on january 10 and returning on january 16. i found an outstanding price of $220 - yes, round trip. (thank you, karol for spreading the word about farecast.com.) when i search the same criteria with the exception of entering a departure date during the week before christmas, the 79-day low is $479 and the high is $696. how is that possible? how can it possibly cost $476 more to fly to the same city just a few days prior??? the answer is it doesn't. the airlines know people really want to spend time with their friends and family during the holidays, and some are willing to shell out more cash for the tickets. ah, the spirit of the season.

so if you're a member of the crew of mn/lucky's family and friends, please know we would love to be able to spend the holidays with y'all. please know we'll be thinking of y'all and toasting the strength of love and friendship no matter how many miles lie between us.

here's a photo of us in downtown portland on the night of the tree lighting. even though there was a chill in the air, people were cheerful and filled with the holiday spirit. we had a great time participating in a tradition of our new city.