Each time I begin, I take a long time looking at it, immobile. It is an impossible task I hate doing more than most things in life. If I couldn't do it, I would really be concerned about my mental health, but somehow I force myself to start --- so this year it has begun again as in years past.

That awful task that needs to be done by year's end is cleaning out the closets! Each piece of clothing is judged and sentenced to either continue working or is banished from the house forever. Each stained, stretched, faded, and worn-out piece of cloth is lovingly touched and remembered fondly for carrying me through some good times.

However, what must be found are those articles of clothing hidden among the favorites --- those evil pieces that get smaller each year, that never fit properly across the buttocks, or were an outright mistake from the very beginning and should have never been invited into our bedroom closets! Those with sales tags still dangling from their armpits are testaments to their uselessness.

These discarded garments are boxed and taken away to fend for themselves on their own merits of color, size, style, or servitude. If they want more life, they must catch the eye of a bargain shopper sorting through racks of junk. After these misfits are gone from my sight, I no longer think of them any more, but feel relieved at the newly discovered space in my closet! How roomy!!

Shopping, anyone?

Like every Christmas, we had a few things that had to be returned in a timely manner.

A framed gift that came with a damaged corner, a duplicate item, a magical money jar that counted quarters as nickles! Now that is magical --- we could go broke on paper with that one. Especially since it took another five dollars just to mail it back.

That's the worst thing about ordering by catalog. Last year I had to do all of my shopping that way because of a foot injury, but this year I had a choice. Hooray, I even dumped the mile-high stack of catalogs early! I didn't have to round them up, throw a red & green tablecloth over them and pretend it was furniture. That idea is all mine, no help from our ex-con decorator diva, just experience.

Returning gifts does drag out Christmas a bit longer though and I like that part of the ritual. It makes the holidays last until ALL the defective gifts have been replaced and reopened like a re-wrapped present under a needle-free tree.

Christmas is over much too fast to suit me and I'm always ready for a rewind. Only 358 days to go!

Hubby and I have posted our New Year's resolution on the refrigerator. To improve our health, our goal is to walk every day. We have a big trip coming up at the end of April and we want to be as physically fit as possible.

Of course, yesterday was tooooooo cold and windy!!! Today is the same. Ha, this is going to be quite a mental challenge --- thinking up excuses.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my Streamer friends and family! May 2008 be filled with many joys and blessings for you and yours. ~~~ Hugs, Rita

Heading home, I came upon four police cars with flashing blue lights! Very holiday festive in the advent color of hope!

They had pulled over a tiny compact car, that was packed with at least six big people. A policewoman, in a flak jacket, was edging up cautiously to the rear of the vehicle.

As I passed, I glanced over at the driver and he was smiling! Smiling?!?

Now, if I was surrounded by eight tense cops, that "smiling thing" would be the last thing I'd do. Nope, no way. I'd put on my respectful face for that surprise encounter, wrapping my license in a fifty just for good measure..... only kidding, officer!

Drive safely for New Year's Eve, Streamers! ~~~ Hugs, Rita B, Your Designated Driver of the Stream

P. S. Happy New Year's, Judi!

Honest-to-goodness, Streamers, the day after Christmas I went to K-Mart to get some storage containers and the Valentines were out!

There they occupying the same center aisle that had been filled with Christmas goodies only two days before! Stacks of heart-covered teddy bears ringed the shelves. It was disturbing.

No wonder time flies by so darn fast these days cause, yikes, I'm already behind on mailing out my Valentine's Day cards!