Went Christmas caroling to the church shut-ins. It was nice to see them brighten up, tear up, sing along, watch the children in the group or look like they were far away in another time and place.

Last night when I got my "makeover," which this promotion had started weeks ago, well, last night was the very last night they were doing it, I found out. And I was the very last person they did it to :))) Whatever they sold me, so far so good, my skin really looks better. But a lady in the caroling group today, she said how someone she knows, way up in age, has perfect skin and she uses Pond's or Vaseline. Then another lady said how her grandmother had not one wrinkle at age 95, porcelain skin, and she's used Pond's her whole life. Should we all run out and buy Pond's?

Once I read a story in the St. Petersburg Times. It was about a woman who lived out in the country, and the journalist obviously could not help himself, he said her skin was flawless, and the woman was not young. She was old. Guess what her trick was? She washed her face in fresh urine every morning. I think I'll stick to Pond's. Whatever sterile urine could do for my complexion, my complexion will simply have to do without. I shouldn't have repeated this story, but it's just so mind-boggling . . . Please forgive me for this post into unchartered territory. I needed something sensational to up the readership. Just kidding.

I was tempted to go to the mall again tonight and use some more coupons. But I've drawn the line in the sand. I AM DONE. I will just not be able to save $10 our of $50 at Penney's. I will have to pass on 40% off DVD sets at Borders. The good news is that DTD called me this morning: Did you buy me a leather jacket yesterday? No, DTD, I did not, they were OUT. DTD: Good, because there's one I really like at TJMaxx. Great, BUY IT. DTD: It's $70. How much was it before? $200. BUY IT. Then I asked if she wanted to drop it off so I could wrap it and place it under the tree. But no, she wanted to wear it to hostess tonight, as it's cooler here and the hostess station is outside. I came out of this one smelling like a rose. Wasn't looking forward to fighting the crowds in search of leather jackets that don't exist this year, hardly, only to buy one DTD would have to fight the crowds to return.

Mike and I are pooped, we carolled around for 4 hours. But to me it was very important. Once a family (I taught their two sons piano lessons) hosted a Christmas recital for my students in their beautiful home. They make the social circuit but the mother very seriously told me that this piano party was the most meaningful thing they did. That was in the day when I had a lot of students, like 20-some of them. After the performances we all sang Christmas carols. Mike and I were dating so he led the singing and he kept messing up The 12 Days of Christmas, as in leaving out a whole line on each round. He said I was doing it wrong and I was like, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?, and we publicly disagreed after each verse (12 of them, you know). But it was kinda funny, botching it up each time, everyone was laughing. Honestly, do you ever look back at stuff and wonder how you pulled it off, or pulled through? I haven't a clue in the world how I used to teach 29 piano pupils every week. What are some of the things you've done at which you look back in awe. Come on, let's brag a little.

Have a nice Sunday everyone!

KEM