One more thing before the end of the year....

Have been in London for two weeks now. It has been so cold and dreary most of the time.....it is wonderful to be with Camille, though!!! We have gone out with friends, to the theater, out walking in the rain and snow......Frankie and Frank made it over for Christmas and Camille's birthday. It was a surprise for her and.......she was!!!

I arrived on a cold and snowy day.... fortunately, it started snowing after the plane landed. I was glad for that!! The flight over was pretty smooth, but I couldn't sleep much. AND the plane was full!!! Still, Virgin Atlantic gets my vote for best service to London, I'll fly again with them. Anyway, where was I? Yes, snow. Well, just on cue, that little snow on my day of arrival has turned into the coldest winter so far in 40 years!!! Sleet, freezing rain in the city and snow storms paralyzing the country are the order of the day. One or two amazingly sunny but freezing days in between.....Need I say more?

Next year, I'm back on the island!!! It is really the only way to spend the Season. I only have to look at the Facebook pages of friends that are spending these Holidays back in Curacao. One party after another: drinks here, Tie Night there, some one's birthday, Christmas parties, brass bands, beach days........aahhhh, that is the Life! I want a part of it!!!

Next year at this time, we will be preparing ourselves for the reverie of New Year's Eve celebrations. I can already hear the firecrackers, see the sky light up with color and the music......aaahhh!!! Yes, from now on, Holiday celebrations will be at the beach!!!

December......

I know, it's December....everyone should be in the Christmas Spirit, but not this year, not in the same way as in other years. Should we be surprised? It's the economy, stupid....has become again the focal point in most people's lives. And with very good reasons: unemployment is at 10% (some places even higher), consumer confidence is non-existent, there are two wars raging.......so what are we to do?

December has always been a favorite month with our family. Celebrations, family reunions, gifts exchanges, Holiday travel.......food and drinks!!! While we lived in Curacao, this was my favorite time, especially after the children came to study in the States. They would come back to the island for Christmas. I would decorate the house, all of it, with fairy lights and holly (artificial of course!!), we would plan get-togethers and visits to friends. I would cook non-stop and made sure there was always food and drinks available. All the youngsters would be home for the Holidays and the island was one big party. Christmas Eve was for family...but ended in a party. Fireworks would light the skies on the 31st to welcome the New Year and we would end New Year's day on the beach

Remembering that is why I am a bit torn this year. My daughter cannot make it to Miami. I am putting my best foot forward and going to London to see her. Sort of like a mini-reunion....husband and son are still undecided about their plans. Right there, it's a big difference in our family's celebrations. The girls in one place, the guys in another. Makes me sad. We try to be together for this Season, every year. We have been successful 99.9% of the time: in 2002 my son and husband got to Curaçao on December 27th and in 2007 my daughter stayed in London for Christmas, I joined her for New Year's.......pretty good record I should say! Not this year.....What to do? Let's make the best of it. Still, it's December! The Season to be Jolly!