Let's see if I can do a somewhat reflective post. It may be updated as we close this one out.

The good: Despite all efforts to prevent it, we did get a saner president. I lost a ton of weight and made other strides toward a healthier me. DH lost a ton of weight and made other strides toward a healthier him. Accomplished many home projects and finally got a For Sale sign up. My eldest son has been more emotionally and financially stable than, well ever. None of my nearest and dearest got Covid! (and most got vaccinated)

The bad: The world is still a hot mess with way too many people accepting conspiracy theories. Work is still too challenging with not enough resources to solve issues.

The ugly: My younger son has decided to reject the entire Holt side of the family for reasons beyond our understanding. Tomorrow is my grandson's 1st birthday and one side of his family won't be included. May he wake up in 2022.

Hey at least the good list is longer.

dcp, thanks for the card. ltc already tried to steal the little paper snowflake that came with it!

I have started to receive cards. They cheer me up. Thanks.

sj, hah! I like fancy paper goods, especially in 3-D. I like that site a lot.

If you haven't already, try some simple origami with her. She is about the same age I was when I was first introduced to it.

Oooh, that's an idea! I think they sell origami page a day calendars. Maybe I'll look into getting something like that for her this year. Thessaly has shown her a couple basic origami things, and ltc loves making things with her hands.

Our cards are being mailed out today.

NO PRESSURE, SJ!!! ;)

I can't remember whether I have told this story here before.

I was, I think, a fairly stereotypically avaricious little kid. If I saw a toy, I wanted it. I would beg my Dad for this toy and that toy, and the answer was always "No." But I learned that when I asked for some 3x5 cards, or a few sheets of typing paper, the answer was always "Yes." So I learned to make toys with them. Simple stuff, that didn't need special origami paper.

I never did graduate to the really complicated stuff. I leave that to the experts, but I enjoy the results. Like this guy, who was a Kickstarter perq: [link]

We had similar parents, dcp. Being the 3rd daughter new clothes weren't an option, but my mother would let me buy patterns and fabric anytime so I learned to sew quite well. Also, loved the snowflake origami, thank you!

ltc has been impossible with asking for things lately. And I’ve been sticking to no because it’s almost Christmas and she will be spoiled rotten.

Yes, thank you, dcp (butterfly), and smonster, and ND and Pix. They are totally a day brightener! I love having cards on the mantle representing this place. Makes me smile.

Mine are half done and going out tomorrow... pretty sure I missed the postal carrier today.

Recap of 2021 not quite ready yet. Also, technically, I'm on a call.

Here. And grateful to be so, and for you guys. Not doing a retro--leaving it in the dust. It's best that way.