Since the second week of November, it has seemed more like December or January. Today we can see the sun! We haven't seen much of it lately either.
I can't ever remember in my 63 years having this type of weather this early in the season. I really shouldn't complain because a major snowstorm just missed us in the last two days. North of Bay City, they received 12-15 inches of snow when we just got rain. Normally I would rather have the snow but we've already seen too much . . . . and it isn't even winter yet.

This is a rather unsettled Christmas season for us. My husband is a GM retiree so we are just living from day to day wondering what next year will bring. We could end up with much of our retirement money gone as well as our health care. I'm hoping that it doesn't happen but it is a real possibility that we must face. Needless to say, we won't be spending too much on presents this year. I've been trying to give more to my charities as there are so many needy people. Its heartbreaking. We have an "angel tree" at church where needy families can have their families added. I went through all of the angels and found very few asking for toys. Most were clothes, blankets, shoes, winter boots, etc. I still would like to pick up a few toys for "toys for tots" since I have none of my own to buy for. I can't imagine a child not getting at least one toy for Christmas.

So many people are losing their jobs with companies going out of business and plant closings. It seems that you hear of a new one everyday. My son works in a small shop that makes products for the auto companies, so he's worried about his job. Then there is my daughter who is in pre-med and has one year left before she gets into medical school. I worry about there being no money available for her to finish school. But in all, I'm very thankful that I am one who can give to the charities instead of having to receive from them.

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season, no matter which one you celebrate. I hope that 2009 is a good year for all of us and that we all can survive this economic mess that we are in.