I've bought two Christmas presents -- that's it. My other friends comment how they're almost finished and I don't even have a clue as to what to get for my sons and my husband. I stand balanced on the Christmas present brink. No my tree is not up, nor have I removed the horn of plenty from the center of my kitchen table. I am not, just not, in the "Christmas spirit" no matter how hard I try.

For some reason this year it seems further away than ever. I still have all my holiday sweatshirts and sweaters safely packed away in the "other" closet. You know the one where you put the stuff you aren't wearing.

I actually took out my Christmas jewelry yesterday and looked at it for a moment and then just put it right back into the drawer and closed it away. Somehow, the desire to celebrate the holiday has evaporated. I can't seem to get "in the mood". Oh don't worry, I'll bake my cookies and my lasagna or stuffed shells (we don't have turkey, besides right now I'm sick of turkey. I'd like a good burger) I don't eat pork at all, so I think I'll go vegetarian and do the stuffed shells. I'll put up the tree, much to my dread of all the work involved. I'll wrap the presents and smile and act cheery, inside I'll be waiting till I can take it down and go on with life.

Really truly, I'd rather go away and pretend that Dec. 25th was any other day. Maybe sit on the beach and watch the waves or go out to dinner. Something besides the hassle that has become Christmas.

Oh well! I'm with Fredo and the whole bah humbug!