The Holidays are upon us!

Picking up from where I left last February, it is now November 21, 2006! I don't know why I haven't written all this time... I have been in the UK and Poland last May (lots to talk about). We have had a fabulous vacation in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in July (those tourists and bisons are indeed worthwhile to stare at) and I had a long weekend in Washington DC together with Karin who flew in from Holland in September (well, talking and blogging don't go very well together).
Now it is two days before Thanksgiving. This year it means one lousy day off this Thursday... Somehow the Thanksgiving spirit never caught on with me (maybe we Dutchies are too pragmatic or maybe it is just because there is no family in my immediate surroundings to share this day with..). I also do not want to be caught dead in shops on Friday, when the rest of the USA is trying to get the best deals for the "upcoming gift-giving season". As for Christmas, for me it suffices to buy my kids some presents and send out Christmas cards. Never got into the habit of buying gifts for whomever 'till my creditcards burst at the seams. Even my kids don't really know what to ask for Christmas; doesn't everyone already have everything???? It never ceases to amaze me what people come up with to buy year after year. This year a 42" TV, next year a 52" TV, ... When does it stop?