The secret to neighborhood parties is to leave while it is still fun. We have three this week. I feel lucky to live where people do this.
This year my house gift is A Jiri Tea from Kenya: “100% of profits support Orphan Education in Western Kenya.”
At the first neighborhood party, I stayed about 45 minutes. I had nice chats with four women, but you know, sometimes I get in a rut and bring up the same topics I have brought up for years.
The first woman and I talked about the parking situation on the street and how train commuters park all day although they are not supposed to.
The second woman and I talked about the parking situation on the street and how the town did a study and never pursued any recommendations.
The third woman and I talked about how great the new minister is but how the old assistant minister was given a bum deal.
The fourth woman and I talked about her daughter-in-law’s work helping Chinese nationals invest in the U.S. economy for an EB-5 visa. I definitely didn’t talk about EB-5 visas at a party in the past. I just learned about them at a September conference.
Here I am at the office holiday party, where I contributed a gumdrop tree (below) for the Yankee Swap, and the person who got it decided it would become her Christmas tree this year. I left this party early, too.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Yes. When I was young, I wanted to be the last to leave the party. These days, I understand that for my own good, I ought to be one of the first to leave the party. But, I’m still grateful that there are parties to attend. (P.S., you look too young to be one of those who are eager to leave the party early).
Tee-hee. Not exactly young. Tracy Lee, if you celebrate Christmas, have a merry one. I look forward to meeting up in the new year.