The PVL (Previous Version of Laura) was probably at this point suffering needlessly stressing about Christmas Nonsense X,Y and Z.

I recall distinctly wondering how I'd explain to the principal at the school why my two sons wouldn't be attending the evening Christmas show when they had tickets to the long-awaited Star Wars premiere. ["They love robots more than Jesus," she commented. I should have laughed right then and there.]

I recall trying to make everything work for everyone else on Christmas Eve when I knew I still had to come home and cook for Christmas Day.

This year, all of our beloved Christmas things are packed up and in storage. I bought a new tree and new ornaments, and my sentimental children weren't too keen on it. "We're in transition," I said to them, "We can do whatever we want this year and what doesn't work we don't have to do next year."

For Christmas Eve, my brother was insisting on a pizza party at his house at noon. I decided that won't work for us because we're attending Christmas Service at the church my daughter and I attend at 2. I simple said, "Sorry, won't work for us, but feel free to drop by my house on Christmas Day!"

And my family is replacing traditional Mass with a non-denominational worship with contemporary music. There was no complaing about that either. And since my niece goes to church with us, my brother moved his pizza party earlier to a brunch.

I've come to realize the devil is in the details! And its only one requested gift to open on Christmas morning plus a $100 bill. We do Secret Santas with our immediate family. Low stress there now as 3/4 of my children drive and have their own money.

I'm having a family friend recently widowed over for dinner on Monday night. My daughter likes orange chicken from Trader Joes, so that will be her birthday dinner on Sunday.

Also, in adjusting to zero based budgeting. Although my bank account balance is hovering there (but all bills are paid and I do have a buffer), my concern about lack of funds has caused me to check my cash envelopes where the money for gas and groceries and other expenses lives.

Time for new versions of everything. Or at least modifications to previous versions are happening.