We received our Xmas cards last week and we sent them out...  All 150 of them.  It was pretty hard to believe we knew that many people, but I guess when you've been around for as long as we have and have moved as often as we have, you end up meeting a lot of really nice people.  This is actually more of a "beat" than a "brag."

It was kind of sad, because I would say most of those people we only see maybe once a year.  Even my siblings and mom, who I love dearly, I only see every other month or so.  Once you have a family and start having kids, it's really hard to get out and socialize as often as you would like.  What used to be carefree hanging out turns into a whole-day affair, planning when to nap the kids, packing up all of their crap, and keeping an eye on them while you're trying to have fun with your friends, having to leave early to put the kids to bed, etc.  And also, Mrs. Fly and I are both home bodies - we just like relaxing and hanging out together whenever we do have free time.  Oh well.

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT?

These cookies aren't for us - Mrs. Fly likes to bake cookies for all of G's teachers.  Last Saturday she took these cookies to G's Korean school.  The school is run by a Presbyterian church, so she made cookies for his teacher, the pastor, the tae kown do instructor and all the volunteer ladies who make the kids lunch.  We also got them little gift cards.  Just to say "thanks" for taking care of our little guy.  I mean our intent is that of gratitude rather than a "bribe," but I think it's just human nature to be a little more aware of the people who have been kind to you.  Like I remember when G was in pre-school, his nap cot was in a nice quiet corner and the kids whose parents weren't very involved had their cots next to the door.  Anyway, being kind and generous (altho personally satisfying in and of itself) has its perks.  Or you can call it karma, or whatever.

What was kind of surprising was that the pastor was in shock because he said no parent had ever baked cookies or gotten them anything for the holidays before.  I guess since the setting was a CHURCH, I thought that people would be more thoughtful.  I think it was particularly surprising because he knows I'm an atheist (from a catholic family) and Mrs. Fly is agnostic.  Anyway, just because you don't go to church doesn't make you evil, and just because you go to church doesn't make you a good person (so take the extra step).

In case you are keeping score...  Heathens 1, Christians 0.