Thank you for reading the December 2022 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Previous issues are available to read on our website. Go to www.thisawfulawesomelife.com and start scrolling or you can enter specific search criteria.

Next month we will be celebrating the new year and looking back on 2022. Will you be making resolutions this year?

What gifts will you be giving this year? If you voted, you may have helped give yourself and the people you care about the greatest gift possible – preserving our democracy. Guess what? I know voting was November 8, but you have to keep voting in every election and holding your representatives accountable for their words and their votes.

Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, Linda Cahill, and I will be back with interesting articles and recipes for you. For 2023 we will be celebrating the Twelve Months of Salads… vegetable salads, fruit salads, pasta salads, chicken, or tuna salad. Maybe there’ll be a gelatin salad. I haven’t decided yet.

We’ll be continuing our reading recommendations, streaming articles, “What’s in a Word?” and “Dare to Believe.”

It’s a new year for quizzes, Q&A’s, and book reviews. 

Have a wonderful holiday season and the happiest of New Years.

See you in 2023!

Stay safe. Stay well. You are important, and you are loved.

All my best,

Fran

Answers to the December 2022 Twenty-Five Songs of Christmas Quiz:

1.       It was Christmas Eve babe in the drunk tank (R) “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues featuring Kristy MacColl

2.       I never thought I’d find a love like this, But I found forever in that very first kiss. (Y) “You Make Me Feel Like Christmas” by Gwen Stefani with Blake Shelton 

3.       This year, to save me from tears I’ll give it to someone special (A) “Last Christmas” by Wham 

4.       The rhymes you hear are the rhymes of Darryl’s but each and every year we bust Christmas carols. (O) “Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC

5.       So, kiss me under the mistletoe, pour out the wine, let’s toast and pray for December snow. (T) “Merry Christmas” By Elton John and Ed Sheeran 

6.       Hang all the mistletoe I’m gonna get to know you better (C) “This Christmas” by Donnie Hathaway 

7.       The holiday is just another day that’s cold standing all alone under the mistletoe. (W) “Present Without a Bow” by Kacey Musgraves featuring Leon Bridges

8.       She’s candy apple red with a ski for a wheel and when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel. (I) “Little Saint Nick” by The Beach Boys 

9.       Come and trim my Christmas tree with some decorations bought at Tiffanys. (E) “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt

10.     I feel like I’m gonna to kiss you standing beneath that mistletoe. (M) “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Otis Redding 

11.   And what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun. (U) So, this is Christmas (Happy Xmas (War is Over)) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

12.    I’m barely getting through tomorrow, but still I won’t let sorrow bring me down. (G) “Hard Candy Christmas” by Dolly Parton

13.   I don’t want a lot for Christmas there is just one thing I need. (B) “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey 

14.   They’re gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree. (L) “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen 

15.   Kiss you once and then some more and wish you a Merry Christmas baby. (V) “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder

16.   Pretty lights on the tree (Christmas) I’m watching them shine (Christmas) You should be here with me. (D) “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home” by Darlene Love

17.    It’s the coldest time of winter and I shiver when I see the falling snow. (P) “If We Make It Through December” by Phoebe Bridgers

18.   In the distance the ringing of laughter and in the midst of laughter he cries. (S) “Pretty Paper” by Willie Nelson

19.   Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me. (F) “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley

20.   Who’s got a beard that’s long and white? (J) “Must be Santa” by Bob Dylan

21.   Well, I don’t need tinsel and lights or a tree with a star (All I need) All I need is to hold you tight. (X) “Christmas Where We Are” by Dolly Parton with Billy Ray Cyrus

22.   Santa, make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down. (H) “Run Rudolph, Run” by Chuck Berry

23.   The mood is right. The spirit’s up. We’re here tonight, and that’s enough. (Q) “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

24.   A star, a star dancing in the night with a tail as big as a kite. (K) “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Whitney Houston

25.   Prospero Ano y Felicidad (N) “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano