Right on, Albert! There are many wonderful groups in my area that help those in need. I'm in awe of people who dedicate so much time to helping others. Below is a picture showing what my credit union does. They set up two bins, the first for members to donate food to put in the backpacks of school children who won't have meals over the holiday break. The second one is for help with our elderly population, a group that often gets neglected. The credit union did a great job by sending out a list via email, so when I headed to the stores to shop for items, I knew exactly what to get. 

If you have a chance during these last weeks of the year, give to someone who needs help, no matter what it is. Like the saying goes, even if it's a little thing. It will make you feel warm and fuzzy, and happy to be part of the human race. 

Holidays make me kind of edgy. There's more stuff to cram into an already busy schedule, expectations of what life should look like (and usually doesn't), and memories of past holidays to compare to. My brain goes on overdrive, if I'm not careful. After a steady diet of thrillers, killers, and general mayhem on our TV viewing, I need to lighten up anyway, so the honey, the cat and I curled up for a couple of feel-good movies. 

One must watch at least one Christmas romance, and Holidaze was the winner for me this year. The premise was fairly typical; woman has fast-paced career in the city, gets a chance to see what would life would have been like if she'd stayed in her hometown and married her sweetheart. The acting is not overdone and what makes this one worth staying awake for, there's enough of a twist on this familiar trope to keep it fun and moving along nicely. You don't get bogged down in a pit of heavy drama.

Pixels really has nothing to do with the holidays, so it's a welcome break if you're ready to scream the next time you hear a Christmas carol.  Adam Sandler plays the lead nicely without going overboard. Kevin James does a good job as costar, and Peter Dinklage is a hoot to watch as a narcissistic gamer. The subtle romance made me giggle, and you know the two total opposites are going to get together in the end. The best part? All the '80's pop culture references. Anybody else remember Pac Man, Centipede, and Donkey Kong? If you do, you'll enjoy the sing-along music too.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, put a little soft fuzzy into your brain with a couple of light movies and don't stress out this holiday season.

http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/80037476?trkid=