I finally got to use my AARP membership to obtain $100 off the 1-year subscription to Ancestry.com which is normally $300. I paid $209. I am having withdrawal pains since my subscription lapsed but I didn't want to pay full price on the renewal.

A few years ago, I somehow got a 10-year membership to AARP. I honestly don't know how this happened...maybe AARP does that to get people started with them? This is probably the first time I was able to use my AARP membership to obtain a discount on something, so I'm pleased.

Today was our first snowfall, just about an inch that melted by noon.

I also received my new bonus BOA credit card where I'll earn $100 by charging $500. I charged the Ancestry membership to the card so now have less than $300 to go.

I picked up a few things for our get-together with the cousins: a bottle of wine and gift nuts and chocolates for both cousins. I'll be bringing a Christmasy tablecloth, Santa napkins and red paper plates to make our little post-dinner social time more festive.

I also made a double batch of my chocolate walnut dried cranberry balls, which everyone seems to love, and they're so easy to make.