The Joy of the Season
Monday, November 29th, 2010From Monday Mom – Melissa:
You know, I seem to have a love-hate relationship with the month of December. I love the spirit of the season, finding the perfect gifts, celebrating our holiday traditions. But I hate the rush of it all. And it isn’t so much the rush of the actual holidays, but all of the added pressures that seem to follow me every holiday season. Sort of like the ghosts of December. You never know what the new pressure will be. But with December looming, the season has begun and the ghosts have started to appear!
All through high school and college my family had a holiday store that we ran from November 1st through the middle of January. I was the only kid at home. So guess who did all of the decorating, gift buying, wrapping, etc.. Yup, yours truly. Then I started to teach full-time and, CRAZY lady that I am, I decided that it would be great supplemental money to offer Christmas Craft workshops (for the 4-6 weeks prior to Christmas). So I would work full-time teaching, then offer classes from 4pm-8pm most evenings. On Saturdays, I would have a daytime offering 10am-2pm, and a PM offering 4pm-8pm. This evolved into offering 30+ workshops last year.
Of course, my son (the silly boy that he is) also decided to make his arrival early in December (Christmas Eve) back in 2005. Thus adding to the “rush” and “joy” of this month. Thankfully, we did a summer birthday party this year (as he wanted a dunk tank for his birthday – won’t work in PA in December). So that is one less stressor, although I do feel pressured to have some sort of small party – but I am trying to hold myself back!! This year in addition to all of the normal crazy workshops, my regular online job, and mommy duties – – I also have my final custody court date to prepare for and a quick business trip in the mix.
So, although I LOVE this season (I am the woman who starts playing the Christmas music on November 1st and puts up my tree and decorations the first weekend of November), I wish for just one year it could slow down. I am going to share now with everyone that next year – 2011, will be MY year to slow down and enjoy the holidays: bake extra cookies, have craft play dates with the kids, offer only 3 Craft workshops (you know I can’t quit cold turkey – it is great money and basically pays for all of my holiday shopping), and try to enjoy the season slowly.
I wish all of you the joy of this season. And regardless which holidays you and your family celebrate: may you have the time to soak it all in, relax, and enjoy the quiet of the evening (at least some of the month). December….. here I come, my engine is revved up and I am ready to go – Ka Chow!! (Any Cars fans out there?)