Pondering Christmas

There are lots of things that parents don't get credit for throughout the lifetime of their children. This year I realized that most of this "discredit" happens during the holiday season.I worked my tail off this Christmas to buy presents that I thought my children, who already have EVERYTHING, would really enjoy.

I braved the malls when five million other people were doing the same thing.

I spent money on things that my kids didn't REALLY need. I wrapped for hours to make sure everything was hidden and discreet.I tucked all of the presents neatly under the Christmas tree in preparation for Christmas morning.
I stayed up late on Christmas Eve, waiting for my excited children to fall asleep so that I could fill their stockings to overflowing.And on Christmas morning, when my kids came running into my bedroom before the sun had even risen, to wake me up with shear excitement, who got all the credit for the overflowing stockings and numerous wrapped gifts under the tree?That chubby, white-haired hair man who goes by the name of Santa Claus.Have you ever thought about that? And have you ever given any thought to just how trusting children are?

This year we were given an "Elf on the Shelf." A little elf, which our family named Melvin, showed up one evening with a story book, to explain his job. He was sent to our home by the big man himself, to keep an eye on the behavior taking place within our house. Each night he would head back to the North Pole to report to Santa. The next morning, and every morning after, until Christmas Eve, he would be found in a different place, carrying out the same job.

It struck me as funny, that my kids never questioned how he got into our house. Or that they never gave it a second thought that, "Hey, maybe Mom and Dad are moving that little stuffed character around the house after we go to sleep at night."

I guess if they never question why Santa uses the exact same wrapping paper that Mom uses, they wouldn't question Melvin's existence!

And just one more Christmas item to ponder since we're on the subject. Have you ever given any thought to the fact that it takes 4 hours to wrap all of the presents and only 4 seconds to unwrap them?

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Rest up until next year!

The Aftermath of Christmas

I am, undoubtedly, an early morning riser. I'm usually crawling out of bed before the morning sun peeks out from behind the mountains.

This morning was a little bit different. Although I was awake, I was putting off crawling out of bed because I knew what was awaiting me....

The Aftermath of Christmas!And now, I am planning a day trip away from home to further postpone the stress of it all! If only Santa could grant me my Christmas wish....That upon my return home, everything would be put in it's proper place, organized, and labeled!!!
I think it's better if I just never return home...

I know...I'm slacking...

My friends keep giving me grief that I don't update my blog like I used to.

I know...I'm guilty as charged. I'm slacking off. I'm finding it more and more difficult to plant my bottom at the computer and write clever little stories about my clever little children.

It's because those clever little children are keeping me cleverly busy!

Or maybe I'm the one who over-schedules. I have been known to do that!

Since my last post I have...

Hosted a Thanksgiving breakfast for my family where each member had a name card with a list of reasons why we are thankful for them.

Transformed the teacher's lounge at my children's elementary school into a festive party-place for a holiday luncheon sponsored by the PTA. (Oh, and see those desserts? I made the ones on the top and bottoms plates!)Let go of some "mess-making anxiety" and hosted a gingerbread decorating play date at MY HOUSE!!!

Toted my kids to a Breakfast with Santa party at my dad's place of employment.

Dolled up my trio so they looked the snazziest at their first grade holiday music performance. (Oh...and did I mention....I decorated the background as a favor for the music teacher.)

I have given my children a taste of the performing arts with a trip to see The Grinch at the Old Globe Theater, all expense paid by Bank of America! We were even treated to a Grinch Buffet prior to the show at the American Institute of Fine Arts which is across the street. My children were surprised to see the Grinch walk into the room, but based on their numerous questions, I'm pretty sure they were more surprised by the endless number of art pieces that displayed human genitalia. You can imagine the comments and questions!

So I've been busy. I've not been sitting around, purposely neglecting my blog. No eating Bon Bons and watching Oprah for this girl.

And as I've said a million times before....I'll try to be better at updating!!!

Although...

My monsters have been released from learning duty for the next three weeks.... and they will be inheriting a disgusting amount of new things for Christmas, on top of the disgusting amount of things they just inherited from 8 nights of Hanukkah that will certainly need organizing... and T-ball season is just around the corner....and all three first graders want to try their hand at acting and join the after school drama program that begins the first of the year....and.....and...and...

Can you give me just a little slack??? Pleeeaaaassse?

Because Everybody Deserves a Lifetime....

There are a lot of ways I could go with this blog post and I struggle with the decision on which way I should choose.

Shall I begin at the beginning and speak of the inspirational kick-start message that was given by the representatives of the Susan G. Komen organization?

Or should I start at the end and work backwards, because after walking 60 miles in 3 days, the word backwards describes me best?Do I post pictures of my already ugly feet that are now adorned with red, raw skin on almost every square inch around the perimeter, or do I spare you the visual? (Sorry folks, can't resist. The following photos may not be suitable for those with weak tummies!)Okay, so it's not THAT bad!

Do I share with you the details of some of the truly unbelievable life stories that I heard from my wonderful teammates, or do I spare the details to keep my friends?

Is it appropriate to post a picture of ladies sporting boobie costumes on my G-rated blog?Should I risk less sympathy and admit that the walk was quite enjoyable not only because of my team and the wonderful group of almost 4,000 other walkers, but because there isn't a more beautiful stretch of 60 miles than in beautiful sunny San Diego?

It doesn't matter which way I choose to start or finish this particular blog post. What matters most is that you realize the amazing inspiration that empowered me and will continue to empower me.

What matters most is that you realize that there are countless amazing women that have fought and are fighting the battle against breast cancer.

Their challenges don't compare to the challenges I faced in this walk, or to any of the other challenges that I have faced in life, for that matter.I was brought to tears over and over when I realized that this disease sees no age limit. I struggled even to look at the photographs of the women my age, with a family much like my own, who lost their battle with breast cancer. Ignorant as it may sound, to me, breast cancer never had the face of a young woman. I pictured it on someone who is older.I'm proud that I participated in an event that strives hard to help change lives.

I'm proud that I walked 60 miles in 3 days and lived to tell about it!

And most importantly, I'm truly amazed and inspired by the hundreds of breast cancer survivors that I shared the sidewalk with for the past 60 miles.

Worthless Worry

I am due to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-day in just 8 more days. In those three days, I will walk a total of 60 miles.

Initially I was worried about raising the $2,300 that is required of each walker. I reached and exceeded my goal in less than four weeks, thanks to my wonderful and generous family and friends.

Having my financial goal reached, I immediately began to worry about another thing.

And it is certainly not what I should be wasting my time worrying about.

Because I am not so worried about walking 20 miles one day, then getting up and walking another 20 miles the next day, and then getting up a third day and walking another 20 miles. Nope. That's not so scary to me.

And I'm not worried about freezing my buttooti off while sleeping in the tents right near where the ocean waves crash, because my friend and I are much too wimpy for that and we right away opted to rent a room at a nearby hotel.

And I'm not worried about blisters on my toes from all the walking, because I bought three new pair of tennis shoes, new socks with wicking, and a package of mole skin which is said to keep feet free from blisters.

And I'm not worried about becoming dehydrated while walking 60 miles, because I went right out and bought a handy-dandy fanny pack that holds not one, but two water bottles...one for water, the other for Gatorade.

And I'm not worried about looking silly while out there walking 60 miles, because my team of triplet moms bought the cutest and most comfortable pink t-shirts that we had printed to say, "More the Merrier, Walker for Knockers. Got triplets?"

But my number one worry DOES have something to do with the previously mentioned triplets....and child number four....and a darling husband!

My NUMBER ONE worry about walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk is.....

WHAT MY HOUSE WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN I RETURN HOME AFTER BEING GONE FOR 3 DAYS!!!!

I know it sounds absurd, but it is the truth. On numerous occasions I have returned home after just 3 short hours to find the house in total shambles.

On numerous occasions my husband questions whose standards we are going by.

On numerous occasions I remind him that we are a family of humans....not pigs!

Calgon...Take Me Away!

I didn't need to hear the other side of the conversation my 4-year old daughter was having with my mother, to decipher what the conversation was all about. Annie's response made it crystal clear.

"Oh Ma...she's ALWAYS grumpy like that."

Just what you want to hear when you're recovering from the conversation you overheard your son having with the puppy while preparing for his evening bath.

"Lily....Do you like licking butts? Stop that!"

And that came right after cleaning up snotty tissues that same puppy retrieved from the bathroom trashcans and shred to a million and one pieces...for the tenth time today!

And remind me.....why did I give in and get that puppy????

Oh Calgon....PLEASE take me away!!!