The Days After Christmas Suck a Little

First there's the initial flirting - signs Christmas is coming. You start to see Santa's face peering at you in Walgreen's, the Halloween aisle at the Jewel is slowly replaced by red and green candies, then lots of cheap toys from China start to flood in. You start to get a little excited. Then at work, people start to talk of the holiday parties, the secret santa swap, and the treats start coming into the teacher's lunchroom. You're beginning to see what the fuss is all about. The kids start talking more and more about it too -wanting to watch that old dvd of Elf we have buried downstairs in the basement, scouring catalogs that arrive at the house for toys that will fulfill their dreams of a perfect Christmas.

Yes, pretty much since Halloween ended we have all been looking forward to Christmas. After Thanksgiving it was pretty much non-stop celebrating -cookie swaps, girl scout outings to sing to seniors at nursing homes, parties, drinking, eating, cooking, cute holiday cards flooding the mailbox everyday. Then, all of the sudden it's Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and now it's done. Not to say it wasn't the climax I wanted. It was great in every way. Sure, I missed my family and friends who live far away, but it was the first year where I felt as if I have really set down some roots here. But still, now it's done. All that's left to look forward for the next two months (or three or four) is snow and cold.

I guess instead of feeling all depressed that the holiday season is over (New Year's does not count for someone who has small children, unless you've got a babysitter which we're too broke to get at this point), I'll reflect on some of the highlights:

1) Our family got a karaoke machine.

2) I learned much more intimate details about neighbors and relatives thanks to a little over-drinking of the substance known as alcohol.

3) I get to relive my childhood by playing with my daughter's new dollhouse.

4) I got to eat lots of sweets and not feel guilty, since I will never eat anything bad for me again after Jan. 1st. Ever.

5) I am in the middle of a two-week vacation from work. Although the term vacation is used loosely here, since I've been stuck inside a lot with two active youngsters.

6) But I love my adorable, healthy, sweet, smart children. Most of the time.

7) Ditto for my husband.


Happy New Year, everyone! I promise to write more in 2010!!