With the absence of anything interesting to report, I have been absent from the blog world. I’m busy doing all the last minute things: baking and decorating Christmas cookies for both boys’ classes, shopping for last minute gifts, wrapping things, planning menus, praying I’m not forgetting anything… And time is just flying by. This week–my boys’ last week of school before the holiday–is my week to write. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. I have minimal responsiblities this week. Basically the holiday baking, some cleaning (it never stops), and the kids’ school parties. So…I’m thinking I can squeeze in some productive hours in between the trays of baked goods. It’s worth a try anyway…

In other news, I started and finished (it only took a couple days) Enthusiasm–the book I was raving on and on about a month or so ago. I loved it–absolutely loved it. It was playful, different, witty, and basically just wonderful. I’m delighted to have stumbled across it and that I decided to buy it, because this one was definitely a keeper. I lent it to my mom yesterday, so we’ll see what she thinks. I also finished One Night With You by Sophie Jordan and posted my review here. So, if you’re looking for a recommendation, look no further than these two books. Now, on to The Luxe!

I’ve decided that I either had a great deal of luck in getting assigned to work Thursdays at Mothers Day Out or else God intervened, knowing I wouldn’t handle Tuesdays well. Every week I go in on Thursday, only to be told that Tuesday was absolutely, unbelieveably horrid. Various, justifiable reasons are given, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Well yesterday was the topper. Evidently they had to deal with the following:

1. There is one little girl whose parents and grandparents are under the mistaken impression that she is potty-trained, so they dress her in panties and don’t provide diapers or pull-ups. She has an accident everyday, usually on some toy or other, and an area often has to be cordoned off. Well, yesterday, she apparently went behind the dollhouse to poo and it seeped down into her boots. Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick!

2. Then there was a little girl who feel asleep during nap time and started throwing up in her sleep, getting stuff all over herself and her mat.

3. There was a biting incident, a screaming problem, and a dad who, out of the blue, apparently was demanding to see his child.

4. And finally, there was a potty-trained little boy who was sleeping so soundly that he didn’t notice he’d peed all over himself, his mat, and his pillow.

Glad to have missed it all! I’d come to the conclusion that Thursdays at M.D.O. were
50% Quality time with the kids
25% Clean-up (of lunch messes, the floor, toys, books, the bathroom, etc)
and 25% bodily fluids

I think Tuesdays weigh much more heavily on the bodily fluids. Cross your fingers that my luck holds tomorrow!

I’m rarely frazzled–I usually have things pretty much together and pride myself on being able to efficiently multi-task. But suddenly, this week, I’m floundering a little–I’m frazzled, and I don’t really know how to fix things. When I was wrapping gifts, I’d eyeball the gift and estimate how much wrap I needed, then I’d cut it, and the paper would be no where near big enough. And then today, after a marathon shopping trip to Target lasting almost two hours (I’m not even sure what I was doing in there that took so long), I got home and was walking towards my front door pressing the car’s keyless entry, evidently thinking it would work on my house. This year it just seems like there are so many little things, and I’m having trouble keeping track. I’ve also got no time for reading and barely any for writing. I have my RWA local chapter holiday party tonight, but I’m hoping to sneak in a little bit of editing before I have to leave. Basically this hinges on the ability of my little one to entertain himself. Dicey at best.

On the Santa front, thanks for all the condolences and suggestions. Here’s the plan as it stands now. I found a little bag of ‘Santa’s Coal’ bubble gum, and I’m going to stick it in his stocking with a few other things and a note that says something to the effect that ‘I still believe in you, and I hope you’ll give me another chance next year.’ Thoughts? Further suggestions?