We're on Vacation

Christmas vacation, that is.

Our usual routine will be put to the wayside for the next 17 days. T H A N K  G O O D N E S S.

The theme in my life, and many of the people that I know is, the racing of time.

This morning, I actually feel relaxed... I don't feel panicked at all. Not yet that is. That will come. In a day or two.  When I realize everything that I need to do to be ready to head out for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... 

It's no surprise, to almost everyone who knows me, that I adore summer vacation. Not just because the weather is nice. Trust me, that certainly doesn't hurt. I love summer vacation, because the pace in our life is S L O W.  We usually fit a summer vacation in, for a couple of weeks, which sees me spending more time in a lawn chair, than I would at any other time. It's just a time to relax. To unwind. I know some people don't do relaxation and unwinding very well. I've never had a problem with it. I would even venture to say I'm GOOD at it.

Once the beginning of the school year starts, I most relate to this guy...

It feels like I'm always going.

The beginning of September starts and I think, I will just be this busy until October...

And then when October hits, I think, "things will slow down after Halloween..."




When mini candy bars are being consumed, I imagine, that once November is over, I'll have done all my Christmas shopping done. I'll be finished everything I need to be. I will be able to thoroughly enjoy the month of December. Yes, I decide I'll rush around in November, to have a slow December.

Then suddenly, it's December. I have a ton of shopping done [which was really awesome and I actually had the majority of it done] I still have key items to find... And I'm having a hard time finding said key items.  I begin to panic, ever so slightly. I agree to a cookie exchange, because it sounds like such a great idea, at the time, [it did turn out great, I have 5 different types of baking things to add to our plate]  We have a snow storm, the roads are terrible, I'm grateful you don't have to leave the house, but I realize I need to do some last minute running around, because my kids are off in a few days. Then the reality hits that if my kids are going to be home, I need to sort and wrap gifts because you can't very well do that when they're around. I have to ensure there are an even number... Because after all, someone might notice if there's a discrepancy... And I realize that I forgot about teachers gifts, so I find myself making another 120 cookies the night before school is finished, so they can be given out as gifts. I have to get my kid to a ridiculously busy theater, in the middle of the afternoon, for a birthday party and opening day of the most anticipated movie of the year, then get home and realize, I haven't got my pot luck item ready for the ringette party you're attending...

From September, until now. In a nutshell.

So yes, this morning I have 17 days ahead of me and I'm calm. I'm not worried about what I need for Christmas Eve or whether I have what I need for Christmas Day dinner. No... Today I'm calm...