Suburban Musings

that means “Christmas is coming”! And the family is getting increasingly excited. I thought I’d tell you how dumb I am. Now, you may know me well enough to know that I am dumb sometimes, or you may be genuinely surprised to find out this little-known fact. So, here goes. I was working 6-midnight or so last night, and scheduled to work 9a-4p Saturday, Christmas Eve, with the in-law family arriving at our house at 4pm for a huge dinner of rib roast, etc. and gifts galore. I was starting to panic, telling my family that really, with me working all night, and all the next day, I only had 3 hours to prepare. I was placing hors d’oeurve plates on the counter, mixing dips, etc. and setting the dinner table, so when I arrived home from work Christmas Eve, all would be ready to go. Suddenly my daughter said to me….Mom! Tomorrow is Friday! Its not Christmas Eve until the NEXT DAY! I, of course, said, nuh-uh and then….total silence as I realized that I did, indeed, have an entire extra day to prepare. W*O*W did I feel dumb. But what a gift! A gift of a day…to watch Holiday Inn, etc. (Actually I spent a portion of the day at the Minute Clinic, getting antibiotics for an icky sinus infection…such is life).

that means “Christmas is coming”! And the family is getting increasingly excited. I thought I’d tell you how dumb I am. Now, you may know me well enough to know that I am dumb sometimes, or you may be genuinely surprised to find out this little-known fact. So, here goes. I was working 6-midnight or so last night, and scheduled to work 9a-4p Saturday, Christmas Eve, with the in-law family arriving at our house at 4pm for a huge dinner of rib roast, etc. and gifts galore. I was starting to panic, telling my family that really, with me working all night, and all the next day, I only had 3 hours to prepare. I was placing hors d’oeurve plates on the counter, mixing dips, etc. and setting the dinner table, so when I arrived home from work Christmas Eve, all would be ready to go. Suddenly my daughter said to me….Mom! Tomorrow is Friday! Its not Christmas Eve until the NEXT DAY! I, of course, said, nuh-uh and then….total silence as I realized that I did, indeed, have an entire extra day to prepare. W*O*W did I feel dumb. But what a gift! A gift of a day…to watch Holiday Inn, etc. (Actually I spent a portion of the day at the Minute Clinic, getting antibiotics for an icky sinus infection…such is life).

My muscles are sore. No, I didn’t run this weekend…unfortunately, since I certainly ate lots of junk. But I’m still sore. Its the retail thing. I fill in at Williams-Sonoma during the holidays, which means standing on a cement floor for hours on end…which makes my joints sore. And lots of deep knee bends, as I grab for bags. But I do enjoy the work, for the most part. Its certainly easy and fairly brainless, and definitely social. I enjoy taking the crabbiest customer and getting them to be in a better mood by talking with them or just giving them extra service (like wrapping their gift, etc.). Well, many crabbies can be transformed….not all! There are still those who think the world revolves around them; the ones who want separate receipts for every item, and each item wrapped separately….while 6 people wait in line behind them….and they only spent $30! Its always the low spenders who require the most service..why is that? The ones who spend hundreds…or thousands…never expect much and seem to be much more appreciative. Why is it so hard for some people to be pleasant and appreciative? Why do they have to go around acting so entitled? THOSE are the people who make me miserable!

My muscles are sore. No, I didn’t run this weekend…unfortunately, since I certainly ate lots of junk. But I’m still sore. Its the retail thing. I fill in at Williams-Sonoma during the holidays, which means standing on a cement floor for hours on end…which makes my joints sore. And lots of deep knee bends, as I grab for bags. But I do enjoy the work, for the most part. Its certainly easy and fairly brainless, and definitely social. I enjoy taking the crabbiest customer and getting them to be in a better mood by talking with them or just giving them extra service (like wrapping their gift, etc.). Well, many crabbies can be transformed….not all! There are still those who think the world revolves around them; the ones who want separate receipts for every item, and each item wrapped separately….while 6 people wait in line behind them….and they only spent $30! Its always the low spenders who require the most service..why is that? The ones who spend hundreds…or thousands…never expect much and seem to be much more appreciative. Why is it so hard for some people to be pleasant and appreciative? Why do they have to go around acting so entitled? THOSE are the people who make me miserable!

This is Olivia….who spent the last YEAR at the Humane Society, poor thing. She’s as sweet as could be, and obviously gorgeous!
So far she’s quarantined….we’ll introduce her to the rest of the ark later…

I like this time of year, but occasionally need to stop for a deep breath. Whew! Why does everything hit at once? K2 is performing in the church Christmas program…that means nightly rehearsals…yes, he’s 16, but no license yet And church is 20+ minutes away…past 2 malls worth of traffic! I’m working some extra hours in retail through the holidays…yeah! discount at Williams Sonoma! (ahem…gained 5 pounds on Peppermint Bark last Christmas). And of course there’s shopping….have 3 or so people left to buy for, but at least I finally have lists from them. And time spent weekly with my mentor student; I’m helping her make presents for her brother and grandmother, who’s raising her. And my usual job; trying to line up business for next year! And our decorations are up….but no Christmas tree yet! And we may not see the Dickens village this year; just can’t find the motivation for that one. breathe, breathe…

This is Olivia….who spent the last YEAR at the Humane Society, poor thing. She’s as sweet as could be, and obviously gorgeous!
So far she’s quarantined….we’ll introduce her to the rest of the ark later…

I like this time of year, but occasionally need to stop for a deep breath. Whew! Why does everything hit at once? K2 is performing in the church Christmas program…that means nightly rehearsals…yes, he’s 16, but no license yet And church is 20+ minutes away…past 2 malls worth of traffic! I’m working some extra hours in retail through the holidays…yeah! discount at Williams Sonoma! (ahem…gained 5 pounds on Peppermint Bark last Christmas). And of course there’s shopping….have 3 or so people left to buy for, but at least I finally have lists from them. And time spent weekly with my mentor student; I’m helping her make presents for her brother and grandmother, who’s raising her. And my usual job; trying to line up business for next year! And our decorations are up….but no Christmas tree yet! And we may not see the Dickens village this year; just can’t find the motivation for that one. breathe, breathe…