I felt burnt out after NaBloPoMo so I took a few days break. But life continues, thoughts come and stay, needs and wants accumulate, and I need a space to pour them out. Right here.
Things I need to do soon-ish are:
Place a catering food order for L’s birthday party. It will be small (seven kids). She wanted it at her gymnastics place so that is what we booked. I tried to sway her since, in my humble opinion, a party at our house is so much better and cheaper. But no. Gymnastics place it is. Food will be catered from a local deli that delivers (yesss), and for drinks/juice boxes I will just go to Target. Also, some to-go containers because I know we will have leftovers. Maybe we can have people bring some food home?… Decorations are from the house, and will need to get a small cake, too. Her actual birthday was on Thanksgiving and we couldn’t do a party then.
Need to make a 3D (!) ginger bread person with R. That is part of their monthly home-to-school connection assignment. Just add it to the pile.
Some good things…
We decorated our artificial tree and put up lights above the fireplace. T also put a fake garland on the fence and a wreath on our door. We also have wreaths for windows but those can be hung up at a later date.
L had her winter concert. Her 1st grade class sang “Frosty the snowman” and “Over the river and through the woods”- it was so lovely!! Then all of first grade and kinder classes sang “Hey, Winter!” as a culminating song.
Last night, L’s school has their annual Ginger Bread House party. In essence, students built ginger bread houses (made of wood) with mints, and jellies, marshmallows, M&M’s and chocolates. Everyone: kids, parents, teachers, admins, sat community-style at these long tables, built houses and listened to holiday music. I thought it was so well organized and very sweet. R, after gluing some candy on the outside of his gingerbread house, started putting it INSIDE the house. His own little secret stash, for later. So strategic.
I have stepped away from podcasts lately since I feel like podcasts are taking away from my audio book listening AND adding to my holiday anxiety. Gift lists, holiday stress busters, holiday planning, 2025 goal planning, gosh… I feel like I already do enough for the holidays; I don’t really need any more tips to make holidays magical for with each episode there is pressure to do more, buy more, see more. Lastly, with new episodes constantly popping up, my podcast queue is loooong and that makes me feel overwhelmed. The only podcast that I am staying true to this holiday season is SHU’s podcast, Best Laid Plans. Every Monday morning.
After stepping away I listened to three audio books. Nine Inches by Tom Perrotta was his short story collection. My favorite was “The Test Taker” and “Nine Inches”. Small Like Things Like These by C. Keegan was a short audio book about a coal-deliverer William who delivers coal to a monastery and meets one of the many Irish orphans. Lastly, American Housewife by H. Ellis was the second short story collection. Many, many favorites here: “Dead Doormen”, “The Wainscoting War” , “The Fitter”.
I gave up on The Change, it grabbed me first, then lost me. Also, I am giving up on Come and Get It. On page 20 and not liking it.
Mom of Children 