New Year Resolutions

Not going to do it. I always do it and I always fail and then I feel terrible about it.

But, I am going to write more. Really.

Egged On

Yes, I understand that it's hard for a little kid to sit still for long periods of time. I don't expect them to do that, especially during a Very Boring Mass. And, I also understand that kids are hopped up on all kinds of candy on Easter morning. But, the following sightings really pissed me off today:

• Punching.
  
• Crawling under seats.
  
• Running around/twirling dresses.
• Climbing up parents.
• Coloring.

All of these transgressions were committed by kids that were 4 or 5. In other words, they were absolutely old enough to know how to behave.

Of course, you want to go to Mass. It's Easter, and it's the only time of the year (besides Christmas) that you go. But, what kind of a message are you sending to your little darlings by letting them behave in a beastly fashion? Please note that I don't mind crying. Little ones do that. But, if you're spending all of your time playing cop to your kids, you aren't getting anything out of Mass either. Watch it on EWTN. Don't inflict them on people that are trying to worship.

/rant

Here We Go Again

The laundry is almost done, the extra stuff has been assembled, and I'm almost ready to start packing for our trek to Chicago tomorrow afternoon.

Mom called with news of impending blizzards tomorrow at about the time that we're supposed to take off, but it looks like it won't be that bad. Hopefully, we'll be able to get out and get to Mom's at a decent time. I would have been happy to leave early tomorrow morning and drive, but H was adamant that he didn't want to spend that kind of time in the car. Plus, he really doesn't have the time to take off and needs to work in the morning.

It will be interesting. I'm already worn out thinking about it.

It's the Most...

horrible time of the year.

No, that's not really true. I like to jab at the Christmas season because it's so chaotic, but it's really not that terrible. For many, many years the season was dreadful because I worked retail. Christmas shopping tends to bring out the worst in many people, and I've never understood why.

I had about six years during which I was able to enjoy the season. I wasn't working in a store, and was off on weekends (for the most part) and was home every night so I was able to bake, shop, and rest. Now that I'm back in the fray, I have to manage my time more tightly.

This year, I have hardly baked a thing. I did the great majority of my shopping on-line. I haven't really put up any decorations. I did feel a little guilty about it for a while, but I got over it. It's so true that we put all kinds of stress upon ourselves to have the "perfect" holidays, and create such an environment in our heads that we can never live up to. If I were not working, and had unlimited money, I would give Martha Stewart a run for her money. But, that's not an issue.

I'm grateful to be heading to Chicago, and for my family and friends that love me. And, I'm grateful that we're relatively healthy and happy. That is more than enough.