Black Friday

I got so much accomplished today! I did have to work, but had the pleasure of working from my home office. So nice and quiet. Wrote up a few documents, made some notes, double checked my calendar for afternoon appointments, set up a third conference call, and then decided to run to a store or two…

I haven’t shopped on Black Friday in years, but I have to admit, this wasn’t bad at all. No trouble parking at the first store, and found two gifts for each of my three kids, and only two people ahead of me in line! Then, realized I had an email for said store that offered not one, but TWO of my chosen items at 40% off!

Tried my hand at the toy store, but declared it a zoo upon arrival…there were so many KIDS! What are these parents thinking! I should be nicer – maybe there were no babysitters available…or no budget for babysitters…but still, those poor kids were miserable. They were tired, hungry, bored, over exited, over stimulated…it made for many a breakdown in the aisles, I’m sure. One look at that mess, and I was out the door!

I decided one good store experience was enough for one day, headed home to meet the cable guy (who was right on time!), ordered four more gifts online (two of which were on sale, all of which offered free shipping), got myself through three back-to-back conference calls, and called it a day.

Maybe Black Friday isn’t so bad, after all. I think I’ll go put up the tree…

I Digress...

Wouldn’t it be great if we just knew.

Knew where our lives were headed? If we could unfold a map, smooth out the folds right on the dining room table, heads bent over, under a pool of light. And just point, say, look here – if you take that road…or, now, here’s an option that’ll get you there a bit faster.

But, no. No such thing. "Not me!" You proclaim. You don’t want to know. “Where’s the fun in that?” you ask me.

Where’s the fun in this, though, I wonder.

Each time I am approached, each time a man even strikes up a conversation with me, I’m immediately on guard. He asks me for my number, he asks if he can take me out for a drink, he asks if he can…whatever…, and I, with no hesitation, no preamble, say “I’m seeing someone.”

That is, I lie. Boldface and outright.

The only “someone” I’m seeing is my sorry face in the bathroom mirror.

I have the Seinfeld complex. There is something terribly, horribly wrong with every man I meet. Not just a little annoying, but truly BAD. This one is married (yep, happens all the time), that one just sucked down four beers in the time it took me to order my glass of wine, this one is loud. Just plain loud – he makes a scene and a ruckus! Who needs that? I’ve got three kids – we create our own scenes! Oh and that one, that one’s just a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

No thanks. I'm looking for something else. He must have a brain. And he must be creative. I am just not attracted to introverted types who spend their days behind a cubicle wall, connecting wires, or whatever it is those types do all day. And he must have children. And he must – and this one really should be more obvious than it is – He really must be single.

That’s it. It’s a short list. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t (upon meeting said man), immediately conjure up “the list,” frown at the boxes sans checkmark and sadly shake my head. No, I follow my gut. My instincts know me better than I know myself. They wouldn’t steer me wrong. So if “I’m seeing someone” is the first thing that pops out of my mouth, then there must be a reason for it.

My subconscious is my dating guide.

There have been times that I’ve shushed her. All but threw her out. She is very attracted to fine looking, smooth talking men. They shut down her “jerk-o-meter” however, which does not help me in the least.

For I have known some jerks. Do I need any more of those taking up the few precious hours a week I have to myself? HELL-to-the-NO.

But I digress…I’m supposed to be Christmas shopping…

T – 6 weeks…

Happy Birthday to my son, Jack, who turned 11 yesterday. I took him to Innsbrook with 3 friends for a sleep over party. So rather than Christmas shopping, I spent last week preparing for the birthday party, shopping for bday gifts, and getting my oldest son, Connor, through his 5^th surgery. But, I Digress…

I am trying to get myself back in the holiday spirit, but even the thought of Thanksgiving is overwhelming me.

I did find some success last week. Sold an article to Sasee Magazine that will appear in the December issue. Apparently, third time is, in fact, a charm (at least in this instance).

I am feeling very bah-humbug. Let’s see what this next week brings…

7 Weeks and Counting...

I had big plans for this weekend. An entire Saturday all to myself. These "kid free" weekends happen every other week. And it goes the same way every time. By Wednesday of KFW, I have a list of all the things I can finally get done. It usually includes catching up with a friend over a cup of coffee or a cocktail. It always includes catching up on laundry, dusting, sweeping, scrubbing toilets... you get the picture. This weekend though, I had added shopping to the list. Christmas shopping and birthday shopping. My sweet Jack is turning 11 on the 13th.

My KFW did start off as planned. Friday night, I had dinner and a much-needed glass of wine with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. Saturday morning I checked birthday shopping off my list, started the laundry, cleaned the carpets (well, I didn't have much choice, as my dog got sick all over them), took said dog to the vet (where I dropped another $110 - which was most definitely NOT on my list), and made it to Jack's indoor soccer game. Still no Christmas shopping, but there was still Sunday...

It started out well...coffee with my very talented friend Linda, who always inspires me - and who, especially this time, reminded me that I'm not the only lonely writer who understands how hard it is to write honestly and still entertain. Afterwards, I ran by the mall, thinking I could scope out a few Christmas gift ideas. But, Lord, the minute I walked into that winter wonderland, I was ready to run..Santa’s Christmas area was all set up, complete with faux snow and red, velvet throne, all the little kiosks were being set up - the calendars, the stockings, the Christmas tree ornaments. I'm just not ready for this. I ran back to my car and headed home.

I did get to see Kathleen Turner in "High" at the REP. I highly recommend it - it was very intense, but the acting was outstanding. And if you haven't been to the REP, I highly recommend it, as well.

My weekend did end on a Christmas note, of sorts. The December EVERLAST catalogue was delivered yesterday. My (almost) 11 year old, Jack, is fascinated with all things boxing. He went through that catalog faster than I read People magazine and circled all the things he wanted for Christmas. One of these is a 16-foot square boxing ring. Oh yes! Complete with the ropes. This can be his for a mere $16,000.00. Plus shipping and handling. Hmmm…

He told me he’d happily get rid of all his bedroom furniture, including the bed and the PS2. "Where will you sleep?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow, lifted his hands, palms up, and said (exhasperated) “in the ring!” Of course! What was I thinking?

8 Weeks and Counting

I just heard that there are only 8 weeks until Christmas. I panicked. I need to start shopping! I need to start planning! I need to cook, clean, make lists, send Christmas cards, buy, wrap…!

For me, the first purchase is always the hardest. Once I’ve “cut the ribbon” on gift purchasing, it’s all down hill. So, in the spirit of ribbon-cutting, I bought two gifts the other night.

Truth be told, I don’t feel any better.

In an effort to keep myself grounded, and on task for the next 8 weeks – no, wait, 7.3 weeks now (damn, it’s already closer…) I’ve decided to chronicle my preparations here. Should be eventful. I can promise you a laugh or two, and some holiday stress. Maybe it will help propel me forward. I hope that it keeps you sane, and motivates you to tackle one thing at a time, and along the way, I’ll try to remind us both that there is a REASON for this holiday that is far more important than gifts, food, decorations and parties. I’m going to center myself to this reality right now.

Happy shopping!