My mom warned me that if we got married on December 22 then it would be hard to find the time to celebrate our anniversary. But we squeezed in dinner and the Over the Rhine Holiday Homecoming show last weekend and today we had a holiday breakfast with the neighbors at the Skolnicki house, visited Santa at the downtown Macy’s, had lunch and bought some growlers at Rock Bottom and stopped by The Bell to be nostalgic (thanks Christy for letting us in). Plus, we got the annual package of booze, chocolate and music from Mr. Gribbons. I think it was a good day.
Cheers to the holidays! Cheers to ten years!
Really, I am not all bah humbug. Just realistic that this most wonderful time of year is not always filled with wonder and may add an additional level of stress to your life. From the things you need to do (buy stamps at the post office) to the things you really do not need to do (spend three hours looking for the perfect fleece holiday PJs for the kids), there are always some delays and bumps in the road to achieving peace, love and joy. A few examples …
Milestones – There are too many too count, which for many include shopping, baking and putting together the perfect holiday playlist (yes, for some). I am just happy that I finally pitched the pumpkins sitting on my front porch and we have ornaments on the tree.
Tears – Simultaneously Alex was crying over the fact the dog ate the gingerbread house that he made in school and Avery was crying because she wants to buy a Christmas present for herself and I will not let her. Both disappointments, yet very different.
Throw your Hands Up in the Air – Our five foot pre-lit decorative tree, which is supposed to go on that weird, carpeted decorative ledge in the front of our house, was only 30% pre-lit when we pulled it from the basement. One too many strands are burned out for me to even begin the hunt for the mysterious malfunctioning mini bulb. So it’s up. It’s not lit. And we just have to go with it.
But on the flip side, we did go to the Lebanon Christmas Horse Parade and my parents took the kids to see the lights at Clifton Mill. So we are making some progress in getting into the spirit of the season …
Pro. You get four nights of uninterrupted sleep in a quiet hotel room. Con. You don’t see your kids for five days. Pro. They give you hugs, sit on your lap and want to be within two feet of you at all times once you return. Con. They give you hugs, sit on your lap and want to be within two feet of you at all times once you return. Pro. You realize the hands-off parenting approach by your significant other is not really laziness, but just the right motivation for the kids to become self-sufficient. They now shower, dress, clean the dishes and pay bills all on their own! Con. Your spouse may now suggest that hands-off approach to lawn care, trash day and all dog duties. Pro. You sleep on a plane to see your kids bright and early the next morning. Con. You sleep on a plane to see your kids bright and early the next morning.
But overall, everyone survived my week away in Phoenix, which was my longest work trip yet. The only casualty was the Poinsettia, and even I had no clue those are supposed to be watered – thought they had the shelf life of an Advent calendar. Next time, I will try to keep the travel shorter, and it sounds like I don't need to make the instruction list any longer.
My mom warned me that if we got married on December 22 then it would be hard to find the time to celebrate our anniversary. 
