Goodbye Hello

So I have been sitting on this new year blog post for a few days now in the hopes that I would come up with something funny, poignant and inspiring. But instead what I keep coming back to is the fact that another Christmas has passed. And now that it is all over there is the annual acknowledgement that the holidays can be messy, complicated and still merry.

Maybe as a kid all you recognize (or choose to recognize) is the merry. And maybe that is why as an adult it is easy to get blue around the holidays - because it isn't all merry. And managing the bad during this supposedly blessed and joyous time of year seems especially difficult. But life is complicated and messy. People are complicated and messy. Love is complicated and messy.

So rather than hope my 2012 is organized and peaceful and productive, I'm simplifying. My hope is that my 2012 - and yours - is less messy than 2011.

Rocker Mom

The boys had a School of Rock show this past weekend. They only played one song, since they are still a few weeks from the end of the season and this was a show to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, but I continue to be so proud and amazed that they will get up on a stage in front of a club full of strangers and perform.

Bonnie is a School of Rock mom that always takes the best photos of the shows. My blurry, distant digital camera shots are no match. These are two of my favorites from this weekend. I know I'm biased, but really, look at these boys ....

Fayophobia

General Jolly Apple Snowball, our Elf on the Shelf, arrived as usual on December 1. Apparently 2011 was hard on the General because, contrary to his purpose and mission, he only moves his elf behind about every third day. I assume, and have told the kids, it's because he has a really good view of the whole house from the fireplace mantel.

This morning when Sam left for school Abby found a new elf on our porch. This she-elf looks more like a cross between Susan Boyle and Rip Taylor but she has taken up residence next to General Snowball.

As we left for school this morning I noticed Abby staring at the elves, from a distance.

"What'ca doing Abby?"

"I don't know if I like elves. The smiley ones give me the fears."

Next up, clowns.

All I Want For Christmas

So this morning on the way to school Abby asked me what I want for Christmas. And while there are a few material things I would be happy to receive if anyone in my family was inspired to buy me a Christmas present, I decided to tell her what I tell my kids every holiday (and every morning, weekend, birthday, Mother's Day) ... all I really want is for the holidays to be calm, happy and restful.

"Oh Mamma ... if that's what you want for Christmas ... I don't think it's gonna turn out very good."

Forget Me Not

So yesterday I lost my glasses, which, to someone with my eyesight, is a near disaster. To make things worse I haven't been to the eye doctor in a couple of years so to replace them would mean a doctor's appointment, new prescription, new glasses. A week of trouble all because I cannot remember what I did with them in the space of about 30 feet. I had them on while sitting on the couch, didn't have them on when I got in the shower.

Losing my glasses would've bothered me enough, but to add insult to injury I also lost the keys to our storage unit this week, which is especially inconvenient this time of year because we keep our Christmas decorations there.

And then, as soon as I decided my holiday vacation project would be to get our family's digital photos in order, I realized I have also lost Abby's baby pictures. Not all of them, but I can't find any of her first year.

So now I'm obsessing over my glasses, I'm pissed about the storage unit and the hefty fee I'll have to pay a locksmith for one minute of work, and I'm completely forlorn about Abby's photos.

First and foremost I need my glasses so tonight after work I tore through the house, much like the rampage to search for my lost running shoe a month ago. They weren't in the bathroom or my robe pockets or Abby's room or the laundry hamper or the garbage or the bed. On the bright side I did find the toothpaste that Jake hid behind the toilet. And my running shoe. On the other hand, I forgot that while I was looking for my glasses I left the water running in the kitchen sink.

Let me just say that while I may be forgetful at least I'm not oblivious - as the water filled up the sink and poured over the counter, splashed down the cabinets and puddled onto the floor, the boys sat four feet away, happily playing on their DS.

Meanwhile I found my glasses. Under the couch.