Monday 15 December 2008

So little time

Apologies, apologies, I haven't visited anyone in a few days. Like many out there, I am running around like a headless chicken or the proverbial blue-arsed fly. Not only is it the usual Christmas stuff, but I'm co-in charge of the school's Vespers concert on Wednesday evening, where we have to do a reception for "about 600 people". Gulp. That means cajoling the parents to send their kids in with a plate of goodies each. We're working on about a 50% success rate here so back up plans also have to be made.

Tuesday night I have to go to the B&C's partner Xmas dinner, which could be fun but since I'm the boss's wife, I have to behave myself. Yawn! And, I don't have anything suitably boss's wife-ish to wear.

And I keep finding more things to do. Like the presents I had to post/mail out today. The only box I could find was a potato chip/crisp box, which was such a lurid colour that the address wouldn't have been visible. The US Post Office doesn't like it when they can't find the address. And anyway, who wants to get presents in a discarded wholesale food box? So I had the brilliant idea of spraying the box with glue and covering it with brown wrapping paper. The glueing part is essential if you don't want the paper to rip off. I dutifully laid old newspaper all over the table. put the box in the middle, shook the spray can a bit - and forgot to clear the gunk off the nozzle. As you'll appreciate, glue has a tendancy to get clogged up and this can was no exception. Instead of spraying a fine mist straight ahead, onto the desired surface, it shot out upwards and sideways, covering one whole chair, the oven door, three tea towels and half my head. Not to mention the mess on the floor, which is now almost black because everyone insists on walking through it. Everything now has a matt finish, and god knows what I'm going to do about my hair. I think I'll have to go and buy that goo stuff that motor cyclists use to get their hands clean after tinkering.

The kids finish school on Friday, after the "holiday concert" where as usual, my lapsed Catholic kids will be singing either the Dreidel song, or something about Kwaanza. They allocate the songs randomly, and, if memory serves me right, my kids have never performed a carol. We are de-camping to Colorado for the break; me flying with the kids on Saturday and the B&C driving. Yes, I said driving. Over one thousand miles and a stay in a dodgy hotel somewhere in the middle of Nebraska. He did it last year but that was the first time we'd been up there and there was a lot to take. This year, we have even been offered the use of a friend's car, but apparently it's still necessary to drive there. I know he's only doing it for the two days of peace and quiet. I'm no fool. Heck, I would drive there too if I could be by myself for two days. A couple of books on tape, a collection of CDs and a stash of Diet Dr Peppers? Who wouldn't?

Anyway, this coming week, not only do I have to keep buying presents, but there's also the washing and packing of clothes, buying and packing of dry goods to put in the car, negotiating with the airline because my three kids and I have been given seats nowhere near each other on the plane...(actually, come to think of it, an hour and a half by myself sounds good, but I'm sure the perfect stranger ticketed next to my 5 year old won't be too happy).

Oh crikey, there's the teachers' gifts to buy, wrap and deliver......and did I mention the little one is off sick today with a cold?
.

18 comments:

  1. Oh expatmum, you sound as if you have more than enough on your hands and hair! Mind you...I've often wondered why everything goes ballistic around Christmas...why don't we try and pace it out over the course of 12 months? Because once Christmas and New Year are over - a grinding gap of three months appears...and everyone is thrown into a depression! Good luck with it all and best wishes for you, kith and kin in this festive season! Hadriana xx

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  2. It is a busy time isn't it! Our schools break up on Friday too then there will be the big clean up of the house and last minute shopping and groceries etc. Phew!

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  3. you and the glue!
    LOL
    that would so happen to me.
    i feel much less alone now.
    you'll get there.
    we always do!
    ;-))

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  4. mum, quite a story, but I think I prefer you with shiny hair and vamping, as per usual. You were never cut out for that domestic stuff! x

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  5. Faster! Expat Mum, Faster! wrap those presents! Never mind it will soon be over.

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  6. How did your Tuesday night out go? Did your glued head start any new fashions over there in the Windy City?
    I think B and C has the right idea. Why not send him in the plane and you drive to Colorado?

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  7. Too too too much to do....have a lovely holiday though Lx

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  8. I can't decide if i like the busyness of xmas or not. good luck.

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  9. Kids off sick before Christmas shouldn't be allowed. It just shouldn't.

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  10. It's like a frenzy until your kids break up and then it's like time stands still. My kids are off for four bloody weeks now!

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  11. It's like a frenzy until your kids break up and then it's like time stands still. My kids are off for four bloody weeks now!

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  12. its a crazy time of year that's for sure. I hope it all comes together for you?

    Merry Christmas to you and your family,

    Gill in Canada

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  13. WOW! You are a BUSY LADY!

    I rather envy the mister's road trip. Colorado looks beautiful and I think it would be awesome to explore it by car.

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  14. We could well end up with all kids home before Friday if the snow carries on falling here. Not sure whether that's good or bad with all the xmas prep there's still to do.
    Have fun in Colorado!

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  15. We could well end up with all kids home before Friday if the snow carries on falling here. Not sure whether that's good or bad with all the xmas prep there's still to do.
    Have fun in Colorado!

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  16. We could well end up with all kids home before Friday if the snow carries on falling here. Not sure whether that's good or bad with all the xmas prep there's still to do.
    Have fun in Colorado!

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  17. Yep, I know how that feels. I've gone into list overdrive - it's the only way I'll rememeber everything! I have mixed feelings about December - I love most things about Christmas but it does add to the pressure of life, for sure. Keep calm!!!

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