We have surprise visitors. We were actually talking about the likelihood of having some other surprise visitors when Sylvia (expectedly) stopped by to pick up yummy holiday breads baked for her family and hand-me-downs for a family in need. While Sylvia was here, I discovered to my horror that raw chicken juice had leaked all over the bottom shelf of the fridge. Ew. This required an immediate response with bleach because few things gross me out more than raw meat and anything associated with it. (The raw meat bleah was strong enough to fuel a vegetarian diet for a while; however, I happen to like the stuff cooked so that eventually had to be worked out.) We cleaned up the badness, and I gathered up the mountain o' hand-me-downs which were then loaded into Sylvia's car with the help of our collective seven kids.
I returned to my warm kitchen still thoroughly unhappy over the chicken juice incident. Fortunately, having delayed my breakfast, I was able to self-medicate with yummy breakfast casserole left over from yesterday's big buffet with the in-laws. Contemplating the banana bread with nuts in the oven, I lamented that Sylvia was not going to get any of that fresh batch after all. Just as the microwave signaled caramel french toast goodness was ready to eat, there was a knock at the door. Don said, "Sylvia's back." Heh?
Sylvia is having trouble with a lack of juice... she needs a new battery. Sylvia's kids and my kids are all hanging out here while Sylvia has the opportunity to do what the other mommies dream of today: being forced to simply stop for a moment. Sylvia is getting a new battery. Sylvia will also be getting some of that banana bread batch that was put together with her specifically in mind. (It's bonus #1.) And since it is almost lunch time, she and her kids will also have an invite to join us for the noon meal. (There's bonus #2.) I suspect she will be content with lunch, treats, and a battery that works as the family heads back out into the cold to resume the celebration of her eldest son's 14th birthday.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Offer
After spending ten years at a telecom company, the mister plans to give his notice in the morning. Most of his previous team has moved on over those years as the feast of the late 90's became famine with the .com bubble blowing out early in the millenium. Himself one of the casualties who received the dreaded lay-off marching papers from his employer around 9/11, Don was brought back on board the same crippled behemoth by coworkers with a pre-approved requisition.
As further job cuts and pay freezes came over the years, many chose to jump from the oh-so-slowly sinking mother ship while others were told to walk the plank. Don stayed put because the mother ship still had the best and most comprehensive insurance coverage around, and our family has some fairly spectacular medical bills. The medical coverage is worth more than the actual pay checks. Except that has changed over the past two years as our opportunities to "cost-share" have increased to place a heavy yoke around the mister's neck.
The first interview with the new company arrived back in the Spring, and eventually there were two candidates left on the field. Don's then group leader from the telecom company was chosen for the position, but noise was made about the decision being difficult and the new company wanting Don's skill set. Whatever. Except they meant it.
As the economy spiralled in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving, Don was approached regarding his ongoing interest in a job change. Told to expect an offer as soon as there was approval from the highest levels, the waiting began. And no offer came as Thanksgiving came and went followed by the passing of days marked by Advent calendars everywhere. Last Friday, the offer came after expectation had generally curled up for a long winter's nap.
As further job cuts and pay freezes came over the years, many chose to jump from the oh-so-slowly sinking mother ship while others were told to walk the plank. Don stayed put because the mother ship still had the best and most comprehensive insurance coverage around, and our family has some fairly spectacular medical bills. The medical coverage is worth more than the actual pay checks. Except that has changed over the past two years as our opportunities to "cost-share" have increased to place a heavy yoke around the mister's neck.
The first interview with the new company arrived back in the Spring, and eventually there were two candidates left on the field. Don's then group leader from the telecom company was chosen for the position, but noise was made about the decision being difficult and the new company wanting Don's skill set. Whatever. Except they meant it.
As the economy spiralled in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving, Don was approached regarding his ongoing interest in a job change. Told to expect an offer as soon as there was approval from the highest levels, the waiting began. And no offer came as Thanksgiving came and went followed by the passing of days marked by Advent calendars everywhere. Last Friday, the offer came after expectation had generally curled up for a long winter's nap.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Pod Person
My parents have been here and gone in the space of a day. They came to give gifts, enjoy a meal or two, and then headed out again to do the same at my brother and sister-in-law's place before heading back up on their mountain for Christmas Eve and Day at home. They chose to surprise the kids with crazy pie-in-the-sky sorts of gifts this year. The prize for funniest response to a gift goes to Erin.Grandma and Grandad had an iPod Shuffle and a speaker/docking station wrapped and under the tree for the littlest missy. Unfortunately, the order was a bit off in the opening, and the speakers were opened first. Not a problem. The package opened to display a midget box that looked like a shuffle in the slot where a real one would go. Erin exclaimed with absolute delight, "A NANOPOD!!! I got a NANOPOD!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!" A few 
minutes later she opened the Shuffle meant to plug into the speakers. She could not believe the good fortune of having, not one, but two "nanopods". She was a little perplexed as it was explained (see photo on right) to her that one package held speakers and a dummy music player while the other box held the actual Shuffle. She clutched the blue Shuffle tightly as the silver one evaporated. All ended well and our girl is free to listen to all the High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Third Day she wants without anyone else being required to join her.
minutes later she opened the Shuffle meant to plug into the speakers. She could not believe the good fortune of having, not one, but two "nanopods". She was a little perplexed as it was explained (see photo on right) to her that one package held speakers and a dummy music player while the other box held the actual Shuffle. She clutched the blue Shuffle tightly as the silver one evaporated. All ended well and our girl is free to listen to all the High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Third Day she wants without anyone else being required to join her.That's my girl. On so many levels.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Polar Express
There's a dense fog severe weather advisory in effect. Not so great for my Mom and Dad who drove in from out of state yesterday night, but an awesome start to the day for Happy Suburban Elementary. The kiddies at Happy Suburban will ride on The Polar Express all day today. The kids came to school dressed in their pajamas. The day's plan consisted of hot cocoa served up as a treat while watching the animated film. The new classic Christmas book would be read, and each class period be filled with various thematic activities. How magical to travel through thick fog and a wintry chill in one's jammies, exit the Mom-mobiles, and then continue on with a special holiday adventure that lasts the whole day? 
Who needs Calgon?! Polar Express, take me away! Since there is only one person around here in elementary school, we seized on the recent Ice Day to watch The Polar Express from home. Cocoa and chocolate bread were the treats du jour. While it wasn't the all-day extravaganza the kids will have at school, it was a warm reminder that the unexpected sometimes beats all expectation. A surprise day off the week before school lets out mid-year, snuggling into a warm home on a cold day, baking special treats for munching and giving away... what's not to love?!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Brrring
Whoo-Hoo! Today the school called to say that we have a two-hour late start due to ice. It takes very little ice to make Texas roads unsafe because of all the drivers who think they can drive on ice. The ones that know they cannot tend to stay at home.
As soon as the vet's office opened, I called to reschedule Bad Bella and her canine cohorts from their 9:40 appointments because we would be in the midst of dropping off kiddies at the assorted middle and elementary schools. I finally gave in to the guy who seemed determined to fill the 11:40 slot today even while thinking that later in the week would be better, but when?! Assorted relatives come in and out from Thursday until next Tuesday. I wonder if any of them would enjoy an excursion to the vet? Like a field trip. Anywho.
Then the school called back. Guess what?! The darlings are out all day. So I called the vet back hoping we would not incur the wrath of the receptionist, er, a fee for a no-show and total lack of cooperation in rescheduling. The only available slot ths week is Friday morning at 10:20, and one set of grandparents will be on the way to Austin while the other will be not yet here. Mmmm. Okay, I'll take it. And I will rearrange a little bit more.
Time to call the doctor with whom a people appointment was scheduled at 10:30 Friday (in between the holiday preparations) to beg for a different appointment time. Except they are probably home with their kids who are out of school, too. The answering service opted to not give me a new appointment, but they did connect me to voice mail so I could leave a bright and cheery plea for a new slot. I was then able to get that appointment moved to the following Monday. I do hope it won't coincide with the Boy's appointment that day, and that my parents won't mind too terribly that it was the only way to squish everything in on the offices' availability.
The mister suggested that a people doctor appointment should have precedence over the vet visit. I goggled at his lack of understanding. A necessary explaination of my logic followed so he could decide that I had not quite lost the ability to reason. There is more flexibility to slip a half hour appointment for just me (in Pleasant Suburb) into the schedule than to fit in an hour-and-a-half appointment (in another Pleasant Suburb) for three totally uncooperative patients who will be rebelling by shedding all over the car or yowling for the forty minute roundtrip.
Still. I'm hung up on that big, ol' Whoo-Hoo moment of realization that the whole day is wide open with us all at home unexpectedly. Except for Erin who has a birthday party to attend this afternoon, and Don is still working since the path from the bedroom was pretty clear of ice. It's 25 degrees and liquid keeps falling from the sky. Imagine driving a herd of squealing girls to Build-a-Bear this afternoon on slick roads with inexperienced winter drivers. Another Mama will likely be making phone calls soon, too.
As soon as the vet's office opened, I called to reschedule Bad Bella and her canine cohorts from their 9:40 appointments because we would be in the midst of dropping off kiddies at the assorted middle and elementary schools. I finally gave in to the guy who seemed determined to fill the 11:40 slot today even while thinking that later in the week would be better, but when?! Assorted relatives come in and out from Thursday until next Tuesday. I wonder if any of them would enjoy an excursion to the vet? Like a field trip. Anywho.
Then the school called back. Guess what?! The darlings are out all day. So I called the vet back hoping we would not incur the wrath of the receptionist, er, a fee for a no-show and total lack of cooperation in rescheduling. The only available slot ths week is Friday morning at 10:20, and one set of grandparents will be on the way to Austin while the other will be not yet here. Mmmm. Okay, I'll take it. And I will rearrange a little bit more.
Time to call the doctor with whom a people appointment was scheduled at 10:30 Friday (in between the holiday preparations) to beg for a different appointment time. Except they are probably home with their kids who are out of school, too. The answering service opted to not give me a new appointment, but they did connect me to voice mail so I could leave a bright and cheery plea for a new slot. I was then able to get that appointment moved to the following Monday. I do hope it won't coincide with the Boy's appointment that day, and that my parents won't mind too terribly that it was the only way to squish everything in on the offices' availability.
The mister suggested that a people doctor appointment should have precedence over the vet visit. I goggled at his lack of understanding. A necessary explaination of my logic followed so he could decide that I had not quite lost the ability to reason. There is more flexibility to slip a half hour appointment for just me (in Pleasant Suburb) into the schedule than to fit in an hour-and-a-half appointment (in another Pleasant Suburb) for three totally uncooperative patients who will be rebelling by shedding all over the car or yowling for the forty minute roundtrip.
Still. I'm hung up on that big, ol' Whoo-Hoo moment of realization that the whole day is wide open with us all at home unexpectedly. Except for Erin who has a birthday party to attend this afternoon, and Don is still working since the path from the bedroom was pretty clear of ice. It's 25 degrees and liquid keeps falling from the sky. Imagine driving a herd of squealing girls to Build-a-Bear this afternoon on slick roads with inexperienced winter drivers. Another Mama will likely be making phone calls soon, too.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Decompression
Apparently one ought not to resurface from the depths too quickly. Otherwise one gets the dreaded "bends". And so it was with me attempting to have my head above water this weekend after the craziness of the past weeks. No dice. Nuh-uh. Because the kids needed to be wrangled back into some semblance of order after spinning out of control along with our wack-o schedule. It is a "herding cats" kind of situation. The return to normalcy is beginning to work, but they didn't get to the current level of wild, wilder, and wildest overnight. So it will take time to reel them back in to normal. (Or at east what passes for normal around here.)
There is general rebellion and chaos because Evan needs super-structure and he has not had that at all. Erin has been a little too free and a lot too tired. Meanwhile, Katie is trying to have us prove that she is precious by being a pain. (It totally makes sense. She needs us to express that she is wonderful no matter how difficult she might actually be--- because she is a tween.)
The idea around here is that we build one another up. Because the second we exit these walls, there will be someone waiting to tear us down. (My father-in-law planted this seed after a fairly yucky scene many years ago. It has put down roots and flourished, but sometimes the idea can still hit a dry spell.) Home must be a haven. The safe place where one is loved, accountable, and understood. It's just a matter of taking the time to resurface slowly enough that we do it right.
There is general rebellion and chaos because Evan needs super-structure and he has not had that at all. Erin has been a little too free and a lot too tired. Meanwhile, Katie is trying to have us prove that she is precious by being a pain. (It totally makes sense. She needs us to express that she is wonderful no matter how difficult she might actually be--- because she is a tween.)
The idea around here is that we build one another up. Because the second we exit these walls, there will be someone waiting to tear us down. (My father-in-law planted this seed after a fairly yucky scene many years ago. It has put down roots and flourished, but sometimes the idea can still hit a dry spell.) Home must be a haven. The safe place where one is loved, accountable, and understood. It's just a matter of taking the time to resurface slowly enough that we do it right.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Gingerbread
The band concert, every other day rehearsal schedules, Christmas Festival, and my mother-in-law's shopping and wrapping are behind us. I went AWOL Friday with Shelley who is mercifully home for Christmas. We met for coffee and some much-needed silliness and laughter. Morning coffee ended up including lunch and ran right on into the afternoon. Glorious. While we were out, the pre-baked gingerbread houses took on a certain appeal as visions of laughing children a little high on sugar plums danced in my head. 
The reality of the gingerbread house was slightly different, and probably indicates a need for at the least therapy, and perhaps even an intervention of some sort. As the house went together, the gingerbread man was sealed inside purposely with high-pitched mock gingerbread man squeals and pleas. Anywho. The house took a while to assemble, and perhaps next year the extra dollar will be spent on the pre-assembled model. Once it was completed, something was mentioned about waiting fifteen minutes for the royal icing to set. Sage words which were totally ignored.
Don snapped away taking pictures of the whole affair. The children tried to keep their squabbling to a minimum after two other incidents earlier in the day earned them all correction for "explaining" their actions and then arguing about whose "explanation" was accurate. At least, they tried. Right up until the gingerbread man saw a glimmer of hope. The roof of our gingerbread house was headed south at an alarming rate as the gumdrops and frosting rained down through the gap to reveal our prisoner.At which point the kids started to argue. The gingerbread was confiscated and hauled off. The kids then argued about whose fault that was--- to the annoyance of their sainted parents. Until Mom remembered that saints are typically martyred. (Really now, no one likes a martyr.) Mom stomped off to the computer in general disgust with the whole failed attempt at a little "family 
fun". Evan went off to fume in his closet. Don headed back to talk to the Boy. Erin went from room to room assessing everyone else's states of mind. And peacemaker Katie made a beeline for the kitchen to salvage the gingerbread house (and in her mind: the evidence of family togetherness) with her pastry education gleaned from Food Network Challenges and Ace of Cakes episodes too numerous to count.
fun". Evan went off to fume in his closet. Don headed back to talk to the Boy. Erin went from room to room assessing everyone else's states of mind. And peacemaker Katie made a beeline for the kitchen to salvage the gingerbread house (and in her mind: the evidence of family togetherness) with her pastry education gleaned from Food Network Challenges and Ace of Cakes episodes too numerous to count.Ah, the holiday season is definitely upon us. Now if we can only recapture the fun instead of the dysfunction all might be Merry and Bright.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Kneeling
"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your cares and worries to God, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Ah. There it is. The words are striking, and I am thankful for the friend who shared them not knowing how they were needed. Care-worn and sick of being bombarded with worries which I would normally just put aside in relative confidence after addressing them, I am completely burnt out. Adrenaline can get a girl through a moment of uh-oh, but constant adrenaline to push, push, push and go, go, go just makes for weariness, irritability, and eventually anger. So walking or running, I try again to pass my cares and worries to the One with the ability to carry the burdens that bring me to my knees.
Ah. There it is. The words are striking, and I am thankful for the friend who shared them not knowing how they were needed. Care-worn and sick of being bombarded with worries which I would normally just put aside in relative confidence after addressing them, I am completely burnt out. Adrenaline can get a girl through a moment of uh-oh, but constant adrenaline to push, push, push and go, go, go just makes for weariness, irritability, and eventually anger. So walking or running, I try again to pass my cares and worries to the One with the ability to carry the burdens that bring me to my knees.
Almost There
Today's the day. The Christmas Festival that ate fourth quarter is upon us. Tonight and tomorrow night will see the thing come to its completion as the assorted performances run their course in multiple venues from "street performers" to musical extravaganzas. Middle child's band concert is now blissfully in the past taking Christmas Festival's over-extended rehearsal schedule with it. The hope was to crash on Sunday after all the hullabaloo is officially past. Except that Middle Child and The Boy are "on" this weekend for tech in children's ministry and nursery duty. At least the festival performers and their personal shopper and transporter are not the ones serving Sunday.
The Little One has become progressively wilder after rehearsals where I have divided attention while seeking to handle whatever fool thing her siblings are up to and somehow simultaneously being aware of what she is doing (using the sanctuary railing as a balance beam, missing her ballet rehearsal because she was nowhere to be found, and being late to get miked for "Imagine") at any given moment. I wonder if she will be able to rein it in for tonight? Then, tomorrow during the day and all of Sunday can be about bringing her back into some semblance of a rested, good-natured munchkin.
The Boy and Middle Sister will also be benefited by the end of this Christmas Craziness. Their Daddy will be back to full-time parenting instead of seeing the kids not at all, or only vaguely from his perch on the stage during their available time Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Their Mommy will be less overwhelmed because she will have a full-time husband again.
Two more days. Just two more days.
The Little One has become progressively wilder after rehearsals where I have divided attention while seeking to handle whatever fool thing her siblings are up to and somehow simultaneously being aware of what she is doing (using the sanctuary railing as a balance beam, missing her ballet rehearsal because she was nowhere to be found, and being late to get miked for "Imagine") at any given moment. I wonder if she will be able to rein it in for tonight? Then, tomorrow during the day and all of Sunday can be about bringing her back into some semblance of a rested, good-natured munchkin.
The Boy and Middle Sister will also be benefited by the end of this Christmas Craziness. Their Daddy will be back to full-time parenting instead of seeing the kids not at all, or only vaguely from his perch on the stage during their available time Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Their Mommy will be less overwhelmed because she will have a full-time husband again.
Two more days. Just two more days.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Hours
Eeeee. As in "Eke!" There was an error made in which someone decided to start tracking the number of hours going into purely holiday related activities vs. normal activities.
In the past 16 hours:
1.5 hours baking brownies & blondies for church bake sale
4.5 hours wrapping gifts
2 hours shopping, including driving
.5 hours pouring over holiday budget
4 hours half watching "ELF" twice on t.v. while doing other things
.25 hours considering preparing child's outfit for band concert
.5 hours returning child's outfit because it is ill-fitting for band concert tonight
.75 hours replacing ill-fitting band concert outfit
Hello. Is it just me or does this somehow account for 14 hours?! And there was comparatively little accomplished. Except that someone was (Drum roll, please.) multitasking. Even the down-time for Mama is squeezed in while "accomplishing something". It's an imperfect system, but at least down-time has been worked into the craziness before Mama has a teensy stroke. Oh, yeah.
2 hours of the gift-wrapping was spent at a friend's house talking and letting three-year-olds apply the tape to the packages because it was way more fun to tote the gifts and assorted wrapping stuff over there (and have a girly visit including much-needed coffee) than to do the task at home. A trip to pick up gift cards for grandparents to give the kids was tucked into the time slot spent waiting for Katie to finish at the orthodontist. Holiday budget, grandparent shopping accounting, and checking account tracking were all lumped together with a headache. Additional wrapping supplies were picked up while grocery shopping after the discovery that the boxes were not really much more expensive. The brownies and blondies baked while kids were getting ready for school. Laundry has run throughout all of the above, and a hot bath fit in around 1:00 a.m. with a new personal high score on my favorite time-sucking on-line game.
Whoo-Hoo! There may be hope yet for a Merry Christmas.
In the past 16 hours:
1.5 hours baking brownies & blondies for church bake sale
4.5 hours wrapping gifts
2 hours shopping, including driving
.5 hours pouring over holiday budget
4 hours half watching "ELF" twice on t.v. while doing other things
.25 hours considering preparing child's outfit for band concert
.5 hours returning child's outfit because it is ill-fitting for band concert tonight
.75 hours replacing ill-fitting band concert outfit
Hello. Is it just me or does this somehow account for 14 hours?! And there was comparatively little accomplished. Except that someone was (Drum roll, please.) multitasking. Even the down-time for Mama is squeezed in while "accomplishing something". It's an imperfect system, but at least down-time has been worked into the craziness before Mama has a teensy stroke. Oh, yeah.
2 hours of the gift-wrapping was spent at a friend's house talking and letting three-year-olds apply the tape to the packages because it was way more fun to tote the gifts and assorted wrapping stuff over there (and have a girly visit including much-needed coffee) than to do the task at home. A trip to pick up gift cards for grandparents to give the kids was tucked into the time slot spent waiting for Katie to finish at the orthodontist. Holiday budget, grandparent shopping accounting, and checking account tracking were all lumped together with a headache. Additional wrapping supplies were picked up while grocery shopping after the discovery that the boxes were not really much more expensive. The brownies and blondies baked while kids were getting ready for school. Laundry has run throughout all of the above, and a hot bath fit in around 1:00 a.m. with a new personal high score on my favorite time-sucking on-line game.
Whoo-Hoo! There may be hope yet for a Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Expansion
I'm looking for inspiration to write a brilliant, or at least passably appealing, recruiting message for volunteers to serve up a quick cup of coffee or hot tea along with a moment of conversation for a couple of hours one Sunday morning a month. The coffee shop in our church is looking to expand their volunteer staff, and I am hoping to be helpful in administrating the volunteer calendar for that expansion. I'm amused to be sending and receiving e-mail from an address including the tag "morethancoffee". Yep. Mmm-hmm. Because it is about more than coffee.One favored former pastor used to say that giving someone a cup of coffee helped them to relax and feel more comfortable in an awkward or new situation. I started observing myself and sort of spying on others (in a surreptitious way of course--- otherwise it's called "gawking") to see if the coffee cup (or other beverage of choice) really did ease social anxiety. Sure enough, the most fidgety and uncomfortable social moments were repeatedly diffused by the seemingly humble cup of joe.
So. When we entered our new church home, what should I see? A whole coffee house just waiting for me. Well, it was not quite waiting for me, but I was drawn into it from day one. Only to discover that the coffee house has a global missions base and purpose. How cool. It is the very place I dreamed of as a mission field in Poland. Except that I do not have to build it. Or cross an ocean. And every weekend people already come. I can just show up.
Advent
Aside from the baking, cooking, shopping, driving, driving, driving, wrapping, decorating, and "voluntary" appearances at assorted functions I will know that the Holidays have ended by certain key events that will mark the passage. My countdown:
3 days to the Winter Band Concert
3 days to Christmas Festival Dress Rehearsals en mass
4 days to Day One of the Christmas Festival
5 days to Day Two of the Christmas Festival
7 days to my auntie's surgery
9 days to my daddy's new hearing aids being fitted
10 days to my parents' re-entry into the home state
11 days to elementary class parties and my in-laws' arrival
12 days to the start of Christmas Break
13 days to my in-laws' departure
15 days to my parents' departure
16 days to Christmas Eve
17 days to Christmas
21 days to the next infusion
24 days to starting afresh
I am thinking that a wee piece of chocolate should be behind each and every day of this countdown just like the kids find behind the little cardboard doors of the Advent Calendars that have become part of our traditions thanks to the precious German Mother of a friend who provided the first few calendars. Or maybe a Prozac to get me through the next 23 days and facilitate that fresh start!?
3 days to the Winter Band Concert
3 days to Christmas Festival Dress Rehearsals en mass
4 days to Day One of the Christmas Festival
5 days to Day Two of the Christmas Festival
7 days to my auntie's surgery
9 days to my daddy's new hearing aids being fitted
10 days to my parents' re-entry into the home state
11 days to elementary class parties and my in-laws' arrival
12 days to the start of Christmas Break
13 days to my in-laws' departure
15 days to my parents' departure
16 days to Christmas Eve
17 days to Christmas
21 days to the next infusion
24 days to starting afresh
I am thinking that a wee piece of chocolate should be behind each and every day of this countdown just like the kids find behind the little cardboard doors of the Advent Calendars that have become part of our traditions thanks to the precious German Mother of a friend who provided the first few calendars. Or maybe a Prozac to get me through the next 23 days and facilitate that fresh start!?
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