Feeling Grinch-y

Oh, woe is my parenting life these past weeks. I'm talking about wound up boys with stashes of holiday candies and cookies, Christmas cards that I'm studiously avoiding, Santa visits at the mall that just won't happen this year, and unfinished shopping while time swirls away from me.

My one salvation this past week--books. Never mind how exhausted I was yesterday, recovering from a late night holiday party Saturday night. I was up until after midnight completely absorbed in an awesome book I recommend to any woman--The Friday Night Knitting Club. How nice was it to lose my own identity and get sucked in to the dramas and triumphs of these women? I read while my husband slept through boring television shows and my boys terrorized the house with their army of plastic trucks. I read while bathing the monster twins and after I collapsed into bed with all intentions of falling asleep to face today.

But then I couldn't put the book down. There is something to be said about books like this one and another phenomenal book, The Wednesday Sisters, that follows a group narrative. I love that switch of viewpoints, how some key scenes are played out from different perspectives. That is the book I would love to write. I'm sure any aspiring writer would like to craft that compelling of a story.

So, Grinch, I still feel...except for those stolen hours when I allowed myself a guilt-free escape from the holidays.

Extravagance

There was an awesome essay by Brett Paesel, author of the book Mommies Who Drink, in the December issue of Parent's Press about reconciling the materialistic nature of the holidays with our own inborn guilt. She argued that if anything, and especially in these crazy economic times, the holidays call for extravagance. She hailed December as the one month out of the year where we allow ourselves and our children to indulge--in wishes, in food and drink.



It was a great perspective because I am the ultimate guilt carrier and feel like I'm constantly donating canned foods, toys for tots, money to churches and shelters to ease the burden of those less fortunate in the holiday season. Then I feel like a jerk if I secretly wish for a piece of jewelry or if I debate about splurging on a Nintendo Wii for my family. (people, I have serious Wii envy...my husband and kids could probably care less about owning one.)



It's a little late this year, but she suggested forgoing the little indulgences throughout the year...lunches and lattes, for example, and banking the fun money into a Christmas account. Then, we have all year to look forward to some Christmas magic.

Though I am sticking to a budget (somewhat), I can't help picking up an extra present or two for the boys. Of course, it seems like on the very day I do indulge in some extra Christmas magic for the little boogers, those are the days they act up, Shane has his high decibal meltdown in public and Bobby stubbornly refuses some mundane request.

Go figure.

Maybe I should just indulge myself instead. I think I need to check out Paesel's book, for one!