Blog Archives December 2006

I have been off of work (day job) for almost 2 weeks.  I knew the first week would be spent preparing for Christmas-palooza 2006.  There was still so much shopping, wrapping and baking to do, it was going to be anything but relaxing. But, that was okay.  I love Christmas and the accompanying chaos.  I think I can handle anything wacky if I just prepare myself for it first.

The second week was going to be a different story.  I was going to get organized.  I was going to clean out the kitchen, clear out the closets – out with the old and in with the new.  I was going to clean off my work-space so that when the Watermelon Rind orders came in, I would have a clear desk, free from clutter.  Shoulda cleaned, woulda cleaned, coulda cleaned…except…

Yeah, things didn’t go like that the second week.  Instead of organizing, I opted for Connect 4 tournaments with my 5 year old, adopting new Webkinz on the computer, playing Scrabble with my husband, drinking endless “cups of coffee” from my 2 year old’s new coffee maker, and catching up on reading magazines and books.  It was blissfully laid back and unproductive.  And, despite having minor twinges of regret for missing the opportunity to be “busy” and “clutter-free”…I am truly thrilled that I spent the extra time with my family instead.  After all, 5 minutes after I clean there is always a new basket of laundry to put away or dishes to do or a pile of Legos on the floor anyways.  I am never going to be “caught up” – not with two young, active children in the house that really crave some extra time with their mama.  I realize that…and I realize that my time off was much more valuable and memorable just the way I spent it.  Letting go is sometimes very refreshing and very good for the soul!

So, I will end 2006 with my tip for the day: enjoy some quiet time.  Truly enjoy it.  Whatever that time might mean for you.  But, really give yourself permission to take the pressure off for an hour, a day or a weekend.  You will feel better for it in the long run.  After all, when we ring in 2007, there will be a whole new slew of pressures that we put on ourselves – we can be neater and healthier and more goal oriented next year….

Happy New Year in advance and enjoy the waning hours of 2006.  Thanks for stopping by!

Just taking a little time away from the holiday preparation to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  It has been a great year on the site and I am looking forward to 2007.  Thanks for all your support and for stopping by to visit as you travel around the e-commerce world and the blog-o-sphere.  Our customers and friends are very important to us and we appreciate your support!

 

Just a quick post to let you all know that any online orders received by December 16 have now shipped and should be on your doorstep in plenty of time for Christmas.  Thanks for ordering from Watermelon Rind Designs!

We have had some unseasonably warm weather in New England for November/December.  We went out the weekend after Thanksgiving and did our family photo shoot for Christmas.  Aside from a couple short-lived meltdowns, and being unable to pose the photo before the timer went off…it was a lot of fun and we got some fantastic shots!  This is my new favorite picture of my kids.  I am either really trusting or slightly out of my mind to let them use my digital cameras on a sandy beach…but I did, and we had no catastrophes (phew).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at the way my 2 year old holds the camera…so cute.  And, my 5 year old actually composed some pretty great shots that day.  A fantastic one of me setting the camera up on the tripod (how great that she wanted to get me in a photo – doing what I am usually doing – standing behind the lens).  And one of just the camera on the tripod with the woods in the back…very artistic and very cool.

Aaaahhhh, my birthday.  I love this day.  As a little gift to myself this year, I took the day off of work.  I think I am going to do a little Christmas shopping, maybe treat myself to a caramel apple cider from Starbucks, maybe take a nap.  The kids are in school and I am going to enjoy a little me time.  Doesn’t happen often, rarely, if ever – so I am going to enjoy every second.

I got a very funny card this morning from my 2 year old – it made me laugh out loud, partially because it is so true.

• On the outside it says: Mom, for your birthday, here’s something no hardworking parent should be without…
• On the inside it reads: …especially with a kid like me around! (and there is this gigantic aspirin tablet that pops off the card with a spring)

hahahaha.  You know you chuckled as much as I did.  Enjoy the day!