Christmas Disasters 2009

On the surface, Advent seems to be running smoothly, without a hitch. The cookies for two cookie exchange parties are partially done, sitting in my freezer. The On the surface, Advent seems to be running smoothly, without a hitch. The cookies for two cookie exchange parties are partially done, sitting in my freezer. The Guinness Cakes are made, sitting in the dining room, as I pour beer into them each morning. However, I am crumbling, crumbling underneath. Doubling the cookie dough does not make a good cookie. There will be a disaster somewhere along the assembly line. Mine came up when every cookie cut would not come off the waxed paper. Extra flour did not help. Cookie baking sessions reveal to me that I am aging. The session completely pulled my energy out, and destroyed my kitchen. (The boys smashing candy canes for these cookies sent the kitchen over the edge.) The smashed candy cane cookie plan was scraped, mid-baking, and these cream cookie sandwiches were substituted. I had to call a cleaning lady to help me put the kitchen back together. The kids opened Blokus, hoping it would quell some of the pre-Christmas anxiety and give them something to do. The game has turned into an all-out war between the brothers every time they play – tears included. Someone gave me a “the look” for calling the cleaning lady. The hair dryer would not work. I kept hitting the “reset” button on the outlet, went to the basement to flip the fuse switch, and still nothing. I was plugging in the wrong cord. There is no year on this year’s Christmas Cards. This might be the best move of the year, as they sit on my piano collecting dust. “Mom, why are there presents behind the sofa?” The cream that goes between the cookie sandwiches is still not done. Will anyone care? As if the cookies weren’t enough, I decided to make the “mile high” angel food cake for my son’s December Birthday. After separating 15 eggs, the cake was a complete flop, and I have no idea why. The worst part is I want to try this recipe again. The “must haves” change so quickly I’m seriously considering getting a stack of fresh one dollar bills, and putting a big Santa stamp on them, and calling them Santa Dollars. What Elf? Another Mom repeatedly insulted me. I pretended not to notice, and had the grace to ignore her. So, she got louder. Wool has been my extreme comfort this year – it’s the only fabric that keeps me warm. I bought myself a couple of new wool sweaters, and ended up running behind to pick up the boys. I quickly threw on a brand new wool sweater to fend of the chill. After waving and speaking to oodles of people, a friend kindly pulled me over to the side and said, “Your tag is sticking out.” “>Guinness Cakes are made, sitting in the dining room, as I pour beer into them each morning. However, I am crumbling, crumbling underneath this false facade.

• Doubling the cookie dough does not make a good cookie. There will be a disaster somewhere along the assembly line. Mine came up when every cookie cut would not come off the waxed paper. Extra flour did not help.
• Cookie baking sessions reveal to me that I am aging. The session completely pulled my energy out, and destroyed my kitchen. (The boys smashing candy canes for these cookies sent the kitchen over the edge.)
• The smashed candy cane cookie plan was scraped, mid-baking, and these cream cookie sandwiches were substituted.
• I had to call a cleaning lady to help me put the kitchen back together.

Martha’s Kitchen — not mine.

• The cream that goes between the cookie sandwiches is still not done. Will anyone care?
• The kids opened Blokus, hoping it would quell some of the pre-Christmas anxiety and give them something to do. The game has turned into an all-out war between the brothers every time they play – tears included.
• Someone gave me “the look” for calling a cleaning lady. Guilt is brewing in my soul.
• The hair dryer would not work. I kept hitting the “reset” button on the outlet, went to the basement to flip the fuse switch, and still nothing. I was plugging in the wrong cord.
• There is no year on this year’s Christmas Cards. This might be the best move of the year, as they sit on my piano collecting dust.
• “Mom, why are there presents behind the sofa?”
• As if the cookies weren’t enough, I decided to make the “mile high” angel food cake for my son’s December Birthday. After separating 15 eggs, the cake was a complete flop,

and I have no idea why. As if losing the eggs isn’t bad enough, I have an urge to try this recipe again.

• The “must haves” change so quickly I’m seriously considering getting a stack of fresh one dollar bills, and putting a big Santa stamp on them, and calling them Santa Dollars, and calling Christmas done.
• What Elf?
• Another Mom repeatedly insulted me. I pretended not to notice, and had the grace to ignore her. So, she got louder.
• My dentist tells me I’m grinding my teeth. He says it’s “STRESS,” and says it usually happens to a lot of people this time of year.
• I’m not stressed, I’m just cold. It’s been extremely cold, and I’m having a hard time staying warm. SO…
• Wool has been my extreme comfort this year – it’s the only fabric that keeps me warm. I bought myself a couple of new wool sweaters, and ended up running behind to pick up the boys. I quickly threw on a brand new wool sweater to fend of the chill. After waving and speaking to oodles of people, a friend kindly pulled me over to the side and said, “Your tag is sticking out, and it’s really big.”