Crunch time

For 22 years I've heard people go on and on about how busy the holiday season can be. Until now, I've chalked it up to poor time management and an inclination to whine because I never really found December to be all that hectic. I mean, sure, there are extra events to attend and maybe some shopping that wouldn't happen normally, but other than that it's always been relatively smooth sailing. Well I've figured out the crucial factor that has kicked this holiday season up a notch and left me cursing the fact that there are only 24 hours in the day: this is my first Christmas as an "adult." (I use quotations because only by conventional definition am I an adult. I live on my own, I have a full time job, I pay bills yada yada yada. Other than that, still a frat boy.) The point is, that I do have a lot more on my metaphorical plate and these past two weeks have been a bit more frantic than I would like.
I miss the good old days when Christmas meant at least 10 days off from any form of obligation i.e. sleeping in, eating cookies, and watching A Christmas Story. Don't get me wrong, I still fully intend on checking all of those activities off my list, but unfortunately, my window of opportunity is much smaller this year. I guess I'm just a little bummed that I can't do whatever I want and wear nothing but pajamas for a week straight. Responsibility is a bitch, kids. You remember that. Anyway, enough seasonal sulking. On the upside, me and Popsacola will be singing along to "Blue Christmas" in less than 24 hours. And I hear there's another throw back punk show this weekend at our favorite Philadelphia Pike watering hole. Until then, I've got presents to wrap. Happy Festivus!

Christmas Shoes and Christmas Juice

Another successful holiday bash on Park Lane! Every year, Mom and Dad kick their event planning and hospitality into high gear and host one heck of a Christmas party. Finger foods as far as the eye can see and wall to wall Christmas knick knacks that often leave the guests wondering "Wait...what is that?" For example, the small Christmas tree hanging upside down from the ceiling. Or the 3D glasses that turn every lightbulb into a mini neon light reading "Happy Holidays." Or the chocolate Santas that are, in fact, not made out of chocolate but are purely decorative. ( I learned that the hard way...) So friends and family members gathered from near and far to partake in the festivities and enjoy the fun, food and (let's be honest) the booze.
The "kids" retreated upstairs after a few helpings of mini quiches and shrimp cocktail to play some good old fashioned beer pong. I'm embarassingly rusty and ended up as the weak link of whatever team I was on. It seems that being a grown ass woman has had an adverse affect on my A-game. Sad but true. Anyway, the little brother was slightly paranoid that the parentals would break up our party inside a party, so he insisted we listen to Christmas music while playing. He had some theory about how it would blend in with the holiday beats from downstairs so no one would be the wiser. (sidenote: I heard the song "Christmas Shoes" for the first time. Let's just say it's not the merriest holiday song I've ever heard. And those weren't tears, I had something in my eye.)
It ended up that all of adults wandered upstairs anyway to inform us that the rounds of lemon drops had begun, and were more jealous than anything else when they saw the table. We finished up and decided to join them downstairs only to stumble upon one rowdy group of middle-agers. Apparently the rounds of shots had started a while ago and we were catching the aftermath. Loud-talking and boisterous laughter served as the background noise as I helped myself to cup after cup of Christmas Juice. And then the real party began.
Somewhere in the universe the stars alligned and my parents started shotgunning beers. Merry Christmas to me. It was quite frankly one of the most heartwarming things I've ever seen. We even did one round as a family! One thing led to another, and we all ended up wearing weird hats and/or showing off our best victory dances. Fret not, because I've got it all on film. The house didn't clear out until around 3am which classifies this particular shin dig as "rockin". So I had a great time, and I think it's safe to say that everyone else feels the same way. Save the date for next year.

p.s. Kathi brought out the mosaic...and the tiny eyepiece used to see the picture more clearly. ( I forgot to mention the eyepiece earlier, probably as some subconscious form of self-preservation.) Needless to say it was a hit, but for all the wrong reasons.