Reaching the two weeks before Christmas has been smooth sailing this holiday season.
I don't know if I can attribute it to being older and wiser or just pure, dumb luck.
It is amazing that with less than two weeks before Christmas, shopping is complete, goodies are baked, the halls are decked and the monumental decision to have turkey or ham for Christmas dinner has been made.
So, for the next two weeks I will, without stress, happily anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day.
So much time, so little to do.
Suddenly, I am wondering what I will do to fill these days before Christmas.
The ideas begin to pour.
Clean out a closet, rearrange the garage, paint a room -- all those things you never have the time to do.
I've got it. I'll call a long-lost friend. It's that kind of time; the sentiments brought on by a holiday and a new year.
As I hum a few bars of "Auld Lang Syne," I pick up the telephone.
I know this dear old friend will be thrilled to hear from me.
I dial the number and prepare to make my cheerful holiday greeting.
"Merry Christmas, guess who," I say to my friend.
"Who is this," comes the reply.
"Why, it's Cindy. I thought I'd call and see how you were doing since we haven't chatted in a while," I say with concern.
I detected little excitement on the receiving end.
"Well, you picked a fine time to call, like the busiest time of the year," says my friend.
At this point it is dawning on me that making this call wasn't one of my most brilliant ideas.
"You know, I just can't get anything done," my friend says. "Christmas is less than two weeks away and I still have the majority of my shopping to do. Baking is out of the question this year. We are talking Mrs. Smith pies and Archway cookies.
"I have no idea where we are eating Christmas dinner, but I know it won't be here. No one in my family wants my kids in their house and I certainly don't want any member of my family in my house. It's just a lot of work for one day."
"So, how are those kids? I bet they are really getting big," I say, hoping to turn the conversation in another direction.
"Well, they are big and not very well-behaved lately," she says. "But, I blame that on Christmas. I can't believe the commercialism. It's hard to tell which holiday comes first -- Thanksgiving or Christmas! All my neighbors have their decorations up and my kids think that Santa is coming down the chimney any minute. Needless to say, all four of them are just bouncing off the walls.
"I just don't know how people can get so worked up for this holiday. It's madness. Traffic is horrendous everywhere you go. I get so upset thinking about the shopping. The malls and stores are packed and you can't find anything you need," she says tensely. "And what I really hate are people who have everything done. I think they just love to sit back and watch the rest of us suffer! So, how is your shopping going?"
Well, you can bet I am going to use some discretion before I answer this question.
Quickly, I decide to practice selective omission.
"Well, there are still many things that I would like to get done," I say sheepishly.
After all, she doesn't have to know that those things -- cleaning a closet, painting a room, rearranging the garage -- are not related to Christmas.
As the conversation comes to a close, I tell my friend that it has been nice chatting with her and that we should make an effort to talk more frequently.
I also tell her to try and take some time and enjoy the holiday.
I remind her that there is so much more to Christmas than what she is experiencing.
She listens and then thanks me for calling and listening to her tales of woe.
And as I prepare to say good-bye, my friend says, "By the way, Cindy, have a Merry Christmas. I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday."
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The kids can have breakfast with Santa Claus at Cranberry Mall.
Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m., children are invited to the former China Lion location in the mall to eat breakfast with Santa.
The Jokesters will perform magic and create interesting crafts with balloons.
Admission is $3. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the mall's customer service office. Information: 876-8870.
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If your child is feeling a little "crafty," bring him or her to the Kids Club Holiday Workshop at Cranberry Mall.
Two workshops will be held Saturday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Kids Clubhouse next to Tully's restaurant.
Adults will help the children make a Christmas card and other holiday crafts.
Admission is free, and no registration is required.
Information: 876-8870.