Christmas Chaos

I really don't mind the chaos of Christmas. Actually, chaos is right up my alley. Shopping, baking, decorating, and all the other preparation of the season can send my very busy schedule into frenzy mode, but somehow I manage to get it all done and stay pretty calm. My friends and family always ask, "How do you do it all, on top of taking care of the girls and working at home?" I don't really have a good answer. I just do it. I don't mean to sound flip, or to blow it off like it is easy. But I just can't really tell you how. I just manage, as most of us do when faced with difficult situations.

There is one thing that has just about sent me over the top this year. My oldest daughter wants an electric scooter for Christmas. Nothing fancy. A seatless one that goes less than 10 mph and is meant for 8 and up. Sounded like a great idea to me so I set out doing my usual product research on the Internet. I found a scooter that was under $100 and had good reviews - perfect! To make things even better, I found it in stock with free shipping and $20 off using Google checkout.

I placed my order and received confirmation via Email that it was received. Shortly after, I received another Email with the subject line "Backorder/Adv Sale Confirmation" with no other details. I promptly replied asking what this meant and got an automated response saying to fill out a form on their Website. I did that two more times over a weeks period and got no response. When I finally called customer service, I was told that the scooters were backordered indefinitely. I did get an apology for their Website not being updated, but nothing more. To this day the item still shows as in stock ready to ship.

Off I went to other Websites and the manufacturer to find my scooter. What I found was a whole slew of Sites, that when I picked my product, looked identical to the one that was sold out. And they all said in stock. I learned my lesson and wasn't to be fooled again. A few days later, another unrelated site had the scooters back in stock. Just to make sure, I called to order over the phone instead of online and was reassured that yes, they were back in stock, and I could confidently purchase it. I chose 2nd day shipping and paid way more than I wanted to, but I was actually going to get one! My confirmation Email came minutes after I completed my order. Then an hour later I got another Email saying my item was backordered. UGH!! Once again I had to cancel my order.

So now, here I sit one week before Christmas without the scooter for my daughter. And there are no retailers in my area that have any in stock. I know this same thing happens to hundreds of people each day, but it does not make it any less frustrating. To me, this is a lot more nerve-wracking than any of the holiday season chaos.

Don't you wish?

Do you every wish you could be this guy? I know...it would be a little hot and stuffy. But wouldn't you trade that for being as goofy as you wanted? I would. I think it would be refreshing to throw all those inhibitions to the wind. I could be anonymous. When the game is over and I am walking out in my own attire, no one would say, "Hey, there is that crazy lady who was dancing with the kids in the stand!" They wouldn't know it was me in that suit.

I don't really know where that came from. I was just looking at pictures I took at an Orioles game last month and it triggered those thoughts. I have spent most of my life doing things that are "expected" of me. I am not complaining because it hasn't been bad - quite the contrary. But as I get older I wish I had more gall - more ability to say, "who cares what they think..."

Its all good...

I have to ask myself, "Why am I blogging? What do I have to say?" Maybe nothing important, but I think maybe it will be therapeutic...take me back to my writing and expressive self that I have lost among the piles of diapers, soccer balls, and Happy Meal toys over the last nine years. I am not even sure who I will share the news of this adventure with. But the computer and writing have always been enjoyable for me, so why not.

Let's call this a day of celebration. My beautiful 2-year old daughter has had a GREAT day today. And those words have not come out of my mouth much lately. No whining, no screaming, no markers on the wall. She was so patient with a long stint in the van while I picked up (and delivered) my latest graphic project. After picking up my 5-year old daughter from preschool, doing the McD drive-thru, and playing at the park she was still smiling and listening. YEAH!! Now if I could only pinpoint the triggers for this behavior and make sure to repeat them every day - at least until she is 19 or 20!

Maybe it is the gorgeous weather...or maybe her antibiotics have finally cleared the ear infection. Or maybe it is just a sign that its all good. That is one of my favorite sayings and I thought it was appropriate for my first blog. But there are many a day that those words leave my mouth and my brain is not buying any part of that statement. This just happens to be a good day!

Its all good...