November Note

 

Well, my 10th NaNoWriMo win is officially in the bag. It's kind of strange. I did my first one when S was barely two years old. Now she's twelve. My baby really, truly is not a baby anymore. We threw her a birthday party at a trampoline park, and she had a blast. It was fairly easy for me (I just had to bring a cake and make sure all the kids had waivers signed by their parents), but even still, I'm relieved it's over. I am not a party person. I don't as a rule like attending them, and I absolutely loathe hosting them. So way back in the day, when M first started to ask for a party for her birthday, I laid down the law: I would throw exactly two birthday parties for my kids. One when they turned eight, and the other when they turned twelve.

Thank heavens for that rule! It has been a sanity saver, especially with five kids. They never pestered me for parties since they knew exactly when they would get them, and I could take the time to save money ahead of time so it didn't kill the budget. This year marked the tenth and last birthday party I had to throw.

Well. Probably. At least for the kids. Terence turns 50 next year, which kind of a big deal and worth celebrating...but then surely he won't ask me to throw a party???  My parents want a party for their 50th wedding anniversary next year, but at least I have sisters to help with that.

Anyway, November is nearly over which means it's time for the December rush. The most stressful month of the year, hands down.  I say every year I am going simplify-- and in many ways I have. But the reality is that I find it hard to jettison expectations-- whether those of my family or myself. At least I don't have a wedding to attend this year. (Thank you very much, Sidney. Joke's on you though, now you will be celebrating your birthday and your anniversary and Christmas in the same week for the rest of your life. You were warned....)

As soon as I finish Nano every year, my December to-do list drops on my head like an anvil. Time to shake myself out of my fiction writing head-fog, make some plans, and dive in. Good luck to all those who have an overscheduled month and budget wrestling ahead of them as well. May the odds be ever in our favor!