No, I Haven't Fallen Off the Face of the Earth

I truly have been busy.

There was a confrontation between me and my co-worker. She had been snarky and rediculous for a full week. I avoided her until I got a chance to talk to her with no one else around. I calmly stated how I felt-- that she'd hurt my feelings and overwhelmed me when my husband was out of town and I was swamped. I was proud of myself because I know I don't usually confront well. Well, the result was that she didn't talk to me and wouldn't be around me at all for the rest of the week. On one hand, it made me angry that she generated drama about herself from me confronting her about how she'd hurt my feelings. On the other hand, I think that it's just really, really sad.

We finished sending all 100+ blankets around the world and we're now on a first-name basis with the little post office down the road. It was a fundraiser for troops that returned safely from Iraq-- DH's brother is back, safe and sound. While I bit off more than I thought I had with the project, I learned a lot about how to handle it.

Thanksgiving has been private and quiet. We didn't go anywhere. We didn't shop either. What I can't believe are all of the media reports of deep, deep discounts. Umm, where? I truly saw nothing that was worth rolling out of bed for-- at 4 am or 7 am. Give me a computer and websites with free shipping any day.

I'm still trying to finish pumpkin cheesecake and Dorie Greenspan's Spiced Cranberry Cake. My hint for the cranberry cake? Start with the glaze in the recipe, then cover with cream cheese frosting. Oh, and don't eat it the first day-- the flavors need a day to meld. And the America's Test Kitchen green bean casserole is heavenly-- just cut the bread crumb/fried onion topping in half. (It ends up soaking the delicious homemade cream of mushroom soup base, and you end up with green beans encased in soggy oniony mush when you reheat it.) And the meatloaf from the Fall issue of Cook's Illustrated? It made DH pledge his everlasting love to me. And he then transitioned to creative pro-mommy cheers coordinated with our toddler. Yeah, it is that good.

I'm going to teach this week, go to our staff holiday party Friday night, sell items at a craft show on Saturday, and Sunday I leave for New York City. I have never, ever been to NYC before. (Outer NJ/NY/CT suburbs, yes. JFK airport, yes. Any of the actual boroughs? Never.) I am going with other teachers to see the Rockettes Christmas show. The 10-year-old girl inside me is downright giddy. Department store window displays, Rockettes, urban holiday goodness. I truly cannot wait.

Later this month, it is time for our annual road trip to Minnesota. We'll pack our minivan, load in the DVDs, keep the apple juice and granola bar supply line going, and off we'll go.

My dilemma that I didn't anticipate is: How much do I build up this Santa thing? I've never been a mom before, and I'm a little unsure where to take all of this. I'm tempted to just let the Santa thing build naturally for him. I feel a bit ooky about creating this whole huge Santa myth that will inevitably be blown in a few years. Any advice on how to handle Santa with a two-year-old?