I can’t get my head around how much things can change in such a short time. Seven days ago I was waking up in the morning to bright, sunny skies, yet this morning when I opened my eyes at six it was still dark outside. Autumn is most definitely upon us. I’ve never been good in the winter months – it just seems to wrap itself around me like a smelly old blanket and fills me with gloom. Isn’t it weird how the weather can have such a profound effect on your state of mind? Having said that, it was nice to curl up in front of the fire with a good book last night (not so nice having to turn it off and crawl into a cold bed though).
The only thing I really look forward to at this time of year is Christmas, but this year even that may be strange. I met Dan and Tallis on Sunday for a few beers – which was wonderful – and Dan told me he had some bad news for me. Don’t ask me why, but I immediately looked at Tallis and before I had time to choke on my lager she blurted out “don’t worry, I’m not pregnant.” Thank God for that! Dan followed it up with “there’s a good chance we may be in France for Christmas.” Of course that isn’t bad news at all really; it’s great that my son is grabbing the opportunity to do something completely different this year because I’d hate for him to feel obligated to spend Christmas with the family for the rest of his (or my) life. I told him so, too. It will mean though that it’ll be rather quiet around my Mum’s table – that’s if we decide to go ahead with our usual plans. Actually, it’s just hit me that regardless of whether or not he goes to France, this will be the first year I’ll be waking up on Christmas morning without him. I’m not looking forward to that.
I have to admit that adjusting to Dan not living with me is getting easier as the weeks roll by. I’m not spending my evenings worrying about him anymore…seeing him all settled in his new flat helped me a lot with that, and of course now he’s working (and loving it) it’s a huge weight off my mind.
Talking of work…I’ve just gotten back from an interview which must have been the shortest interview I’ve ever had. My appointment time was 1.30 and I was back on the High Street – after walking down 4 flights of stairs and across the shop floor – at 1.38 precisely. That’s slightly worrying, isn’t it? On paper, I know I have the necessary skills to do the job but when a company are looking for ‘an image’ my 20 year work history is completely irrelevant. I think perhaps they should have requested a photo with the CV and saved themselves the hassle of seeing a bunch of people who don’t physically fit the bill. Anyway, they’re calling me later so cross your fingers for me…there may be hope for this ageing hippy yet! It went well, aided by the fact that one of the women interviewing me asked me my thoughts on cross dressing. I looked at her for a moment, slightly puzzled about how I should reply. That’s when her colleague said “I think she meant “cross selling” and we all fell about laughing. I’ve had some strange questions put to me at interviews before, but that has to be one of the best!
Last year was the first year that Christmas CHANGED for us. Our children couldn’t have Christmas on Christmas. We had two living away from home and one that was gone working Christmas day. Although, we had a very fun Christmas with them on another day, (it was actually the most insane Christmas we have ever had but FUN)it wasn’t the same, with all the old traditions and it was the first year all our kids didn’t wake up Christmas morning with us. That was very hard for me. The new Christmas Goats running around the house distracted me from my upset though
BR/Good luck with the interview Laney.BR/xo
So, how Ido/I you feel about cross dressing?BR/BR/You and Dan have had so much change this year. I admire how you both are bearing up and moving with the flow.
I haven’t had a normal christmas with my kids since my wife died, and this year will be the same I believe, sad because it’s the last one in our house I’m going to hopefully sell in the spring.BR/But we have all adapted, and enjoy the holidays where ever we find them.BR/BR/Good luck with the job search Laney
Perhaps I can loan you our holiday of “Thanksgiving”? It occurs on the fourth Thursday of November here in the States (and around October 12th in Canada, so if you need it earlier…)BR/BR/It is probably my favorite holiday of all, even above Christmas, because there is nothing expected of you other than to show up and be yourself. A big feast is had, football is watched on television, friends and family say some prayers and exchange pleasantries, and that’s it! Lovely time.BR/BR/(Christmas is still the more important day, because of my religious beliefs, but Thanksgiving is easily the less-hectic time.)BR/BR/Anyway, it’s a great day to just get family together and let them know how much you love them. Feel free to use it, if you wish
I’m curious. What job did you go for?
That 1st Christmas without your kids is so hard. All those years of waiting for them to drift off to sleep the night before so you can slip the last of the presents under the tree, all those years of watching the next morning as they bounce up and down full of excitement over this toy or that.BR/BR/My Christmas without my kids was doubly hard becuase I was far from my family as well. But I had the good fortunue that many of my friends made a point of calling me that day full of Christmas wishes (and even a carol or two), and that made it special in its own way.BR/BR/Whatever happens, when it comes, may your Christmas be special.BR/BR/And in the meantime … knock ‘em dead on the interview!
I did a double take when I saw the title of your post. Christmas? Christmas? What the eff is she talking about Christmas for? I thought I’d lost a month or two! LOLBR/BR/Anyway I know exactly what you mean about winter because I’m the same. I get up at 6 and I hate it! It doesn’t bother me in summer when it’s light but I hate getting up in the dark.BR/BR/Ah you’ll miss your baby at Christmas but you have to let them do their thing don’t you?
good luck on the job front whether its this one what ever that is or the next one.BR/BR/I’m pleased Dan has landed on his feet and you had a nice time with them both.
You’ll get the job cross dressing or not….
best of luck with the job elaine – I was most intrigued to hear how cross dressing fitted into it!! And I know what you mean about the weather – there’s a real autumnal nip in the air mornings and evenings.
I love the line – ‘it seems to wrap itself around me like a smelly old blanket’. I do LOVE curling up in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of wine! This will be a ‘different’ holiday season for us also since our oldest has moved to Calif ~ and can’t afford to fly home. Guess it is time for new traditions? Best of luck with your job search! Take care.
I can completely relate to the “blanket of gloom”. I DREAD winter for that very reason. BR/BR/I’m glad to hear Dan is getting settled into his independent life. I think it’s wonderful. Sorry to hear about the Christmas plans, though. BR/BR/Now, that’s funny!BR/Besides, it’s nobody’s business if you crossdress.BR/Speaking of cross dressing, I wonder how exactly a woman does that. If she wears her honey’s t-shirts, a pair of old shorts her boy has outgrown and some work boots, does that make her a cross-dresser? If so, I think I might qualify…omg.
at least you look forward to Christmas.BR/BR/I dread the whole season
Good Morning Laney,BR/BR/Celebrate the Solstice with Dan before he goes to France, it’s the real winter holiday anyway. The 25th was picked for Christmas as a way to merge the pagan and Christian religions. (If the church can change the date to celebrate, why can’t you)BR/BR/The Solstice is also the day when the days start becoming longer and the return of the light helps to get rid of the winter funk.BR/BR/Next time they ask you about cross dressing Tell them you don’t like the way men’s suits make your shoulders look.BR/BR/Good luck with the job.
Don’t physically fit the bill?BR/but I came over here for the express purpose of telling you that you look pretty to me…really i did and its not something I usually do not on Blogs anyway…and then I find that you are funny too!BR/BR/Hi Elaine!
Cross dressing? That is SOOO hilarious. You should get the job based on having a calm reaction to that!BR/BR/I love dark and winter. For one, it’s cozy, but more importantly, my kids things “it’s night and bedtime” much earlier (and later in the morning) than in the summer!
Know what you mean about the season. It seems as soon as it is September, I start to get condensation on the car windscreen first thing in the morning which I have to warm up with the heater to see where I am going!!
Hi Elaine, sorry can stop but to just say that you have an award waiting over at my place.