Pack It Away?

The Christmas season is upon us. I don't know how that happened. Seems like just the other day I was outside doing some sunprinting, and now there's a snowstorm in the forecast. Guess I'd better get together my group of carolers for the play I'm involved in, in-OH NO-3 days!

Stressed out about all the Christmas projects I intended on doing and haven't gotten a start on, and recovering from pneumonia, my son drops another bomb on me the other day. "When are we going to put up the 'crimmas' tree?"

Christmas tree? Christmas tree! I wasn't going to put up the Christmas tree. I was going to do without the stress of pulling up all the boxes of ornaments from the basement. I wasn't going to spend an entire day untangling the lights and replacing the burnt out bulbs. I was going to have a nice peaceful season without having to yell at the cats to get out of the tree, not yell "get your paws off of that!" every couple of minutes, to both the cats and the kid. Besides, where are we even going to put the tree? Does anyone see room for a tree?

So, my son starts crying, because he's convinced that Santa won't have anywhere to put his special present if we don't have a tree. I suggest that maybe we could put decorations on one of the trees outside instead. Got a resounding no to that one too-because the groundhog that lives in the yard might steal the presents, don't I know?

But really, short of hanging it from the ceiling, where's it going to go? Ask a question, and risk getting an answer you don't want to hear, right? I've been told to pack up all my art supplies, including the sewing machine and table, and stuff it all in the basement for the season. NO! I can't. My husband asks, "why not, your class is done, you don't have to do any more sewing?"

With that, I see once more how much he just doesn't get it. I don't do these all these projects and create "weird things" because some lady at the college told me to. I do them because I need to. It's part of me. I love it. I wouldn't be the same without doing them. I have no idea what I'd do with myself if I wasn't creating. Pack it all away? Nope. I can't do that. Not even for a month or so. That would be like stuffing me in a box and packing me away.

A compromise was met. If you come over this holiday season, you'll be greeted by my tree, in the middle of the floor. I've put away the containers of paints and brushes and fabrics and threads and beads and clay. The sewing machine and table are staying put. I'll be sitting, behind that tree sewing like a mad woman, trying to finish some projects-including the giant gingerbread cottage that is in my kitchen waiting to be designed, assembled and decorated. That one's another story all on its own.

May your holidays be beautiful and fun, and far less stressful that mine. Now, bring on the snow!