Santa Claus is coming to town

Because we are cruel, unloving parents, this year was the very first time we took the kids to see Santa. Technically, I guess, Micah met Santa last year at a Havoc game, but WE didn't take him. He went with his best friend, Trey, and Trey's mom. I suppose we've failed at some crucial parental duty, but I'm having trouble getting too worked up over it.

Anyway, Trey's mom had the idea that this year we should go to Santa's Village in downtown Huntsville. It's actually set in Constitution Village, a working 1819 replica "village" that's part of the EarlyWorks museum complex, so it's got a lot more charm than your usual mall Santa location. So after a quick dinner at Steak N Shake, we all headed downtown.

It was unseasonably warm, like not-even-a-jacket-warm, but that worked out really well, since most of the attraction is outdoors. And it really was a neat place. There was a sleigh for the kids to climb in, an icicle maze, cookie decorating, reindeer to pet, a high school chorus signing, people dressed as bears or penguins or elves wandering around, and even a blacksmith. And of course, there was Santa.

Trey was the first one of our group to sit on Santa's lap, and he rattled off his two wishes with no problem. Micah, though, was completely distracted by a pile of toys to Santa's left and spent half of his time muttering in the opposite direction of Santa's ear. When I told him to talk directly to Santa, he then began rattling off a list that started with a CSX diesel locomotive, then moved on to every type of railcar there is. Santa cut him off about five cars in with, "Okay, a train set, then, right?" and then asked us if we knew about Southerland Station. Which, uh, yeah we do, but you're Santa, remember? So how about you stop putting in a plug for local toy stores because SANTA HAS ELVES. Work with me here, dude.

Aerin was just happy to see Santa, mostly because she really has no idea who Santa Claus IS. She requested that he bring her a Santa. And a snowman. I don't think he really knew what do with either request, so he ditched her pretty quickly in favor of the next kid, who had clearly memorized a toy catalog.

By the way, I love Micah's facial expression in his picture with Santa. Skeptical boy is skeptical.

Balance

I've been in a bit of a funk for the last two months or so, and I'm pretty sure it's mostly work related. I've been working five days a week again. My company is about to undergo a major reorganization that has everyone scared and angry. My boss is losing her position in the reorg and has pretty much checked out (understandably). The coworker I brought in as a partner on our municipal stormwater projects suddenly tried to take credit for the whole program and cut me out of it, and now I'm afraid to rely on her for anything. The looming workload is massive. The immediate workload is stuff I don't particularly like. Everyone's upset, everyone's feelings are hurt, and, holy shit, my office is a toxic place these days. And because I'm at work every day, the weekends are stressful, it's harder to travel to see family, our house is a wreck, the kids' attitudes are on a steady decline, and really, I'm just very unhappy at the moment.

So, starting this week, I'm going back to taking Fridays off. I'll have time to clean the house and plan the meals and do the shopping during the week. I'll be able to pack for trips and do the laundry and shopping before we go, so we're not all naked and hungry the rest of the week. I can work on decluttering the closets and rooms that are making me crazy. Maybe I'll even find the time to squeeze in the craft projects I want to do.

And hopefully I don't lose my job. Because as much as I hate it right now, I usually love what I do and would really like to continue to receive money to do it. Being the one professional in the office working a reduced schedule during so much upheaval definitely makes me nervous, but I'm hoping my work speaks for itself.

It's time to reset the scales on the whole work-life balance thing. We'll see what happens.