An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Cookies, candy, cake popcorn, marshmallows gingerbread and fruit Toys and games pillows and blankets fluffy robes and slippers shoes and sweaters candles and ornaments gift cards and music Post Christmas the hype has died down for another year some feel disappointed others breathe a sigh of relief The lights are still up the mistletoe hangs limp from the ceiling. It's that nebulous time between the old year and the new one. The long night is past and now we march towards the dawn of spring light. But still a time of quiet uncertainty.

Too much to do too little time loads of laundry clean out the van wrap gifts last minute shopping hotel arrangements Always the one traveling year after year No one returns the favor too far too busy too much of a hassle we can do it so they don't have to. Grin and bear it only to be ignored at family outings my kids too disruptive because they are different but she wants to see her cousins so we do it anyway. I need a vacation from my 'vacation' preferably someplace warm and tropical without dealing with family who really don't give a damn.