Christmas "Clues" Eve....

This  weekend I was feeling like a child - a child that couldn't stand the wait until Christmas. The anticipation of seeing the magic that takes place in a child's eye. The reason for this is because of the month of "Christmas Clues" the children and I have received. My curiosity was getting the best of me, and it felt like Christmas would never come. I just knew the week would drag and the days would be long....really...I didn't think I could stand the wait.

On Monday I went to the Lend a Hand office asthere were toys to be distributed and people to help. Another volunteer was going to be there, Kris...and I thought we would have time to start working on the protocol so we could start bringing in other volunteers to train.......

Time was something we didn't have.....

The phone started ringing off the hook......

The buzzer to our back door entrance rang so much it started sounding like a holiday tune...

The need was so great - the need for toys for children who weren't going to have a Christmas present under the tree....the need for clients we were already working with and providing shelter for....and then the need to find shelter for the man who had his house foreclosed on and was living out of his car ---need was everywhere!

Every time the phone rang...

Each time the buzzer sounded...

Was an alarm going off telling us someone needed us to Lend a Hand

Kris and I never really got a chance to connect on the things we needed to work on, as both of us was busy throughout the day helping people.

By the time I left the office I was exhausted but I was grateful to be able to go home to a place I could call my own. I was dreading the evening as I had to cover a school board meeting for the Messenger. This meant it would be a long evening...sitting in a small conference room....trying to take notes....trying to key in on something that readers would want to know...want to read about.

Needless to say covering school board and city council meetings are not my favorite thing. They're usually emotionless, technical, and "just the facts ma'am" - UGH!

I get home to rush around making sure the kids are fed, and all their needs are taken care of...

And then it happens....my phone rings off the hook.

A drama is about to take place, and one that I really wished never would have happened...

(those details aren't important as the drama is now over, but damn it set my mood for the next 24 hours!)

So, as I was in the midst of learning about the drama and as I was dreading going out to that school board meeting,  I had 2 phones ringing off the hook - my home phone and the cell phone for Lend a Hand - I had a message waiting for me on my voicemail....

"This is Holly Jingles from Christmas Clues. We're trying to get a hold of you - We'll call back later"....

So...just imagine my face as I try to take in everything...the stress...the worry...the dread...and then

"Who in the hell is Holly Jingles?"

Within seconds of listening to that message I was back fielding phone calls...dealing with drama...preparing for the school board meeting, and also for what I just learned would be the DEADLINE DAY FROM HELL!

Tears were starting to form in the corners of my eyes....I fought them back....

And then...yes, once again....then...the phone rings...

UNKNOWN CALLER is on my caller id...

"This better not be a bill collector!" ...is all I could think....

"This is Holly Jingles from the North Pole and Christmas Clues..............What is your favorite pizza?"

"My favorite pizza? Well the kids like sausage and pepperoni."

"What is your favorite pop?"

I knew I had better answer that one right...I mean if I didn't say Justin's favorite there would be hell to pay!

"Mountain Dew"

"Thank you, Merry Christmas" (or something like that)

"Who in the he....." (click -they hung up)

Okie dokie -well that was that!

Back to the drama, back to the dread, however always in the back of my mind I was wondering what in the hell is going on?!?!

I get ready and run to that school board meeting. The conference room was filled. Not an empty chair in sight. June from the radio station was standing in the doorway to the room and she didn't look too happy. I knew this was going to be a long meeting and one where now I had to stand and take notes....UGH!

BTW...if anyone in a position to do something about where those meetings are held ...is reading this....C'mon....change the venue! That room is stuffy and often there is nowhere to sit - how many libraries and auditoriums are there in that school district?????? 

Can you tell I am stressed this week?

After attending the meeting, I get home and collapse. I was dreading the next day -Tuesday. That DEADLINE DAY FROM HELL!

I wake up on Tuesday and prepare for the DEADLINE DAY FROM HELL I rush out of my house...running late as usual....and then when I get to the trial that I thought I would have to sit in all day long - find out it is being postponed..YIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I return home - feeling better and thankful I would now have some time to actually sit, time to think and to write the articles I needed to get into my editor.

Plus now I have some real time, and a clear head to handle some of that drama that occurred the day before...

So..........

While typing away....

While talking on the phone....

My call waiting rings............

It goes to voicemail..................

When I get a chance I check the message...........

And sure enough.......

It's that Holly Jingles person...................

The pizza will be waiting in the lobby at 5:oo on Christmas Eve....

And if you're not sure what that means....well read about the Christmas Clues!