Countdown to a (Dysfunctional) Christmas

by Sheryl Van der Leun

UPDATE: An edited version of this article was published in the December 17 edition of the Laguna Beach Independent and was posted on American Digest.

P.S.  Of course, that was all weeks ago.  We did manage to get our tree decorated.  And Gerard put the lights up outside, so now our house looks like a cross between an Italian restaurant and a bordello.

We sold out of gift tags at the Holiday Boutique, though I confess I caved to my fear of the PTA leader and didn’t display the truly “dysfunctional” ones. There was quite a run on them, though, when Gerard posted downloadable versions on his website. Kinda warms your heart to know you’ve helped to share the Christmas spirit, even if in so very small a way.

I thought Jackson was going to have a breakdown when I told him I’d be making cookies from scratch since they were out of slice and bake dough at the grocery store.  “Mom, couldn’t you have tried a few more grocery stores first?” he moaned.  (They were delicious, by the way.)

Jackson successfully peddles gift tags for charity at Top of the World Elementary Holiday Boutique. The less than joyous expression is because his teacher had shared with me only moments before that the golden boy had not turned in numerous homework assignments.  The lack of video games and TV was going to put a serious crimp in his holiday plans.