ahhhhhhh another holiday survived!  Perhaps some of you can offer some suggestions or ideas of how we an change the general "feel" of holidays in our home. 

ALL holidays seem to fall into the same category ... even brithdays, though not as much. 

HOLIDAYS SUCK!  Not really sure how I got to this place. I mean, most of you know that I am generally upbeat about most things, but ... holidays for me, since I was a child ... suck!  WHY, you innocently may ask?  It's hard to say ... a personality flaw perhaps?  hahaha  But if I am with my family, I miss my friends. If I am with my friends, I miss my family ... I just can['t seem to find a balance.  I suspect it has something to do with  . . . expectations!

What is it about expectations that skrews me up?  and Whose expectations?  mine?  my kids'?

or some mysterious hypothetical cultural expectations? Ahhhh who knows! 

Let me recount how my "Mother's Day" played out ... just for fun!  I worked, of course, midnight until 8 am.  I arrived home about 8:15 am to find a puppy pile by the front door, but at least I didn't step in it!    I had a cup of coffee.  While quietly contemplating the beauty of the morning, Janna (15 yr old) arose to inform me that my son (18 yr old) & a male chum were both asleep in his room ... the chum had been locked out of his home?  After finishing my coffee, I went to bed & slept until about 2 pm.  Janna and I then went to Home Depot to fetch some hanging baskets for our porch and some dirt for the garden ... as if I really expect to get to it this summer!  hah!    Now ... on the way, I'm told that she doesn't think the guy who is re-doing our bathroom is doing a good job.  I inquire why she has this feeling and she gets perturbed ... so I also become impatient because she seems unable to communicate her thoughts/feelings to me.  She is right, of course, about the bathroom. 

POINT:  This young man from my night work, is homeless & without family, a vet with some post traumatic symptoms .,.. unable to hold a regular job.  I hired him as a "handyman" to do odd jobs that I don't know hw to do or that I on't have TIME to do ... Mostly his work is good - it's just hard getting him there - not real dependable.  I paid him to install a new tub surround (anyone done this?)... incl cement board and plumbing fixtures, all of which I already purchased.  At this point, I would give him a  "C-" on this assignment ... but I am out the money, regardless ...

Please help!  Should I:

     a.  cut my losses and hire someone else to finish the job?   Require him to repair & do it RIGHT? (what if he cannot?)

     c.  screw it and try to finish it myself?

You see, I expected him to be able to do the job for which he was hired?  I know, I know ... silly expectation!  hmmm?

So ... after buying the hanging baskets I liked, and sitting in the sun, convertible top down, chatting with my daughter ... we went to dinner ... then home to bed, since I had to work again last night ...

Side note:  not until this morning did ANY of my 3 wonderful children wish me Happy Mother's day ... *sigh*  oh well ... I try ... So ... that is just an example of a "holiday" at our home.  Suggestions, comments, prayers?  hahaha