Lights!
The lights are on the tree! It took a little finagling, as always. I didn’t seem to have enough strands and had to borrow some from the outdoor lights (which, luckily, are not up yet.) I was wondering why, until I remembered THE INCIDENT from last year, where my son was trimming a couple errant branches on Christmas Eve, and accidentally cut through a strand of lights. I’m sure there’s a note to my future self, tucked away in a bin I haven’t opened yet, explaining that I need to buy two new strands of lights this year. The important thing is, the tree lights are up. Outdoor lights can wait a little. I wish it were all Christmas and fun around here, but my son has essays to write for grad school applications. He’s applying to eight schools, and they all require different “personal statements” and/or “statements of purpose.” A couple of them are generic, and some are more specific with their prompts. Additionally, two of the school are asking for “diversity statements,” and we have no idea where to go with that. Those are optional- but does it look bad if he doesn’t do it? He took a writing class this semester and the teacher taught him the value of the SFD, or “shitty first draft.” I can say that he’s accomplished a few of those so far! We’ve got a long way to go…. but I’m undaunted. I’m a NaBloPoMo veteran! I can help him get through a few little essays. Sigh. Next up… tinsel and ornaments! Do you like writing essays? – My son… doesn’t. But we’ll get it done.