School's Out for Christmas

It is a school teacher's special time of year. The ten days during Christmas time are officially a teacher's paid vacation and we try to make the most of this time. It is a time for teachers to reconnect with family and friends who have gotten lost or pushed to the background in the mass of lesson plans, meetings, grading papers, standards, etc, etc. It is a time of rejuvenation. Even Energizer bunnies need a charge every once in a while. Teaching is still a rewarding profession, but requires so much more than it did in the past. The breaks are as necessary for the students as they are for teachers.
Carolyn, Kate, Beth, and I are in Pigeon Forge as I type. I just felt that a break from tradition was in order this year. We have a great chalet that sleeps eight- if you don't mind sleeping on an oversized chair, couch or the dining room table. It is a three story log house that is inaptly named "Dare to Bear", aka "MKI". The decor on floor three and one are decorated in bear accessories, while floor two (the main floor) has moose decor. It is warm and cozy complete with fireplace, Christmas tree and decorations. There are two bedrooms, a media room with 4 cozy recliners, a game room overlooking the family area, two complete decks, and a hot tub. Beth, our tour director, did quite a good job finding this abode! -----I would like to have a version of this "cabin in the woods" in woodsy area of Milan, Tennessee. YEAH, RIGHT!
We had a awesome time at the Tanger Outlet Mall trying to begin and end shopping for Christmas. We blew through there yesterday and completed most of our tasks in only two shifts - afternoon and 2nd shift (night). We marched through the outlet (a million stores in all) like Sherman marching through Georgia. We tried in pairs, but realized quickly we could not enter ALL stores unless we split up. After receiving our shopping assignments, we split up and charged the stores. SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! We even had time to regroup and check our progress over Peppermint White Chocolate Mochas. The only casulties we had were sore stomachs and sides from laughing!Today we will venture to Asheville to see The Biltmore at Christmas. We have late afternoon and evening tickets so that we can fully experience Christmas with the "rich and famous".
Shopping with four women causes some "testiness". When this occurs, our new expression to bring things into perspective is "We are making memories, here!!!!!"
This is a bittersweet time of the year, but family,faith, fun, love, tears, and laughter help me to survive!
'Tis the Season! Merry Christmas to all. Our rewards and blessings abound.
Love and peace,
Cathy