CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 9 Claire Mullen can be reached at clairejlmullen @gmail.com. If only the recipients of that charming card could have had a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to arrive at those well- coordinated images. ere was a code-red meltdown over itchy tights. A mommy meltdown over "never having enough time to get myself ready!" A hostage-situation- level negotiation over wearing a hairbow. A lollipop bribe to stop yanking off a bowtie. A roadside stop on the way to the photography studio for a potty-training little boy, which inspired another meltdown from yours truly. I can't help but feel shame and guilt when I look at those images and reflect on my car ride tirade of, "How are we always late?! Do not pee on your nice shoes! Didn't I tell everyone to go potty before we le?!? Stop picking at your tights!" And the way I hissed through gritted teeth as I smiled for the camera, "Stop poking each other or else! Just say 'cheese!' and look happy!" All that for a few deceivingly picturesque photos of a deceivingly put-together family for a card labelled, "Merry Christmas! Sending you warm wishes for a very happy holiday season!" So, congratulations to those of you who are able to seamlessly pull off distributing your holiday cards in early November. Cards mailed in envelopes sourced from Bethlehem containing a glossy, gold foil- framed photo of your harmonious, coiffed, coordinated family, addressed by Santa himself in elaborate calligraphy penned with ink and feather plucked directly from a partridge in a pear tree and finished off with a scratch-and-sniff gingerbread-scented stamp. I envy you. I try to be like you. But one of these years, I might just give in to the madness and send all 200 of the folks on my mailing list a picture of us just the way we are: a mom with a messy bun and bags under her eyes; an unwaveringly patient dad; an 8-year-old girl giving her cowlicked little brother (wearing whatever the heck he wants) bunny ears. e caption will read something like, "Wishing you a REAL-ly Merry Christmas." Custom window treatments, pillows, table cloths, bedding & more Explore new home decor textiles, unique drapery hardware & an exclusive wallpaper resource library CLASSICS REIMAGINED 2706 Bragg Blvd. 910-483-2375 themillendstore.org MILL END THE STORE E s t . 1 9 3 6 A F a y e t t e v i l l e T r a d i t i o n Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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