The Magic of 23

Yesterday my favourite number was 24. Many, including my husband, thought that I was referring to the new season of 24 scheduled to begin in the New Year. As you know, the previews and teasers on that show have been coming fast and furious and well quite frankly, I am kind of over the fascination of Jack Bauer and his abilities to handle every sticky situation known to man within a day.

Instead, my favourite number today is 23. And tomorrow will be 22. Then the next 21 and so on. Departure day is approaching quickly and there is so much to do, with so little time to get it all accomplished in. Today I just made our final payment (ouch) on our Disney trip and tonight will be researching overnight options for our journey down to Christmas in California. We are suckers for torture and plan on driving down to Indio and have every intention of making the drive in two days. Expedia, Mapquest and BCAA all claim that it is a 22 hour drive, but in reality with children like mine, it will be more like 22 days before we actually get down there. I hope to borrow someones Tulle (you know, those encased roof carriers) and pimping it out with blankets, cushions and of course water. It will at some point of the trip be where I stuff the kids or husband when they become antsy, cranky and overbearing. Heck, maybe I will stuff myself in there and equip myself with the iPod, a bottle of wine, lots of warm, cozy blankets and cushions. Now that sounds like a great travel plan.

Until then, we will continue to countdown our days passing by us with excitement and anticipation. And to be truthful, perhaps even a little nostalgic tear or two in knowing that we won't get to have a true "White Christmas" this year. I miss those days of going to bed on Christmas Eve with those fine, delicate flakes falling softly to the ground. Of waking Christmas morning to mounds of snow and the tell tale tracks of Santa's sleigh. But, part of having a festive holiday season is what you make of it so we will be "decking the palms" down in Indio, California followed shortly thereafter with singing in the New Year with Mickey and friends. When looking at it that way, I don't think that 23 days can come quick enough .....