Holidays UGH!

I just don't know why everyone just loves the holidays. Usually about this time of year my stress level is well beyond manageable. This year, like most years I'm traveling for the holidays and though I should have things down pat by now I don't. It just seems like two days before the trip all is coming to a head. The flight leaves tomorrow evening and I have yet to pack. The dog still needs to be dropped off at the boarding facility. People need to be informed of all the appropriate emergency phone numbers. I probably won't have time to go see my horse before I head out. Bills are payed but the hold on the mail still has to be done. My father called me up at 6AM to verify the name on my passport - the same name he gave me 34 years ago! Come to find out this morning that my brand new work blackberry isn't habilitated for international travel therefore I more than likely won't be receiving calls or emails unless I trade it in for the international phone. In this day and age of globalization I just don't get why phones in this country are still so damn backwards. I have done about 10 minutes of real work. I have to run to a lunch meeting that will more than likely go into the afternoon. Did I mention I haven't packed yet? And I don't even know what the weather at destination is going to be like. I have to run home to finish shoveling the foot of snow in my driveway and get ready for a Christmas party. I think I need a breather to remind myself of why I'm actually leaving, cuz it sure as hell doesn't sound like a holiday to me!

Pros:
I get to see my family that I miss so much (from a distance)
I have to get my new re-entry visa stamped in my passport so that I can actually leave the country at my leaisure
I get to see most of the people I went to school with - maybe a mini reunion!
I will be taking a ton of pics with my brand new Nikon D80
There is mango juice awaiting me in the fridge
I will be SCUBA diving for New Year's
I'll have time to read a book
Home comes with a cook, a maid and a gardner - for ten days I won't have to cook, clean or do laundry. Yay!
Dinner is served on the patio someone makes ME breakfast for a change
Mom and I are going to the SPA as a mutual Christmas gift.

Cons:
My family is a lot of work and extremely demanding
I am worried that my puppy will not be taken care of properly at the boarding facility
My father does not believe in sleeping in.
I have some serious decisions to make that will radically effect the status quo and I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
I'm not in the mood to hear my parents tell me again that I need to lose weight...I know I do! Ugh!
They say, when the cat's away the mice will play and I suspect that is applicable to the DQ.
I will be out of touch for a while and it's an odd feeling as I fear no one will miss me.
There is no good beer to be found.
I can't get my daily DQ fix.
Dad will surely try to talk me into packing my bags and going to work for him for the opportunity of a lifetime.
There is a likelihood that my re-entry into the US will be denied but I'll spare you the details.


So Cherry Mistmas to all!
Brace yourself because with the New Year comes new resolutions!