And the Winner Is . . .

They stride across red carpets in stiletto heels; I pad around in my slippers.

They wear beaded gowns and drip with diamonds; I don my favorite worn-and-faded-to-perfection pajamas.

Their children are looked after by the very best nannies; mine are freshly bathed and in bed, in their matching dog jammies . . . their annual Christmas jammies from a couple of years ago.

They have husbands on their arms, decked out in the latest tuxedo fashion and hawking their own accomplishments; I have a husband sharing the remote and the evening with me . . . flipping up and back between the Sunday Night Football game and the Emmy Awards.  


They will attend lavish parties later; I will sleep next to my husband, down the hall from my children.

They will eat delicacies and drink champagne; I have cold pizza chilling in my refrigerator along side a fresh pitcher of orange juice.

They wait all night in hopes to hear their names called in recognition of a year's work.  I have already received two kisses on my cheek along with heartfelt wishes for sweet dreams and a cheerful, "See you tomorrow." 

And the winner is . . .

First, I'd like to thank my family . . .