Whew! I’m glad that’s over.

I was visiting on the phone with my sister-in-law in Colorado. That is what I said to her.

We were talking about the first of three or more consecutive holidays and saying we were glad Halloween was over.

Don’t misunderstand.

I enjoyed decorating the front door and giving treats to the trick-or-treaters in their sacks and cute costumes. I appreciated the moms’ and dads’ efforts to give this occasion a special touch with the events they sponsored.

However, I did not enjoy “looking at Halloween” for a month.

How is that for a schizophrenic attitude?

Or maybe it’s “old lady” talk. Ya think?

And now that Halloween is over, we can get ready for the next one!

Oh, do I have to? Is there somewhere that I can run away to?

Can we skip the same routine we do every single year and vary this a bit?

Oh, forget it! Just be a good girl and climb on the conveyor belt and do what you did the last many years.

Yes. I am fickle and double-minded.

I just might be a reincarnation of a Pushmi-Pullyu.

Yes, that’s what I must be.

Do you remember that animal with a head at both ends of the body featured in the “Doctor Dolittle” books and movie? A Pushmi-Pullyu is a gazelle/unicorn cross with two heads at opposite ends of its body. He uses one head to talk, reserving the other for eating (thus allowing it to eat while speaking without being rude).

One side pushes; the other pulls.

Think about it. He’s us!

Example:

Mothers become PPs when their kids and teens are working them over for something they want. Friends and family experience it when they can’t decide how to tell someone the truth. Families identify it when they have to decide whether to fix the car or trade it off. Always a back-and-forth battle of the minds and sanity.

And now, hasn’t society done a number on us, jamming three big holidays into our schedule back to back with additional activities in between?

Thanksgiving? The Pullyu is trotting along at this event. The Pushmi is resting. Cook, eat, connect with others. Then eat again. Burp. Not much decor. No gifts. No wrapping.

Hurrah for Thanksgiving.

And then, right on top of us, hitting us over the head ... Christmas.

It demands superhuman energy. It pulls our eyes and minds away from the event’s purpose. It’s early, but many are already sliding into a stupor. Some are stressed and just plain frantic about how they will even get through the season. Others are depressed. Yes. Christmas is coming!

Christmas school programs and concerts, community donation activities, open houses. Oh, and buying gifts no one really needs, feeling pressured because we can’t afford all this expense, and ads on television showing us how everything should be ... Hallmark. Right? And it all feels like ... Eeeeeeeek! Fiddledeboobiesock! Yikes!

Every year, these holidays consume us with more and more chores, expenses and duties, when we should be cutting back on some activities and not feel guilty. Push. Pull. Push. Pull.

And now, I confess I am glad Halloween is over.

And the Pushmi-Pullyu effect is on!

So, my friends, take a deep breath.

I have been thinking on my Pullyu end that maybe, somewhere, there’s a lone log cabin on a secluded site with a wood stove, a pot of coffee and sweet rolls. But one hasn’t turned up yet.

So, I am at the starting line. My two heads are about even at this point.So, what do I think I need to do?

I don’t know. I was hoping you would tell me.

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com.