Good Monday Morning!
Nate James has posted a photo that I just adore. Scroll down to his photo of tangled Christmas lights. It reminds me so much of my mixed emotions around this time of the year. There's lots of fun, but lots of extra stress. Sometimes I think I can't enjoy a single day of the holiday season as I'm worrying about lost presents, family events, money (of course) baking, cleaning, wrapping, and not having a present for someone who decides to give me one.
Every year I try to simplify the holiday; shop early; learn to say no to an invitation; keep my entertaining down to a few events; take time out to relax and every year I just can't seem to make that happen.
One thing I want to do every year is sit down and watch It's a Wonderful Life and enjoy every minute of it plus flip the dvd over and view the trailer and other tidbits found on the flip side.
Yesterday I did that and it was great.
All the animals were cuddled up around us; the tree was lit and decorated ( no glass balls this year as Finbar has already climbed up the tree) the mantle was asparkle; the house was relatively clean, all presents I could wrap have been wrapped so far. I felt at peace.
Since I found Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees, I've listened to it so much it's become an ear worm, so I'm limiting the amount of times I play it so I won't tire of it like I did Norah Jones.
What a shame. Come away with me was played so often and everywhere I went that I basically haven't listened to that CD in years.
Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much.
I have to keep that in mind during the holiday season.
How do you fare during the holidays? Stressed beyond belief or have you found the balance between super loving and super hating the holidays?
Nate James has posted a photo that I just adore. Scroll down to his photo of tangled Christmas lights. It reminds me so much of my mixed emotions around this time of the year. There's lots of fun, but lots of extra stress. Sometimes I think I can't enjoy a single day of the holiday season as I'm worrying about lost presents, family events, money (of course) baking, cleaning, wrapping, and not having a present for someone who decides to give me one.
Every year I try to simplify the holiday; shop early; learn to say no to an invitation; keep my entertaining down to a few events; take time out to relax and every year I just can't seem to make that happen.
One thing I want to do every year is sit down and watch It's a Wonderful Life and enjoy every minute of it plus flip the dvd over and view the trailer and other tidbits found on the flip side.
Yesterday I did that and it was great.
All the animals were cuddled up around us; the tree was lit and decorated ( no glass balls this year as Finbar has already climbed up the tree) the mantle was asparkle; the house was relatively clean, all presents I could wrap have been wrapped so far. I felt at peace.
Since I found Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees, I've listened to it so much it's become an ear worm, so I'm limiting the amount of times I play it so I won't tire of it like I did Norah Jones.
What a shame. Come away with me was played so often and everywhere I went that I basically haven't listened to that CD in years.
Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much.
I have to keep that in mind during the holiday season.
How do you fare during the holidays? Stressed beyond belief or have you found the balance between super loving and super hating the holidays?
posted by mary bishop | 8:38 AM
18 Comments:
Well, I spent all day yesterday organizing, cleaning, dusting, re-arranging, getting ready for the tree and other decorations. I didn't stress tho but I've decided to paint the livingroom and kitchen tonight and all next week depending on how quick or slow this project goes but it will be beautiful. I have less in regards to money than I've had in a few years but that's ok because it's forced me to think of alternate ways of giving rather just buying gifts and I refuse to charge up the old credit cards. I'm really looking forward to my mini makeover. A new coat of paint will make my holidays feel a little more sparkly ;)
Happy Monday!
Dashababy! That's quite an undertaking!! I would love to do my kitchen and dining room as they need the most work, but I've got wallpaper on the walls and the process would be way too much work at this time of the year so I give you lots of credit.
When my home is neat and clean and freshly painted I just love it; when it's shabby looking I feel bad.
I am happy for you that you'll get your new coat of paint -- I want you to sparkle because you certainly are a star!
Thanks Mary, sometimes I feel like a star and then I come crashing down to earth in a big heap of dust ;) You're too sweet.
ll i've done some shopping...course most of it was for me. But then again, my shopping was done on friday and sunday this weekend. I had surgery on thursday - so everyone thought i was absolutely nuts, but i will tell you that riding the powered carts in the stores is SOOOO much fun. hehehe - and the mall at 9am on a sunday morning when no one has realized that the mall is open early. . .:)
Ilanna, I'm so happy the surgery is over and you can rest up and heal. How smart you were to get on a cart -- did you run anyone over? I'm not sure I'd be able to maneuver those motorized carts without clipping a few people or running over a few kids.
hugs dear, glad you're though surgery and on the mend!
I have to agreew ith you on the xmas lights, lol!
I have to agreew ith you on the xmas lights, lol!
Im glad you liked my photos enough to talk about them, you make me feel so... i dont know... important.
i too watch It's a Wonderful Life every year around this time... its a thing my family does.
i'm not stressed. i buy thru the year for my girl and just this afternoon, i spent organizing the gifts for hannukah and christmas....because we celebrate both. I love seeing holiday lights and decorations and I enjoy the holiday parties. With no family nearby other than us 3, we have made a few new traditions that I look forward too and also, with my husband not working the week, I have more freedom. (=
Dasha, I don't have a sweet bone in my body! ;-)
Marko, isn't that a fab foto that Nate James took? Kind of represents all the feelings I have this time of the year...joy and sparkles amidst angst and chaos.
Nate...you are important, you are the next artist to make a statement about your generation...and tell your story through your art.
AMK - you get it; you have a handle on the holidays and are able to enjoy them. I don't have that handle yet and wonder if I ever will.
I try too hard or not enough; I do too much or not enough. I'm hyperventillating now thinking about what I should do and what I want to do.
Ex: We donated stuff (food cleaning supplies) to the animal shelter where we got Finbar, but this year didn't donate to kids. oy
Why do I feel badly about that?
MB -
You know...with Chanukah instead of Xmas I think it is less stressful...we don't have to worry about all the decorations and lights....and if the person does not like the gift you get them...you have 7 days to fix that! I don't do most of the holiday shopping so it is pretty stress free for me... :)
Bradley
Bradley...you are lucky you don't get swept up in the whole xmas thing. I am totally without religion, but have the tree, presents etc. And, my friends Doc and Dj, they do the whole xmas thing plus Chanuka!
They have a most beautiful menorrah which sits on their granite island in the kitchen...very cozy and beautiful.
(They also have buddhas around the house too...very eccumenical...!)
HI MB!!
Chanukah is very easy.........get all the kids over to the house, light the candles, eat some latkes, and play dreidel!
Chocolate Chanukah gelt (coins) too!
Very homey holiday!!!
I wish you and your family the happiest and healthiest of holiday seasons! And may you be blessed for a good New Year!!
Love,
Linda
That last one was from Bradley's Mom, not Bradley himself.......my hand slipped too quickly to the enter button!!!
Sorry!! :)
Linda of the fast fingers!
Hey Linda, I wish you, Sammy and the rest of the family a great holiday season and lots of latkes...you have to eat some for me, they're my favorite!!
I decided the other day that I'm not doing one thing I don't want to do this holiday season.
And also I am not going to overbuy stuff for my nieces and nephews. I am going to do less, but the things I do are going to be more special.
I just want to take my time, be as relaxed as possible, and enjoy it all.
All good ideas Sheryl. This year I'm not wrapping every single item separately like I used to. (Five Cds in Five separately wrapped and beribboned packages for ex.) No more of that. I'm wrapping less because I'm putting more stuff into a box and that has helped.
Christmas dinner is at my house and I'm doing food that all the kids like and nothing fancy. Good old chicken rice and gravy will be our dinner. Casual buffet dining and shrimp and champagne for an appetizer!
Enjoyed the blog - christmas holiday package. A new site has been launched with plenty of bargain holidays to choose from. Bookmark http://www.bargainplace.co.uk not just for bargain holidays but for flights and transport to and from airports plus travel insurance deals and holiday clothes.
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