Good morning everyone, so who else is having a Calgon take me away moment?
I must admit I woke up feeling overwhelmed with a very long list of to do’s yesterday, and I decided I was going to designate a good chunk of the day, going out to various stores to start really making a big dent in my gift-buying list. As I started envisioning the crazy parking lots, the chaotic drivers, and often the impatient shoppers… I almost had an anxiety attack. Things have been hectic afterall since I lost 2 days being sick. So you better believe I have more than a few days “eating on the run”!
So then I started really thinking through my list and realizing that nearly everything—with the exception of maybe one or two things—could easily be purchased online, still within time frames to guarantee Christmas delivery. And just like that, I drove straight home, sat at my desk with my list, and started banging away at the keyboard. Before I knew it, I had several of my gifts purchased. This way they can be added to my storage room where boxes are starting to mount…..and lots of gift wrapping awaits.
But that was not before I was called to my nursing duties—both my son and my daughter in law are sick. My daughter-in-law has some kind of a stomach virus, and my son has the flu. He had gone to a bachelor party, and sure enough, wouldn’t you know… six of the people there got sick. So he feels like he’s been hit by a Mack truck, and of course, who’s delivering soup and everything else that someone with the flu needs? You guessed it.
All of this is in between going to and from the office trying to check things off my Christmas list, finalizing some details for a party we’re hosting this Friday, trying to make a dent in gift wrapping… and I already swore off getting Christmas cards going out in time. At this point, it will be a New Year’s card—just as good, and if anything, it might even mean more because they won’t get lost in the shuffle of a flurry of holiday cards. My car doesn’t have another inch to fit anything else!
But let me tell you… in between doing soup and medicine runs and everything I’ve already listed, I am starting to feel like one pooped little elf. Thankfully my own virus (or whatever I had) was very short-lived… but I’m starting to feel like I’m burning the candle at both ends. And I know that’s when you have to be careful about immune system protection—especially because I don’t know about where you are, but over here I’m hearing about people being sick almost on the hour. It’s crazy.
And honestly, it might sound odd, but sitting down and writing this is unbelievably cathartic.
And here’s the funny part… as I completed what felt like a Herculean task list of so many different things all in the span of six or seven hours, I realized maybe I need to admit to myself that I actually thrive on doing all of this last minute. Because inevitably every holiday season, I find myself in the exact same predicament—despite the vows I make in August to start much earlier (that seems to never quite happen). If you open any of my car doors, you will be met with a carload of gifts, things from my warehouse, bags of groceries, perhaps a pie or two, dry cleaning, you name it..it just might be there! Even Phillip’s carseat is not off limits!
So I started thinking… maybe somehow this is the method to my madness. Maybe this is how I get it all done. I’m not quite sure—definitely a work in progress. Can anyone else relate or am I alone? I cannot tell you however, after this said day, how wonderful it was to come home and give my bed my special turndown service…..never was I so happy to be home! OK, question is can you relate to any of it? Would love to hear what your holiday pace is like. Wishing you a great day, until nest time….
TODAY AND TOMORROW BUY ONE GET ONE! (NOT TOO LATE)
ALL GIFT WRAP, ORNAMENTS, STOCKINGS AND HOLIDAY NAPKIN RINGS
Don’t be sad when you lose some of those beautiful brick and mortar stores, we’ve lost many already, for those who insist on doing online shopping. I purposely do absolute minimal online. Yes, there are some crazy people out there but part of what I grew up with was the hustle and bustle of the season. I take it in and in a strange way enjoy it.
Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday. I do not enjoy, however, the last minute rush of the season …distracted drivers, impatient shoppers and over stretched shop employees who try so hard to be pleasant during those busy last minute shopping days. I imagine they are wondering how they will ever get their own holiday duties done.
So, I begin shopping very early….is September too early? I keep a running list of mentions that friends and family have made throughout the year about items they might like or need. I’m at the ready with a wish list….a note pad posted in my laundry room should my children ask for gift ideas for me……and they do always ask. I’m not great at coming up with a wish list on the fly, so this works for me.
My home is decorated early (don’t get me started about Thanksgiving being in November…..I grew up in Canada where Thansgiving is in October which makes sense to me…plenty of time to be Thankful before the flurry of Christmas begins, but that’s just me)
So, the gifts are all wrapped, shipped and ready for giving quite early…..even presents with gift tags that read “Sweet dreams, love Santa” are under the tree while we are enjoying Thanskgiving dinner. Ha!
So, I spend these last few days ennjoying the scents of the season, baking goodies to present in ribboned wrapped bakery boxes to present to various helpers. .. the dry cleaning man, postal workers and gardeners to name a few.
I have heard rumblings that I am annoyingly organized, but since I’m not great under pressure and am a more gracious person if I’m organized early, so unless I’m asked “have you started Christmas shopping yet?”, I keep this all to myself. Just my way of maintaining some sanity to my little life. Big smile!!!!!
You sound like you have it all in check..good for you! I love the idea of decorating in Oct…why not, so much work for such a short time! I am OCD with organization and have the lists to prove it but just tend to wait later than I say I will every year. Think this is just how I am wired. Merry Christmas!
I am definitely having multiple Calgon take me away days! 2 college kids home sick with the flu now my husband has it as of yesterday. We have family from out of town due to arrive this weekend. I am so all over the place. Just hoping eveyone gets better. I have not done a lick of shopping in person. Everything has been online, its like a little packing station everyday at my front door! I also tend to do things late but know it always gets done. This year we decided on one big gift for each kid. Makes it so much easier than going around buying stuff no one needs! We were supposed to have a holiday party Friday but with a sick household, we had to cancel. Part of me was sad, part of me relieved! Tis the season as they say!
Wow Tina, you are in the thick of it! Give yourself some grace, it will work out as it always does. Fortunately we don’t have much sickness in my area of Virginia, but things usually change after Christmas. Still I am trying to be very careful as I detest being sick. I am wishing your family a speedy recovery. My gift buying/wrapping is complete and now I am beginning to deliver some gifts to those I won’t see on Christmas so really I am in a good place. I now have to focus on Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas to you and your family and to all who are part of our little email club at The Enchanted Home!🎄
Lucky you…I wrapped a few things but still have a ways to go. I typically will designate a day or night to get it all done and somehow it does in fact get done! Merry Christmas!
Good morning!
Yes, I can relate to “there’s no place like home!” I have been holiday shopping online for several years. Tina, your shop sends gifts promptly and everything is professionally packed. No broken deliveries and no returns.
I have fond memories of going holiday shopping in beautifully decorated stores. You could always find special items for the holidays and then have them gift wrapped at the store. Thise were the days.
This year, with norovirus and the flu hitting the east coast early, it’s really a blessing to have gifts delivered. I can wrap gifts to the sound of Christmas music, and the scent of my Nest holiday and winter chai candles. A calm, pleasant atmosphere makes the wrapping tasks fun.
Just a couple of tips for the “sick” season: the Lysol formula with hydrogen peroxide will kill the norovirus (vomiting and diarrhea). Hand sanitizer won’t work. For the flu, Oscillacoccinum is an OTC homeopathic remedy that works like a charm if you take it at the first sign of headache and body aches. It works every single time!
I wish one and all moments of respite and peace. ❤️
Always love to hear a great review of how we are doing…we do our best and I am really proud of our team. Yes, flu is hitting hard around here. I agree gifts being delivered takes half the work away…I will take it however I can get it. I second your recommendation of the lysol with HP. VERY wise to keep on hand.
Yep!!! AND, with Thanksgiving being “so late”…AND, with 14 for Dinner & staying, most part of 4 days…2 million, 500,000 dishes later. o, ya, 1000 sq ft log cabin is home…we’ll do it ALL again bext year, God willing. Now, who has the mulled wine… franki
Ok Tina , the car made me practically hyperventilate !!! My car is washed twice a week. And I’m thinking how on earth can she manage that ???? It’s filled to the brim !
Did I bother to think about gifts ? Why no !!! Did I think of any of the usual Xmas shopping ? And hustle & bustle ? Of course not !! All I thought was ……. Oh Poor Tina ! How will she manage to get the car cleaned ? ……. The crazy things we think of !!!!
No worries, my car was washed this afternoon. I have a method to my madness….I fill it up but unload the same day. I wash my car once a week and as of tonight it is sparkling and like new! Not to say much about the many things I unloaded, I have a boatload to wrap!
My shopping is 100% done online. Just checked usps delivery to one of my sons whose family lives out of state. ;-( and it’s finally out for delivery. I mailed it a week and a half ago and of course was delayed. That’s why I send early. I recently retired to take care of my soon to be 98 yr old mom full time so no out the door shopping for me which is ok. I worked my first 20 years in retail and customers this time of year can be very rude. I ended my 2nd 20 yr career in dentistry. I swore no more Christmas in retail. I said to my husband everyone should work a Christmas holiday just once in retail to have a little empathy. Hope your family is healthy by Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas and I’m always hopeful the new year will be better.
Wow you have it all figured out then! I am impressed. Retail is tough, when i first got married, worked retail for a little bit as I transitioned into a buyer…not for the faint of heart! Merry Christmas to you!
Dear Tina, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to express what all is going on with you! Your talk has been spot on with me and I sure am glad I took these moments this morning to read your post. Just you sharing everything about the entire Holiday and its frustrations hit home with me. I realize that we are not alone in this. As a Wife, Mom, friend, and daughter, we put so much pressure on ourselves to “fix things” and always try to make everything extra special–we always go the extra mile. It’s how we were created and it’s probably not going to change. But, what I have realized is that it does always work out the way it’s meant to. So, in my moments of chaos, I try reminding myself to take little bits of moments throughout the day to take care of myself. These little bits of time can calm our mind, rest our body, and carry us through. Of course, for me, a little prayer goes a long way too. I wish you peace, grace, and good health during this holiday, and to your family too.
In the last few years I gave myself permission to scale down everything around the holidays that made me hyperventilate with chores and high expectations of what needed to be done.
And guess what?
The world did not come to an end. And everyone was still happy, and I started to actually enjoy the season more than ever.
There is so much going around. I had planned to start my cookie baking right after Thanksgiving. I came down with a hacking cough which knocked me out for over 3 weeks. Had to cancel Thanksgiving’ All I did was cough and sleep. Today I am finishing my baking and tomorrow plan on wrapping. Somehow it all gets done. Don’t ask how, but it does.
Hope your son and daughter-in-law get well soon and precious Phillip doesn’t get sick. Stay well!
This Christmas, we decided to cut back on the gift giving and focus on just being together, enjoying a holiday meal, and relaxing. It has made the weeks leading up to Christmas much less stressful.
You had me laughing, I can so relate and long ago I realized I do my best work under pressure. Last night I woke up around `1am with all these ideas, ordered 6 gifts (had to do rush shipping) but they were gifts that were nagging at me! I feel so much better today. And I am doing nearly all my shipping online. The stores, the parking lots, the tempers- its too much for me. We did a secret Santa this year with my family- makes things much easier for all!
In the past did all that crazy shopping and running around, Now order most things on line and have it delivered. Give our children larger money gifts to get something they really want and need . Don’t go as nuts decorating. Have 5 trees up but more natural. It looks perfect. Not having a party this year either. Hubby and I are enjoying every day. Either at home or out in a fun restaurant. We took the family at Thankgiving for a week in a beautiful hotel and were all spoiled . We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal and celebrated our 55 year Anniversary. Simplified holidays and it is so much better.
You are preaching to the choir. No babysit is not off limits . The online shopping is my safety net. My Eve dinner has me on edge. I ordered Maryland crab cakes and lobster and Mac. Kids will get regular Mac & cheese. I don’t know cut back yet , I’m 77 and so far the only one with a tree up and lights .
Some how it all gets done. Stay well and carry on
Tina, I think you know yourself. You seem to love the last minute rush. Everyone is different. I’m more like Susan H. Shop throughout the year. But it is always fun to have a few last minute items to do before Christmas. You feel more part of the excitement that way. I have to say though….it is the simple things that bring great joy. We do secret Santa but one of the most fun things everyone looks forward to are the English poppers with jokes and prizes. Also wearing the paper crown. I’m so amazed that my early 20 yr old grandchildren think this is so fun. Happy shopping and belated happy birthday.
Love this real life post. I certainly can relate to it! Yes, I too do things last minute but admit that I somewhat thrie on it. It makes me somehow be way more efficient than if I have a lot of extra time. I still have gifts to buy and lots to wrap but normally I choose a night to bang it all out and it always gets done. This year we are keeping our holidays more low key due to crazy schedules and I am really happy that there is less pressure this year. Sounds like you are in good shape!
I can surely relate! I’ve always been high anxiety good or bad….lol. I’m always doing something for someone and taking care of my end. Me and husband has a large family so it’s always nonstop. Everyone says I’m the Everyready Bunny battery commercial. I never give out…lol. If they only knew!! Your vehicle is empty compared to mine.
I love that you’re making it work, even with everything else going on! Between nursing your family and keeping up with everything, it’s inspiring to see you tackle that to-do list. I’ve definitely been relying on online shopping more this year to avoid the chaos.
I am sorry but you have what they call “Champagne problems” .. you live a life most people would aspire to live .. a million dollar “temporary home” while your multi million dollar renovation is completed…
I hope you get through your stressful Christmas season
I did not say my problems are more or less relevant than anyone else’s. I fail to see what your point is.You don’t know the other stresses in my life, but we all have them, no one is immune. How we deal with them is a different story. If you do not like my content, there is no need to follow and leave negative remarks. I try to keep my blog as one of positivity, there is enough hate and ugliness in our world. Merry Christmas.
You are amazing and full of kindness and giving but if you don’t take care of you, you can’t take care of anyone else especially when in your 60’s! It’s hard to pace yourself even with a good plan. Build in some downtime. It’s hard to believe Christmas is in just one week, yikes. Here’s hoping you and yours have a very Happy Christmas 🎄❤️🎄
Like you, I have been on overdrive! At the beginning of this week, which I knew would be filled to the brim-I decided to make a spa appointment this morning! Definitely need to take some time to recharge to get me through this wonderful busy time-best thing I have done for myself! Merry Christmas
Want your daily dose of Enchanted Home? Then join our email subscriber list and don't miss a single post of The Enchanted Home delivered right to your mailbox!
Good morning everyone, so who else is having a Calgon take me away moment?
I must admit I woke up feeling overwhelmed with a very long list of to do’s yesterday, and I decided I was going to designate a good chunk of the day, going out to various stores to start really making a big dent in my gift-buying list. As I started envisioning the crazy parking lots, the chaotic drivers, and often the impatient shoppers… I almost had an anxiety attack. Things have been hectic afterall since I lost 2 days being sick. So you better believe I have more than a few days “eating on the run”!
So then I started really thinking through my list and realizing that nearly everything—with the exception of maybe one or two things—could easily be purchased online, still within time frames to guarantee Christmas delivery. And just like that, I drove straight home, sat at my desk with my list, and started banging away at the keyboard. Before I knew it, I had several of my gifts purchased. This way they can be added to my storage room where boxes are starting to mount…..and lots of gift wrapping awaits.
But that was not before I was called to my nursing duties—both my son and my daughter in law are sick. My daughter-in-law has some kind of a stomach virus, and my son has the flu. He had gone to a bachelor party, and sure enough, wouldn’t you know… six of the people there got sick. So he feels like he’s been hit by a Mack truck, and of course, who’s delivering soup and everything else that someone with the flu needs? You guessed it.
All of this is in between going to and from the office trying to check things off my Christmas list, finalizing some details for a party we’re hosting this Friday, trying to make a dent in gift wrapping… and I already swore off getting Christmas cards going out in time. At this point, it will be a New Year’s card—just as good, and if anything, it might even mean more because they won’t get lost in the shuffle of a flurry of holiday cards. My car doesn’t have another inch to fit anything else!
But let me tell you… in between doing soup and medicine runs and everything I’ve already listed, I am starting to feel like one pooped little elf. Thankfully my own virus (or whatever I had) was very short-lived… but I’m starting to feel like I’m burning the candle at both ends. And I know that’s when you have to be careful about immune system protection—especially because I don’t know about where you are, but over here I’m hearing about people being sick almost on the hour. It’s crazy.
And honestly, it might sound odd, but sitting down and writing this is unbelievably cathartic.
And here’s the funny part… as I completed what felt like a Herculean task list of so many different things all in the span of six or seven hours, I realized maybe I need to admit to myself that I actually thrive on doing all of this last minute. Because inevitably every holiday season, I find myself in the exact same predicament—despite the vows I make in August to start much earlier (that seems to never quite happen). If you open any of my car doors, you will be met with a carload of gifts, things from my warehouse, bags of groceries, perhaps a pie or two, dry cleaning, you name it..it just might be there! Even Phillip’s carseat is not off limits!
So I started thinking… maybe somehow this is the method to my madness. Maybe this is how I get it all done. I’m not quite sure—definitely a work in progress. Can anyone else relate or am I alone? I cannot tell you however, after this said day, how wonderful it was to come home and give my bed my special turndown service…..never was I so happy to be home! OK, question is can you relate to any of it? Would love to hear what your holiday pace is like. Wishing you a great day, until nest time….
TODAY AND TOMORROW BUY ONE GET ONE! (NOT TOO LATE)
ALL GIFT WRAP, ORNAMENTS, STOCKINGS AND HOLIDAY NAPKIN RINGS
BUY TODAY- SHIPS TODAY!
CLICK HERE ALL SUB CATEGORIES ARE UNDER SEASONAL
Don’t be sad when you lose some of those beautiful brick and mortar stores, we’ve lost many already, for those who insist on doing online shopping. I purposely do absolute minimal online. Yes, there are some crazy people out there but part of what I grew up with was the hustle and bustle of the season. I take it in and in a strange way enjoy it.
I always like to patronize small brick and mortars but I think I have outgrown the big stores/dept stores. Merry Christmas!
Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday. I do not enjoy, however, the last minute rush of the season …distracted drivers, impatient shoppers and over stretched shop employees who try so hard to be pleasant during those busy last minute shopping days. I imagine they are wondering how they will ever get their own holiday duties done.
So, I begin shopping very early….is September too early? I keep a running list of mentions that friends and family have made throughout the year about items they might like or need. I’m at the ready with a wish list….a note pad posted in my laundry room should my children ask for gift ideas for me……and they do always ask. I’m not great at coming up with a wish list on the fly, so this works for me.
My home is decorated early (don’t get me started about Thanksgiving being in November…..I grew up in Canada where Thansgiving is in October which makes sense to me…plenty of time to be Thankful before the flurry of Christmas begins, but that’s just me)
So, the gifts are all wrapped, shipped and ready for giving quite early…..even presents with gift tags that read “Sweet dreams, love Santa” are under the tree while we are enjoying Thanskgiving dinner. Ha!
So, I spend these last few days ennjoying the scents of the season, baking goodies to present in ribboned wrapped bakery boxes to present to various helpers. .. the dry cleaning man, postal workers and gardeners to name a few.
I have heard rumblings that I am annoyingly organized, but since I’m not great under pressure and am a more gracious person if I’m organized early, so unless I’m asked “have you started Christmas shopping yet?”, I keep this all to myself. Just my way of maintaining some sanity to my little life. Big smile!!!!!
You sound like you have it all in check..good for you! I love the idea of decorating in Oct…why not, so much work for such a short time! I am OCD with organization and have the lists to prove it but just tend to wait later than I say I will every year. Think this is just how I am wired. Merry Christmas!
I am definitely having multiple Calgon take me away days! 2 college kids home sick with the flu now my husband has it as of yesterday. We have family from out of town due to arrive this weekend. I am so all over the place. Just hoping eveyone gets better. I have not done a lick of shopping in person. Everything has been online, its like a little packing station everyday at my front door! I also tend to do things late but know it always gets done. This year we decided on one big gift for each kid. Makes it so much easier than going around buying stuff no one needs! We were supposed to have a holiday party Friday but with a sick household, we had to cancel. Part of me was sad, part of me relieved! Tis the season as they say!
Ha can relate! Hope you family is on the mend soon, sometimes those pared down holidays are the biggest gift of all!
Wow Tina, you are in the thick of it! Give yourself some grace, it will work out as it always does. Fortunately we don’t have much sickness in my area of Virginia, but things usually change after Christmas. Still I am trying to be very careful as I detest being sick. I am wishing your family a speedy recovery. My gift buying/wrapping is complete and now I am beginning to deliver some gifts to those I won’t see on Christmas so really I am in a good place. I now have to focus on Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas to you and your family and to all who are part of our little email club at The Enchanted Home!🎄
Lucky you…I wrapped a few things but still have a ways to go. I typically will designate a day or night to get it all done and somehow it does in fact get done! Merry Christmas!
Good morning!
Yes, I can relate to “there’s no place like home!” I have been holiday shopping online for several years. Tina, your shop sends gifts promptly and everything is professionally packed. No broken deliveries and no returns.
I have fond memories of going holiday shopping in beautifully decorated stores. You could always find special items for the holidays and then have them gift wrapped at the store. Thise were the days.
This year, with norovirus and the flu hitting the east coast early, it’s really a blessing to have gifts delivered. I can wrap gifts to the sound of Christmas music, and the scent of my Nest holiday and winter chai candles. A calm, pleasant atmosphere makes the wrapping tasks fun.
Just a couple of tips for the “sick” season: the Lysol formula with hydrogen peroxide will kill the norovirus (vomiting and diarrhea). Hand sanitizer won’t work. For the flu, Oscillacoccinum is an OTC homeopathic remedy that works like a charm if you take it at the first sign of headache and body aches. It works every single time!
I wish one and all moments of respite and peace. ❤️
Always love to hear a great review of how we are doing…we do our best and I am really proud of our team. Yes, flu is hitting hard around here. I agree gifts being delivered takes half the work away…I will take it however I can get it. I second your recommendation of the lysol with HP. VERY wise to keep on hand.
Yep!!! AND, with Thanksgiving being “so late”…AND, with 14 for Dinner & staying, most part of 4 days…2 million, 500,000 dishes later. o, ya, 1000 sq ft log cabin is home…we’ll do it ALL again bext year, God willing. Now, who has the mulled wine… franki
Yes!! It is A LOT of work kind of wish it could be 6 months apart instead of one month!
Ok Tina , the car made me practically hyperventilate !!! My car is washed twice a week. And I’m thinking how on earth can she manage that ???? It’s filled to the brim !
Did I bother to think about gifts ? Why no !!! Did I think of any of the usual Xmas shopping ? And hustle & bustle ? Of course not !! All I thought was ……. Oh Poor Tina ! How will she manage to get the car cleaned ? ……. The crazy things we think of !!!!
No worries, my car was washed this afternoon. I have a method to my madness….I fill it up but unload the same day. I wash my car once a week and as of tonight it is sparkling and like new! Not to say much about the many things I unloaded, I have a boatload to wrap!
My shopping is 100% done online. Just checked usps delivery to one of my sons whose family lives out of state. ;-( and it’s finally out for delivery. I mailed it a week and a half ago and of course was delayed. That’s why I send early. I recently retired to take care of my soon to be 98 yr old mom full time so no out the door shopping for me which is ok. I worked my first 20 years in retail and customers this time of year can be very rude. I ended my 2nd 20 yr career in dentistry. I swore no more Christmas in retail. I said to my husband everyone should work a Christmas holiday just once in retail to have a little empathy. Hope your family is healthy by Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas and I’m always hopeful the new year will be better.
Wow you have it all figured out then! I am impressed. Retail is tough, when i first got married, worked retail for a little bit as I transitioned into a buyer…not for the faint of heart! Merry Christmas to you!
Dear Tina, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to express what all is going on with you! Your talk has been spot on with me and I sure am glad I took these moments this morning to read your post. Just you sharing everything about the entire Holiday and its frustrations hit home with me. I realize that we are not alone in this. As a Wife, Mom, friend, and daughter, we put so much pressure on ourselves to “fix things” and always try to make everything extra special–we always go the extra mile. It’s how we were created and it’s probably not going to change. But, what I have realized is that it does always work out the way it’s meant to. So, in my moments of chaos, I try reminding myself to take little bits of moments throughout the day to take care of myself. These little bits of time can calm our mind, rest our body, and carry us through. Of course, for me, a little prayer goes a long way too. I wish you peace, grace, and good health during this holiday, and to your family too.
In the last few years I gave myself permission to scale down everything around the holidays that made me hyperventilate with chores and high expectations of what needed to be done.
And guess what?
The world did not come to an end. And everyone was still happy, and I started to actually enjoy the season more than ever.
Try it, just for shts ‘n giggles.
I like how you think….you are right, in the end, being together is all that matters. The world keeps turning!
There is so much going around. I had planned to start my cookie baking right after Thanksgiving. I came down with a hacking cough which knocked me out for over 3 weeks. Had to cancel Thanksgiving’ All I did was cough and sleep. Today I am finishing my baking and tomorrow plan on wrapping. Somehow it all gets done. Don’t ask how, but it does.
Hope your son and daughter-in-law get well soon and precious Phillip doesn’t get sick. Stay well!
This Christmas, we decided to cut back on the gift giving and focus on just being together, enjoying a holiday meal, and relaxing. It has made the weeks leading up to Christmas much less stressful.
You had me laughing, I can so relate and long ago I realized I do my best work under pressure. Last night I woke up around `1am with all these ideas, ordered 6 gifts (had to do rush shipping) but they were gifts that were nagging at me! I feel so much better today. And I am doing nearly all my shipping online. The stores, the parking lots, the tempers- its too much for me. We did a secret Santa this year with my family- makes things much easier for all!
In the past did all that crazy shopping and running around, Now order most things on line and have it delivered. Give our children larger money gifts to get something they really want and need . Don’t go as nuts decorating. Have 5 trees up but more natural. It looks perfect. Not having a party this year either. Hubby and I are enjoying every day. Either at home or out in a fun restaurant. We took the family at Thankgiving for a week in a beautiful hotel and were all spoiled . We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal and celebrated our 55 year Anniversary. Simplified holidays and it is so much better.
You are preaching to the choir. No babysit is not off limits . The online shopping is my safety net. My Eve dinner has me on edge. I ordered Maryland crab cakes and lobster and Mac. Kids will get regular Mac & cheese. I don’t know cut back yet , I’m 77 and so far the only one with a tree up and lights .
Some how it all gets done. Stay well and carry on
Tina, I think you know yourself. You seem to love the last minute rush. Everyone is different. I’m more like Susan H. Shop throughout the year. But it is always fun to have a few last minute items to do before Christmas. You feel more part of the excitement that way. I have to say though….it is the simple things that bring great joy. We do secret Santa but one of the most fun things everyone looks forward to are the English poppers with jokes and prizes. Also wearing the paper crown. I’m so amazed that my early 20 yr old grandchildren think this is so fun. Happy shopping and belated happy birthday.
Love this real life post. I certainly can relate to it! Yes, I too do things last minute but admit that I somewhat thrie on it. It makes me somehow be way more efficient than if I have a lot of extra time. I still have gifts to buy and lots to wrap but normally I choose a night to bang it all out and it always gets done. This year we are keeping our holidays more low key due to crazy schedules and I am really happy that there is less pressure this year. Sounds like you are in good shape!
I can surely relate! I’ve always been high anxiety good or bad….lol. I’m always doing something for someone and taking care of my end. Me and husband has a large family so it’s always nonstop. Everyone says I’m the Everyready Bunny battery commercial. I never give out…lol. If they only knew!! Your vehicle is empty compared to mine.
I love that you’re making it work, even with everything else going on! Between nursing your family and keeping up with everything, it’s inspiring to see you tackle that to-do list. I’ve definitely been relying on online shopping more this year to avoid the chaos.
I am sorry but you have what they call “Champagne problems” .. you live a life most people would aspire to live .. a million dollar “temporary home” while your multi million dollar renovation is completed…
I hope you get through your stressful Christmas season
I did not say my problems are more or less relevant than anyone else’s. I fail to see what your point is.You don’t know the other stresses in my life, but we all have them, no one is immune. How we deal with them is a different story. If you do not like my content, there is no need to follow and leave negative remarks. I try to keep my blog as one of positivity, there is enough hate and ugliness in our world. Merry Christmas.
You are amazing and full of kindness and giving but if you don’t take care of you, you can’t take care of anyone else especially when in your 60’s! It’s hard to pace yourself even with a good plan. Build in some downtime. It’s hard to believe Christmas is in just one week, yikes. Here’s hoping you and yours have a very Happy Christmas 🎄❤️🎄
Like you, I have been on overdrive! At the beginning of this week, which I knew would be filled to the brim-I decided to make a spa appointment this morning! Definitely need to take some time to recharge to get me through this wonderful busy time-best thing I have done for myself! Merry Christmas