News Flash: Christmas happens on December twenty-fifth! Every year apparently.
So why is it that my journal looks something like this year after year?
December 22nd: I mailed packages to my out-of-state family. Three whole days before Christmas. Chances of presents getting to them by Thursday? Pretty much the same chance Olaf has of surviving summer.
I decided I'm no longer worrying about when people get their presents. In fact, I think I took a blood oath that I was NEVER EVER EVER sending packages to anyone out-of-town again. Yeah, pretty Bah Humbug (although I just realized that I was channeling Taylor Swift too).
When I came home from the post office, I put five holiday albums on the stereo and strung my eighty-two Shiny Brites and other vintage glass ornaments into a holiday wreath while Singing Loud for All to Hear. So maybe I'm not totally Buddy the Elf but I'm not a cotton-headed ninnymuggins either.
December 23rd: Today I finally got myself to the music store to get a guitar tuner for my co-worker, but walked out after being ignored for twenty frustrating minutes by salespeople who helped other people who were there long after I showed up.
I think I must have had my invisibility cloak on. It's a pain being a super-hero sometimes.
Please notice I said I walked out rather than stalked angrily. I chalked the whole episode up to musical artistic temperament complicated by pre-holiday retail overload. Plus they were very nice and helpful when I bought my ukelele from them this summer so they get the benefit of the doubt.
Since I'm no longer worrying about the date of gift giving (see paragraph 4, above), I can order the Snark online instead and the recipient will get it as a New Year's present instead.
I also braved Whole Foods, TJ Max, Trader Joe's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Healthy Tails. I waited patiently in lines, engaged in cheerful conversation with clerks, smiled at everyone and generally tried to spread Christmas cheer. I even drove in the heavy traffic around the mall and didn't once utter a nasty word.
Truth is, I used up my monthly allotment of nasty words last Thursday when I was getting ready for Pajama Day at school. I'm really not a Pajama Day kind of person. It just feels wrong to wear underwear under jammies. Plus you get some strange glances when you shop in your jammies after work.
I was feeling relaxed about the whole Christmas scene until I realized about three o'clock that I'd forgotten to open the coop. I think I owe Pet a special treat for her Christmas dinner.
After losing a week to sickness, complicated by the way work interferes with the important things in life (like finding the perfect gifts for the people you love), I can finally take a breath, slow down and truly enjoy the Season.
Anyone else out there feeling a bit frazzled and promising themselves that next year it will be different?
Be (INSPIRE)d--not overwhelmed,
So why is it that my journal looks something like this year after year?
December 22nd: I mailed packages to my out-of-state family. Three whole days before Christmas. Chances of presents getting to them by Thursday? Pretty much the same chance Olaf has of surviving summer.
I decided I'm no longer worrying about when people get their presents. In fact, I think I took a blood oath that I was NEVER EVER EVER sending packages to anyone out-of-town again. Yeah, pretty Bah Humbug (although I just realized that I was channeling Taylor Swift too).
When I came home from the post office, I put five holiday albums on the stereo and strung my eighty-two Shiny Brites and other vintage glass ornaments into a holiday wreath while Singing Loud for All to Hear. So maybe I'm not totally Buddy the Elf but I'm not a cotton-headed ninnymuggins either.
December 23rd: Today I finally got myself to the music store to get a guitar tuner for my co-worker, but walked out after being ignored for twenty frustrating minutes by salespeople who helped other people who were there long after I showed up.
I think I must have had my invisibility cloak on. It's a pain being a super-hero sometimes.
Please notice I said I walked out rather than stalked angrily. I chalked the whole episode up to musical artistic temperament complicated by pre-holiday retail overload. Plus they were very nice and helpful when I bought my ukelele from them this summer so they get the benefit of the doubt.
Since I'm no longer worrying about the date of gift giving (see paragraph 4, above), I can order the Snark online instead and the recipient will get it as a New Year's present instead.
I also braved Whole Foods, TJ Max, Trader Joe's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Healthy Tails. I waited patiently in lines, engaged in cheerful conversation with clerks, smiled at everyone and generally tried to spread Christmas cheer. I even drove in the heavy traffic around the mall and didn't once utter a nasty word.
Truth is, I used up my monthly allotment of nasty words last Thursday when I was getting ready for Pajama Day at school. I'm really not a Pajama Day kind of person. It just feels wrong to wear underwear under jammies. Plus you get some strange glances when you shop in your jammies after work.
I was feeling relaxed about the whole Christmas scene until I realized about three o'clock that I'd forgotten to open the coop. I think I owe Pet a special treat for her Christmas dinner.
After losing a week to sickness, complicated by the way work interferes with the important things in life (like finding the perfect gifts for the people you love), I can finally take a breath, slow down and truly enjoy the Season.
Anyone else out there feeling a bit frazzled and promising themselves that next year it will be different?
Be (INSPIRE)d--not overwhelmed,
I've been getting a son ready to serve a two year mission, having lots of interesting (read crazy and intense) spiritual experiences, and doing all the regular Christmas celebrating. I feel ya sister, I feel ya.
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