I woke up this morning thinking "What the heck have I been doing?" All of a sudden I am overwhelmed with things to do. I still haven't gotten the house put back together from our big family gathering. I haven't even touched the upstairs which is a complete disaster! Toys and games and pillows and blankets and empty food containers and empty Capri-Suns EVERYWHERE! AUGH! It's time to pay the bills again (such a big job these days), the laundry is building up at monsterous rates now that everyone is wearing layers and thick hoodies. I need to finish making my Christmas cards, get our holiday picture printed, envelopes addressed, letter printed and all that stuff wrapped up. My car is FILTHY. It's downright embarrasing. The kids have written me messages in the dirt on every flat surface!
On top of that, we did get the house decorated for Christmas...but all the empty boxes and plastic tubs are stacked up in the garage making it nearly impossible for me to get in and out of the car.
I have bought what seems like a million Christmas presents and they are all jammed into the floor of my closet and I have no idea what I've bought or who for or what else I still need to get. I know I still need to buy for the kids and Matt...but I'm fairly certain there are a few more people getting left out. Once I get all that figured out...I need to wrap all those (million) presents. (remember how many people I have in my family? I have 40 names on my Christmas shopping list to buy for!--and that's not even counting teachers and co-workers!)
I am signed up to bring some kind food item to 6 different gatherings in the next 3 weeks. And I feel pressured to bring something unique and cute because I always do--and I can't let everyones expectations down, now can I? ;o)
I need to plan a Christmas party for Brooklyn's class at school, type up a letter to the parents and get that sent out asap...and I haven't even started thinking about ideas for that yet.
I put our Christmas Advent calander out and the kids are STILL waiting for me to put their treats in it so they can get them out each day. Here it is Dec. 3rd and I haven't even bought the stuff to go in it yet! Wonder if I could just pack that thing back up and they'll forget about it? No, probably not. They ask me about it every night.
I have abandoned working out for the rest of the year with the exception of my classes at the gym. I just don't have the time.
I need to go to the grocery store every stinking day for something. It's really very frustrating. Forget on-demand movies...I need on-demand groceries!
On top of all that, there's the daily stuff like cooking and cleaning (ha ha...my house is feeling neglected, I'm sure) and taking a shower and getting "ready". I haven't had make up on or fixed my hair since Sunday at Church! Hmmm...maybe that's why Matt's been keeping his distance at bedtime! hee hee
okay, well, I'm sure I could go on and on and on...but I'm sure that's enough for you all to see that I am wigging out. I feel like I'm on a treadmill and Jillian is standing there beside me upping the speed faster and faster and any minute now I'm gonna fall flat on my face.
Anyway, guess that's just what goes with the month of December. How're ya'll dealing with everything? Anyone else feel like I do?
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7 comments:
Yikes! Your a busy bee.
I'm not there yet...but I'm a procrastinator, so I'm sure I'll keep putting everything off until the last possible moment. :)
For example: I've only bought a few gifts so far. Just haven't been in the christmas shopping mood yet this year. Hopefully it will hit soon! LOL!
Three words, Make A List!
I just read my whole life in your post, and I started with making lists, and stuff is actually getting done. Maybe that will help.
OK I kinda stopped reading when I got to "40 people on my Chrsitmas list!" Holy heck Jen! No wonder you're stressed out. Just reading that sent me into a panic - lol.
Guess I really can't complaing over having to shop for 7 people :) - 4 parents, 2 Godchildren, 1 grab bag
ok, I finished reading the whole way through now. Yes, in years past, I have felt overwhelming stress to be everything to everybody during the holdiays and make everything perfect for everyone else. Only problem is, I was miserable. We vowed to keep it simple when we got married last year, and so far, so good. Instead of everyone on my in-laws side buying for everyone one else's kid and just getting them more toys when they're already spoiled enough; we do an adult grab bag, which is way more fun and enjoyable. While all the kids are playing with their toys, we adults head upstairs and do a grab bag game - just one gift per person ($25-$30).
Work, this is the first year I will not be getting anything for anyone here. Why do I bother? I make such a fuss over finding the perfect gift for each person and they're never appreciateive. The owners are millionaires and don't need another blessed thing, so I pass. Maybe I'll make a dessert for the office Chistmas party, but that's it. The whole "I have to get so and so a gift b/c they always get me a gift" is over. Here, people give just to get and that's pointless. I may just make a big donation on their behalf instead.
Tony and I have a tradition of going downtown and spending the night one weekend near Christmas. We take in the sights - the windows at Field's, the big treee, the Walnut room, the German Christmas market, and maybe a show. That's our gift to each other and we love it. Persoanlly, if it's not something for working out or reading, I'm pretty uninterested. I don't like having one more thing to put away because I hate having clutter.
You're probbly reading this thinking, geez, what a Scrooge, but I am not. You have to keep in mind that I don't have any kids yet, so how I choose to celebrate is different from many people. I'm trying to stay focused on my Advent reflections, going to Mass, giving to those in need, and truly celebrating Jesus' birth.
Wow, you are really busy. Could you ask for help? If I had kids I would make them wrap everyone elses presents (other than their own), so they can see how much effort goes into making everything 'just right'.
Plus they would be really pleased to be involved. Obviously scissors maybe be an issue. That is where Dad comes in. Bit of bonding for him with the kiddos, whilst you can run all your errands.
I wrapped all my friends presents last year when her baby was due. NEVER again!
If I had to to that again, I would end up throwing everything in one huge box per person and then just wrap that!
Good luck!
Breathe Jen or your going to explode. You know everything in the end just tends to fall together. Remeber the reason for this holiday and keep that first and the rest will just fall into place.
You've gotten some pretty good advice on here already. I'll just add a few things...
-get back to the basics. Christmas is NOT about presents gotten or given...it's about Jesus. A huge opportunity to teach our children about how God sent Jesus to Earth for US! All the hussle and bussle is literally just a huge distraction to what God intended it to be. The Devil probably just sits back and laughs at all of us running around doing these redicilious things and missing it all together (talking to myself here too!)
-If you didn't make any desserts or buy any presents...Christmas would still happen and I bet you'd like it a lot more too. I'm not saying don't do all of that but I'm just saying don't put all the weight on those things and maybe while you are doing them...you'll enjoy them more. And be a little rebellious and whatever you don't get done...be OKAY with it. There's always next year. But most importantly...resolve inside yourself that you won't get "sucked in" but you'll focus on the real meaning.
And till then...take a hot bubble bath with your favorite book and relax a little bit...YOU DESERVE IT!!!
Love ya girl!
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