CAUTION - possible trainwreck ahead . . .

[Bucky]

Hi everyone . . . just wanted to throw out a word of CAUTION to everyone.  The holidays are fast approaching and everyone will be shifting into high gear to get everything that needs to be done, done.  Plan meals, buy food, prepare food, clean-up mess, shop for presents . . going to lots and lots of different stores, some times all in ONE day. wrap presents, AGAIN prepare food, stay up late, miss your naps . . . yada, yada, yada.  You get the picture.

You might be having a "good" day and really plow ahead with gusto only to be sidetracked the next day (or several days) from undertaking so much all at once!  EVEN our fearless Moderators have been known to get caught up in the moment and overdo it - only to pay the price for their gusto!!!

So . . . .pace yourselves.  Don't do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g yourselves . . delegate some of the responsibilities to other family members, friends.  Try to plan ahead (as best you can) so you are not playing the crunch time game when the holiday gets here only to find yourself in bed not able to enjoy the holiday afterall.   When all else fails . . . call Martha Stewart and see if she will make a housecall. 

The older I get the more I just want to "enjoy" the holidays without all the hustle and bustle that outside forces tell us is part of the holiday season. (ie:  if I don't get the kitchen floor mopped - at least I can "spot" clean - then turn off the lights and use candles.    )  I used to like the "hunt" of finding the "perfect" gift . . now I don't have the energy or desire to get up at 4:00 a.m. to fight the crowds to get the "early bird" specials.  I'll pass.  I know, bah-humbug.  I can sit at home and let my fingers do the shopping.    To me -this is just as fun!! 

OK . . . the moral of this post is this:  pace yourselves . . . delegate . . . . take a nap when you NEED too . . . don't overdo it . . . . plan ahead when possible . . . R-E-L-A-X!!!!  Take time to enjoy the smells of the season - the aromas of pies, turkeys, hams, rolls, candles, evergreens (sneeze, cough, sneeze) . . ok, nix the evergreens . . lol. 

Enjoy your holidays!!!

Bucky

[kimbo]

Hey Bucky,

They make candles with every scent of food you can imagine. We don't even have to cook it all now.

Maybe with the new hologram sensation we can decorate our home and also de-decorate by the flip of a switch.

I agree with you, going easy and simple in order to endure and enjoy the Holidays.

kimbo

[lynnmarie219]

AMEN to everything you said Bucky! I couldn't have said it better myself, so I wont even try!!

[Pooh]

Thank you Bucky for not only the warning but all those wonderful ideas.  Especially the "RELAX", no matter how hard we try or want to, we cannot do what we use to.  We are no longer that person, no matter how much we want to be.

So please, slow down, delegate, and let it go if it's going to take to much out of you.  What's the purpose of all the fuss if you can't enjoy it.

Bucky, you hit the posts with this warning at just the right time.  I am sitting here writing my cards and my shopping list and wondering how in the world I will get it all accomplished.  I also just scrathed out two things that really, really don't have to be done. 

Keep reminding us and maybe I won't be to tired to enjoy the holidays this year. 

Pooh

[Sjenny]

Thanks Bucky:

Your post reduced my sky high anxiety about the holidays several much needed notches.   I just can't do it this year - I've never delegated much of anything but now it the time to try.

Sue

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Holidays is a state of mind. Don't buy into the total commercialism - shop on line - have time off work and chill. I may have a tree - I may not - depends how i feel. I certainly won't have garlands and tinsel - my days of climbing up ladders is over. Guess it might be different with grandchildren but with grown up children - if they want 'holidays' they can put the work in because I can't be bothered.

I'm not cooking either - at least nothing out of the ordinary. I may even take a take away - enough for a coupla days.

Take care - Scottie. My days of running with the herd are behind me!   

[Seeker]

Good reminder Bucky!!

Seeker

[Patze]

Thanks Bucky, good advice!


Patze

[pudmott]

The holiday season isnt about the food the pressies, the tree or the clean house.


Its about spending time with friends and family and enjoying each others company being thankful for what we have and looking forward to what might be.
Anything else is superficial fluff. sure its nice to have and makes the day extra special but if you have your family and friends there's not really a lot more that you need.

If they don't like you the way you come, then that's their problem.

Enjoy and cherish your nearest and dearest this holiday season

Pud

[MusicGuy]

Clear the tracks...... cause I'll be the train!

I'm a church music director and play for the local symphony and chorus.... i'm entering a very busy time of the yea.  Then i have my day job and my family to boot.  lol.....yeah, you might want to steer clear of this train.  I enjoy it..... it's my peace.  it does get a little much trying to coordinate various choirs and ensembles but....its a gift I can give to hundreds or more people each year. 

chug a chug a chug

[kimbo]

OOOOOOOH  Music guy,

I am Laughing..... Because I know.

My husband has been my pastor for 17 loooong years.  LOL   I know what our music guy is up to, for the jolly season, and all those he is leading into his happy trails.   

You bring good tiding and cheers to all those who wait for the big events you prepare for great Holiday blessings.  THANK YOU !!!!!

Big Hugs.

kimbo

[eyeamdry]

In addition to all the comments given by posters, there is another aspect of the holidays that people fall victim to.  Pud was referring to "the presents and a clean house" isn't what the holiday season is about. 

It is so easy for people to get caught up in the "happiness" of the season that they are in for a letdown.  No one can measure up to the family on Walton's Mountain (John Boy) or the Family on Eight is enough for those of you old enough to remember those tv shows.  On tv now, everyone is happily "texting" their friends and relatives, or taking a cruise.  It never shows a house that is plain dirty with 4 or 5 kids whining about being hungry. 

Now, some of us do not have large families we gather around.  Some have no relatives and/or few friends with which to celebrate.  I know it's when people of my age have their grown children and grandchildren over and cook up a big feast.  I have only one child and she is well into adulthood.  Looks as though grandkids are not to be either, for a number of reasons.  I do not mind.  This leaves us with a few of us to "gather" especially in Michigan when weather is always treacherous at that time of year.  We buy practical gifts for each other.  I'll pay for my daughters cell phone charges for one year.  Hubby and I are getting each other (one) GPS if I can find the right price.  We may go out to dinner if we can find a place open on Christmas.

I couldn't "cook up an image" if I wanted to of us celebrating like the Waltons.  What we can do is remember what this day is really for.  We can spend a nice day together and then take a nap if we want.  We can go catch a movie as there are always new ones out this time of year.  Basically, remember that you will not have a holiday like the ones on tv or in movies.  I could get all depressed because I don't (and won't) have grandkids.  I don't.  I turn it around and think that I can spend that money on us and what we want.  I could always have step-grandkids!  So, lets not let our imaginations run away with us, only to be disappointed.   

My sister just got home from her 3rd cancer surgery in 17 years.  She lives in PA and unfortunately we can't visit as she is not well enough.  She is starting chemo soon and will, hopefully, kill the cancer beast.  Most of us have something like this we can relate to and be thankful this person is still with us.  Don't work too hard, don't spend too much money and don't fantasize about nonsense.   Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas (next month).  Lucy

[pudmott]

It's true what you say Lucy. This is a time for being happy.

Like you said some of us dont have a family to spend christmas with. I have my partner my dogs and that's it. My partner's family tolerate me but don't accept me cause im not a boy.
I could get sad or wallow in self pity, however i spend part of my christmas day with Gina then go to work and spend it with people who are glad to see me and appreciate the care i give them.

To me that is christmas.

Pud

P.S. to all you American type people hve a wonderful thanksgiving

[missyb]

What a great post! I would just that in addition to simplifying, trying to do a little something each week is helpful. This is good time to write cards before the rush and have them ready to go. Pick up wrapping paper, and TAPE etc, those little things that add up and cause stress can really help when you're in a crunch! Also, stocking upon some decent quickie freezer meals so you have something on hand for busy nights. Thinking ahead can also be a good stress reliever 

[Linda196]

Lucy, you've made such a great point. Not everyone (in fact very few) live in a Norman Rockwell painting.

The holiday season can be a lonely time for a lot of people, but it can also be a time of personal reflection and celebration...so what if we aren't The Waltons...we are unique special individuals with remarkable lives, shared or not! Whatever one's personal belief system, I'm pretty sure it isn't founded on spending lots of money, breaking bones by stringing up bright lights, or the worship of shiny tinsel and wrapped packages!

I encourage all of us to enjoy who we are, strive for our own personal best, share what we can, and accept the sharing of others, and treat ourselves well...dispense with guilt of not getting things done; cherish the people we can be with, and miss those we can't, but acknowledge their absence as a fact of life as they make their own way; and share with whomever we can, whether it's the red kettle at the mall, volunteering if we are able, or a little note in a Christmas (or other seasonal) greeting card.