Also known, to Mom's across America as "Time to Panic".
Even if you're one of those Superwomen, who get all their Christmas shopping done by Labor Day ( I'm not convinced they exist. If they do, I hate them) right about now is when you wake in a cold sweat, thinking 'I forgot to buy a turkey!!'
Here's what we all need to realize: panic is part of the fun.
For the last few years, I've been running an experiment. If X doesn't get done, will anyone notice? Last year, I didn't get Jay a gift. The year before that, I only made two kinds of Christmas cookies. The year before that, I didn't put up a tree. You no what? No one noticed any of it.
The dirty little secret of Christmas stress is that we choose it because we love it.
The wonderful truth of Christmas is what the Grinch discovered on Mt. Crumpet: It comes, whether you've stressed yourself into the emergency room or not.
So if you don't like stress, do like Dr. Hartley says and "Just stop it!"
This year, I've eaten most of the cookies I've made, I didn't put up one of my trees and I'm not sending out cards. Why? Cuz I don't feel like it. I've got more important things to do. I still love all my family and friends who live far away but I'm not sending cards. This development will not ruin the season for anyone.
Last weekend, I spent four weeks, I mean days at Ty's house watching the kids while Ty and Megan joined some other rodeo aficionados in Vegas, for the national championship rodeo.
The kids and I had a great time; I got them to school and daycare on time on Friday, picked them up when day was done, we all had dinner together, watched Christmas movies and they went to bed as soon as I told them to. Saturday, Xena and Babalouie had practice for the Christmas show they were doing in church on Sunday. After that, we drove into town where Katie and Boopityboop met us at my house, we frosted cookies, ate pizza and the kids played all day. After Katie and the twins left, we watched The Nutcracker, then headed home. The kids were so tired out that they put themselves to bed as soon as we arrived.
Sunday, we all got to Church ahead of time, the kids got into their costumes and the show went off without a hitch! At the last minute, Xena was given the lines of a castmate who couldn't make it. She handled it like a pro.
Juice and cookies afterwards made it a lovely morning.
Kitten is teething, so she wasn't feeling her usual, sparkly self. She had massive poopy diapers every day, including one that necessitated an emergency shower. All she wanted to do was snuggle, so that's what we did.
Sunday, we drove back to my house so Ty and Megan could pick the kids up on their way home from the airport and I didn't have to drive home in the dark. Kitten spent quite a bit of time napping with Coach in his recliner.
It was cold all weekend, so we didn't get outside. When I say 'cold', I mean cold. -15 when we got up on Saturday.
I've gotten nearly all the shopping and wrapping done that I wanted to do. I may do some more but who knows?
Last night, I tried a new cookie recipe and they turned out delicious. Their called "Malted Butter Riches" but they're actually whopper cookies. They have malted milk powder in them and crushed whoppers sprinkled into the brown butter frosting. If you like malted milk balls, these cookies are right up your alley.
Monday, I spent working, since I'd taken such a lovely vacation with the grandkids. I got what was absolutely necessary done, then took a long walk with MJ. The temps were up into the teens and there was no wind. We walked along the parkway for about 2 miles and back. It felt fantastic to get out into the fresh air and stretch my legs!
Yesterday, I dropped off my last batch of orders before the Holiday. Then I spent the afternoon having lunch and hanging out with my parents. I did a spot of shopping, then Jay and I walked around Lake Harriet after dark. It was cold but we dressed for it. I could have used a scarf when the slight breeze was in our faces but aside from that was perfectly comfortable. I actually love walking in the cold: breaking a sweat when it's 2 degrees is a powerful feeling!
Now, I've got to go: cookies to bake etc.