Early in 2015, I made a month by month list of all the handmade gifts I wanted to make and got each one done in the allotted time. Such a satisfying feeling.
I had all my shopping done by Halloween. Christmas gifts were wrapped within an hour of bringing them home. No last minute rush of wrapping for me, oh-no. And the carefully arranged display of the masterfully wrapped presents under the tree has been a sight to behold.
I've baked an amazing assortment of luscious holiday cookies, candies and confections that have been packaged and sent off to relatives in various far-flung parts of the country. I was so wise to have all the doughs made and in the freezer well before Thanksgiving.
I shopped months ago for some new holiday clothes for myself. I bought red, I bought green, I splurged. I bought several floor length skirts with matching festive tops and a lovely green brocade suit. What a nice change from my usual navy and black turtlenecks and jeans. Yes, I needed some new holiday clothes, and these will make me feel and look appropriate for the season.
For special friends, I hand crafted elaborate remembrances. I have them all wrapped and ready for presentation.
I made two new wreaths with freshly gathered boughs and decorated them with ribbon, pine cones and berries. The smaller is hung on the front door and the very impressive larger one is on the outside wall of the house you see when coming into our yard. They look so lovely and professionally done.
Before putting up our Christmas tree and house decorations (immediately after Thanksgiving), I spent a week deep-cleaning the whole house, top to bottom. Now when I take the decorations down after January 1st, the house will already be clean and ready for the New Year.
I purchased and/or made new decorations for my home replacing all those that were looking shabby and past their prime. This gave my holiday decorating a sparkling new look and everyone asks if I hired an interior decorator.
In the coming weeks, I have a full calendar of dinner dates and casual get-togethers scheduled. Invitations were sent out weeks ago. (I made them myself, of course). Menus are printed, foods have been prepared ahead and are in the freezer, holiday napkins and tablecloths are washed and ironed. It will be no-hassle entertaining for me this year.
Oh, I am so proud.
* * * * * * * *
Ah, yes. Sometimes reality necessitates we escape into our own little made-up fantasy world. The truth is I've been operating under the influence of heavy brain fog for about a month now.
I read that extra doses of Ginkgo Biloba help clear your head. I'd take some, but I can't remember where I put the bottle.
Ha ha, I am overwhelmed this month, and in no way prepared for anything as I had planned.
ReplyDeleteKristina - So, that's not the general state of being come this time of year? In no way prepared for anything as I had planned? :o]
DeleteAs I was reading this, I was thinking-my gawd, this woman is unreal.
ReplyDeleteGlad to find out you're still human! Come and join our party-no handmade invites needed!!
It's too lonely in the Land of Perfectioin
Have a relaxed and happy weekend, dear lady
Sue - You should know me better than that!
DeleteGuess what? I'm taking today TOTALLY OFF! Not doing one blessed thing that I don't want to do. How's that for an early Christmas present for myself?? Wa-hoo!
Lol! I was totally impressed and thinking....Super Woman, that's what she is. Try Vitamin D and B 12.
ReplyDeleteLaurie - I can assure you no Super Woman lives here! (And I'm on D and B12 already.) Actually, all kidding aside, I'm in pretty good shape for the holidays this year. That's 'cause I'm not even attempting 99% of the things in my blog post!
DeleteFor a bit there I was afraid one us was going to have to go back the 20+ questions post and edit the answer about what we had been smoking!
ReplyDeleteI recall one year, in 33 years of marriage, where I had my Christmas gifts done before Thanksgiving. The rest of the years I've made it before Christmas but sometimes only just. Hang in there and don't let it get you down!
Mark - Actually, I'm a little worried because I'm so non-stressed this year . . . and haven't done nearly as much as I usually do! (With age comes wisdom?? Nah, that can't be it.)
DeleteOh, good. I was afraid one of us was going to have to shoot you. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMichelle - And well deserved it would be!!!
DeleteGood Job! I've had years like that. This is not one of them :)
ReplyDeleteSmartAlex - Personally, I've NEVER had a year like that. You must share your secrets! :o]
DeleteMake a list. Start in July. Run yourself ragged
DeleteSmartAlex - Why do we women, who seem to be the ones "in charge" of Christmas, do that to ourselves? I'm all for cutting back, sticking with the basics and remembering the reason for the season. And being kind to each other, especially ourselves! :o]
DeleteI didn't even make a list of presents to purchase until the week after Thanksgiving. Going to buy gift cards today at the local grocery store & then finish up the wrapping, or putting in gift bags. That's cheating in my book but I do it anyways. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDFW - Cheating? Cheating?? Doing it the sane way is never cheating! Keep on!
DeleteOh how I love this, I'm just preparing cards for the mail. Love you sense of humor. Thank you for the satire.
ReplyDeleteSandy in the mtns. of CA
Sandy - You're very welcome. It's the humor that keeps us all going this time of year, right?
DeleteWow. My Christmas readiness is exactly the opposite of yours. I didn't do anything until yesterday. I gave myself one week to move mountains. So far, so good.
ReplyDeleteHave the best Christmas ever or are you already working on Easter?
xo, Rosemary
Rosemary - Are you pulling my leg? I was pulling yours! :o}
ReplyDeleteBest laid plans, nice fantasy :)
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of December I was overwhelmed with lists on post-it's, pieces of notepads, my online calendar, "reminder" emails...too much all over the place! I decided I'm going old school so I pulled out an old Hilroy notepad and dedicated a page to each day from December 15th through to January 2nd. I went through all of my lists (I think) and added tasks to each day. That's the best I can do to organize my time and tasks and it's actually working really well for me! I'm going to keep that up for every holiday that comes up, or I plan too!
Rain - I think all lists (or tasks to be done) at least look more manageable (!) if they are broken down the way you did it. Smart idea doing it your way. Thanks for the idea.
DeleteI almost didn't read this post all the way to the end because I just couldn't relate. Heh!
ReplyDeleteIlene Jones - I could never relate to all that either. That's why it was my fantasy! ;o} Thanks for slogging on through!
DeleteHa ha, me too! I was getting anxious just reading it!
DeleteI have to admit, I was gritting my teeth and rolling my eyes part-way into that post. So glad you revealed the truth at the end. We only just decorated the tree and right now my unwrapped presents are sitting underneath a comforter in the spare bedroom! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn - The ONE thing I have managed to feel on top of this year is wrapping packages. One more to do today and I'm caught up. Usually that's not the case!
DeleteP.S. Now go attack that pile of presents under the comforter . . . or curl up for a little nap under the comforter first. Maybe no one will know where you are. ;o)
I was getting very disgusted with your post and towards the end, I began to think maybe you were exaggerating just a tad!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness!
gld - Hee-hee! I think we've all known a person or two who are actually like that. It would be extremely admirable IF they weren't the same ones who have a need to brag about it so everyone knows just how fantastically awesome they are! :o]
DeleteMaybe Duchess of Cambridge could write that and it would be true! Clap, clap: where is my chef.
DeleteClap, clap: where is the nanny!?
Clap, clap: where is my personal assistant?
Clap, clap: where is my gift buyer?
ad nauseum.
You're a great writer, Mama Pea! While I was exhausted and jealous of all you "had done" it was straight out of some high-falutin' magazine that makes the readers feel like big under performers. Have you ever written for a magazine?!! Some year I think just going to a country that doesn't even recognize Dec.25th as a holiday would be refreshing. A SAFE country, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteMollie - I have done a darn good job of "scaling down" more than ever this holiday season, and it feels good . . . where in other years, I've felt slovenly (!) for not pushing myself. (Maybe there is something to getting wiser as one gets older?) ;o}
DeleteI did write for a locally published women's magazine years ago. I wrote a nutrition/foods column but what I really wanted to write was what I'm able to do here on my posts. Much more fun!
Mama Pea is very industrious, efficient, and organized. But, she is no Martha Stewart want-a-be (thank God)!! There is a big difference between the two ladies MO's (mode of operations). Mama Pea strives for perfection and KNOWS HOW AND WHEN to settle for excellence (or just very good or even good)!! The wisdom to know when to be still and be satisfied with your work is what Mama Pea has attained! God Bless you Mama and Papa Pea and Merry Christmas. M. in Paradox.
ReplyDeleteDear, dear (silly) M in Paradox - I would have thought you've known me long enough to realize all those (extremely) flattering things you just said about me are pure poppycock!
DeleteAll the same, thank you and bless you for being so darn sweet. Happy Holidays to you and your hubby!
Oh Mama Pea, you never fail to brighten my day!
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Thank you, thank you! Just attempting to give back what so many folks give to me.
DeleteP.S. We spent a couple of hours last night reading aloud from your "Critter Tales." Soooo much info that you so readily share with others! When I think of the hours (days? weeks? months?) it took to put all that together . . . oy! Don't know how you find the time. (But don't stop!)
What Sue said. I thought, OMG, she is superhuman! I was so relieved... :)
ReplyDeleteSusan - Oh, yeah, that's me: Wonder Woman. I wonder where I put my glasses? I wonder why I came into this room? I wonder if anyone will notice if I serve PB&J sandwiches for Christmas Eve dinner? I wonder if it's okay to wear this warm turtleneck (with the grease spots on it) on Christmas Day? (Hee-hee-hee!)
Delete