Once again, today's blog post was prompted by The English Geek. Like Amy, don't many of us fail to manage our expectations (and overestimate our capabilities) during the holidays? This year, I took a class at Big Picture Classes called Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas. The class was basically a planning exercise, including the construction of a holiday planner. By leaving the planner out where you could see it, you should be motivated to get things done earlier. And it worked. Of course, the class teaches the planning process is a, well, process. You won't be where you want to be the first year, but you'll be on your way. So where am I, now that we're one week away from Christmas?
Sitting her blogging and totally ignoring the overwhelming list sitting on the breakfast table. Why is it overwhelming? Because I didn't do anything on the list yesterday. What's left to be done?
- Clean the house, and I mean really clean it
- Wash the shower curtains and bath rugs
- Get those pesky baseboards
- Vacuum, vacuum, mop, mop, mop
- Put clean sheets on all the beds, including the bed in the guest room
- Finish a bit of baking
- Ice a half a gazillion sugar cookies
- Put up a few decorations I purchased last weekend
- Maybe put the garland on the stairs
Does it sound manageable? Not to me. But I'm not going to beat myself up because I've already gotten a lot done.
- My shopping is done, finished, complete, including stocking stuffers.
- Everything is wrapped and either under the tree, with its recipient, or in a box on its way.
- I've baked 2 batches of iced lemon cookies, 2 batches of Christmas cookies (with candied fruit), 2 batches of iced Nutmeg Butterfingers and mixed up a batch of Nieman Marcus Chocolate Oatmeal cookies.
- The tree is up and decorated and has been since the day after Thanksgiving.
- The lights are up on the porch.
- The Christmas cards, complete with family photos, were mailed the first week of December.
- I've been taking holiday photos almost every day.
What do I call that? Success. Sure, I have a lot left to do, but I don't think anyone has ever considered Christmas a disappointment because there was a bit of dust on the baseboards or the bathroom floors didn't sparkle. And if we don't get to the pumpkin bread? We'll eat cookies!
I hope you take a little time for you today. Sit back and think of all you have accomplished. Brew a cup of tea, or get some eggnog, and enjoy the lights.