I was only "holiday stressed" for a day or so. We had several weekends at home, so I was able to settle down, prioritize and focus, so all has calmly worked out.
1) I had big plans to do big homemade stuff gift baskets. Well, they will be smaller than planned, but they are still happening. This just meant I also had to get some regular gifts. Final food bags will include three types of homemade pasta (gnocchi, beef ravioli, cheese tortellini) in small quantities, a container of homemade cookie dough, and spent-grain bread (the leftover grains from homebrewing are mixed into a yeast bread recipe...really flavorful and robust).
2) Gifts are all purchased. I'm not thrilled with what my SIL is getting, nor my step-MIL, but it's done. I'm still mulling over something more for my dad and girlfriend, but we'll see.
3) My charity plan for MIL went completely awry and we aren't doing it. She forgot or just never really understood the plan, so we are again getting some crappy little rummage sale gifts from her instead. I'm still donating in lieu of gifts. Tried to get her to pick a chairty for us to donate to, but she just couldn't wrap her head it, so we need to make a decision. I said we could donate to the food pantry she both volunteers and "shops" at, therefore it would almost be like giving her a gift.
4) My FIL volunteers to drive the Veterans van to the VA hospital, which is attached to the building I work in. He had a few vets to bring yesterday, so we had coffee. He told me step-MIL has some suspicious lymph nodes and a spot on her liver. But I'm not to even tell Chris until they know more (which will be February). Ack. Why would he do this to me? I managed to keep my mouth shut so far.
5) Tonight is a friend's raclette party. This was the one where she told me the EXACT salad to bring last year. This year it was luckily bring a dessert or drink to share. I baked Fro's caramel pecan chocolate bars-easy and yummy!
6) I said no to a party on Sunday over a month ago because I knew it would end up causing scheduling problems with family Christmas. I was right. Wise choice, Kim.
7) I decided not to haul out any Christmas or winter decor this year. We aren't having any visitors and I'm enjoying the slower pace of the weekends with only a few things on the to-do list.
8) Our water heater has been acting up. I was in my robe and slippers this morning at 6 a.m., on my hands and knees in the basement. The flame is having trouble staying lit. So, today I call for service. Sigh. I think we can manage to wait until next week, so no weekend service charge.
9) I baked fewer cookies and treats this year. I usually bake about four or five different items. This year I limited myself to sugar cookies so far. Tomorrow I'm making peanut blossoms. That's it!
10) Edited for Swami. I'm worried about my bloggy friends. How is your holiday stress level?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
1. Spent grain bread sounds obscene. Tasty, but obscene.
2. You have my address, right?
3. Her food pantry sounds like a nice choice. She can get some mileage out of a gift in her name! I predict she will still wonder where her 'real' gift is.
4. Ack! Don't Tell Your Spouse is the worst position in the world!
5. You have my address, right?
6. That reminds me, I procrastinated on an invitation for Sunday for the same reasons. Now we can probably go but it's probably tacky to respond to an evite this late, right? I hate evite. The emails disappear down the list so fast since we usually get 30 - 50 emails a day.
7. But. What if I decide to drive by and want to see pretty lights?
8. Oh, crap. A new water heater for Christmas is probably not high on your wish list, is it?
9. You have my address, right?
Nine!!!!!! You ended on 9?!?!?!?! Oh, that's so stressful!!!! Lists should go to ten! It's the traditional, natural order of things! People these days just don't understand the importance of Traditions!!! Traditions are SO important!!! Tradition! TRADITION! *cries* *rocks* (My stress level is just fine, thank you.)
I'm sorry, you must've misread. This list ends on 10.
*giggle* Swami funny.
No stress here. Presents bought, cookies have been baked and frozen, will do another batch this weekend.
Oh thank you, Kim. This is ever so much better!
Today I am wrapping and scrounging boxes from all over the place for that purpose. Someone I am married to apparently recycled my collection of Amazon.com boxes stored in the garage. So I am wrapping his new jeans & matching shirt in an empty Cheer laundry detergent box. Too much, too far? It's a box, dammit.
I love the idea of homemade gift baskets.
Never heard of laundry baskets as gift boxes, though...hmmm.
I have so many empty boxes in the garage, just waiting to be used.
Who needs a box? Just wrap the gifts in wrapping paper or the Sunday comics, sans box.
Food pantry donation: great idea! Make up a good looking certificate for her about it. I agree, thought; she'll still be looking for her real gift.
1. I always have big plans and not enough time to do them, so I have tried somewhat to control my planning. I think your baskets are great ideas.
2. I have two gifts left to buy: One bottle of really expensive wine and two gift cards. I know, that's really three, but the gift cards are for the same person. I literally just decided to do two different cards.
3. Do you think sh'e playing dumb in order to not have the plans changed? Great idea for the food pantry.
4. I hope it's okay. He should not have put you in that position. Ack.
5. Yummy! I actually am planning to make those next week in between carpet cleaning.
6. Wise choice from a wise person. Speaking of which, I went to trivia night last night. Thought of you!
7. Scrooge! Just kidding. There were at least two years before we had Conner that we didn't decorate. Now, I can't get away with that.
8. *sniff, sniff* I thought it smelled funny in here. :)
9. I have baked nothing.
10. *smooch*
Post a Comment