Rustling up some holiday excitement

A lot has been going on round these parts lately. Some of it is positive--I think I've FINALLY convinced the husband that making the extra trip from the sink to the dishwasher with his dishes is definitely something he's capable of doing. Nevermind that it took SHOUTING to communicate that message but I had had it. Spending almost all of my time cleaning up after one person all day makes me not have the energy to do it for two, especially if one of them is college educated, knows how to walk, and can pee in the potty by himself.

On the financial front, we will be meeting with a financial advisor tomorrow. To say I'm scared is perhaps an understatement. I have visions of her recommending "cutting back." Note: Highlighting my own hair = disaster, just so you know.

Let me suggest a completely humbling experience for any of you suckers out there who have credit card debt. If you haven't ever sat down with all of your credit card bills, and made a list of every balance, as well as the interest rate on each card, you should totally do it. I mean, I'm not going to guarantee that it will make you feel good, it may even make you want to fling yourself off a nearby curb, BUT it is extremely eye opening. After having done that on Saturday night (I know, married life with kid is TOTALLY WILD) I definitely have cemented the idea that it's time to turn over a new financial leaf. Whew. Makes me sweat just to relive the experience. So, stay tuned for additional details on tomorrow's meeting.

On a related note, each year since I've been on my own, the joy of Christmas has slowly been sucked out of me. That's not to say that there aren't moments when I do enjoy it, but the whole process just seems so grueling. I've heard people speak many times about the over-commercialization of Christmas and I finally understand exactly what they mean. It seems that I plan and cook several big meals, coordinate the giving of gifts to his family and mine, shop for, wrap and pack and mail those gifts, decorate the house, bake, find the tree, schedule the tree trimming, mail the Christmas card and more. And before you go thinking he's a louse, please note the husband will pretty much do anything I ask, HOWEVER, he does it on his own time frame. Which means, that if I want any present wrapped and under the tree before December 24th, I'm out of luck. And in case you didn't know, that's not how I roll.

All this to say that once the Christmas music comes on in the department stores (which is exactly a week ago from yesterday in case you were wondering), I begin to feel dread setting in. In the middle of Target I feel my chest tighten and my throat close up. I feel arguments coming on about when we should shop and how and I just find the whole thing miserable. I believe Jesus did not wish this type of behavior on anyone willing to celebrate his birth.

SO, EXCITING NEWS! Santa's workshop is officially open here, in my own home. In a response to my increasing feelings of dread about the holidays, coupled with our dire financial situation and the physical inability to spend money we don't have this year, we are making ALL of our gifts this year using our God-given talents. Every single one, including the ones for each other. AND, we are not doing a Christmas card because to me that is an unnecessary expense (do not mention this to the husband, I think he's still kinda bitter about it but he did agree that we could cut it out and thus, we are. I'm holding him to it). The decorating will be simple with just a table top tree (less temptation for you know who to knock it down) and some beautiful greenery on the mantle and the front door, but most importantly all the presents will be completed and wrapped by THANKSGIVING. Which means, this year, I will actually feel thankful for the blessings in my life on Thanksgiving instead of feeling like I only have 947 hours and 27 minutes of shopping time left. And the month of December, it will be mostly stress free. I'll have time to spend with family and friends, knowing that all of my gifts are completed and wrapped and BONUS: they are straight from my heart.

I don't know if you are as excited as I am about this, but let me tell you, we went to Michael's last week to buy our craft supplies and it was amazing! However, let me tell you what is not so amazing: crafting with a perfectionist. Gah! Do we need to measure each scrap of paper that goes into a collage? I think not. We might kill each other by Christmas but at least I won't feel the stress of the commercialism of the holidays if I'm dead.