The Working Mom by Kay LunaYou’re cracking me up
Thursday, November 5th, 2009 9:34 amI’m LOVING all the Turkey-Day disaster stories you’re posting for me. They’re hilarious — and you’re making me feel a little bit better (just a wee bit) about holiday cooking.
I mean, everyone flubs up now and then. Then, we can all laugh about it later! HAHA! So, please — keep the stories coming. I think this could make a really funny story to run in the paper, so some of you might be hearing from me by e-mail to see if you’d be willing to let me use your real names. Some of these stories are just TOO GOOD to keep to ourselves.
My worries about holiday cooking are going away a little, but not my anxiety over the holiday-season planning in general. What’s the big deal? Well, due to some unforeseen family situations popping up, our Christmas traditions are getting turned upside down this year.
So, I’m finding myself reflecting a lot about what new traditions we might want to create, and how we can go about doing it.
Plus, I have my daughter’s 3rd birthday, and my husband’s (cough, cough, cough — hate to bust him out on his age!) birthday to celebrate and plan for in December, too.
Seriously, how do you juggle it all at your house? I know I can’t be the only one worrying about this already. Maybe it’s not people or events you’re juggling, but finances or service work around the holiday season.
If any of you might be willing to talk about this issue (using your real name) for a possible story about how people divide up their time at the holidays, please let me know.
In the meantime, please keep making me giggle.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Girlie girl, you need to relax and enjoy the holidays instead of stressing out so much. I love the holiday festivities with family and friends by having the attitude “don’t worry, be happy” (just likethe song). You need to plan, organize, take one step at a time, and never lose your sense of humor. I’m a planner and so I make a list of things that have to get done. I prioritize that list and then delegate some of the chores make me tired bogged down. You don’t have to do everything yourself you know and remember things don’t have to be perfect in this not so perfect world. The sooner the tasks get completed, the sooner you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the season. I used to do my holiday baking 2-3 weeks in advance and then store the cookies and breads in the freezer. I have already got my Christmas cards made out and will send at an appropriate time in December. If you’re on a budget, like most people are these days, then set a budget that feels good to you. Give in a way that gives you joy – remember giving from the heart is more important than an expensve extravagant gift. I’m already purchasing gifts on sale and hiding them away so that when Adam, Anna, and Gracie stop by to see this granny, they won’t find them. It was always a big joke in our family, that I was always the first one done Christmas shopping and having everything wrapped and ready to go under the tree by Thanksgiving. Heehee!! My daughter Angie did a theme Christmas for our family when they first moved to Maquoketa. What great fun that was. Her theme was “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” She had everyone stay over night and of course we could all identify with one of the characters in the movie. I was identified as the “foofoo” Aunt Francis (feature that). Anyway, we had so much fun and the turkey didn’t even burst open at the table like in the movie and nobody was gagging it down with their glass of water. Hee! So, see Kay – holidays can be joyous without all the chaos and stress. …..and when it’s all over, you can always jump in the tub and say, “Calgon take me away!”
P.S. I give you my permission to use my name.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Miriam – you totally have it figured out! I am so jealous. I, too, am starting to get my christmas shopping done. The thing that is most important to my husband and I, is that we are not going to stress ourselves out trying to get to everyones house. We will have a newborn baby by Christmas, and the number one priority is our own little family. We will make it to mine and his parents when we make it. We want to cherish this time. Kay – I think you should let babycakes wake up and play with her toys on Christmas morning before wisking her away in order to make everyone else in the family happy. She is only this size once
November 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
My favorite philospher (me) once said,
Seek perfection and find madness.
You women worry too much. If the food is well cooked and there’s plenty of it (don’t forget the cranberries, that’s the major, unforgiveable sin), if you have some fruit juice or pop for the kids and beer for the men, everybody ought to be happy.
Have a Happy Turkey Day!
November 10th, 2009 at 6:43 am
We try to do it all in one day on both holidays, and it’s always a logistical nightmare. Thanksgiving we end up having 2 meals about 3 hours apart, with fairly identical food. I’m begging to push one back to Saturday this year…I’ll even do the hosting & cooking! We’ll see how that goes over.
Christmas Day we always stay home for the morning. My daughter is 8, and I have always let her have the morning to enjoy her toys before whisking her away. It gives us plenty of time to clean up and take our time getting ready too. Then we have lunch with my family and open gifts. We head over to the in-laws around 5 for dinner and more gift opening. We’ve started our own tradition for dinner, and have started makinga themed meal every year. Last year was Italian, and this year will probably be Mexican. It’s so fun to mix it up that way, and the kids all love it too.
Good luck with your holiday planning! I’m sure you will look back on it and laugh…even if it’s someday far down the road.