Holiday sanity

by Dana

There is, I think, a little part of the human brain that warns, it's winter...better be prepared for anything.  Anything may mean stocking up on food, fighting off bears, replacing batteries in smoke detectors and flashlights, or double-checking the basement and storm doors. 

Then we add in the holidays and anything, to that unevolved bit of gray matter, now means anticipating everything from unexpected guests to a reindeer strike to the Great Mistletoe Drought of '10. 

Anything and everything is an awful lot to juggle; one might say, impossible.  Yet, impossible doesn't seem to mean much at the holidays, so here's how I've been trying to take the stress down a notch.

1.Re-watching whole seasons of serial drama.  Right now, we're watching “Deadwood,” and we'll move on to “Rome” and “Firefly.”  These are by not what one would call "holiday shows," and I think that's why they work for me.  There's nothing that reminds me of cookies waiting to be baked or presents that need to be wrapped (or acquired or thought up).  An hour's vacation (or three or four, if you need it).  Violent gunslingers and gladiators aren't for everyone—YMMV.  But make it something you really dig.

2.I deliberately substitute something I want to do for something I ought to do.  Last night, I spent an hour learning to knit from my neighbor.  My cards will be going out a little later, but since they're always late, it doesn't really matter.  I call them “holiday cards,” and they probably will be out long before Groundhog Day, but if not, people will be amused and feel good about themselves in comparison, so that's okay, too.

3.Guerrilla napping.  Most folks will tell you, getting enough sleep is the best way to keep from catching a cold (and the best way to curtail one, once you catch it).  I've been practicing grabbing a cat or two, lighting the fire, and dozing for twenty minutes.  After, I can face another round of baking with energy and more good will—and isn't good will the point?  And maybe it will keep me from nipping at the NyQuil on New Year's Eve.

4.Donations.  Giving something—time, money, used clothing, a toy for a tot, a dollar in the bucket—is a good quick fix.  And you can scale it to fit your resources.  I like this as an antidote for almost anything.

5. I'm not a great one for musicals.  I know, it's a failing, but we're all friends here, and I feel I can admit it.  But “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame resonates with me.  My husband and I have taken to buying little things that we can exchange when waiting for the big day becomes another kind of stress.

This is what I opened most recently:  a Nerf "Raider."  It may be the best present ever.  I call her "Vera."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cats, Kaylee (shown here) and Zoe, love chasing the projectiles.  Mr. G starts grinning when he hears me racking one in.  Twenty minutes of laughing like a loon, picking off ornaments like Nick Charles in The Thin Man, changes everything. 

Yes, I'll still be running around like crazy and worrying about everything, but I'm hoping a few moments where I consciously say “chill: nothing will be perfect, but all will be well” will make the festivities more fun.

I'm prescribing naps and Nerf machine guns from now on.  What works for you?

Comments

[Dana]

And, I should add: a merry, a happy, a wonderful holiday to everyone!

[Ronny]

I just found this website thru Mary Saums web. Love reading every ones writings.
I know this isn't probably where I should be asking this, but I can't find any where to comment or email to Mary Saums. I have just found and read her book Thistle and Twigg and did find her second in the series. But I can't find any of her other books and don't see where she has written since Mighty old Bones. I love this series and was really hoping for many more escapades of Mrs. Thistle. I did see that Mary posted in Oct of this year but I can't comment there. I would really like to know if Mary has written any more books since '08 or if she intends to write more.
there is nowhere to contact her on her web site either. Sorry to put this on your comments but I would really like to know what is happening with Mary Saums. Thanks for letting me post here.

[krisneri]

Thanks for sharing such fun tips for slowing down during the holidays. Soothing winter music always does it for me, especially Sarah Brightman's "A Winter Symphony." But there's nothing wrong with a nip of NyQuil on New Year's Eve, even if you don't have a cold.

[Dana]

Ronny, I'm glad you were able to find Mary! Thanks for stopping by!

Mary, the noise is...wonderful. And the cats get very excited tracking down the projectiles, and even find missing ones, and bring them to us!

Ah, Kris, a woman after my own heart!