This Christmas Season
Now that things have calmed down (being a very short season, it was REALLY busy!), I can step back & reflect. Overall, I would say it was a good Christmas season.
First, my expectations weren't inflated. I wasn't expecting "that magical feeling", super gifts, etc. I didn't hold myself to the old standard of listening to every Christmas CD/tape or watching every Christmas special/movie. Only what I happened to have time for & if I didn't get to something, that was OK.
Second, the events I chose to go to were the ones most important to me. The ones I chose involved my friends and/or family, and one in-work event that was smaller than the other 2 outside-of-work business events. That way, I wasn't over-scheduled, and I think wisely invested my time.
Third, having pre-measured the time it takes for annual cookie baking as well as having my son help me (he volunteered) made the best & most efficient use of my time to get that task done. And all the cookies turned out really well this year!
Fourth, I used Google Calendar to really manage my time: from cookie-baking to events, to shopping & wrapping. If weather interfered with an event (which it did twice), I was able to easily move things around.
Fifth, I kept a nice, low expectation in regard to family dynamics. Mom didn't want any gifts, though my husband did buy a bottle of wine for each of my family members & she did like it. She actually baked some cookies & gave some to me & my sister, so that was nice. Mean Sister was, for the most part, pretty good. She had told me she didn't have much $ to spend on gifts, but would "give me the world" if she could. I replied that I didn't want the world, just peace, which she said she could do. And lo & behold I actually got it! 1 semi-snide comment, which I'll let her have for Christmas! And I could tell she was skating on the edge, but we really had a nice time filled with laughter.
Finally & most important, I constantly reminded myself to keep my focus on the True Meaning of Christmas. Even as cleaning & exercising fell somewhat to the wayside, I did keep up with devo reading, listening to the Daily Audio Bible, and reflecting on God's Word. Best part was listening to the entire Handel's Messiah Christmas Eve as I prepped for Christmas & to go over to my mom's. That really put me in a good frame of mind.
Presents? They were all "OK". The iPad Mini that my husband bought me prior was a combination anniversary/Christmas gift was definitely the best thing. And an Amazon Gift Certificate for the family from my youngest sister is always very welcome. Nothing from my Amazon Wish List (but I've gotten to the point that I know no one ever will), but that's OK. I think my primary focus helped manage this expectation, for sure!
First, my expectations weren't inflated. I wasn't expecting "that magical feeling", super gifts, etc. I didn't hold myself to the old standard of listening to every Christmas CD/tape or watching every Christmas special/movie. Only what I happened to have time for & if I didn't get to something, that was OK.
Second, the events I chose to go to were the ones most important to me. The ones I chose involved my friends and/or family, and one in-work event that was smaller than the other 2 outside-of-work business events. That way, I wasn't over-scheduled, and I think wisely invested my time.
Third, having pre-measured the time it takes for annual cookie baking as well as having my son help me (he volunteered) made the best & most efficient use of my time to get that task done. And all the cookies turned out really well this year!
Fourth, I used Google Calendar to really manage my time: from cookie-baking to events, to shopping & wrapping. If weather interfered with an event (which it did twice), I was able to easily move things around.
Fifth, I kept a nice, low expectation in regard to family dynamics. Mom didn't want any gifts, though my husband did buy a bottle of wine for each of my family members & she did like it. She actually baked some cookies & gave some to me & my sister, so that was nice. Mean Sister was, for the most part, pretty good. She had told me she didn't have much $ to spend on gifts, but would "give me the world" if she could. I replied that I didn't want the world, just peace, which she said she could do. And lo & behold I actually got it! 1 semi-snide comment, which I'll let her have for Christmas! And I could tell she was skating on the edge, but we really had a nice time filled with laughter.
Finally & most important, I constantly reminded myself to keep my focus on the True Meaning of Christmas. Even as cleaning & exercising fell somewhat to the wayside, I did keep up with devo reading, listening to the Daily Audio Bible, and reflecting on God's Word. Best part was listening to the entire Handel's Messiah Christmas Eve as I prepped for Christmas & to go over to my mom's. That really put me in a good frame of mind.
Presents? They were all "OK". The iPad Mini that my husband bought me prior was a combination anniversary/Christmas gift was definitely the best thing. And an Amazon Gift Certificate for the family from my youngest sister is always very welcome. Nothing from my Amazon Wish List (but I've gotten to the point that I know no one ever will), but that's OK. I think my primary focus helped manage this expectation, for sure!
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LOVE LUCY**