You'd Better Watch Out!

You'd better not Cry.

Cause we've only got

99 more days until Christmas.

And since this post is going out late it's more like 98! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Amazing mom to all boys over at Beacon of Hope gave me a stressor yesterday when I saw her post. I was immediately reminded of my dream not to have a wacked out December again after last year’s chaos.

Now I’ve only got 99 days to pull my Christmas/Holiday act together. That and I’ve got to remind my kids to pull their act together so that Santa doesn’t do this.

So I’m adding a new dream to my dream list. Be ready for Christmas by NOV 1st. And since this is a needs only month I’m focusing on non-$ things I can do now to ensure…

And Goodwill to all my family members.

This year I want to be ready early so that I can really celebrate Christmas with the kids. I'd kind of like to actually sit down with my munchkins and watch…

And A Christmas Story (what would Christmas be without a good Double-Dog Dare?)…

And most importantly so that I can teach them

what Christmas is really about...

And what it’s not about.

So what can I do now that doesn’t cost $?

This week I’m going to collect all the mailing addresses to family and friends that I can find and call those who I’ve lost touch with to get that info. So if you’re a long lost friend or family email me your address cause chances are I’ve lost it already.

We are also going to try and take a decent Family Christmas picture. Don’t laugh – It can happen. I know usually the experience turns out more like the one in the movie…

But if I start now and we have an off day – I’ve got 98 more days to get it right.

And lastly this week I’m pulling out my old Holiday planner. Maybe I’ll even link up some of my pages so that you can get your own planners going. YEP! That's right this year I'm saving Christmas in our house.

So who’s with me and wants to celebrate the Christmas Season non-stress style?

Where's my Christmas spirit?

Haven't sat down for three days, except to send out this post. I came home from my trips expecting Christmas to be done. I had turned Christmas over to my husband because of all the traveling I've been doing, but when I saw what had actually been accomplished I took it back. Now, don't get me wrong, my husband is the greatest. He had even enlisted the help of our three Santa wise boys and had every intention of making this the best Christmas ever. That's just it. He and I are full of the greatest intentions ever - but that is about as far as it goes. When I saw that they had gotten eight year old Lea a pink stuffed ball that was actually intended to be a chew toy for some animal and Princess some press-on nails four sizes too big. I knew that they needed some help. So... instead of telling you about my shopping experiances with the other 55 million Procrastinating Christmas shoppers this time of year, I decided to try poetry. Alas, my brain is too fried for it to be too good, nor do I want to resort to language I've never used before, so try and make some sense of these next few lines with the Jingle Bell tune running through your head.

(Verse 1)
Dashing through the store
there's Ten more gifts to buy.
Seems nothing can go right,
I might be here all night.
Our House is a big mess
and Laundry fills the hall.
The phone keeps ringing off the hook.
No peace for me at all.

Duh... There is no peace with six kids... sorry this line is not part of the song.

(chorus)
Shopping Malls,
Baby bawls,
I'm running out of time.
It seems like only yesterday
I vowed I’d be just fine.
Oooh...
Traffic jams,
Headache, - Bam!
Noise abounds galore.
Kids just want bout everything,
And the bank account is poor

(verse 2)
'I want this and that',
Is all I hear each day.
I wish snow would come,
And blow us in today.
Wrapping Gift’s a chore,
School programs are a bore.
But only when you’ve been to three
With two more left to go.

(chorus)
Babysit!
The cat is sick
For the third time on the floor.
I’ve just lost my appetite
So no more sweets, no more!
Clean up quick,
Drop that stick,
The kids are climbing walls.
Next year I’ll be more prepared
Or the funny home we will call.

I know, I know I'm not a good poet. Some might say, forget the good poet bit, I don't have an ounce of poetry in me. Well it' in my heart, just haven't figured out how to translate the language of my heart to written English. I'll need more practice for that. Needless to say, I need a shot of the real Christmas spirit right now. I still haven't gotten all of my Christmas cards out, so they will probably be New Year's cards. My husband is at church most of the day today cooking for the Ward Christmas Party. I heard that people in Primary started clapping when they heard he was doing the food. He loves cooking, but for once it would be nice to actually sit down and enjoy a ward activity with him.
What I don't understand is why I put myself through this hustle and bustle and last second stress every year. I keep saying to myself that next year will be different. So far I think I've said that for the last 17 years and it's never been less hectic but more. Maybe 2008 will be the charm. Who know how long my learning curve will be on vacation. Well next year will be different! If I can run a half marathon I can do Christmas without stress. Next Year, I hope! So to all you procrastinating Christmas people out there - I'm right there with you.