Stressing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marilyn]

Ahhhhh!! I'm stressing!!!! Even with my spreadsheet and printing the labels quickly for my Christmas cards, I'm not finished. Between the parties, baking, working full time, working out at the gym to keep the pounds off from all the food, I'm not sure I'm going to make it. Have just bought 2 gifts so far. We're not going to my company's Christmas party. It's in another town this Saturday. We decided my career would not be affected either way, so we passed this year. Hope it was the right decision.

We finally bought the tree last night, but nothing is decorated.

Anyone else in the same boat? I think my problem is excess. Too many Christmas cards, too many fruit cakes to bake, should have bought stuff to take to the parties rather than baking, but the excess is part of the season.

I don't know, gotta put some clothes in the washer and get ready for work this morning. Y'all have a Wonderful...Stressless Day!! I'll try, too.

[Janet]

I don't feel stressed yet...but I feel it creeping in! We've had our tree up for 2 weeks now...still not decorated, neither is the house in any way. I've only bought for my son so far....so one else. I am planning to go this weekend. So maybe at least I can get the shopping done. If know one else tells me what they want...it's a gift card.

[Lissa]

I'm not too stressed, of course you're the one doing the Xmas cards(another fyi, Marilyn is my mother) I'll do my best to keep the house clean so that'll be one thing you won't have to worry about.

My stress is getting enough money to even buy gifts! I don't know what I'm getting my significant other, I've got a clue about what to get my parents, and I've got no clue what to get my sister!!

[DianaB]

My house is semi-decorated and the rest is filled with boxes that held the decorations!!! I 'm probably about half done with my shopping. My husband and I are going to spend the night at Wichita next week and finish up my Christmas shopping. My goal right now is to get on top of my housework and keep it clean until Christmas. I'm trying hard not to feel stressed because I really don't have any thing to get stressed about YET!!!

Marilyn, as you get closer to Christmas you may have to eliminate things from your schedule to keep from getting so stressed. Maybe the Christmas cards. They can always be sent next year or, even after the holidays! Or maybe buy some goodies instead of feeling like you have to bake them. One of my easiest food items to take anywhere for the holidays is a block of cream cheese with red or green jalapeno jelly on top and serve with Ritz crackers. I keep the jelly on hand and when I'm busy it's ready in a flash. It looks Christmasy and tastes great!! Good luck, take a deep breath, and relax!!!

[Tink]

I've got all my gifts bought, but none wrapped. My cards are all sent unless I get from someone I haven't sent to yet. LOL

My tree is up with only lights on it. I have 3 small trees decorated outside and nothing else decoarated at all. My house is a mess, and I'm POOPED from working full time. I do have tomorrow and sunday off, so hope to get gifts wrapped and some cleaning done. I'm not going to do any more than I have to as far as baking or decorating. As no one else seems interested here, I've decided it's not worth doing it just for myself.

[Marilyn]

Well, things are a little better this evening. I took the Christmas cards with me to work this morning, and during lunch and stretching lunch a little, I got them finished and in the mail. This morning I did some online shopping again, during work, but oh well. I'm really good at not doing a lot of personal stuff at work, and most of our customers and manufacturers are taking off, so there is not a lot for me to do. Had one significant meeting with a customer this morning. I'm taking a little break here now and am headed for the kitchen to make the sugar cookies with sprinkles on top that my husband is so fond of.

We are all getting up around 7 tomorrow morning and attacking the decorating.

Whewwwww!! I think I'm feeling better. Lissa, thank you for helping with the house. Really, really appreciate your help.

Diana, thank you for the suggestion about the cream cheese and jalapeno jelly. I had forgotten about that one & will have to remember for future reference. There's a New Years party coming up. I have one more Christmas party on Monday evening, but we are supposed to take a desert. I think I'll just make an extra large batch of sugar cookies and take a tray of those, or just buy something.

Hope you all have a relaxing holiday.