Okay, so it's not. And with extreme heat advisories the last few days, it's not beginning to feel much like Christmas either! But that's not getting me down! I am bound and determined to mentally escape from the brutal summer heat one way or another.
Today is August 25th. That means there are only 4 short months until Christmas day. Can you believe it? (I'll give you a moment to recover from your mini-stroke...) So much to do and not nearly as much time as you think.
Join me as I launch my brand new blog Countdown To Christmas, and together we can make the most of our time and stretch those holiday dollars!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Christmas In the Air
Okay...it's not. The air is currently still flooded with pollen and each day becomes increasingly warmer as desert temperatures continue to rise and summer officially approaches. Tomorrow June begins- the hottest month of the year in Arizona when temperatures can reach in excess of 115 degrees during the day. Dreading. Dreading. Dreading.
In our household, we are still in the midst of our family "birthday extravaganza" that commences each year in April and lasts through the end of July. It sounds better than it is. That's just my way of saying we have a birthday every month in our home. I like to throw the word "extravaganza" out there periodically just because I can.
My husbands birthday was a success, as was Sofia's princess party. Next up, Zay's 2nd birthday which I am currently in a conundrum over. More on that later. But the lapse in time and the lack of preparation, based on the aforementioned conundrum, has got my mind wandering ahead several months to the holiday season.
It happens every year. The temperatures rise and I long for shorter days with cooler temperatures, for things like stew, oven-baked meats and creamy casseroles, for spiced candles and cozy sweaters.
In my traditional obsessive compulsive way, I begin planning for the holidays in August. Which despite criticism from skeptics has proved VERY successful and, may I add, is extremely beneficial to our budget. Faithfully, on July 25 each year, my mom and I take leftover Christmas cookies out of the freezer, light a deliciously scented candle, pour ourselves a cup of tea, and settle in on the sofa for Christmas in July on QVC. We buy very little, but it has become a beloved tradition and I don't intend on giving it up very...er...uh...okay...EVER!
Yet I cannot keep my mind from wandering there even now, almost two entire months early. There's so much to do and plan in the meantime, so I guess Christmas is going on the back burner...for now. It will arrive in due time. But don't judge me if I sneak a whiff of my Christmas wreath candle periodically or you catch me humming Carol of the Bells.
In our household, we are still in the midst of our family "birthday extravaganza" that commences each year in April and lasts through the end of July. It sounds better than it is. That's just my way of saying we have a birthday every month in our home. I like to throw the word "extravaganza" out there periodically just because I can.
My husbands birthday was a success, as was Sofia's princess party. Next up, Zay's 2nd birthday which I am currently in a conundrum over. More on that later. But the lapse in time and the lack of preparation, based on the aforementioned conundrum, has got my mind wandering ahead several months to the holiday season.
It happens every year. The temperatures rise and I long for shorter days with cooler temperatures, for things like stew, oven-baked meats and creamy casseroles, for spiced candles and cozy sweaters.
In my traditional obsessive compulsive way, I begin planning for the holidays in August. Which despite criticism from skeptics has proved VERY successful and, may I add, is extremely beneficial to our budget. Faithfully, on July 25 each year, my mom and I take leftover Christmas cookies out of the freezer, light a deliciously scented candle, pour ourselves a cup of tea, and settle in on the sofa for Christmas in July on QVC. We buy very little, but it has become a beloved tradition and I don't intend on giving it up very...er...uh...okay...EVER!
Yet I cannot keep my mind from wandering there even now, almost two entire months early. There's so much to do and plan in the meantime, so I guess Christmas is going on the back burner...for now. It will arrive in due time. But don't judge me if I sneak a whiff of my Christmas wreath candle periodically or you catch me humming Carol of the Bells.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Real Moms Can Gift Wrap Frying Pans
I spent the morning wrapping my kids Christmas presents. I readily admit that I am an over-achiever but, in this particular case, I did it less as a result of that and more because I simply don't have the room to store the confounded things for the next six weeks.
I love wrapping gifts and this morning was no different. Although I often find it difficult to get into the "Christmas spirit" prior to Thanksgiving. The fact that was about 80 degrees outside didn't help, but it wasn't anything that the ceiling fan and my Josh Groban Christmas CD couldn't remedy.
Box after box, I cut, wrapped, and taped, carefully marking each gift with a child's name as to not forget which box belongs to whom. I moved on to the books. The school teacher in me doesn't let Christmas go by without the gift of a new book for each kid. As I slowly moved through the assortment of presents (sounds like more than it actually was), I kept eyeing one gift in particular. You know the gift. It is the one that is shaped in such a way that it is veritably impossible to wrap with paper. There is one every year. Last year, it was a barrel full of Play-doh. This year it is a play frying pan, complete with lid, and filled with plastic food. I know some of you would just opt for a gift bag, but let's face it, little kids don't care for gift bags and, while I hold them in high esteem for the rest of my gift giving, when it comes to my kids, gift bags don't cut it.
So there it was, staring back at me, taunting me as if to say, "Let's see what you've got, lady...I dare you." Watching it out of the corner of my eye, I proceeded to wrap, label, and pack every other gift until I couldn't put it off any longer. One present left and ten minutes before my eldest walked through the door from school, I took a deep breath and cut a piece of wrapping paper knowing full well that the size didn't matter. It took a good deal of time, but in the end, every inch of that frying pan was covered with wrapping paper. So what if it looks like I wrapped a giant fried chicken leg and placed it under the tree Christmas morning? I comforted myself in knowing that it still far suprassed any gift ever wrapped by my brother-in-law (sorry, Alex, but you know it's true!) and I'm sure my 18-month old won't care in the least.
Take that frying pan!
I love wrapping gifts and this morning was no different. Although I often find it difficult to get into the "Christmas spirit" prior to Thanksgiving. The fact that was about 80 degrees outside didn't help, but it wasn't anything that the ceiling fan and my Josh Groban Christmas CD couldn't remedy.
Box after box, I cut, wrapped, and taped, carefully marking each gift with a child's name as to not forget which box belongs to whom. I moved on to the books. The school teacher in me doesn't let Christmas go by without the gift of a new book for each kid. As I slowly moved through the assortment of presents (sounds like more than it actually was), I kept eyeing one gift in particular. You know the gift. It is the one that is shaped in such a way that it is veritably impossible to wrap with paper. There is one every year. Last year, it was a barrel full of Play-doh. This year it is a play frying pan, complete with lid, and filled with plastic food. I know some of you would just opt for a gift bag, but let's face it, little kids don't care for gift bags and, while I hold them in high esteem for the rest of my gift giving, when it comes to my kids, gift bags don't cut it.
So there it was, staring back at me, taunting me as if to say, "Let's see what you've got, lady...I dare you." Watching it out of the corner of my eye, I proceeded to wrap, label, and pack every other gift until I couldn't put it off any longer. One present left and ten minutes before my eldest walked through the door from school, I took a deep breath and cut a piece of wrapping paper knowing full well that the size didn't matter. It took a good deal of time, but in the end, every inch of that frying pan was covered with wrapping paper. So what if it looks like I wrapped a giant fried chicken leg and placed it under the tree Christmas morning? I comforted myself in knowing that it still far suprassed any gift ever wrapped by my brother-in-law (sorry, Alex, but you know it's true!) and I'm sure my 18-month old won't care in the least.
Take that frying pan!
Ready Or Not, Here It Comes!
The Christmas season is upon us...although I tend to prefer to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to fully embrace it. This year, I don't feel the luxury of putting off my preparations. With three kids under the age of four and the inability to find time to take care of the simple, every day aspects of life, such as going to the bathroom, the holiday season demands that I meet it head-on as early as humanly possible.
I typically begin my Christmas shopping in July. July 25th is unofficially "Christmas In July" at our house and kicks of my Christmas shopping season. I do this for a couple reasons. One, because, quite frankly, by the time July hits, those of us who live in Arizona, have been sweltering for well over 2 months and the hope that the holidays are coming helps to cheer me and offset the occasional urge to off myself as the temperature soars into the 120s. Secondly, from a budgeting stanpoint, it's a necessity. Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the year, but the need and desire to eat for the two months prior to it dictate that I begin shopping during the summer and take advantage of as many "deals" as possible.
That being said, I have nearly completed my Christmas shopping...for the kids, that is. Family shopping remains to be done and sends me into a psychological state I prefer not to discuss, at least until my Xanax prescription is refilled.
Truth be told, however, and we moms can attest to this...the shopping is really the easiest part of the show. Lugging the gifts home, wrapping them, storing them, cleaning the house, baking the goodies, running the errands, shipping the boxes, mailing the Christmas cards, attending countless events, buying and preparing the food, etc. etc. etc. are the things that send us into an emotional frenzy and suck the joy out of the season.
So, while it seams premature to me to begin my Christmas preparations so soon...my hope is that this year I will find some time to sit and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the holidays like I once did.
I typically begin my Christmas shopping in July. July 25th is unofficially "Christmas In July" at our house and kicks of my Christmas shopping season. I do this for a couple reasons. One, because, quite frankly, by the time July hits, those of us who live in Arizona, have been sweltering for well over 2 months and the hope that the holidays are coming helps to cheer me and offset the occasional urge to off myself as the temperature soars into the 120s. Secondly, from a budgeting stanpoint, it's a necessity. Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the year, but the need and desire to eat for the two months prior to it dictate that I begin shopping during the summer and take advantage of as many "deals" as possible.
That being said, I have nearly completed my Christmas shopping...for the kids, that is. Family shopping remains to be done and sends me into a psychological state I prefer not to discuss, at least until my Xanax prescription is refilled.
Truth be told, however, and we moms can attest to this...the shopping is really the easiest part of the show. Lugging the gifts home, wrapping them, storing them, cleaning the house, baking the goodies, running the errands, shipping the boxes, mailing the Christmas cards, attending countless events, buying and preparing the food, etc. etc. etc. are the things that send us into an emotional frenzy and suck the joy out of the season.
So, while it seams premature to me to begin my Christmas preparations so soon...my hope is that this year I will find some time to sit and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the holidays like I once did.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Bah Humbug
I'm not sure why it is...but for some reason, every year, I lose my Christmas "spirit" around three days before Christmas. This year is no different. Maybe it's the crowds of rushing, rude people that are seemingly everywhere. Maybe it's the stress of the last minute things I forgot that just need to be done. Maybe it's sheer exhaustion from spending the previous 2 months making Christmas special. Whatever the case may be, around this time, I begin wishing I could go to sleep and wake up on the 26th (or better yet, January 2nd). We have so much to be thankful for this year, as always, and are thrilled to be home. We are excited about being a part of the Christmas Eve services at Palm Valley- even though the very thought of singing 6 services makes me tired-we can't wait to see the look on Daniel's face Christmas morning and celebrate our first Christmas with our little Sofaloaf. But I still can't seem to shake the funk I'm under. I'm sure the stress and whirlwind of the move has a lot to do with it. It could also be attributed to the fact that I have one of the worse head colds I've had in years. Singing six services will be extra challenging this year. Ultimately, I think it's because my grandma fell leaving our house Sunday night and broke her hip. Thankfully, she made it through surgery just fine. So again we have much to be grateful for.
I suppose it could be a culmination of everything. I know it will pass, most likely at around 4:00 this afternoon when the band starts to play- seems to happen that way every year. The attack of the enemy is no joke and we've been under heavy fire the last month. Even as I write this, I realize that this happens every time we sing. Someone doesn't want us up there. All the more reason to claim the promises of God and rejoice in the birth of His Son. Bring it on!
I suppose it could be a culmination of everything. I know it will pass, most likely at around 4:00 this afternoon when the band starts to play- seems to happen that way every year. The attack of the enemy is no joke and we've been under heavy fire the last month. Even as I write this, I realize that this happens every time we sing. Someone doesn't want us up there. All the more reason to claim the promises of God and rejoice in the birth of His Son. Bring it on!
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