Tis the Season

 

(Cody Foster Christmas decorations on my entry hall table)

My friends know that I am a long-time procrastinator of the highest order.  I make "last minute" an art form. I seem to thrive on the thrill of pulling things off when the deadline seems impossible.  I am ashamed to admit it, but I have actually balanced paper on the arm rest of my car to stamp while driving to my stamp club meeting!  This past year, however, I decided that kind of excitement is over-rated.  It's time to grow up.  I don't have to arrive at meetings with wind-blown curls and no make-up. I don't have to put my shoes on in the car.  I finally realized that my procrastination was generating stress, not excitement. Somehow I have managed to confuse the two.  

What does this have to do with Christmas?  Plenty!  Every year I intend to do better about managing Christmas.  "This year, I'll buy the gifts in October," I tell myself. "The tree will go up Thanksgiving day!"  But what happens?  I put the tree up the week before Christmas.  It's a chore hauling things down from the attic and it seems like a great deal of bother to string everything out for such a short period of time.  I typically unpack about half the things I own and leave the rest in boxes.  

This year, I've managed to break the cycle.  My Christmas tree is not only up, it is decorated!  I've lovingly displayed my favorite Christmas ornaments.  I've even purchased four gifts! (Okay, one is for the dog, but I'm still counting it!!)  I am amazed at the tremendous amount of pleasure I've felt from looking at my decorated house.  The last time I enjoyed the holiday season so much, I lived with my parents!  I had no idea that the stress I associated with Christmas was of my own making.  This year, I feel relaxed.  I feel peaceful.  I feel happy!  I have a feeling this contentment will carry over to 2009 - as long as I get those Spring stamps finished early!

Suzanne

P.S.  My January stamp release is already finished.  Hurray!  I might not be able to wait until then, so if you are interested in seeing my new designs, check back before Christmas!

Comments

[Debbie Kaste]

Suzanne,
LOVE your cute snowman. Bet your house looks amazing! Can't WAIT to see your new stamp plate as they just keep getting better and better.
Hugs,
Debbie K.

[Suzanne]

Thanks Debbie! The new stamps are quite a departure from my usual style. They are so sweet they will make your teeth ache! (And you know I don't do cutsy.) All this happiness must be affecting me.
Suzanne

[Roxi Phillips]

He is just the sweetest little guy! I love the nontraditional colors.
I can truly relate to your procrastination dilemma, although I've never stamped while driving! I just don't let myself go to bed until I'm finished... sometimes not allowing much sleep before the event!
See you Saturday!

[Cyndi Watkins]

When I was in secretary school I used to do my shorthand homework while driving in rush hour traffic. I'll have to try the stamp-and-drive acrobatics.
Cyndi

[Marva Plummer-Bruno]

I love this little guy! He's got such personality! I can't wait to see your new stamps!!!!!! :D Marva

[michelle]

glad to hear that you are enjoying the season this year..i love the snowman..i can't wait to see what you have in stored for the new release..happy holidays

[Kersten]

I hear you, Girl! :) With a near three-year-old daughter, my enjoyment of the holidays has increased 1000-fold. I've always loved the holidays, the hustle and bustle, but little girl just figured out there's a Santa and it sure adds some spice to the whole thing. My cards can wait a bit longer, and I can even rearrange the ornaments she grouped by 20 on single braches of the tree...it's all good.

And speaking of deadlines, my little row houses went out with Monday's mail. Hopefully they'll arrive in time for swapping! :)

[Suzanne]

Hi Kersten! In the years past, I've always micro-managed the tree. Glass ornaments go near the top. Non-breakables go near the bottom and on outside branches. Ornaments I don't like go behind the tree. My favorites go front and center! This year however, I let my children decorate the tree - sort of. They placed 80 percent of the ornaments waist high. I made them stand back away from the tree to get perspective and asked them what they thought. Both gave the tree an enthusiastic thumbs up.

I kept up a running monologue of suggestion as they continued hanging ornaments, but was ignored completely! My husband also started hanging ornaments with abandon. "I'm going to move those ornaments tomorrow while you all are gone!" I threatened. Finally, I gave up and let them have their fun. And yes, I did re-arrange the ornaments the next day. I just couldn't help myself!

Suzanne

[Debbi Bakewr]

Hi Suzanne - I am just catching up as my computer hard drive died (ouch!) So good to read your post and feel your joy~!~

[Lindsay Weirich]

New stamps! I can't wait to see them! I get very clostraphobic when the tree goes up, it seems to make the house so much smaller but I can handle it knowing that my little ones love it...if I could only figure out how to keep the puppy from eating the decorations!

[Kim Prince]

Oh how exciting, new rubber! Can't wait to see it! I know what you mean about procrastinating. Christmas is like that most years around here. I get motivated, but hubby doesn't, so everything is done very last minute, and it does get so stressful. I am happy to hear you have been able to change things around for yourself and that you are feeling the joy of the season in a different way!

[Cody Foster Christmas]

wow that is a really cute snowman! I know that my grandmother would love to have something like that in her collection! I will have to see if I can find something like this for her around town or maybe I will just have to order it online. Oh I just love Christmas! It is one of my favorite times of year!