Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Christmas Countdown Begins

November 5, 2013

Yep, the Christmas Countdown began on October 27 and I have begun in earnest! This Countdown saves me every year to a certain extent, although I still allow myself to get too stressed and do too much on my own, but mostly it is really helpful. And tools like this are only helpful as long as you make them suitable for your situation and not trying to copy someone else. Example, I noticed that a group of ladies were having a book club on a book I read and they were all taking that book way out of context as in this is exactly what you should do. Well, that’s not what the book says at all – it was simply how that family chose to change the way they were living. You need to take it and then make it your own. I try to do that with most everything I read in the self-help department, otherwise I’d just make myself crazy.

Okay, now let’s get down to business. I do have a binder to keep my planning pages, receipts, notes, articles, etc. in. I also have a plastic pocket insert and an envelope to catch receipts as we do the shopping. This last Sunday morning since I was up ridiculously early thanks to the time change, I spent my time reading the first week’s messages of the Countdown, printing off pages for my planner, and writing notes as things popped in my head. I am now caught up on that and can read the messages each day and go through the checklist to see what I need to do each week. I feel better already.

The other thing I did was to find all of the Nigella Lawson Christmas videos on You Tube. I love her and her books and her shows – she is so beautiful for starters but also everything she cooks is beautiful and, amazingly, mostly easy. She said once that people often mistake time consuming for hard which I have to admit I would do, but she’s right – some cooking is easy but just takes time so let’s call it like it is. Anyway, I’m watching these episodes in the dark of early mornings and it is a relaxing way to begin my day and gets me in the Christmas spirit. I plan on making her Star Topped Mince Pies again because they were absolutely fantastic last year! I’ll be making double the amount though because they were gone way to quickly. (Note – I did not make my own pastry but bought it. Yep – I do use cheats.) Here’s a link to her first Christmas show in case you’re curious – enjoy! Nigella Christmas.

This year also, after a mild fiasco last year, we decided that Mike and I would each buy each kid a gift – one from Mommy and one from Daddy – and then one Santa gift which is from both of us. I mean, er, Santa. This takes the shopping pressure off me and also gives Mike the fun of buying for the kids. To say Mike was thrilled with this idea was an understatement and he’s already chomping at the bit to shop. Sometimes you really do have to sit down and talk and say, we could do this a better way.

So, I’m gathering Christmas lists from the kids and I’ve even started my shopping. The kids drew names when we were all together on Labor Day and so they can shop early as well. Which, really, brings me to the point of having a plan – you can enjoy Advent and Christmas in a more relaxed and spiritually aware manner when you get the necessary stuff out of the way early. No crazy wrapping on Christmas Eve (yes, I’ve done that), but instead hanging around with the family and enjoying being with them. Having time to serve others outside your family. It allows for a simpler, more meaningful holiday season which is really what I want.

There was this great article I read years ago called “Stuffed” by Susanna Sonnenberg and in it she told how her family changed how they do Christmas to make it a less stressful and more meaningful time of year. I’ve been slowly working toward that ever since I first read it and I read it every year now as I prepare for the holidays. So, I’ll wrap up with a quote from that article:

“We found that even a small change promotes a shift, and I’ve learned that the point isn’t to stop spending money, but to be awake to our decisions. This year I look forward to Christmas because it doesn’t feel like a bloated habit anymore, but a chance to explore the precious depth of being together.” (Wondertime magazine – December 2008 issue)

Stay tuned for more Christmas Countdown as we go through the season.

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October 2013 Progress Report

November 4, 2013

So, another month ended and while I didn’t quite make a post every day I came damn close. Best I’ve done in a long time! So, I feel it was a success and that’s what counts.

On the health front I am making quite a bit of progress. While I’m not losing a lot of weight I have lost five pounds since around the first of September and I’m holding steady so at least I’m going in the right direction. I am eating oatmeal now for breakfast because I’ve heard it really helps to lower cholesterol and I’m all over that. I want a good report at my next doctor visit. I’m also starting to eat differently. Sometimes I eat what I want and enjoy it guilt free – that’s new! Also, if I have candy, I can be happy with a small bit and throw the rest away. YES – throw it away! It may sound wasteful but it’s a kaizen step in the right direction for me. Besides, my body doesn’t NEED candy. I still have my health coach too and she is really cheering me on and helping me to focus on small, attainable goals. I am making a lot of progress every two weeks in one way or another and I feel that I am getting closer to being where I want to be. Which brings me to my next topic:

Am I where I want to be? Is how I live my life saying what I want it to say about me? Probably not. Like this: I drive a huge 16 passenger van that really needs a deep clean. Dusting the inside of my van is just not something I thought about as I was taking care of 8 kids from ages zero to 18! But I look at it and I think – is this really how I want to be? Is not taking care of myself really what I want to be doing? I read this in Freakin’ Fabulous On A Budget by Clinton Kelly (who has lots more insight into this whole thing than I’ve got time to quote here):

“Fabulousness has nothing to do with money. Fabulousness comes from within. It’s about living your life the most conscious way possible. Are the foods you are putting in your body the highest quality you can afford? Are the clothes you’re wearing telling the world you’re glad you got out of bed this morning? Does your abode make you happy the second you walk in the door? You want to be answering yes to those questions. I know you do. ”

Why yes, Clinton, I do! He also says though “More than anything you are fabulous if you treat people with respect and encourage them to develop their own fabulous qualities.” I really agree with the respect and kindness thing because you can be the best dressed person in the world, but if you are treating others badly or taking others for granted then you might as well be wearing rags, baby. So, maybe that will be on my list of goals for next year – this fabulous thing.

I am also making progress with the Christmas Countdown but I realized that this post is already getting long so I will do a whole ‘nuther post about the Countdown later this week. Otherwise, there you have it – progress in many shapes and forms and finding ideas to make myself a better me is coming along quite well I think. Oh, and one more thing – a quote I heard from Larry Wingett on Big Spender:

“A goal without a plan is just a dream.”

Happy Monday!

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» 2013 » November » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Christmas Countdown Begins

November 5, 2013

October 2013 Progress Report

November 4, 2013

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