tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post116304404811295000..comments2023-10-28T05:33:15.060-05:00Comments on The Writing Playground: HolidaysMarilyn Puetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073134550080890157noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163733700262371762006-11-16T21:21:00.000-06:002006-11-16T21:21:00.000-06:00LOL Lori :-) Thanks for the advise. You're right...LOL Lori :-) Thanks for the advise. You're right. I know you are :-) <BR/><BR/>Instigator - who would write a shopping list if she knew what to get everybody. I suck at gift buying.Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274056066229852126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163729718420941012006-11-16T20:15:00.000-06:002006-11-16T20:15:00.000-06:00Congrats aBookworm!I haven't even started to think...Congrats aBookworm!<BR/><BR/>I haven't even started to think about Christmas yet. I really hate to shop and my family keeps getting bigger! <BR/><BR/>Big hugs, Mel!Carol Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07018603523305326782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163729084591756632006-11-16T20:04:00.000-06:002006-11-16T20:04:00.000-06:00LOL Angel. You know what's funny? The minute I c...LOL Angel. You know what's funny? The minute I clicked "post", I re-read that "whole day" thing and thought the exact same thing!!<BR/><BR/>And I think it was last year when Ds wanted to make sugar cookies, so I set the whole afternoon aside. It was going to be mom/son holiday time. After about 15 minutes he was bored making cookies, took off to the park and I ended up spending the afternoon doing them myself!<BR/><BR/>So...maybe everything I said wasn't intended to be taken literally. I was "figuratively speaking". LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163725651888151692006-11-16T19:07:00.000-06:002006-11-16T19:07:00.000-06:00Great advice, Lori!!! I never really looked at it ...Great advice, Lori!!! I never really looked at it that way.<BR/><BR/>I'm a catalog shopper myself, which is the only reason I have half of my shopping done. I look through catalogs starting in about July, then started placing orders toward the end of September. Yes, you must pay for shipping, but it's about the same as you'll pay in gas. Then I go get what I don't have in just a few shopping trips.<BR/><BR/>I don't know, the thought of a whole day making cookies with kids is a little daunting for me. :) 2-3 hours is the most I can handle with mine.<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163723169787329982006-11-16T18:26:00.000-06:002006-11-16T18:26:00.000-06:00Oh, Instigator!! Okay, you're going to listen to ...Oh, Instigator!! Okay, you're going to listen to me, because this is really good advice:<BR/><BR/>Take time out and breathe, the earlier the better. I suggest sometime within 2 hours of reading this post. <BR/><BR/>Sit down with a piece of paper and a cup of jo, or cocoa, or wine, or whiskey. Now take your pen and paper and prioritize what's most important to you this holiday season. Put in the must-haves: Gotta have a tree, gotta buy presents, whatever must be done. Then go down the list from there.<BR/><BR/>Now, and this is the important part, start figuring out when you're going to do it starting with the first thing on your list then working your way down. Go down the list placing items on days.<BR/><BR/>When you run out of days: STOP!<BR/><BR/>Everything from that point on must be scratched. Like finishing the WIP (it's just going to sit on an editors desk for a zillion years anyway). Or if Nashville wasn't as important as cookies with the girls, you just don't go this year. Hard, but true.<BR/><BR/>When it comes to shopping, go Amazon.com. I swear, there's nothing like sitting in the comfort of your chair, ordering everything for everyone in a matter of a few hours, and three days later, it's sitting on your front porch. I haven't seen a mall in years!<BR/><BR/>But the point I'm making is, you need to really sort out what matters and what doesn't and the notion that "everything" matters has to go. Some things don't, and without the discipline and organization, you're going to get through the holidays and none of it will have been done. Take the attitude that you should do three things well instead of 20 things badly.<BR/><BR/>I'm serious! (Lori waving a stern finger) The girls want to bake cookies, then scratch something else. Don't give them 2 rushed hours between 8-10 because you've got to move on to the other things on your list. Spend the WHOLE DAY baking cookies, relaxing and enjoying the time with the girls.<BR/><BR/>I'm serious. And now that the queen has spoken (cough cough), I expect you to do it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163720125805073862006-11-16T17:35:00.000-06:002006-11-16T17:35:00.000-06:00Congrats bookworm.I heard christmas carols before ...Congrats bookworm.<BR/><BR/>I heard christmas carols before halloween and that is just sooooo wrong. I refuse to think about it until AFTER thanksgiving!catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06507755929992129551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163716531098712452006-11-16T16:35:00.000-06:002006-11-16T16:35:00.000-06:00Lois, love your ICON!!!! I'm a Phantom fanatic!He...Lois, love your ICON!!!! I'm a Phantom fanatic!<BR/><BR/>Hey, we've lost that lovin' feelin'...oh, oh, that lovin' feelin'. Come on, everybody! Let's have FUN with this. Don't think about how hurried your life is going to get. Make your lists, have a laugh or two, put on some music, shop, wrap a few presents and get your cards ready while you watch your favorite show. Smile. This is supposed to be FUN!! Times like this remind me why I love watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We just need to get in touch with our KID side, to rediscover the wonder, cherish the mystery...before the stores become overcrowded and the roads turn into Talladega nights.<BR/><BR/>Everyone repeat. WE CAN DO THIS!<BR/><BR/>Kathy<BR/>(trying to pump you up)Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163715271240493752006-11-16T16:14:00.000-06:002006-11-16T16:14:00.000-06:00Try being my poor husband. His birthday is Christm...Try being my poor husband. His birthday is Christmas day. I have pictures of his birthdays as a child with poinsettias on his cake. :(<BR/><BR/>I try to celebrate some other day for him. One year I threw him a surprise BD party in October! This year I'm sending him to Tunica with some friends the weekend after Thanksgiving.<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163712284459991492006-11-16T15:24:00.000-06:002006-11-16T15:24:00.000-06:00Wow, there was a contest going on?! I had no idea ...Wow, there was a contest going on?! I had no idea but I'm so thrilled I won!! Thanks so much. Sent the Monitor an email just now with details. Thanks again.Rashmihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04697648988688059076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163711378156682632006-11-16T15:09:00.000-06:002006-11-16T15:09:00.000-06:00Oh yeah, and geez, I have a birthday two days befo...Oh yeah, and geez, I have a birthday two days before Christmas. Ugh. LOL <BR/><BR/>LoisLoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11105054210049682018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163711293058613932006-11-16T15:08:00.000-06:002006-11-16T15:08:00.000-06:00Actually, this year I really can't say that they a...Actually, this year I really can't say that they all started earlier than last year. . . or maybe I just hadn't gone to the right places to notice. LOL I can't stand the fact that everything disappears on the 25th. I mean, this might be the Christmas Shopping season now, but the Christmas season happens after. I purposely try to keep all the Christmas stuff out of my mind until then for when it actually supposed to happen, but of course, once it's the 26th, I can't take it either. LOL They sure know how to destroy stuff, don't they? LOL :)<BR/><BR/>LoisLoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11105054210049682018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163710439040580602006-11-16T14:53:00.000-06:002006-11-16T14:53:00.000-06:00As of right now, I have no clue what I am doing fo...As of right now, I have no clue what I am doing for Christmas.<BR/><BR/>I still have gifts to buy, but I at least know what I am going to get.Jennifer Y.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17872094673771046272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163707558763372062006-11-16T14:05:00.000-06:002006-11-16T14:05:00.000-06:00Should I admit I threw on my Elvis Christmas CD th...Should I admit I threw on my Elvis Christmas CD the day of the first real snowfall, October 30th? No? :o)<BR/><BR/>I'm only about three presents into my Xmas shopping and started the cards last night. Have to do some more soon, since a lot has to be mailed and I don't want to face the post office nightmare that comes in December *g*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163701817187163452006-11-16T12:30:00.000-06:002006-11-16T12:30:00.000-06:00I've been working since last year trying to get th...I've been working since last year trying to get the "gift" for my 4 children completed. I'm giving them each a set of my Grandmother's pattern of silverware. I inherited a few pieces, but not enough to share - so I've been trying to find enough for each of them to have service for 12. Hopefully it will mean something to them.ChristyJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10437256752595712457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163698504999321452006-11-16T11:35:00.000-06:002006-11-16T11:35:00.000-06:00Well, not quite in September, but I did start seei...Well, not quite in September, but I did start seeing Christmas stuff in shops already last month.Minnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04150644876765079753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163696515842855092006-11-16T11:01:00.000-06:002006-11-16T11:01:00.000-06:00Instigator, have you read the Holiday Stress artic...Instigator, have you read the Holiday Stress article in the clinic... Hmmm.... :)<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163694050570565422006-11-16T10:20:00.000-06:002006-11-16T10:20:00.000-06:00YOUR LIST IS GONE!?!?!?!OH NO!!!APB on Angel's Lis...YOUR LIST IS GONE!?!?!?!<BR/><BR/>OH NO!!!<BR/><BR/>APB on Angel's List!!Problem Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456049865200737618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163692105385955292006-11-16T09:48:00.000-06:002006-11-16T09:48:00.000-06:00Sorry meljprincess and I know where you're coming ...Sorry meljprincess and I know where you're coming from; I lost both parents within the last 3 yrs. 2yrs + 1 month to the day of each other. I didn't feel like it either but knew it would do ME good if I tried and I did. Sat. would have been Dad's birthday and it bothers me somewhat. There are always memories so we must add good ones in the bag to balance it out.<BR/>I have presents bought and sorted and ready to wrap and some recipes for baking picked out.robynlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03250071917966470701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163691503215888292006-11-16T09:38:00.000-06:002006-11-16T09:38:00.000-06:00Sadly, our society is material based. Commercials...Sadly, our society is material based. Commercials flaunt gadgets, clothes, and time tables in our faces. Parties abound. There are plays, musicals to attend, donations to make. It's no wonder we feel overwhelmed.<BR/><BR/>My advice...put on some holiday music. Listen to it in the car. Try to wrap presents as you go, just like SP does. In a nut shell, take time out so you end up having time to enjoy the season later. <BR/><BR/>Live in the moment. Sure it's good to plan ahead. Like PC and Angel, make lists. A list keeps you on track so you aren't overwhelmed.<BR/><BR/>Most importantly, keep your mind focused on the real reason for the season. It's not about presents... I know this sounds cliche. But getting lost in the process of trying to make our holidays perfect can shut our eyes to the beauty or glorious wonder of Christmas. Even when we mourn those who can't be with us, living in the moment can bring more than bittersweet joy.<BR/><BR/>I wish you special blessings, MelJ. May you experience peace as you go through the coming months.<BR/><BR/>Kathy<BR/>(Getting over the shakes as she comes out of the black pitch of inaccessible internet access for over 24 hours.)Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163689534366933502006-11-16T09:05:00.000-06:002006-11-16T09:05:00.000-06:00Your post prompted me to get ready for this weeken...Your post prompted me to get ready for this weekend and, OMG, I've LOST MY CHRISTMAS LIST!!!!!<BR/><BR/>Guess I know what I'll spend the day doing? Dangit!<BR/><BR/>AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163687474502477972006-11-16T08:31:00.000-06:002006-11-16T08:31:00.000-06:00I have started Christmas shopping. This year I am ...I have started Christmas shopping. This year I am looking forward to Christmas. Since my husband got a much better job this year, it won't drain us financially like it has in the past. <BR/>I love all the music and decorations too. I definitely have Christmas cheer this year.CrystalGBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16613282698726922126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163686994415519702006-11-16T08:23:00.000-06:002006-11-16T08:23:00.000-06:00Congrats aBookworm!For some reason unbeknownst to ...Congrats aBookworm!<BR/>For some reason unbeknownst to me I've been singing X-mas carols around the house and I hate the holidays. As I've said in other blogs my Dad passed in February and I have NO plan to celebrate.<BR/>HUMBUG!Meljprincesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05923768085680554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163686151307821862006-11-16T08:09:00.000-06:002006-11-16T08:09:00.000-06:00I worked at Hallmark in high school, where the Chr...I worked at Hallmark in high school, where the Christmas ornament wall goes up in July and we decorate the store the first weekend in October. My schedule was kinda set by their clock. I am a stickler about details though - Santa is NOT supposed to be in the mall until the day after Thanksgiving. He rides in the Macy's Parade, then shows up at the mall the next day. That's just a rule. He showed up at our mall last week. Ugh.<BR/><BR/>80% of my shopping is done and don't hate me, but I've gift wrapped everything I've bought too. I really do this as a defense mechanism because I know time will get tight later. I don't want to be like DB - shopping christmas eve and giftwrapping by wrapping something in a towel, wedging it in a laundry basket, and putting a bow on top. Oh yeah, I got a gift like that one year.<BR/><BR/>SPAndrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518751514879244662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163685527473689622006-11-16T07:58:00.000-06:002006-11-16T07:58:00.000-06:00I've done a tiny bit of shopping... but just a tin...I've done a tiny bit of shopping... but just a tiny bit. I'd better get moving if any presents are going to make it to Scotland before Valentine's day. <BR/><BR/>Sigh. <BR/><BR/>Of course, having the house turned upside down while the new flooring is installed is not helping any. <BR/><BR/>But I do have a list!!!<BR/><BR/>and krissyinva--as much as I hate that stupid rodent, I'm with you on letting them do the work. I think from now on, all b-day parties will be held at someplace other than my house :-)Problem Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456049865200737618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1163684298076796202006-11-16T07:38:00.000-06:002006-11-16T07:38:00.000-06:00Love Christmas! Every year it's a race to the fini...Love Christmas! Every year it's a race to the finish line. Some years I make it, some I don't make.<BR/>This year we're seaching for TMX ELMO for the grandbaby!Theresa N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03077810392816440651noreply@blogger.com