Well, my goodness. I had no idea how much comfort you would all take in my pain (wink, wink). Really, it wasn't a bad day, just an um, highly energized rhythm to the day. Moki described her rhythm as 'experimental jazz funk'. love that. Once I can let go of the idea of getting *anything* done on days like that and just go with the chaotic flow, it usually works out just fine. Most importantly, though, the pie was made (priorities, you know). And when Steve arrived home (early, thank god), I had a moment of peace to gorge on pie, wine, and holiday craft eye candy.
And then this morning the sun appeared, and this afternoon we hit the beach (barefoot, because our shoes are all thoroughly soaked), and now all is right with the world once again. Ah. I can feel us all breathing differently tonight.
Speaking of breathing easy and keeping it cool, I'm trying to do just that with the holidays this year. As our family has grown, we've made a real effort to keep our holiday activity level as mellow as we can - we say no to lots; have many simple, but important traditions with our family of five; and keep the gifts and parties to a meaningful, enjoyable few. I feel really good about that. But this year, my goal is to keep my crafter's head just as mellow. It usually starts racing about now with crafting things I want to do - gifts, decorating, baking, kid crafts. Everywhere I look, I get more ideas, and the wheels start spinning faster and faster, and before I know it, I'm up at 2am, stressed out and jacked up on coffee, and sewing ponpoms onto a garland that I really don't need anyway. I picked up my usual holiday craft magazines this week, and have been making a conscious effort to just enjoy and marvel in the seasonal beauty in them, rather than get all frantic and 'must make!" about it all.
In that vein, I've been trying to keep my 'holiday crafting goals' clear in my mind. Saving the things that are most important to me to make -- one handmade special gift for each babe, one 'new' family holiday decoration (the beginnings of which you see above)-- and to think of any crafting that happens beyond that as just a bonus - icing on the holiday cake. Low (realistic) expectations. It's meant no craft fairs for me this year. And it's also going to mean buying (handmade by others) gifts for some people on our list when in the past, I would have made them. But I think it's going to make for a much calmer head, which can only translate into more calm and peace around me, right? Right.
Do tell. What helps you 'keep it real' during the holidays?
