So, I feel like I am starting a theme here with my blog posts, but being an adult implies changes in your life. And I'm having a hard time accepting it, ESPECIALLY around the holidays. I had a mini-freak out last night after a day full of figuring out Christmas plans with the family. I kept trying to identify WHAT I was so upset about. And here it is.
The way Christmas should be, in my head:
There is snow on the ground.
Traditions like baking, Christmas movies and songs make me feel warm and fuzzy.
We are all together (in my world, this means siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents)
We do wholesome things, like playing games or cards around a table.
There has been, or will be singing. (Christmas carols, Handel's Messiah....)
Lovingly signed, sealed, and delivered Christmas cards.
Work? Don't worry about it. You have all the time you need.
We drive around and look at Christmas light displays. They are magical. We feel warm and fuzzy.
This is what is really happening:
There is no snow. It's barely cold.
Light displays in my neighborhood are tasteful (which means NOT magical), and they could use a snow backdrop.
Getting family together is like corralling cats and comparing schedules is worse than final exams in college.
I force myself to watch movies and listen to Christmas music to "get in the mood" for the holiday. Instead of warm and fuzzy, I'm a grumpy bugger with stress headaches.
Work is busier than ever. Calculating time off so we can see family AFTER the holiday.
I bought Christmas cards, but can't find the willpower to do them (at the last second)
So, here I am, fully aware that Christmas as an adult is different than when you're young. The adjustment has been hard, but I am optimistic that I'll figure it out. I need to relax when plans are unsure, and just take some real time to think about why this season IS special -- we're all united again as a family and as a society (regardless of what traditions you follow). We are still getting the chance to spend time with each other, even if it's not the same way we used to. And as for the snow, well.... now I'm just being unreasonable.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Pros and Cons
Pros to being an adult
1. You get to decide when to go to bed
2. You can choose what you want to eat and when
3. It's your money
4. Drinking
5. Getting wiser every year (perspective)
6. No homework
7. Using your college degree in a way that makes a difference, or at the very least, makes you some money
8. Getting to choose what you want to wear every day
9. Deciding what to watch on TV
10. Actually wanting to hang out with your parents/siblings
Cons to being an adult:
1. Deciding to go to bed early so you won't be tired at work the next day
2. Having to actually think about what you're eating so you don't gain weight/get chronically ill
3. Spending money on essential, but not fun stuff (water, taxes, co-payments, gas)
4. Drinking
5. Where did I put my keys? Oh, you told me last week that you have to work tomorrow night? I forgot to tell you we are having dinner with XXX this weekend. Did I remember to lock the door?
6. Taking work home = homework
7. Using your degree to make money, so you can pay for your degree
8. Feeling lucky that actually made it out the door wearing matching pants and top (who has energy to be stylish?)
9. Falling asleep on the couch every night during your favorite shows/movies
10. Worrying about your family's safety health as if they WERE your kids
1. You get to decide when to go to bed
2. You can choose what you want to eat and when
3. It's your money
4. Drinking
5. Getting wiser every year (perspective)
6. No homework
7. Using your college degree in a way that makes a difference, or at the very least, makes you some money
8. Getting to choose what you want to wear every day
9. Deciding what to watch on TV
10. Actually wanting to hang out with your parents/siblings
Cons to being an adult:
1. Deciding to go to bed early so you won't be tired at work the next day
2. Having to actually think about what you're eating so you don't gain weight/get chronically ill
3. Spending money on essential, but not fun stuff (water, taxes, co-payments, gas)
4. Drinking
5. Where did I put my keys? Oh, you told me last week that you have to work tomorrow night? I forgot to tell you we are having dinner with XXX this weekend. Did I remember to lock the door?
6. Taking work home = homework
7. Using your degree to make money, so you can pay for your degree
8. Feeling lucky that actually made it out the door wearing matching pants and top (who has energy to be stylish?)
9. Falling asleep on the couch every night during your favorite shows/movies
10. Worrying about your family's safety health as if they WERE your kids
Monday, December 5, 2011
I am probably the laziest blogger.... ever.
Whoa, kids. Where did the last month go?
Between work, moving, and Thanksgiving, I am wondering if I'm just really busy, or have early early onset memory loss. It even seems like just a little bit ago we were celebrating Christmas.
I'm trying to think of ways I can savor this season... it's really cliche, but the days before Christmas are some of my favorites. I want to make sure that I don't stress my way through them between making plans and getting gifts in order. I don't want to forget how lucky and blessed I am!
Tim and I are so lucky to have found each other, made it through a deployment, and been blessed enough to buy our first home and have jobs. He's the best husband a girl could find for herself, and I find myself regularly amazed and how fortunate I am.
I am grateful to have two loving, supportive parents and three siblings who are built-in best friends (even though we have the same issues I'm sure many families do, we find always way back to each other. Family = foundation.) I'm also pretty lucky to have such a huge extended family -- four living grandparents, a few dozen aunts and uncles, 60ish cousins. We don't see each other often, but it's pretty great to be surrounded once a year (at least) by the biggest group of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've ever met. And the family keeps growing through marriage and this year, birth. I have a nephew now and he's better than yours. Just sayin' :)
Friends aren't a given, and Tim and I have the best crew. Each of our friends brings something unique to the group and we can't believe how many good memories we've made (and will continue to make!) I just realized this the other day, but we are also pretty lucky to have the kind of friends who like to make friends. Tim and I never have to argue about which friends we'll spend time with.... either our friends have become one group, or they are the "more is merrier" kind!
I always love the Christmas season and all the togetherness and celebration. It also makes me realize that there are people out there who are lonely this Christmas or haven't been blessed to celebrate the holidays the way we do. It breaks my heart every time I think of it. If I'm ever lucky enough to become a wealthy woman, I would do more, but this Christmas (and last year) my mom and I will adopt a family through HACAP's Adopt-a-Family Program.
Volunteers through the program receive information about a family in need in the area and, essentially, give them a holiday celebration through gifts and food. Last year, my mom and I shopped for a family with a mother and four kids. The gifts they requested were really practical -- clothes and other necessities. We went a little nuts... we tried to meet the practical needs but also give everyone something that is just "nice" to have (toys, movies, etc). Same with food... we just imagined it was us. We got canned goods that would save for later, but LOADED up on pancake mix, a few fresh things, etc. It was really hard to stop throwing things in the cart when we remember how good we have it. We wanted someone else to feel that way, too.
If you are thinking of giving this season, it's a great program.
Anyway, that's enough for one post. I might be a traitor for saying this, but I wish it would snow a little around here. Since we're going to get snow anyway at some point (and a lot of it), a little for a White Christmas couldn't hurt.............
Happy Holiday Season!
Between work, moving, and Thanksgiving, I am wondering if I'm just really busy, or have early early onset memory loss. It even seems like just a little bit ago we were celebrating Christmas.
I'm trying to think of ways I can savor this season... it's really cliche, but the days before Christmas are some of my favorites. I want to make sure that I don't stress my way through them between making plans and getting gifts in order. I don't want to forget how lucky and blessed I am!
Tim and I are so lucky to have found each other, made it through a deployment, and been blessed enough to buy our first home and have jobs. He's the best husband a girl could find for herself, and I find myself regularly amazed and how fortunate I am.
I am grateful to have two loving, supportive parents and three siblings who are built-in best friends (even though we have the same issues I'm sure many families do, we find always way back to each other. Family = foundation.) I'm also pretty lucky to have such a huge extended family -- four living grandparents, a few dozen aunts and uncles, 60ish cousins. We don't see each other often, but it's pretty great to be surrounded once a year (at least) by the biggest group of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've ever met. And the family keeps growing through marriage and this year, birth. I have a nephew now and he's better than yours. Just sayin' :)
Friends aren't a given, and Tim and I have the best crew. Each of our friends brings something unique to the group and we can't believe how many good memories we've made (and will continue to make!) I just realized this the other day, but we are also pretty lucky to have the kind of friends who like to make friends. Tim and I never have to argue about which friends we'll spend time with.... either our friends have become one group, or they are the "more is merrier" kind!
I always love the Christmas season and all the togetherness and celebration. It also makes me realize that there are people out there who are lonely this Christmas or haven't been blessed to celebrate the holidays the way we do. It breaks my heart every time I think of it. If I'm ever lucky enough to become a wealthy woman, I would do more, but this Christmas (and last year) my mom and I will adopt a family through HACAP's Adopt-a-Family Program.
Volunteers through the program receive information about a family in need in the area and, essentially, give them a holiday celebration through gifts and food. Last year, my mom and I shopped for a family with a mother and four kids. The gifts they requested were really practical -- clothes and other necessities. We went a little nuts... we tried to meet the practical needs but also give everyone something that is just "nice" to have (toys, movies, etc). Same with food... we just imagined it was us. We got canned goods that would save for later, but LOADED up on pancake mix, a few fresh things, etc. It was really hard to stop throwing things in the cart when we remember how good we have it. We wanted someone else to feel that way, too.
If you are thinking of giving this season, it's a great program.
Anyway, that's enough for one post. I might be a traitor for saying this, but I wish it would snow a little around here. Since we're going to get snow anyway at some point (and a lot of it), a little for a White Christmas couldn't hurt.............
Happy Holiday Season!
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