Christmas Stress

This is how I feel these days . . .

I can't really blame it on work as things there are under control. Well, I did spent 6 hours of my vacation day today on work related activities instead of with gift wrapping - that was annoying.

The source of my stress and exhaustion must be the season.

Lately the following things have caused me angst:

1. Our new microwave keeps burning chocolate. I know this is not a significant issue but it is an expensive one. Our old microwave melted chocolate for me just fine. I have decided this new one hates me. When you have a gazillion things to bake - many recipes including chocolate - this is a problem.
2. There is only one present under our tree. It is not for me. :-(
3. We have had more snow in the past week than I ever remember in December. A bit of the fluffy white stuff is pretty. When I have to shovel more in a 48 hour period than in all of last year it is a crisis.
4. Parking is a nightmare. Everywhere! I went to the UPS store today to buy some packing supplies. I guess folks were heading to the nearby restaurants for happy, festive lunches. There were no spots to be found. In desperation I put the SUV into 4WD and drove partially up a mountain of snow and parked there.
5. When I was walking to the store, feeling a titch smug about my parking victory, a ginormous truck raced by and splashed me. Being splashed with ice cold, dirty water is not nice.
6. I hate that I had to pay $10 for those packing pellets - the same ones that Paul throws out whenever we receive a package. I do not care to pay money for garbage.
7. I am annoyed that Paul's shift at work has changed  . . . again. We had just gotten used to a new sleep pattern when it changed. Another new sleep pattern arrived at and it changed again. STOP! I feel constantly tired and this makes me cranky. A cranky Jerry is not a happy sight.
8. My home office is a mess. I hate the clutter. I can't find things. There is no joy to be had whenever I am sitting here. Instead I look at the crap and feel like tossing a match on it all.
9. I am making a huge list of things that must be done before I head to work on Thursday. It is overwhelming. I am sick of making lists. Soon I will have a list of lists to keep track of the lists.
10. I haven't ordered the Christmas turkey. At this rate we may have to eat a prime rib of beef instead of our traditional turkey feast. The world has not recovered from the last time I served beef on Christmas.
11. I hate that there is always a puddle in the hall where 'someone' has left his boots after arriving home from work. I hate that I always step in said puddle with my socks on.
12. I am not happy that my clothing is getting tight already. This is not supposed to happen until January. At this rate I will require a mu-mu.
13. I am stressed about my upcoming vacation. I have flights, places to stay, and a train ride from Amsterdam to Berlin. That is it. Other than that I have no clue what is happening. I leave in just over two weeks.

All of this makes Jerry an unhappy person. It is crazy -we are healthy, have jobs, all the stuff we could need (and then some), have lots of food. . . we should be celebrating our blessings but instead we are just ornery.

It is funny how often Paul and I compare this year with last year's Christmas. Hopping on a plane to Italy for three weeks was simpler and likely less expensive. The most challenging task was finding the right track so we got on the correct train.

Making the season simple was joyful. I bet that is why it is hard to go back to the way we used to do things . . .

Comments

[michele Harrison]

I do often think to myself when I read your posts that you have an amazing amount of energy. Working full time and all that entails is enough to fill a day on its own when combined with keeping a household running.

Good that you have other interests in your life to balance this.

I know this is a temporary blip but please make sure to find time to sit and relax with a glass of wine.

[sandrac]

All very legitimate points! Christmas here in Rome seems so much easier (mind you, everything is easier without snow and cold.) Also, not having a car makes life a lot simpler - here in Rome, that is. Where you are, a car really is a necessity. But when you live in a city, it does simplify things, to have the luxury of walking almost everywhere.

Hope to see you here again next Christmas!

[JDeQ]

Sandra -if only Paul was not a retail worker. SIGH

Michelle - that is the secret I think - having calming outlets. I do not know how those who are unable to relax manage it.