Why does December always seem to spiral out of control?
It starts quietly enough. An event jotted down in the calendar here, a doctor's appointment there.
Then another invitation arrives. A lunch is planned. Another appointment is made. Friends are invited around for drinks and nibbles. The sous-préfecture decides that they need to see you in person for the first time in 5½ years, an outing that will take up at least half a day. Another Sunday lunch with friends means another day disappears. You realize that the grey in your hair needs immediate attention so you book an appointment at the salon and Oh My God, only 16 days until Christmas Eve and almost every day has something planned and you haven't even started working on your Christmas cards or decorating and both of your niece's birthdays are coming up so cards and gifts must be purchased and mailed and your wedding anniversary is looming and lunch reservations must be made and you've promised your husband potato latkes for the first night of Hanukkah and there's that Christmas concert to attend and you've promised your friends a ride to and from the airport and you've agreed to dog sit over the holidays and Christmas dinner needs to be planned and shopped for...
Every year, the same thing. It's amazing how it happens. And I don't even have a job or kids to work around.
December. Is. Out. Of. Control.
Does everyone else feel this way?
Pin It
19 comments:
Yes and no. I don't have anyone to celebrate Hannukah (or Christmas) with this year, so it isn't that, but my December does tend to get pretty darn crazy. We always have a Quire concert right in the middle of law school exams, and while I try my best to work during that weekend, my mind's always on my voice and will I hit my solo notes etc. etc.
Yes I always find that this happens..have to get everything bought and in the post...and go to work. Not seeing any of my grandchildren this year, or my sons..and one of my sons has just split from his partner, so that makes things worse, and the other son and his wife are having a baby (today) 8th December. All go here, never a dull moment!! :-)
Hi there! I found you through our mutual friend Robin's blog. I can relate to your laundry list of unfinished To Do's! I decided not to wrap anything this year and use ribbon only in order to minimize all that time and excess. And whenever possible, delegate!
I'm so glad to hear other people experiencing the same thing. An already too-busy life becomes five times busier in December. This year I'm not mailing ANY treats to ANYONE! And the girls and I are doing a "Sharing Advent Calendar" again, where we do something nice for someone else every day, to try to remember what the season is supposed to be about. As long as it doesn't add to the stress. . . .
yes, we were just talking about it. It's all the going to friends house for lunch or dinner, it takes up at least 4 hours of the day. We are like you - we don't work, don't have kids and we are swamped. I also think it's the short days - doesn't get light until 8:15 and it's dark at 5pm. We just bought a little fake xmas tree and decorated it. It will just be the two of us this year, but our first xmas in france. Take a deep breath and push through!
You just reminded me, I need to make my semi-annual Dr's appointment for before the holiday! Aaaaack!
It's too bad these days get so hectic. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just relax and enjoy the season? I love the baking and it is fun to deliver little tins of goodies to neighbors and friends.
Judith
I hope your concerts and exams go well for you! Good luck!
Anne
Congratulations on the new grandchild!
Sounds like you'll have a quiet holiday but sometimes those can be wonderful.
parisapartment
I love the idea of wrapping in just ribbons. Saves all of that paper!
You have a beautiful book. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.
Wendl
I love you Sharing Advent Calendar idea. Great for the girls to learn about giving as well as receiving.
And keeping stress free is good. :)
Our juicy life
Enjoy your first Christmas in France! Lots of eating and drinking and festivities.
And long, long lunches.
wcs
I had put off my appointment too, so making it in the middle of December is entirely my fault. Bleck.
Cathy
I haven't baked a thing this year! Yet. Enjoy your holidays!
I can relate and this year as a new Mother I am learning the limitations of having a child! This is the best time of year for me to work, and being in retail they really need me this time of year also! HOWEVER, I am forced to work by the "school" calendar, which means no daycare starting the Thursday before Christmas and going through to Jan 2! Yikes! And I have yet to find a babysitter!
I can't even think of gift buying and cooking yet.
I guess my exasperation shows through my excessive use of exclamation points.....:)
Donna
Working in retail during the holidays must exacerbate the whole thing. That and not being able to find a babysitter. Yikes!
As you saw on with my "overbookée" reference on Facebook, this definitely happens to me -- just always does! It is my busiest time of year at work, too, which doesn't help matters any.
This is just to sign up to follow the comments.
Betty
No, having your busiest month be December wouldn't help matters any!
Hope you get some time to enjoy the holidays. :)
And now we have five inches of snow this morning -- I was hoping to get to the open shops today in Rodez to get some shopping done, but that may get cancelled due to weather conditions! Grrr! It's sure pretty, though.
It must be beautiful!
Are the shops open on Sundays in Rodez? Or just during the holiday season?
Oh no, it's just for the holiday season. Some food shops are open on Sunday morning though - specialty shops and small supermarkets.
Yes! (As evidenced by the fact that I am just now getting around to reading this...) December is out of control. It's the busiest time of year in the pâtisserie, that's for sure. And my Scrooge of a boss is making me choose between working Christmas Day or New Year's Day! That's right, no vacation AT ALL. I thought the French were supposed to put a higher value on family time, holidays, etc.
Betty
I think they do that in the cities here during the holidays too.
Most small food shops are also open here Sunday mornings.
Camille
This time of year is all about food in France, so it must be busy for you! What a drag about the vacation time though.
Hang in there and I hope you get to enjoy a bit of the festivities.
Post a Comment