I've found the spirit.....

Holiday Cheer. I've noticed over the past few years, the "cheer" seems to elude me. I used to be the girl to decorate the house from head to toe, organize holiday gatherings, throw wreath making parties & knit presents for everyone and anyone until my fingers cramped.

About two weeks ago, I really sat and tried to dissect why I'm losing interest, because you see, I miss that girl.

There's the obvious reasons. The reason that actually gets in the way of a lot of fun activites. No time, too busy. I have many friends, who have crazy lives, yet always seem to pull off the extra-curricular, so I feel like a complete drone for constantly using that excuse. I was starting to worry about myself.... "could something be wrong with me?" I'd ask myself. Should I be paying more attention to those commercials touting meds. for depression? Maybe it's my job, maybe it's my business. Oh yes, Big Daddy, you could be next on my list of reasons to blame!

Then this week, I snapped the hell out of it.

*PHEW*

I'm not sure if it was the packages that I've been receiving daily of handmade goodies that I will be giving as gifts. It could have been the wonderfully wrapped present that arrived on my doorstep from my secret Santa. Or the fabulous shopping day in Portland last Sunday with a new friend. Or perhaps it was the very unplanned, off-the-cuff crazy & fun party Jon and I threw together last night. Maybe it's the 12" of snow that's calling out to me to dust off my snow shoes. A nice lunch and chat with my Dad on Friday was a plus. I'm certain Jon asking me this week if we could go cut boughs to decorate the house had a little do with it.

It makes me realize that friends, family and nature have always motivated me. And like the rest of you, the daily buzz of life feels like it's getting in the way, stealing precious moments of our lives while we sleep at night with our troubled dreams of how will we get it all done tomorrow.

I have learned this past week that it's time to stop and re-evaluate where I'm going. I know the first place I'll go today is upstairs to change into new jammies, then to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee and next, set up a "wrapping" station in the living room by the fire armed with paper, ribbon and colorful markers. I'll take the day to think about each person as I wrap their gifts, and what makes them special to us.

Tomorrow, I'm not sure where I'll go, but I'm glad that for today, I took the time to enjoy my life and this season.

CHEERS!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at December 09, 2007 19:10 | link | comments (10) |
nothing much

Comments:

#1  09 December 2007 - 19:30

 

I have been the same way and have just popped out of it myself! Have a great Holiday!

Anonymous

#2  10 December 2007 - 12:24

 

Hey Jes, you're not alone in this. I think a big life reevaluation is in order for all of us. I'm hoping to catch onto the Christmas fervor, too, but it hasn't happened yet. *sigh*

Anonymous

#3  11 December 2007 - 02:58

 

Pulling out snow shoes sounds like the perfect way to get in the winter spirit! Very fun!

And a wrapping station sounds wonderful! We can't even add wrapped presents under the tree yet because a certain little someone will rip all the paper off! :)

Hugs to you, my Maine friend!!

--Steph

Anonymous

#4  12 December 2007 - 18:10

 

Sending even more holiday cheer your way!

Anonymous

#5  15 December 2007 - 14:23

 

Hey there Jes!
Yes, it's a busy time of year and it seems like get round to "Christmas" later and later.My decorating is much simpler than it used to be and I like it like that. Just a few things that I really love and the tree of course! Candles and greenery and some bits and bobs. The cards we receive also add to the festive air.
May YOUR days be merry and bright! xoxox Shelagh

Anonymous

#6  17 December 2007 - 01:49

 

Jes, I'm so glad you caught the holiday cheer bug. Maine just seems like the most perfect place in the world to celebrate Xmas. Tom & I send our love to you & Jon!!

Anonymous

#7  18 December 2007 - 17:58

 

Hey! I haven't had the spirit for a long time -- I think it was because Christmas used to be soooo important, and I'd nearly run myself ragged making it special for everyone... but nobody seemed to care how special it was. Add to that the fact that all my family lives in other states far away, and I guess I have only 1 Christmas thing I do each year: buy a special ornament for a tree that I never buy. I'm not sad, though -- I don't watch TV, so I don't keep getting bombarded with commercials that tell me how sad and sorry it is to be alone at Christmas, or that I should spend spend spend... I'm not unhappy!

I found your blog via Happy Day, and like your style of writing down your thoughts. You will go on my list of faves!
~Carol Rose

Anonymous

#8  19 December 2007 - 13:20

 

Happy Holidaze!
Love,
Katie Mae

Anonymous

#9  23 December 2007 - 04:00

 

This year, we decided yet again to a "no gift" Christmas and instead, we would recognize someone with an act of kindness (eg. a store clerk or the fellow at the gas pump) who was a delight to have serve you. When someone told me that it was cheaper than the cost of a card and postage to phone a friend long distance, I emailed that there would be no cards from me this year. Instead, I'm surprising friends with a quick call to chat and hearing their voices has done me the world of good...a real gift.
Have a great holiday and I'm sending warm hugs from the west coast. My 2008 resolution is to get back to reading blogs on a more regular basis!

Anonymous

#10  27 December 2007 - 18:42

 

Wow... can you rent that girl out? I could have used her last week. I didn't even get a tree up. LOL

Yep, time for me to re-evaluate too... I think the next place I'll go, is home to MY jammies!

Anonymous

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