Holiday Blockhead

Believing this is the year I can get it done. Not.

I am so behind. Does anyone else feel this way? This is a perennial November tradition for me. I start panicking about all the stuff I had planned to do during the past year and didn’t get done. And now I don’t have enough time to get them done. I’ll try to rush and get some of them done, and fail, or do them half-assed and then I’ll have to redo them in the new year. I know all this, and yet, like Charlie Brown believing this is the time Lucy will finally let him kick the football, I will still fall into the rabbit hole of “I can do it! I can get it done! The year isn’t over yet!” But it is, you blockhead. Cramming two major holidays into the last two months of the year was a really bad idea, person who decided it was a good idea. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and any travel that might accompany the holidays, and the kids being home from school, who has time for anything as mundane as work?!

My other favorite tradition is making a yearly to do list that’s too long. Realistically I know I can’t get all that stuff done, but I’m always overly optimistic in January. Not just when it comes to my work plans, but my personal plans. I set myself up to fail. Why do we do this? Next year, I’m going to be more realistic. As a matter of fact, instead of yearly plan I think I’m going to do quarterly plans. Keep them short and simple and check the items of my list as I go. I do that everyday. I write down a daily list of items to do and check them off as I go, and whatever I don’t get done gets moved to the next day. I’m going to give myself grace and keep my expectations realistic. You heard it here first. Hold me to it!

I think I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that my husband had his second back surgery. He’s been home recuperating and I’ve been playing nurse. Not in the sexy Halloween costume way, the real way. He’s on the mend, getting a little more independent each day, which means I can get back to my regular work schedule (which to be fair is not all that regular. I work for myself for a reason.) But naturally his surgery and convalescence cut into my plans as well, since we didn’t know this would happen this year. I’m trying to listen to all the self help newsletters and blogs and daily emails I get and just go with the flow and do what I can.

My eldest son, who is almost done with culinary school, is going to take point on Thanksgiving dinner. Parenthood perks finally coming into play! The other two kids have promised to help, so my husband and I won’t have much to do. At least that’s the plan. I will be doing all the shopping ahead of time, of course, but I don’t mind that. We don’t have turkey on Thanksgiving. I’m allergic to it. I know, it’s weird. But a side of anaphylactic shock to go with my dry turkey is not worth it. We’re having beef tenderloin. Everything else is pretty much the traditional route, though. My son makes an amazing Mac n’cheese. And I love a classic green bean casserole. (Do not judge. I will fight you.) We bought our pies from the culinary school, though. I read a whole bunch of articles this year that said skip the pie! Just buy it instead. I listened.

I hope everyone (in the U.S.) has a great Thanksgiving! I missed wishing my Canadian friends a happy Thanksgiving last month, so belated tidings to you, as well. And for the rest of the world, have a great week! Feel free to overeat and regret it along with us.

My Favorite Things This Week:

• Jane Friedman had this coloring book publisher in her latest newsletter. Adult coloring books, puzzle books etc. If like me, coloring is one of your relaxation techniques, check out this retailer. And by adult I simply mean meant for adults, not you must be over 18 adult. Sorry.

• Another new favorite is paint by number. I ordered this one a couple of days ago and can’t wait until it arrives. They have so many cool options! And they are having a big Black Friday sale.

• I like to drink coffee all day long, but I hate to have to keep a coffee pot on my counter. I have a small kitchen, so I need the counter space. Instead, I drink instant coffee. Don’t hate on me. I drink Nescafé decaf*. And it is genuinely good. My Austrian husband, who is an espresso snob, will actually have a cup now and then when he doesn’t want to brew an espresso. I’m going to try getting one of those little stovetop percolators (not an espresso pot. We already have one of those. I want one for regular coffee.) Anyway, if you just want a quick and easy cup of coffee, I recommend Nescafé.

• For the curly girls out there, I have started using cleaning conditioner exclusively on my curly hair. No more shampoo. It’s made a huge difference. My hair isn’t dry and nasty anymore. I use Ouidad Curl Shaper Double Duty Cleaning Conditioner*. Highly recommend!

*Amazon links. If you click on these and buy something I may get a commission.

Quote of the Week

“To be great is to be misunderstood.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson