"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. "~Dr Seuss
How many of you are actually relieved that Christmas is over? Come on... be honest...
Personally, I am.
I would take down the tree tonight, if I were not exhausted from driving 6 hours. What a freaking weekend! :-)
Nothing bad happened, just it seems the older I get - the more I just think a trip somewhere would be waaay better than giving gifts. You know, somewhere we could see water for miles, palm trees swaying in the wind, fabulous drinks out of coconut shells.
Thinking back - if there was one thing I really, really wanted for Christmas - a little peace and quiet.
My trip home was typical - a little nice, a little chaotic and super moody. My niece was on full blast as if she had consumed about 12 energy drinks. She is adorable and a typical 4 year old. It is just a bit of a shock, when you are not used to little ones.
My dad was moody as hell. His blood pressure was off the charts and he is slowly killing himself with eating the wrong things (diabetes.) Ever been around someone who's blood sugar level went up and down like a roller coaster ride?
Then my mom would react to my dad. Out of all of them - she really behaved herself, up until the last night.. a little moody, but I think she and my dad were kind of getting on each other's nerves. Easy to do when the entire family is in town, and you have to cook 3 meals a day.
My sister was busy buzzing around being a mommy. She was snapping pics that were less than attractive and yes, they are now on Facebook... damn it.
Then the egyptian, in his wondrous way, would get complete crabby b/c chaos is not his m.o. With all of the stuff everywhere - and us sleeping on couches, his mood was less than perfecto.
I think the highlight, truly, was going to see a friend - which I totally should have done by myself.
Then we had to drive back in snow. See, the roads have nothing on them to melt the ice and snow - b/c the south is simply not prepared for winter weather. Try driving home in that - going about 50 miles an hour on an interstate.. not fun.
I am home now, and thankful for the gifts, the food, having my entire family together. I get it - I know some people do not have that luxury...
I just wish it did not drive me bananas! :-)
By the time I got home, the egyptian went straight to the computer and began chatting (in his normal super loud arabic.) I wanted quiet - wasn't going to happen. I tried to nap, I did the laundry, I put away my presents...
So I decided - RETAIL THERAPY. Though, I did not really need anything - I drove up to Target and got groceries and a new pair of sunglasses. Luckily, we have one of those Super Targets.. there is a Starbucks in there - I got a gingerbread latte.
Between the caffeine, a quick "vent" call to a friend, and some shopping - I felt like myself again. I came home - the egyptian was quiet (and being kind - God forbid) and sooo.. here I am. Purging myself of the Grinch.. and trying to get back to normal.
Is it just me? Or do the holidays make you insane??
4 comments:
I am grateful it is over. It always seems a little... much.
Your description of your weekend sounds like something out of a Christmas movie. Pretty much every Christmas movie. Blood pressure has a tendency to kinda ruin every holiday.
Next year lets make a pact. Lets just agree to take our families to Hawaii.
Oh man, definitely relieved it's over...but I work retail so I might be biased.
The holidays with family can definitely be stressful (for all the reasons you mentioned.) Each year, my husband and I talk about going away, and the story (to our families) would be that we are volunteering at an orphanage, far away in a very poor country, making shoes for children. In reality, we would be sitting on a beach, soaking up the sun and drinking pina coladas. While it is a nice thought, I can't see spending holidays without family, no matter how crazy or nutty it can be.
The holidays are a sore, sore point -- you are NOT alone. I try desperately to keep or make traditions, to make things festive, to revel in the lights and the cookies and the fun. But there's so much stress, so many expectations, so many things in my life that are far removed from being Norman Rockwell ... sigh. I often feel as though I "put on" Christmas for others, and it's exhausting. Enjoy what you can of it, accept what you have to of it; and then, just like with labor pains, you have enough time from one to the next that you forget the discomfort until you're mired in it again!
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