God has selected certain people to raise their stress tolerance levels so high that when the world explodes, they won’t notice.  Why?  Because someone has to direct traffic.

How Did I Get on This List?

This is a question I have asked myself for years.  Plus, many others:

1. Who makes the list?
2. What is the criteria to get on the list?
3. Do we have a choice to be on the list? (If so, how did I miss it!)
4. Can I get off the list?

While these are very simple questions, the answers, apparently, are not.

Sick and Tired

I am sick of being sick.

I am tired of being tired.

I don’t want to be sick and tired any more.

Apparently, this is not a choice I get to make at this time.

I’m still struggling with vertigo, nausea and fatigue.

I cannot seem to get the hang of NOT overdoing it because life keeps happening.

The Holidays Don’t Help

This is an obvious statement.  The holidays are busy, hectic, and filled with fun.  I have overdone it more than six times already and Thanksgiving was just last week.

Deep cleaning my kitchen from top to bottom while resting between each task?

Over did it.

Driving to Son’s house (25 minutes) to get Christmas decorations out of my shed?

Over did it.

Grandson’s birthday dinner with daughter and family?

Over did it.

Babysitting four grandchildren and making six pies in a single day?

Really over did it.

Making candy and cookies for Youngest’s fundraiser?

Really over did it.

Cutting out the pieces to make Youngest’s new winter coat?

Over did it.

I miss the days when I could just jump in and do any of those things and not worry about the consequences.

Cutting Back Activities

So, this is what it has come down too.  Cutting the excess.

I have stopped going to my Toastmaster meetings each week until the holidays are over.

I am not making enough Christmas goodies to take to friends and neighbors.

We have cut back on Youngest’s harp lessons to two each month.

I do most of my shopping online.  Even groceries are delivered straight to my trunk.

I’m not singing in the Church choir on Christmas.

I don’t do a lot of driving, but I have the cutest chauffeur.

Carefully Choosing What Is Most Important

What holiday traditions can we not live without?  It is amazing how much of our holiday gets taken up with frivolous activities.  Paring them down has simplified and enhanced my holiday.

Traditions for the generations:

• Putting up the Christmas tree and decorations on Thanksgiving weekend.
• Time together in the kitchen:
  • Making sugar cookies with the same cookie cutters I used as a child.
  • Making fudge from the recipe on the back of Kraft marshmallow crème.
  • Make Pfuffernusse cookies.
  • Teaching the next generation how to make candy.
• Mom’s room is off limits because that is where gifts are stashed.
• Christmas Eve with Oldest and family.

It always amazes me how much time those few activities fill.  They are also filled with joy, laughter, and good memories.

So Now What?

I cannot get off the stress list, so I have the opportunity to learn many things:

• What is most important in my life.
• What I can live without.
• When to slow down (or stop) and let others help me.
• I don’t have to feel guilty when I say “No”.

I am not good at the last two, but I keep trying (everyone’s patience).

One day at a time I will figure this out.  In the meantime, I get to spend a lot of time resting because every time I overdo it takes 3-14 days to get back on me feet.

I get to read a lot of great books though.  So far this year I have read or listened to over 130 books.

I have also made sweaters, scarfs, and hats for the grandchildren.

Happy Holidays everyone!