Looking back on Christmas Day...

Hello,

Is everyone relaxing after the build-up for the Holiday? I used to watch my mother place all her happiness on the "perfect Christmas", then crash when the Holiday was over. Despite knowing this was unhealthy, I found myself doing some of the same this year...the big build-up but thankfully without the crash today. I am divorced and my ex-husband has our thirteen-year-old twins the majority of the time. When I have the kids at my house, I want the time to be idealic...every time they are here. As I write this, I'm catching myself...idealic family time every time with teenagers? Okay...so I wanted to prepare the perfect meal, spent over fifty dollars on a prime rib roast, peeled potatoes and mashed them, prepared pureed squash and corn, baked rolls and a made-from-scratch pumpkin pie and literally was sweating over a hot stove by the time the meal was ready. My kids and friend (and I) did enjoy the dinner. Everything was delicious and I was exhausted! I do love cooking, but I would bet that my kids and friend would have been okay with a good pumpkin pie from Trader Joe's and I would have been a little less exhausted...I bought British "crackers" (feel free to ask me if you've never done them...a fun Christmas dinner table "activity") which were fun and festive. My kids were excited to open their gifts but seemed even more excited to have me open the gifts they'd picked for me...We played a board game I'd picked up, watched "Christmas With the Kranks" and it was time for them to go... A quiet Christmas compared to the big family gatherings many enjoy (or not!). I felt slightly melancholy at one point during the day, missing my deceased parents and three older siblings who choose to not stay in touch with me or each other. But I'm better than in the past at letting those thoughts drift by and getting back to the present and appreciating the blessings I do have. I'll call my siblings this weekend and keep reaching out to them. Maybe some day they'll choose to come my direction; maybe not. I can feel some peace and joy in reaching out, then letting go of the outcome. I was so blessed this Christmas with a wonderful, quiet day with my kids and good friend. When I stay in the moment and don't focus on what was or what may happen next or what I desire to be different, I can feel peace and yes even bliss...I wish you all the same peace...Happy Holidays! Trish

Holiday Down Time

Hello Everyone!

Is everyone stressed out yet with Holiday preparations and hurriedness? I have had my live Christmas tree for close to three weeks and still haven't decorated it...today is the day! I picked up "White Christmas", my favorite Christmas movie, last night. I'm going to play it, SLOW DOWN, drink some hot apple cider and string the lights. Then later I'm going to force myself to SIT DOWN and write down some Christmas memories. This is something that sounds like so much fun, yet I usually don't allow myself down time to pursue simple pleasures like writing, savoring hot apple cider and just BEING (present in the moment). I challenge all of you to find some time for yourself today...you are worth it precious women!