Sunday, December 19, 2010

regrouping {and complaining}

despite my efforts to simplify the holidays, yesterday pushed me into deep exhaustion.  i raced around to be part of a very hip open studio sale & party, then emily arrived at 10:30 pm.  i was too drained and too depleted to post here.

for six weeks, i have not had time on the weekends to catch up on sleep.  i've been really busy and stressed, with no time to do the things i need to feel good & grounded.  {my friend amber calls this "cycle of neglect."}  it is my own personal recipe for getting sick - and yes, i've got a cold & cough to show for all my hard work.  i have received several "are you okay?" calls from friends who have not heard from me.  no, i'm not really okay.  my life is hugely out of balance.

today i woke to a headache and a messy kitchen.  {ugh}
i washed dishes, cleaned counters, made a batch of scones & a big pot of tea.

now...
do i start making christmas cards?  {have not even started}
on the drive home from the airport last night, i decided that i might not send them this year.  honestly, the kids fought me when i took their picture for the card.  when you look at the photo, will you see my 3 darling kids?  or will you see the agony i went through to take it?  add to that, i deleted my entire address book so i will have to input each address letter.by.letter.  or write them by hand.  {gasp}

today i will take some advil, drink 20 cups of strong black tea, and regroup.

any and all advice {and encouragement to do less} would be greatly appreciated.

9 comments:

Dawn said...

Oh you sweet Girl...I am so sorry...I truly understand exactly where you are right now. I think you can (without guilt) skip the Christmas cards...I did not make mine this year, but heard LOTS of complaining on the picture I chose of the four darlings, and I decided I will hand deliver some and the rest will be sent AFTER the holiday...a Happy New Year card, if you will.

How does that happen...in our efforts (chosen or forced) to simplify things seem to become even more chaotic??? Take a breath, a sip of tea, eyes up, and ONLY do what feels right to your heart ♥
Love you Dearheart!

Anonymous said...

Forget the cards, it is a wonderfully free feeling. Send a photo of your kids later just as a wonderful surprise. Love you, Mom

Denise said...

Sweet Catie.... I'm so sorry to read that you're now sick after weeks of overdoing and overextending yourself. Defintely - do NOT make and send Christmas cards this year. It's just too much. You need to take these last few days before Christmas to pamper and nourish yourself so that you can have the most merry of Christmases with your sweet babies. SO good to hear that Emily's home safe and sound. Take care of yourself - hot tea, emergen-C, hot toddy... whatever works for YOU. Love you sweetie... xoxo ~Denise

Dianne said...

Catie dear, relax. It's alright not to do it all. Give yourself permission to select a few things and let the rest go. Nothing is more important than being with your children now and enjoying it.They won't remember if cards went out...they will remember your smiles and laughter and fun during the holidays.
xoxo Dianne

mary said...

you definitely need to let the cards go.
there!...*poof*...gone. you are getting this permission from one who has let them go the last TWO years. whoops! I had the best of intentions too. You've done so many amazing things with all your art workshops, etc. just enjoy this week the most you can. ♥

moondiva said...

Catie...with this blog, I get a Christmas card from you each time you post!!! Do what you want to...let go of need. It will take some getting use to...we women are all over achievers ...but truly...if you do what you WANT to...balance and happiness will come!!! xoxo Love you so very much, Deb

Emily said...

Catie, sweet Catie. You sound like me two years ago. I do not let stress get to me anymore this time of year. This will be the second year in a row where I will not be sending Christmas cards. It gets to be so much pressure, and the expense has gotten out of hand! We have been taking that money and helping families in need. Our friends and family see pictures of us all all year long with the help of wonderful technology these days. And my kids cannot stand to "pose" for a picture either! And look, even your mom gave you permission to skip them this year! I'm liking your mom............

catie said...

thank you, sweet friends {and mom}...
yesterday was a good day.
i puttered & cleaned & drank tea & made soup.
i remembered to drink emergen-C {thanks, denise!}
i went for a walk - when i left, it was sleeting, but then changed to a bona fide snowstorm. {how can something like that make me SO happy?}
i have my card-making things in a little pile.
i might get to them; i might not.
i am feeling so much better.

Anonymous said...

So glad you're feeling better! I'm not sending cards this year, nor did I last. I realized I was sending them to the very people we keep in touch with on a regular basis and would be able to say Merry Christmas! in person. Make sure you take care of you. hugs.

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