So how's it going? Just a few days left..

[kacaju]

This is the first year I am not hosting in 14 years. I am done shopping almost done wrapping. My dd 9 will be 10 tomorrow 12/22!! I am all ready for her Birthday party which will be at home from 5-7.
My big stress of the week... my refigerator died on me so I had to run out today and buy a new one!!
YIKES.... not quite the Christmas present I wanted!! It will be here tomorrow, the freezer still worked so all that food is safe. I put the milk outside in the snow and threw away most everything else (I didn't have much in there and most of it was opened bottles and it was probably a good thing to toss them!!)
I had to throw away the eggs and mayo, those I just bought but they felt warm.

 

[minniecarousel]

OMG! I am so not ready!

I could buy a few more presents, but I might be done - not sure. Nothing is wrapped! Not a cookie is baked! EEK!

I spent today taking Mom to the doctor's office and for x-rays. She sees her ortho tomorrow (she fell on Saturday). I also have a hair appt tomorrow. I think I can leave her alone if I get everything within arm's reach. I'd put off the appt by a week, but I'm betting my hairdresser is busier next week.

I think I can get out on Wednesday morning to get those last few things. Then to Costco on Thursday morning for the food.

I'm betting I'm baking cookies on Wed & Thurs! All night wrapping one of these nights?!

 

[mrs_hower726]

I am everything BUT ready for Christmas.

Was supposed to be in a wedding on Saturday but it got postphoned till THIS saturday because of the snow. I spent most of today in bed with a migrane and this evening helping the groom find an organist since the original one is not available this Saturday...the house is a wreck, shopping is just about done, wrapping needs done, grocery shopping desperately needs done...the main thing I'm worried about is completing a big project for the weekend.

Overall, the next couple of days will be hectic followed by a relaxing birthday, Christmas, and wedding.

 

[java]

The only stress I have right now is the fact that it's supposed to be another storm on Christmas. We are supposed to drive to Maryland. If that happens we won't be seeing my Mom. And we leave for vacation from there. So the post Christmas morning travel is stressing me out.
Of course the wrapping for all the kids and packing should be stressing me out but that isn't. It'll all get done. It always does.

 

[hercamore]

Well, we're ready to celebrate, but it looks like Mother Nature has other ideas.

Major winter storm coming on wed-friday. Talking blizzard conditions.

My Son in law is supposed to be driving from Rapid City on Wed with two dogs here to Rochetster. My DD and grandson are here already.

We'll see what happens.

Dang it all.

herc

 

[C.Ann]

Hugs to all of you who are running into so many difficulties.. The holidays are stressful enough without all of these other things going on..

However, try to let go of that which you have no control over - and only do what you really, really must do (or want to do extremely bad).. I promise you that Christmas will go on - even if the house isn't clean; the cookies aren't baked; you have to toss some presents into gift bags; etc..

Hopefully you will all have a wonderful day - regardless of the problems that seem to be getting in the way..

 

[PatriciaH]

Some gifts coming tomorrow to wrap. Wrapped/gift bagged most of them today. Have to do some food shopping Wednesday (veggies-wanted them to be fresh) and cookie baking. Then yoga so I can relax DH and I will relax Christmas eve too before dinner.

 

[kilee]

I only 1 gift left to buy (a bottle of wine- so it's an easy one). I have about 8-9 gifts left to wrap. Cookies are made.

I do have to do a "big" grocery shopping tomorrow. I have to pick up something to make for 2 holiday parties and a work "snack" potluck. I also have to stock up having dh and ds home on Christmas break. I'm going to do that tomorrow and w/ $150 in gift cards as our gift from work, so it being "free money" makes that a bit more enjoyable.

We already did my immediate families Christmas this past Saturday which was really nice.

The stressor's:

-Found out today that my MIL "canceled" Christmas because he boyfriend has banned anyone from her family from coming to their jointly owned home. He's really gone off the deep end the last few months. He thinks we're all stealing from him and we're no longer welcome. DH's grandfather passed away this year and Christmas was already going to be a bit hard, but this makes it worse.

-There is supposed to be an ice storm hitting on Christmas Day. DS (almost 17) is taking his dad's truck to his dad's family Christmas about an hr away early on Christmas Eve and then meeting us at 8pm at my extended families celebration. Then he's supposed to be driving his dads truck back to his fathers house on Christmas early in the day to have dinner w/ his dad's GF's family. So, I'm hoping any storm holds off until he's safely at his dad's house, or hits early enough he just doesn't go.

-I am trying to juggle being short staffed and dh's medical appointments this week. He had a seizure last week (his first one) and then ended up back in the ER yesterday for phlebitis. So,w/ a lot of offices having shortened hours this week it's creating late work nights for me having to leave work to drive him since he cannot drive himself and ds isn't on vacation yet.

All in all though, I am very excited for Christmas to be here. I do wish I was off work this week and next though.

 

[3boymthr]

Well, I'm all set for the kiddos - almost everything of their's that supposed to be wrapped is wrapped. We bought oldest DS his first cell phone and I'm waiting to wrap that until Christmas eve as DH wants to have the package start ringing in the middle of unwrapping which means I have to have it fully charged.

Plus, I'm mostly set for DH a couple of gifts still to wrap but then again, they haven't arrived yet But I'm not really stressed about that. He may just get a photo in his stocking.

OTH - I'm having christmas brunch and I haven't got all the ingredients yet - went shopping Saturday before the snow storm hit and the store was out of english muffins - tons of bread and milk though . I'm also having Christmas Dinner for the first time ever. I also have to finish cleaning and making the cookies and candies I always make with the kids (of course I was going to make my candies tonight but DH ate my Peanut butter ). My DM doesn't have a kitchen right now so I can't even ask her to make the deserts for me. I'm thinking of seriously skimping on the cleaning - just the bathroom, floors and a little more dusting and say they'll just have to deal with the rest of it.

Of course how am I dealing with all this stress - by pretending it doesn't exist and getting on the dis.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

I am done with the shopping, have a few items left to wrap...

All packed and ready to go...leaving tomorrow to drive 15 hours...

cats have disowned me because I am packing my suitcase... as long as I leave them enough food and water, they might let me back in the house.

I am totally ready to have some fun with my family...It won't be long enough...it never is...

And last, but not least, I am so glad that I am not flying...

For those of you who are flying, I will keep you in my thought and prayers. It looks like the airports are going to be rather overwhelming with all of the stranded people.

 

[C.Ann]

The stressor's:

-Found out today that my MIL "canceled" Christmas because he boyfriend has banned anyone from her family from coming to their jointly owned home. He's really gone off the deep end the last few months.

Whoa!! That's crazy!!


So, I'm hoping any storm holds off until he's safely at his dad's house, or hits early enough he just doesn't go.

I would definitely be hoping for the storm to arrive early so he doesn't have to drive at all.. We're supposed to have a "wintry" mix here on Christmas Day - as well as the next day - but I haven't heard any predictions on how bad it will be yet.. Hope your son stays SAFE!!

-I am trying to juggle being short staffed and dh's medical appointments this week. He had a seizure last week (his first one) and then ended up back in the ER yesterday for phlebitis. So,w/ a lot of offices having shortened hours this week it's creating late work nights for me having to leave work to drive him since he cannot drive himself and ds isn't on vacation yet.

Earlier this evening I was racking my brain - trying to remember whose DH had the seizure!!! I remember responding to your thread.. How is that all going? Any determinations yet? Could you - or have you - posted an update? I'm sure there's more folks here wondering how he's doing.. Do they know what cause the phlebitis yesterday? You guys sure have your hands full!!!!

All in all though, I am very excited for Christmas to be here. I do wish I was off work this week and next though.

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers..

 

[kilee]

We have had no updates.....he still has to get an EEG in early January and then see the neurologist later that month. He's seeing his PCP tomorrow as an interim visit to get a slip for bloodwork while he's waiting for his neurology appointment.

They said his phlebitis was caused by a badly placed IV. He's had bloodclots in that arm in the past. The first one was after the removal of a central line.

 

[C.Ann]

We have had no updates.....he still has to get an EEG in early January and then see the neurologist later that month. He's seeing his PCP tomorrow as an interim visit to get a slip for bloodwork while he's waiting for his neurology appointment.

They said his phlebitis was caused by a badly placed IV. He's had bloodclots in that arm in the past. The first one was after the removal of a central line.

Thanks for filling me in.. Hang in there!

 

[HunnyPots]

I learned years ago not to stress over holidays; if things get done - great, if not - oh well, there's always next year! Also, we no longer buy for anyone but our two kids and even then we don't go overboard. No post-holiday debt for us, thank you. We get our enjoyment from decorating, baking, watching holiday movies, listening to music, and just being together as a family. With both kids in college, I know these days are a precious commodity!

 

[cheermom1]

I learned years ago not to stress over holidays; if things get done - great, if not - oh well, there's always next year! Also, we no longer buy for anyone but our two kids and even then we don't go overboard. No post-holiday debt for us, thank you. We get our enjoyment from decorating, baking, watching holiday movies, listening to music, and just being together as a family. With both kids in college, I know these days are a precious commodity!

You sound like me. I don;t understand why people think they have to buy for other people's kids

My sil is like that she runs and runs and I kept telling her NOT to buy for my kids we have that covered..but she still every year gets them something - I don't buy for anyone but my kids and our parents that is it...

when i tell her I don;t have anything for her boys she says "don't worry about it since you give us all the clothes and shoes and things your boys out grow all year long"... BUt still I tell her not to buy no reason too...

we have 4 boys and all the good stuff that lasts through the youngest goes to her as at that time her boys can fit into them ...I remember some swim trunks that they boys had and they out grew them so I gave them to her all still looked brand new and I thought the boys were going to poop themselves I swear..all I could think was they are just swim trunks..

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have one more present to buy, and then I'm baking dog treats.

 

[samshane]

All done, all wrapped, all set to go! Bought the stuff for Christmas dinner tonight...

I am more excited for a month from now when DH will be coming home after 8 months and the kids haven't a clue (at least I think they have no idea!)... Cannot wait to see the looks on their faces at that moment - think it'll be better than Christmas.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I'm semi done, not stressing but anxious to get everything done and hope to still have some energy left to enjoy everything. The baking is done and the gift shopping is done, I only buy for my kids, my mom & dad (joint gift) and my neice and nephew. DH bought himself his xmas gift (ipod) so I don't have to buy for him this year, yay! We have to run to target thursday unfortunately so while there I will probably get a few small things for the kids stockings, not candy though as tonight I realized how much "junk" I bought for the stockings already. It's 1:30am and I just finished tonight's batch of wrapping which I'm happy to say is almost done. Now...I'm goin to BED! Good night all