My key to holiday success
My key to holiday success is to get it over with early. If you can get yourself good and sick of it early on, you can get back to your normal life. What I find that this generally requires is one over-the-top holiday-related activity to push you over the proverbial edge. For me, with the vacation that was a little less than relaxing (including 4 plane flights), the snow, ice, town cars, the sliding, the dog overtaying his welcome at the boarder, the bent tire rim, the sprinkler exploding in the front yard, the sneezy-runny nose routine with the humidifiers running 24X7 and stepping on the scale to "uh-oh"....well, all I needed was to bake about 100 cookies to put a nice cap on the holidays. I'm doing a cookie exchange tomorrow.
Seriously, if someone were to wave stick of butter in front of me, hurling would surely ensue. Are the holidays over yet? For me they are.
Comments
Anonymous
December 04, 2006
The first Christmas song I hear is pretty much the point where I lose interest. For me, thats right around November 1st. I guess I really need to get out of retail :]Anonymous
December 04, 2006
Oh yeah, the holiday season in retail! Guess you have to grit your teeth and get through it. Though I'll say that the mall yesterday was not as bad as it could have been. THen again, I was done with my holiday shopping and was shopping for myself (thanks again Derek!), so I'm not one to complain!Anonymous
December 04, 2006
Well hello there Miss Bah-Hum-Bug, nice to meet you. It's hard to maintain my inner scroogeness when I see my daughter's eyes light up with our Christmas tree. :)Anonymous
December 04, 2006
A little bah-humbug action is detected here, -but I think you've earned your stripes. Keep your chin up and take out your aggression while wrapping presents - use lots and lots of tape. Your friends and family will thank you... or, not. ;)Anonymous
December 04, 2006
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December 04, 2006
Consider taking a holiday to Europe at some point during the Advent time next year - you don't have to spend the actual Christmas day there if you don't want, but go to a Christmas Market in the weeks leading up to the grand finale. Get some Gluehwein if you're in Germany (it is spiced red wine that is served warm - a specialty for this time of year)... then there's the crepes and just sights and sounds of being somewhere ELSE...where others have decorated and prepared for YOUR visit.... and, you could even bring Jonas to Germany if you wanted... Dogs are welcome in restaurants and hotels - so make it a vacation for two! :) I'm all about the alternative beverages making the holidays a little warmer. Inside and out! ;) There's nothing wrong with not being joyful about this time of year - I'm just trying to think of ways to count down to that big spaghetti dinner that you're planning. After you put the pasta on the stove this year, get out your calendar for next year and plan a trip across the pond!Anonymous
December 04, 2006
Maybe, but I probably would do it some other time than the holidays. Believe it or not, I really don't need cheering up during this time of year. I'm not sad or anything (I'm even starting to get over last week, but it may just be the effect of the cold medecine). I'm doing a cookie exchange tomorrow but nobody should ask me to go carolling or anything. I just find a lot of the stuff that comes with the holidays really annoying and it's just not something I'm into. No deep issues or anything. Just a preference thing. I could be with family, but I'm looking forward to having some quiet down time at home. I'm an introvert, what can I say?Anonymous
December 04, 2006
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December 04, 2006
Good ideas mrscrooge. I already bought my "Seasons Greetings" cards this year but I may try your card idea next year. I hope that this year, I am actually able to get my cards our before the end of the year. : ) My mom and I decided to skip gifts this year since we both have expensive purchases (for me, my kitchen). But for my birthday, I asked her for some Omaha Steaks. Is that weird to ask for steak for your birthday? It could possibly keep me out of the spaghetti sauce on Christmas. So anyway, presents were a little easier this year. Juat had to buy for my dad's side and my maternal grandparents.Anonymous
December 05, 2006
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December 05, 2006
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December 05, 2006
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December 05, 2006
Mmm. I'm going to check some of that out. I don't do pork. I have a weird texture/snout issue with pork. I know it's weird. I can sometimes trick myself into eating it but otherwise try to steer clear (pun intended...moo). You don't have to remind me about what cows noses look like...I know...it's also gross but I can talk myself into beef. And this is how life is in Heather's happy place...cows don't have snouts : ) OK, if I had to order one thing that they offer online, what is it? I'm going to order something and let you know how it was. Beef recommendation por favor. Speaking of beef, I made ropa vieja last week (I was in the mood for comfort food) and it was soooo good! Trying to decide what I want to make this upcoming weekend (I have a kielbasa and cabbage in the fridge for during the week...I know that sounds strange to many people but I love cabbage...stinks up the house though. And I love stuff that goes with mustard...the ball park mustard I bought when I was in Cleveland.). Anyway, I just got the new Cooking Light cookbook. I bet I can find a rub or something (I just bought a bengal masala rub at the store last night, hmm)...see what happens when I get talking about food? Look forward to trying out some of that Kansas City beef! I can compare it to the Omaha!Anonymous
December 05, 2006
BBQ: Beef Burnt Ends Steak: Ribeyes (Same cut of meat as Prime Rib) or Filet. Filets are leaner, Ribeyes have more flavor due to Marbling (Fat content) Enjoy!Anonymous
December 05, 2006
Dude...I am so doing this!Anonymous
December 05, 2006
Oh no...Doug, I just spent $100 on beef at Jack Stack! Holy cow (haha). There's no way to justify this purchase other than to say "Happy Birthday to me!". Yay, more meat. What a weird birthday. Let's see if any of my friends start inviting themselves over for dinner. Thanks for the recommendations, Doug. I will definitely let you know what I think! I'm kind of excited. And to think that I went for years without eating red meat.Anonymous
December 06, 2006
I am from KC as well (my family settled the land back in the 1800s) and I heartily agree with Doug's recommendations! If you're ever in KC, try the Golden Ox. It's delicious--we had our rehearsal dinner there and everybody raved about KC steaks. Mmmmmm!! (updating Christmas wish list)Anonymous
December 06, 2006
Hmm. I have never been to KC but after all of this talk, I might need to go!Anonymous
December 06, 2006
Let us know what wine you pair your birthday present with.Anonymous
December 06, 2006
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December 06, 2006
My order includes a brisket! You and Doug can argue over what "real" BBQ is, Mom. Got me some "burnt ends" too...hee!Anonymous
December 11, 2006
Two things. One, when you come back to LA, you've got to have Memphis BBQ from JR's (http://www.jrs-bbq.com/). You can pick me up some while you're there and drop it by the office, if you'd like! Two, I am with you on Xmas burnout (can't blame those other holidays for creating marketing havoc, can we?) For me it starts the week before Thanksgiving by hosting a sit down dinner for 68 at my house. It ends by running a party for 163 people at my office (food and drink included). By the time I'm done with this, I'm done with the holiday. Which is kinda sad, since I have yet to do any shopping.Anonymous
December 12, 2006
Tim - 1) BBQ in LA? I'm skeptical. Also, I think you have the delivery scenario backwards. If I'm in LA, I am all about the Mexican food. I miss real Mexican food. It seems to me that your holiday frenzy is self-induced. I'm not sure that you get to complain about that kind of stuff. I'm always pretty spent after any entertaining myself. I know the feeling. This year, I'm not doing any holiday entertaining...I'm kind of relieved.