The not-so-good

December is slipping by and I am feeling woefully unprepared for Christmas. Oh, I promise myself every year that I'll start earlier, etc. But I never do. The advent calendar is barely happening this year ... despite my best intentions and good advice for everyone else, I was not as organized this year as I was last year, and it's causing some nightmares for me. My Christmas cards are sitting here on my desk, un-signed, un-addressed, un-stamped, un-sent. I always mail my cards on November 30. I have not even begun the children's Christmas pajamas (a last day of advent tradition here), and worse, haven't even begun Elisabeth's gifts. I don't have gifts in hand for most of our extended family, or any good birthday ideas for my husband (he turns 40 on Sunday -- can I say that?). I have hours of work left on my doll commissions. (If you ordered dolls from me and are reading this, they will make their way to you, sweetly wrapped, this week. I don't know when, but I'd mail them by Express mail anyway as a protection, so they'll get to you.) And, oh, yeah:

James's leg is broken. We don't know how it happened. We were in to the doctor twice last week because of it; at first they thought they wouldn't need to cast it, but after a second opinion by an orthopedist, James came home with a bright red cast.

I know this will all seem funny to me in, oh, about 8 days. But this week? Not so much.

Comments

[Stacey]

breathe. You have a lot on your plate, but don't kill yourself, the best gift you can give is your love and time.

[barbara]

awww poor jem :( it looks uncomfortable but somehow quite cheerful ... hope he (and you) are bearing up well xxx
i can relate to your unpreparedness, i am equally unprepared and have a paper due in before the festivities begin, boo hoo - i'm sure everybody will understand though :)

[qalballah]

Salam Grace
You perhaps expect too much of yourself. Don't expect perfection and take each day as it comes. And both mine have been continuously sick since end of Novemeber - ack - but I believe every situation has it's blessings and we are given this instead of something worse. Insha'allah illness ends, bones heal. We are lucky that our kids have things that can be mended insha'allah.

Don't pressure yourself Grace, I am sure everyone you have mentioned will still be just as happy without your cards and gifts just knowing you are happy and not stressed.

This will be over one day.
xx

[Alicia A.]

Oh, sweet J. Well, did they see the fracture? Is he handling it ok?

At least he's all decked out.

Slow down, sweetie. I am sure everyone will understand if the gifts are late, or gasp, store-bought. : )

Kisses to little J.

[Bluebirdbaby]

Oh Grace! The stress of it all and a cast on top of it! I wish I could fly over there and help you finish everything. Could I maybe help with the pajamas? Or something to take at least a bit of the stress away? We can start the trade with the doll with the pj's :) Let me know. I am here this afternoon. I e-mailed you. I'd be happy to talk!!

[Gina]

Awww, Grace. Hang in there. You're doing a great job, and you'll be done with the dolls soon. :) You've inspired me to make a nice advent for my family, so make sure that you stop long enough to do the same for yourself.

[Deanna]

Be gentle with yourself.

And don't stress over our dolls too much, if they're late, they're late. No biggie..the kids get an extra day of gifts. Bonus.

I've been sick for the past 11 days and have dramatically cut my expectations of myself back as a result, and its been ok!

[Jessi]

Here's a big cyber-hug from your long-lost friend in NYC. Close your eyes, breathe, and remember that you can only do one thing at a time, and, well, some things (like being there for your sweet little ones) are more important than others. I, for one, would be thrilled to receive a Happy January (or February) card! ;)

[patience]

Oh no, poor Jem!!

[cloth.paper.string]

oh dear, grace. i really have come to believe that the craziness of this season flies completly in the face of the natural rhythms around and within us this time of year -- isn't it about darkness and quiet, about slowing down and going into hibernation? don't you want to nestle under a blanket with your babes and eat soup and read books and knit all day? i can not shake these urges every day this time of year.

maybe jem is reminding us all to slow down, to take one step at a time, to honor the wheel of the year and its dip into the darkness and quiet.

i'm thinking of you, dear one. and, may those bones knit back together quickly and painlessly.

[Lina]

Oh Grace, hope you're not too overwhelmed. I've lost my making mojo this month and although got lots done in December am trying to go easy on myself.

Take care of yourself.

[Sarah]

Oh no baby! Little ones get themselves into a mess of trouble in the blink of an eye, don't they? Jack was forever injuring himself for awhile there, and it was nerve wracking for certain.

Send the cards with a happy new year greeting in January.

[Dawn]

((Hugs)) So sorry about you little one's leg. Just wishing you a great day- hang in there.

[Amber]

Good wishes are being sent your way. I hear you and understand. I have a lot of work ahead of me, too, and feel woefully ill prepared. I'm just trying to remember to breath and take in the simple treasures. And, yes, someday you'll look back on your pictures of Jem with his bright red cast and remember all this stuff with a chuckle.

[Sara]

Oh Grace! When it rains it pours. I'm feeling exactly the same way this year (minus the broken leg, of course), and I'm supposed to be ready for Christmas by tomorrow. E'gads! This will be the first year in a long time that our presents are not all homemade. And though it's not the same to me... I wonder if anyone else will notice. Lol. Big hugs to you!

[Mama Urchin]

I broke my arm when I was 18 months old. I know it made my mom feel awful but as a child I always thought the little cast (which was saved for some reason) was so cute. Jem will heal really fast and probably forget about it even faster.

[Danielle Mohr]

I hope your little sweetie isn't in pain! Sorry to hear about the broken leg and inabililty to finish your preparations. The funny thing about our stress during this time of year is that our Christ Child comes to bless us on Christmas day regardless of how well decorated, shopped, baked etc we are. There is a real blessing in that don't you think?

[sarah]

I'm a firm believer in New Year's cards. I seem to have so much more time between Christmas and New Years. So, let the cards go for a bit! The red cast is very fun. It just needs a little elf shoe :).

[Mr Bob]

Grace,

I dont' know how I missed the fact you had a blog, glad to have found it. Now we can keep up with you.
BB

[Beth]

Oh, my. That's a cruddy run of not-so-good things... I say buy some cute little pajamas, write something sweet to your husband in a card (maybe with a promise or two for something in the new year), do cards in the new year and get yourself a coffee or tea and a moment to pause. I know, it doesn't probably feel all that easy. I wish I could take care of a thing or two for you, but just know I'm sending good thoughts your way for quiet moments and quick-healing legs.

[Deirdre]

I say let it all go. Or choose sparingly. Cards are much more welcome in January. You are being a good momma to an uncomfortable boy right now---that is enough.

An gift idea for your man from the kids: a dvd or CD slideshow of photos of him as a dad, set to one of his favorite songs (or a sentimental one). Something everyone will enjoy together on his big day.

After braving the post office this morning with a two year old, lots of boxes and an icy parking lot, I'm choosing to bake instead of attacking another line on the to-do list. Don't forget to take care of you during all the festivities!

And thanks for all the inspiration I've been finding here!

[emily]

i thought of something! - a lovely family we know sends their holiday cards at valentine's day every year. instead of at christmas. just saying, it could be an option. couldn't it!?

[Offshorewife]

Well wishes to you and your little one. What a bummer for him this Christmas. I am sure he will figure out ways to maneuver around with the cast.

[Emily]

ACK! Know how this feels! Hold in tight and just work on it little by little.

[Emily]

Oh and poor Jem! He had to get one afterall . . . phooey!

[Mary Beth]

I'm so sorry to hear about Jem's leg. Glad it is on the mend now with a proper diagnosis. My oldest broke his leg at age 4 and it was hard on both of us. Good wishes and prayers to you all.

[heather]

breathe in. breathe out. and hugs for your sweet babe.

[tamara]

Poor little jem, that is crazy that his leg is broken *cry* All the Christmas prep somehow slips into the background when a wee one is hurting.

and Grace, take it all in stride. What needs to get done will get done and what doesn't will wait until next month or next year.

[Kelly]

Oh Grace,

Don't you worry over any of it, mama. My Christmas card photos are being ordered online as I type, LOL! I also have to do a ton of shopping on Saturday for all of the extended family...and most of the immediate! Time just doesn't permit. The season's not about any of that, so I refuse to let it stress me. :o)

Praying for Jem!

[Kirsten]

Take care of yourself and your little ones...the rest will sort itself out. I am sending good wishes your way!

[Lisa Clarke]

I can identify with that feeling of being woefully unprepared, but you know what? It will all come together in the end. The pressure that you feel is mostly a self-inflicted pressure. If the traditional Christmas pajamas have to be store-bought one year, or the Christmas cards become New Year cards, so be it. You don't have to live up to your own ideals of the "perfect"holiday to still be a rousing success in the eyes of those around you. I've learned that lesson myself, on more than one occasion!

Hope the leg heals easily (for all of you!)

[Chelsea D.]

Giant hug Grace-I could have written your post-except for the red cast. My dear one is stuck with red bumps(chicken pox)- does that count?!

[melody]

Oh, I do hope that dear Jem isn't too terribly uncomfortable!

I completely hear you on everything else. I was just standing here feeling nauseous thinking about everything that I have left and not knowing how I'll handle it. DH has been out of commission for several months now and I'm woefully behind. When I get off-line I'm going to call and see if I can line up a couple of hours of babysitting some day this week. I've cut back my list considerably. My cards will go out in the new year when I feel like I have the time to do them right. Keep heart! Whatever happens it will be ok.

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things,
shall be well.

[Ram in the Thicket]

Oh poor baby! Take a deep breath, make a list, and leave of the stuff that is extra. Tackle it one thing at a time ;o)

[Kelly]

Dear Grace, BREATHE IN...BREATHE OUT...you are loved. Hands together for you and especially your dear little one. Peace.

[Dawn]

Hope Jem (and you) start feeling better soon!

[Emilie]

oh my gosh, poor Jem!

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Right now just decide what project is the biggest priority and go from there. Christmas pjs would be nice, but maybe they won't happen this year (or can be from the store). And you know what, the kids won't mind! We are sending out our Christmas cards out late this year, and I've decided not to stress about it. Work on the dolls, work on Elle's gifts. Your husband won't mind if his birthday gift is late, either :).
I've been there!
Thinking of you!

[misschris]

Oh honey, I could have written this myself. (Except for the leg-breaking part -- poor Jem!) We've had nothing but colds, er trips, head lice (!ACK!) and the like since Thanksgiving. It's been a very stressful December here, too! I hope we can *all* have a big laugh a week from now. Take care and be well... XO C.

[molly]

oh! I want to come over and wrap presents and address christmas cards together. (mine are still "inside" my computer, if that makes you feel better.)

so sorry about Jem's leg. but I have to admit the bright red cast is pretty cute.

Please, PLEASE....send our doll after Christmas. Will that make it any easier??

[shukr]

A spanner in the works to give you a break .D

Isn't parenting the 'most biggest, hugest' change in perception!?!