Post Holiday Stress Disorder

Well, I've survived it. I'm not exactly sure what "it" was, but I'm still here to tell about "it", so I think that's a good thing. I somehow managed to get an ear infection three weeks before Christmas. Two weeks later, when that was almost finished, I got something much, much worse. The unidentified "it" pretty much knocked me on my butt for the duration of the holidays. Fevers spiking to almost 103, the worst sore throat of my life, vomiting, and other horrid maladies overtook me. Luckily, a bit of that Mayfield water seemed to do the trick after Mom and Dad flew up to rescue me last Thursday.

I survived the Christmas rush in a medicated blur, finally started recovering, and am now back home, full circle. Even though I was feeling pretty rough, I had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, gifts, spoiling, and Cooper. I'll refrain from saying anything about Cooper since I was informed that he's not MY child, and therefore not fair game to blog about. I will say, though, that the "gifts from the heart" seemed to be a huge success. I'll have to start now coming up with ideas for next year if I'm going to try to top this year.

Now, on with the present... Now that I have a "real" job, Andy and Carrie Beth have decided it's time for me to do a bit of growing up. I think they've taken me on as a project, and decided to do an intervention. I've fought it tooth and nail for several years now (much to CB's chagrin), but I've finally succumbed to their pressure. Andy kidnapped me today, and forced me to start the steps to financial enlightenment. Dave Ramsey would be proud! Andy held my hand and made it as painless as possible, but I'll admit that I might be breaking out in a rash from the stress of it all. I'm starting to understand why CB gets worry-warts from thinking about such things. Andy helped me set everything up so that I can manage all of my money-matters at home in my pajamas on the internet. If I follow through with the grand plan, they might even let me take a mini-vacation in the fall, paid for with my OWN funds! Miracles have occurred before, and are still alive today, so hold your breaths.

While we were out, Andy took me to get a new cell phone. As a person who generally doesn't care much about technology, I've gone far too long without getting a new one. The parent-folk have been complaining about the quality of the old one, so I took the plunge. It's been so long since I upgraded, they practically just gave me a new phone. It's very exciting, and I've been fiddling with it for much of the afternoon.

I think that was enough stress for today. I've spent the rest of the day on Doug's couch recuperating. I think that's all I can take for one day.

Almost finished!

As some of you know, I've adopted a new plan for Christmas this year. I'm simplifying Christmas in general, and giving several "Gifts from the Heart". Every year, Mom and Dad tell me, "OH, please don't buy us anything." I always thought they were dumb. How are you going to NOT give your own parents a Christmas gift? But this year, I decided to take them up on it! After some deliberation, I came to the conclusion that it is absolutely rediculous to spend all of the holiday worrying and fretting over buying gifts that I CAN'T afford, and spending money I DON'T have to buy gifts that people DON'T want or need, so that in turn they can give me money so that I can pay off the debt from the gifts that I bought them. What a dumb cycle!!! So...I started early looking for ideas and working on projects. I'm still buying gifts for the children. They are the true reasons for the season. As for everyone else, I'm almost done!! I have one major gift that is taking a lot of time, but WILL be done by Christmas. I think everything else is finished!! I've made my list, checked it twice, and I'm NOT in debt this year!! I've skipped a couple meals out, and passed by a few items I wanted for myself, and I've managed to come out quite even, I do believe. Christmas is still weeks away, and I've already sworn off all further shopping between now and the big day. I'm done!! I just wanted to brag here a little bit.
If you read my brother Andy's blog, you know that I already gave my first "Gift from the Heart" and it seemed wildly successful.
Oh, and if you got cut from the gift list this year, too bad! Please don't buy me anything.
I hope all of you are having as enjoyable and relaxing a holiday season as I am!