Over the last few weeks, and in no particular order of importance, I have been laid low by bronchitis, gone to a conference in Kansas City, Missouri, done my first series of webinars at work - talking to clients across the country, taught 3 full-day seminars, and basically scurried around nonstop with to-do list in hand, trying without success to balance a very full plate at home and work. In between the big stuff, I managed to slip in martinis and appetizers with a colleague one evening this week, pay an extended visit to Target, provide some oversight/encouragement to my son as he put forward the heroic last minute efforts that all freshman require to finish up their first semester in college without incident. I think all in all, I am doing pretty well here. I accept that my to-do list is ridiculously long and overstuffed. I know I won't get it all done. I am trying to reduce my bouts of fussing at myself over this as it seems more than a bit unkind and totally unrealistic besides.
My goal is to enjoy my vacation, which start next Wednesday without having too much hanging over my head. In order to do that, I need to make sure this weekend is productive. Oh, how I long for official time off, even if I do check my email and do a few tasks every day. I want to not have to do trips downtown for a whole two weeks. I want to walk around in dorm pants and a flannel sweater half the day singing Christmas carols to myself - badly but cheerfully. I want to sleep in every day. I want to stay up late and know that there is no presentation, or visit, or project to do the next day and that my evenings and weekends are my own. I want to watch back episodes of Ghosthunters, Supernatural, Project Runway, and Intervention, interspersed with sappy Christmas movies and specials. I want to listen to Starbuck's Christmas Compiliation CDs until my ears bleeds. I want to get the lights up on the tree, the presents wrapped, and all my fake winter greenery stuffed into vases so that the house looks like the holidays before the holidays are over. I want to read holiday fiction before bed - frothy regency tales and modern heartwarming stories that come two to a thick paperbook and read like literary candy - until I can't keep my eyes open anymore. Before the season is done, I want to indulge in at least one piece of fruitcake, a glass of spiked eggnog, and some marzipan shaped like a little piece of fruit. And oh yes, I want to drink holiday lattes every day - the gingerbread latte, the mint mocha latte, the eggnog latte - bring 'em on.
And I will do these things.
In fact I have already started and I can feel a great weight slipping off my shoulders as it starts to sink in that soon I can turn some of the busy-ness of my life off for a little while or at least change the focus of it.
Hurray and Happy Holidays!
Happy Vacation and Merry Holidays!!
May all of your Vacation wishes come true!! Enjoy!!
Posted by: yankeechick | December 16, 2007 at 12:25 AM
I don't like those holiday drinks, but otherwise, I'm with you in spirit. We need to enjoy the holiday by doing what is special to us, not all this stressful rushing around!
Posted by: Margaret | December 16, 2007 at 01:51 AM
I have two weeks off starting next Saturday. The kids know it's coming and are feisty. I can't wait for my break either, but the anticipation is unbearable.
Posted by: Spritopias | December 17, 2007 at 08:14 AM