There is always that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas that I really begin thinking that I should just lock my door and sleep for a while. This year is especially inviting to that thought. It just makes me so tired thinking about it. I can understand why Daylight Savings Time was invented. I get up in the dark and come home in the dark. I am really just ready for bed at 6pm. I force myself (sometimes unsuccessfully) to stay awake until at least 11pm, just so I don't wake up at 3am (I also have a bad habit of only sleeping 5-6 hours on weekdays). All the "events" in a holiday season just seem to get in the way of that lovely sleep time.
My mom's birthday sometimes falls on Thanksgiving, as was the case this year. I love my mama, so it was wonderful going to the Dallas Arboretum and having a late lunch/dinner at Eno's Pizza Tavern in the Bishop Arts District on the Wednesday before. As an educator, I get the whole week off for Thanksgiving Break, so I'd had plenty of rest up until that point. It was really a beautiful day...much like spring than nearing winter, so it was very stress free.
Then, Thanksgiving hit. Sometimes being around family really stresses me out. I can handle being around a lot of people at once...I work in a school, so I am constantly around people all of the time. But sometimes I just get a little stressed out being around family. They expect so much more of me than I am willing to give. It might be because I am around 90 teens who only expect me to listen to them that makes it easier to be around them. When it comes to actually having a conversation, sometimes I just kind of freeze up and can't think of exactly what I want to say. I hate that about myself sometimes. It makes me just want to take a nap and get away from everyone for a while. Sometimes I do just that. This year I successfully did not.
Then I had to clean my house for my dad's visit/decorating for Christmas. I get easily distracted by different issues in my house and this time was no exception. I have several (it's a lie...probably 15) boxes that have been packed up for about 3 years from several non-moves I didn't make. So far I've been able to live without those items packed up, which probably means I don't need them. I really want to de-clutter, but it's so hard when you are a collector of various "things." I envy those nice, clean lined houses with only a few very choice items on display. I don't think that style is in my DNA. I try, but I still go over the top! So...I successfully emptied out about 7 of those boxes, swept, dusted, changed sheets on the guest bed, and put away my Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations...and promptly got my Fall Crud attack that Saturday. I'm still working at getting rid of that.
This Fall Crud has also taken it's toll on my spirit. I haven't been able to go to yoga (not good to downward dog when you can't breathe and snot is running all over the place), which has hurt me in more than just my physical well being. My mind just isn't in it right now. I don't think anyone really realizes how much missing just one yoga practice can hurt you. I certainly do. It's like any other workout. You miss one, it becomes increasingly easy to miss more. Today I actually have had to choose going to yoga over going to a district librarian holiday party. The spirit of the party might be good for me, but I need my yoga spirit back.
And...I still need to decorate for Christmas. I finally got all 12 of my decorations crates out of the garage last night! I spent most of last week being sick, feeling like crap, and sleeping (I gave in), so the 5th of December was my mighty move in of Christmas. I didn't take any of it out of the boxes, but at least it's now in my house. It is just tough for me right now. I don't know how to explain it, but I just am not there yet when it comes to Christmas. Hopefully today, after my yoga practice and dinner, I can get some of that "magic stuff" out, put on the Charlie Brown Christmas CD (and Bare Naked Ladies...and Squirrel Nut Zippers...because I'm well-rounded like that), and get into the mood for this next round of holiday daze. I still have 19 days, though...
