Thinking Ahead for the Holiday Season

The photos here are the ones I took when I was cleaning the lens and testing my camera settings. I couldn’t help but find them amusing when I found them this morning on my computer. Seems more real than carefully-constructed shots.

Can we talk about Christmas? I am always reluctant to bring it up before Thanksgiving. I don’t want anyone to groan.

I was thinking about it because lately I have been stretched so thin. It’s all good stuff, but with deadlines and projects, I wondered how I could fit Christmas hoopla into the mix.

There was the one Christmas when I decided I didn’t want to do a bunch of preparing, I just wanted to show up for it, and I did. (I didn’t know I was pregnant until two days before Christmas, and then it all made sense.)

Other Christmases I made some of the gifts, but the idea of having that much time now seems so foreign, it might as well be another planet.

The way things are this year, I thought about, “What is the one thing I can do now to make Christmas easier, to enjoy it instead of feeling the pressure of deadlines?”

I decided that one thing this year is to get the presents bought and wrapped early. That will relieve some of the pressure so I can feel free to enjoy the festivities and traditions. My goal is to have all the gifts taken care of and wrapped before Thanksgiving. I’m declaring it here, so that means I have to do it.

Shopping early is better than shopping late, and even though it’s mildly annoying to see Christmas signs so early in the stores, that can help me reach my goal. It will be better than shopping with the crowds and crowded parking lots. If I can’t buy my gifts within the next couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, then I’m probably making it harder than it should be. And I want them to be wrapped as well because that means the gift is ready and I won’t do any second-guessing.

In other news, I made soup. Soup in a mug is my go-to lunch. (When you find something that works, stick to it.) One pot of soup made on the weekend is enough to reheat for lunches all week long.

Join Me at the Simple Mom Podcast

Have you listened to the Simple Mom podcast? It was my pleasure to be the guest on the latest show.

It’s hosted by Tsh from SimpleMom.net. Tsh and I are friends, but we’ve both had whirlwind years, and we haven’t had much chance to sit down and catch up. This podcast is a personal talk between friends about what’s going on in our lives, and we want you to be the third person at our table.

We’ll be talking about our common interests: living overseas, adjusting to cross-cultural lifestyles and surprises, small-space living, blogging, home renovation, and clothes.

Don’t miss:

• The story behind my random short-term move to Italy. (6:20)
• We confess about our junk. Can you imagine leaving the country all of a sudden and your friends have to pack up your junk drawers for you? That happened to Tsh. (17:00)
• This summer felt crazy to me, and it was hard to put it into words on the blog, so we talk about it some here. (24:00)
• Why I chose the ugly-duckling house, and our kitchen design plans. (26:50)
• The decorating tip I learned from a reader’s comment that I’m applying in my new house. (31:15)
• Tsh said my house used to look like an old fast-food restaurant. Oh yes she did. Find out which restaurant. (43:15)
• We talk about clothes and developing a personal style. (44:15)
• Do you think I should join Twitter or Facebook? (51:00)

At the end of every podcast Tsh asks the same ten questions, and one is, “Name a historical figure you admire.” For some reason I could only think of one person.

And I knew it wasn’t the right answer to give, but I just couldn’t stop thinking of her, and then I finally came up with a random Founding Father. So when you hear a long, awkward pause at (1:02:15) that’s why. I really love Claire Huxtable.

Thanks for hosting, Tsh!

Teach Kids About Saving Money

Does this look like the face of someone who wants to discuss good financial habits for her future?

I’m over at AlphaMom today talking about how no matter what I try to tell her about saving money, it’s my example that she’ll remember.

Read the post at AlphaMom and jump into the comments there to discuss:

The Work Process

I was feeling impatient with our home renovation. I just wanted it to be done.

But as I was looking at these pictures, I think I’ve changed my mind.

Doug didn’t grow up with his dad around, but by God’s grace everything turned out fine.

“Do you think he’ll remember this?” Doug asks me about Tom.

“I don’t know, but I think it will be a part of him even if he can’t remember it.”

I like how this house is becoming a way of telling our family’s story.

I will remember to look back at all that has been done instead of the work that is still to come.