The Holiday of Downward Spirals

I've been missing...but just here...not in life...life has been a flurry of activity since the summer-- with school starting...and family and friends visiting....and soccer season...and church activities...and Pinterest...and...now I'm full on in the throes of the holiday season.

I was answering an email to a good friend of mine, and with the state of my life right now, it didn't seem real to just rattle off all the comings and goings of the Terry family. So, I laid it out for her. That things are hectic...that I'm stressed...that I bring so much of it on myself. And I realized something. It was C.A.T.H.A.R.T.I.C.  Making the list of everything that is killing me right now helped to put it in perspective. And, I wanted to share. Because this friend had shared something with me that was real and personal and prompted my catharsis. I don't know if it will make me slow down at all. But, for today, I feel better. So, here goes. Maybe it can help you to re-evaluate your life and put things in perspective too.

"I'm chagrined that it took me so long to respond, but my happy, busy life is spiraling out of control right now because I have too much to do and not enough time to do it. I apologize ahead for being so real, but I miss you, and talking to you, and your email sounds like you are happy, but not truly content...I totally relate, to find the little joys in the everyday things of raising my family, but really missing connections with people and missing those I love.

So, here goes....I'm supposed to be finishing up thank you's for donations for the joint spouse conference we had....in October. Wrap up meeting is the 1st....I know I'm behind...as always.

Then, there is our Christmas social for Relief Society at church...on Dec 1st...I've got to get my ducks in a row for that. Yes...the same day as our meeting for JSC. Don't call me that day...I may explode.

Then there is cooking a fab Thanksgiving meal, that we don't have anyone to invite to, and my family won't truly appreciate, but I can't stop myself. Really. I can't.

My dining room table is covered with the joys of card making...I can't find time to sit down and finish, but it has to be cleaned up by tomorrow. Or we have no where to eat.

I have way too many cute things on my Pinterest that I want to try immediately, and no time to do it.

Also, I started a FB page this week, Lisa's Paper Art and Gifts, for my clipboards and cards, which I have some on hand, but will genuinely freak out if I have to make something specific on a time crunch. People have been telling me I should really sell them, and I know it's late in the season, but I hoped to get some business before Christmas.

On top of everything, it's that time of year when I think of Christine and the fact that at the last Thanksgiving we spent with her we had no idea she would be gone from us in 2 weeks.

So, thank you for keeping in touch, for understanding my life and being someone I'm truly thankful for, this time of year and always."

 

That's how I truly feel...today...stressed...and happy...and spinning...and grateful. All wrapped up in one bustling mom of a body. Each of those things give me something to be grateful for, whether it is food on our table, creativity, or people that have come into my life and made a difference.

I'm thankful for the things I am blessed with in my life; for the people I love, my resolve and my strength that allow me to take on so many wonderful things, and the faith that Heavenly Father watches over us, and is there for us in times of trial and times of gratitude. Now, go on...make your list of crazy things you are grateful for. It will help...if nothing else, it will let you take a breather before you make another pie.