Tag: christmas

Life or Something Like It

Overwhelming To-Do List

Barefoot Faith Journey

Overwhelming To-Do List

Overwhelming To-Do List

Overwhelming To-Do List is looming and all I seem to be doing is staring it down and seeing who will be the first to move. Will it be the list that lessens by one, magically OR will I be the one that tackles it? It’s a mystery. There are 7 Sundays left until Christmas. I am the person that most people can’t stand because my Christmas shopping is done by July.

Welp.

It’s not done.

No where near done, in fact.

I am close to panicking.

My Over Productive Brain

Honestly, I see the smallest things that, in my house, that I consider the nastiest thing in the world. Lately, there has been a smell that I can’t quite pinpoint, but it is there. Granted, no one else can smell it, but I do. It’s like when I was pregnant and had the nose of a bloodhound. The smell is there, it’s my job to find it.

I have yet to find it.

Aside from this smell, I feel my house is disgusting because the baseboards are gross, my window sills have families of spiders living in them, there are leaves everywhere outside, the weeds are everywhere, and so much dust. I can’t stand it. In the back of my mind, I know that it is fine, but the rest of me is screaming CLEAN YOUR HOUSE!

It drives my husband nuts.

Living the Stay At Home Mom Life

When I was a SAHM for 30 years, my house never got really dirty. I cleaned everyday. Everyday, there was a meal on the table. There was not a spot that was not painfully organized including my husbands 32 mini drawer nuts/bolts/nail holder that I organized by measured length, size, and shape. That might have been an issue because I was stoked, he wasn’t…I cried. It was a whole thing.

Things have changed since I went back to work. He helps more, I do less, and sometimes we eat what we can find. I hate that and I want to do better but I just don’t have time. Honestly, I didn’t think I had time when I was a SAHM and now I really don’t have time.

All The Things and Then Some

Between my doctor appointments, I have H’s doctor appointments, school stuff, work stuff, parental unit stuff, other kid stuff, and life. Lest I forget that 4 hour test I have to take for my licensure that I’m just now studying for, the ADHD-CCSP certification that is a 32 hr continuing education course I paid to do, and I’m taking classes on ASL so I can help a population of people that are not served well in our community. I just haven’t found my groove yet.

Yesterday, I Multi-Tasked

In between my cleaning, I got the grocery order done and my menu for the week finished. Also, I finished Christmas shopping for my mother-in-law (her gifts to my kids) and my mom. I also ordered some Christmas for my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, so that is done. Then, I sent out a group text about the celebrations for this month. My kids were over eating, last night, and we got name drawing done and ironed out the Thanksgiving meal. Also, I cleaned up the house after dinner, so all my husband had to do was sweep. There was not an inch of this house that was not cleaned, swept, dusted, or mopped. It really did my heart good.

Stressful Times

There are some things going on, right now, in my family that is causing some emotions in me. I process those emotions by A) getting sick B) having a PsA flare up C) hyper-organizing D) obsessively cleaning E) bouts of crying F) shows of anger G) cooking more than we can eat in a week.

I’ve done all those things and feel like that is going to continue until I have made peace with what is going on. Frankly, in my eyes, there is no making peace with it all. I just have to accept it but that doesn’t seem like it is going to happen anytime soon. Geez, there is so much I wanna say and I will…just not tonight because I hear my husband’s footsteps and that means he is fixing to come to bed.

My To-Do List

It will continue to grow.

Here are my goals:

  • Do something in small pockets of time throughout the day.
  • Take a lunch to drive and breathe
  • Finish Christmas shopping
  • Continue to feed my people and my parents
  • Pet my cat
  • Make appointments
  • Get bloodwork done
  • Attempt to participate in therapy
  • Do my job well
  • Keep my house cleaned up, daily, to keep me from getting overwhelmed
  • Find my crockpot recipes so we can eat a homemade meal again
  • Write a letter of clarity to someone I love because I’m done being manipulated
  • Stay in my own lane
  • Hopefully feel better by eating better
  • That reminds me…I need to start eating, that would be helpful

I’m sure there is more, but now I am tired and my body is already hurting. It’s like it knows to hurt all night just to give me a thrill. Sigh. Tomorrow is a new day…filled with new promises.

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Keep the Season Merry and Safe

Barefoot Faith Journey

Keep the Season Merry and Safe

 

Keep the Season Merry and Safe with Innovative Takes on Holiday Gatherings

Keep the Season Merry and Safe. The 2020 holiday season poses new challenges for parents trying to balance family life and health concerns. However, it is still possible to enjoy some seasonal socializing with caution and creativity. Families who have experienced stress or loss over the past year may significantly benefit from the opportunity to laugh, interact, and even celebrate. Whether you plan an online meet-up or a small in-person party, a little innovation can go a long way. This goes towards keeping the spirit of the holidays alive during difficult times. Barefoot Faith Journey invites you to consider the following methods to celebrate safely.

When health concerns are paramount, online might be best.

The easiest way to keep a gathering safe is to host it remotely. By now, most of us are familiar with many online interaction technologies. With applications such as Zoom, Skype, and Facebook Messenger readily available, families can choose which best suits their personal preferences and tech capacities. Communication and planning are crucial to hosting an excellent remote party, so everyone knows when and how to join.

Families used to online meet-ups for work, or school responsibilities might consider making their virtual gatherings more festive by adding costume themes. For more minor children, think about themes from superhero movies or their favorite animated series. Older children and adults might find a period dress a fun way to step out of every day. If everyone prepares snacks and beverages in advance, you can chat. Also, maybe even play games and enjoy some holiday treats.

Online Activity

When engaged in online activity, ensure you protect yourself and your devices against cyberattacks. Use a secure network, set up strong passwords, and avoid clicking on dubious links. Also, be aware of downloading applications you haven’t carefully vetted. And never give away private personal information online unless you know you are dealing with a secure and trusted source.

If it is safe to do so, consider hosting a small in-person event.

Depending on the weather and public health regulations in your area, you may be able to host a holiday event. Even if it is just for a few close friends and family, always check the recommendations for your state and county. Do this before making plans. Invite people you can trust who will abide by precautions and communicate clearly with you about potential risks. In general, outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones. Ask your guests to bring masks and set up a small hand-sanitizing station near the exit and entry point. Everyone should provide their food and drink and avoid sharing utensils as much as possible.

Colder Climate Ideas

To create a comfortable outdoor space, firepits and outdoor heaters might be good options for colder climates. Just be sure to follow your area’s rules and recommendations for fire safety. Add fairy lights and tiki torches for ambiance, and plan games or entertainment that don’t involve interpersonal contact.

Indoor parties might still be possible, but remember to take precautions.

For those in areas with reduced risk, indoor gatherings are still possible. All guests should have already been sharing a quarantine bubble when meeting up inside, minimizing outside contact. Traveling over long distances for social events is generally discouraged, but those who feel it is safe or necessary should heed these travel safety tips suggested by experts. Avoid unnecessary physical contact when gathering with others in your quarantine bubble. Also, check temperatures beforehand, and remember to wash your hands frequently.

It has been a challenging year for many of us. You can still celebrate the holidays with friends and family; this year requires a little more creativity. Even if you have to arrange your events a little differently this time around, remember, some things haven’t changed. The holidays are still a time to celebrate the relationships that enrich our lives.