I’m not SAD!
Hey remember me? The overwhelmed totally got in-too-deep Christmas Mama Maniac? Today I started to think about what was worth all this stress and effort and aren’t the holidays supposed to be about relaxing and enjoying our families? Not rushing around to go through the motions of doing the “things” everyone says happy families are supposed to do?
I think I struggle with this every year.
The difference this year is that I then left the house to pick up some supplies and instantly felt relief, relaxed, happy, full of The Spirit of Christmas.
I realized that there is only one thing that can be attributed to this Holly Jolly me and its the weather! For the first time in all my adult life, I’m not dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder - the bane of every Michigander’s winter season! I almost feel a little guilty knowing that, back at “home”, my friends and family are experiencing insane snow storms right this very minute while here in Texas its sunny with bright blue skies and the kind of weather that you can just throw on a sweatshirt and enjoy thoroughly. Just breathing in the fresh air outside did miracles to my stress level, mood and energy level. There was even a little skip in my step! A skip in mid-December!
The holidays can be tough no matter where you live. I’m not claiming that I’ll have or have ever had a Chestnuts-Roasting-On-An-Open-Fire kind of holiday (in fact I’ve roasted chestnuts and I can’t stand them!). But I’m back to looking forward to our little traditions instead of feeling consumed and overwhelmed by them. And all it took was a little fresh air and sunshine.
How could I ever want to trade snow for this?!
But I bet my old ‘hood sure looks pretty today. Send me a picture - I’ll appreciate it from afar but wouldn’t leave the warmth of a holiday in Texas for anything!
December 16th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
2 FEET!!! 2 FEET OF SNOW!!! Jordan was outside shoveling the driveway and sidewalk for AN HOUR THISMORNING!!!!!
December 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I’ve got pictures all over my blog of the blizzard (yes, blizzard… a real one!) we had today!
December 16th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Hmmm wonder if this will work:
December 16th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Oh girl, I envy you!!!! I’ve definitel got the Seasonal Affect Disorder *big time* and it is hard to get out of the stressed holiday funk with all this rain! But I agree, the best thing is to let go of all the “shoulds” and just relax and have fun with the family. Which is why my house will probably not be clean for the next two weeks! LOL.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:43 am
I hear all that sista! LOL We were outside all day yesterday and it was spectacular! Blue skies and sunny with a hint of cool air
Yeah, snow is pretty but that pretty will be a slushy stinky grey mess today or tomorrow. Enjoy the weather because it’s gorgeous here in the winter. We are going to Iowa for XMas and at first I was excited but now I am dreading what I will miss here 
Glad you’re not sad!!!!
December 17th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Oh Tina - CUTE picture!!!!! They actually look happy to be out there!
December 17th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I don’t deal with my SAD too much until mid-January…Wisconsinite here.
Gld to hear you are feeling a little better about the holiday…I can’t skip here I’d probably slip and crack my noggin on the ice.
December 17th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Oh I am so with you BUT I cannot get my husband to move to a climate where there is NO snow, so I am glad that you were able to get your fix in pictures and still be able to step outside to now snow and sweatshirt weather!
December 17th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I love the snow, love the white Christmas, but hate hate hate the dark and dreary parts. It doesn’t start to really hit me until January, too, and by February I’m about ready to slit my writst longways (not literally, of course). Enjoy your sunshine!
December 18th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Glad you’re feeling better!