December 25 - Merry Christmas to All

Enjoyed a lovely day at home with Dale, all the kids, and my dad. We are so blessed!

May your season be just as full of joy and laughter and love!

December 19 - Still Ranting

Maybe next week, after the fact, I'll post adorable pictures of all the beautiful Christmas memories made in the Shafer-Johnson household this year. I'm sure by then I'll be able to manufacture something.

In the mean time, today's pissy-ness is focused on all the crafty and delicious gifts that you, too can create at home. I have some very talented friends and acquaintances who make a life, even a living, out of charming ideas. This, however, puts me in the awkward, sticky spot between admiration and defensiveness. Of course, we should all be able to whip up batches of fluffy things to bestow upon every cherished person who crosses our path this holiday season, right? You know, in your spare time.

Why-oh-why can't I even pull off dinner on a regular basis for the 5 people who actually live with me?! Pretty sure that I'd have to give up all personal growth and professional development, household cleaning, and possibly bedtime stories for the kids in order to accomplish all the holiday stuff I dream of doing. Who doesn't want to create her own gingerbread with doily patterns and pass out homemade canned chicken stew to the neighbors.

By the way, do you know how much the ingredients and tools cost to create all this homemade goodness? I figure I'm paying about 3x the cost of store bought applesauce - don't tell my husband - and that doesn't even include the 10+ hrs of labor involved!

So, phooey on you Better Homes & Gardens-Betty Crocker-Martha Stewart types. My Prevention Plan for healthy living just emailed to tell me to manage holiday stress by 1)taking more me-time & 2)lowering expectations. Guilt be damned. So there.
(Yeah, I don't really believe me either...)

December 5 - Why I Hate Christmas

Ok, "hate" may be a bit of an exaggeration. My disdain is certainly not directly aimed at Jesus' birthday, or even jolly old St. Nick. It's more of an expectation vs. reality problem.

Today's rant will focus on charity-itis. You know that irritated sensation of being dried up and stretched too thin, then breaking out in a rash of guilt? Can't seem to shake it this season.

I am being solicited by easily 10 people or organizations a day, not counting my adorable, present-mongering children. (Or the pathetic roadside "I have 5 kids & no job" sign beggars. Don't get me started on that uncomfortable topic.) They're generally worthy or interesting causes. Here's a selection from the past 3 days, in no particular order:

- Potawatomi Zoo

- Impact Campus Ministries

- Andrews University Music Program

- Edwardsburg Food Pantry

- Aerial Photography Association

- Toys for Tots

- Center for the Homeless

- Granger Community Church "Let It Be Christmas" Program

- St. Jude's Children's Hospital

- JC Penny Afterschool Fund

- The Salvation Army

- The Lion's Club

- United Way Adopt-A-Family

- St. Vincent de Paul Society

- Snowflakes for Seniors

- United Health Services

- Care International

All fabulous, right? Now what? I feel like I'm dealing with a crowd of demanding kids. I have to put on my stern no-&-I-mean-it face and start proving my selfishness to the world. No, I do not have spare change for you, perky bell ringer. No, I will not write a little check right now and change a child's life. No, I don't think anyone wants my 2 year old canned green beans. No, no, no! (Guilt, remorse, guilt!)

So, any good strategies out there for navigating the Holiday Season of Giving?! I think my limbs are going to start getting green and furry like a certain Seussical Christmas hater soon!