Today we actually had a teeny, tiny taste of fall. It still got up to 85 degrees (not fall-ish) but the humidity was lower and there was a nice breeze in the morning. I had a little extra time after I dropped my daughter off at school, and I thought “Why don’t I go for a walk?”
In the summer, going for a walk is a commitment. You have to change your clothes (unless you’re already wearing shorts and a tank top) and know that you will return home drenched in sweat, even if you only walk for ten minutes. So then you need to take a shower.
But today! I just walked in what I was already wearing, which was sweatpants and a t-shirt, and when I returned home I went straight into making my breakfast. It was just a 15 minute walk, but I realized that a bunch of little walks adds up- so one of my goals for fall is to increase my walking in this way.
Okay, let’s talk about Christmas. I love Christmas so, so much- but I invariably end up incredibly stressed in December. After a careful analysis, I’ve decided that I just don’t start Christmas early enough. We always start the Christmas prep after Thanksgiving, and I now realize that is too late.
I’ll get pushback from the family if I start Christmas prep in November. Interestingly, it’s always the people who aren’t doing the work that have the strongest opinions. Okay! Then YOU put up the tree and all the decorations, send cards, bake cookies, buy and wrap all the presents, plan, shop for, and prepare all the food for Christmas Day and Christmas Eve- all between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Sure, it’s possible. But I would contend that it’s not possible to do it all in that time frame and not feel a lot of stress. This November, I’m going to START CHRISTMAS PREP AND I’M GOING TO ENJOY IT. One of my themes for NaBloPoMo is going to be “Christmas in November.” So there.
But… Thanksgiving is still a thing, and this year is going to be difficult. For the first time ever, my son won’t be home. Since we always have Thanksgiving with just the four of us, his absence will leave a huge, gaping hole.
To be clear, I’m not mad about this. I understand that he has to split his holidays now- they’ll spend Thanksgiving with Isabel’s family and Christmas with us. I’m THRILLED with this arrangement, because I would be even more sad if he weren’t here for Christmas. So, I completely understand that it has to be this way. I’m just not sure how we’re going to get through the day.
In a lot of ways, Paul has always been the glue that holds this family together. He’s always upbeat and fun, and de-escalates every situation when things start to get tense. In recent years, he’s taken ownership of several components of the meal (mashed potatoes, stuffing, and salad). The thought of attempting to carry on as always, and then sitting down to eat with just the three of us, makes me want to cry.
Right now there’s no clearcut alternative. Traveling is not an option, due to my husband’s and daughter’s schedules. I’ve thought about just giving up completely and eating at a restaurant, but I’m not quite ready to derail the entire day like that. So… right now I’m just waiting for a solution to present itself. And it will- somehow or other, Thanksgiving will happen.
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
When do you start your Christmas prep?
Do you do the same thing for Thanksgiving every single year?
