Friday, December 14, 2007

Eleven Days Left!!?

The Bag Lady has a false sense of security today. She finished writing her Christmas cards yesterday, and once she has them in the mail today, she will be ready for Christmas. Ha. What, then, is causing this uneasy feeling, this low level of anxiety she can’t quite find a reason for? Has she forgotten something? Why isn’t she in her customary state of panic? Is she panicky because she’s NOT panicky?

Her sister-in-law is hosting Christmas this year, and another sister-in-law usually hosts New Year’s Day, so the Bag Lady should be relaxing and enjoying the fact that she doesn’t have to cook a big meal, or clean her house - well, okay, she has to clean her house, but she doesn’t have to re-arrange furniture and make all the preparations for having a large number of people in her house.

Part of the anxiety the Bag Lady is feeling probably stems from the fact that old age is looming large. Her birthday is on the weekend, and she is afraid that the Cowboy has planned something. Or has NOT planned anything. She wonders which would be worse… On the one hand, she would like to mark this momentous occasion, but part of her wouldn’t mind letting it slip by unnoticed. The only reference the Cowboy has made to the occasion so far has been while he was watching a TV commercial the other day for Grey Power Insurance. (“If you’re over 50, with a good driving record, you qualify…”) He drawled, “Guess I can give them a call on Monday…”

There are 11 days left until Christmas. The Bag Lady has almost all of her shopping done. Her cards are ready to be mailed. She did some of her baking, but the Cowboy ate most of it, so she will do some more. But, because she isn’t entertaining anyone, she doesn’t have to do much. She hasn’t done any decorating, but still has time for that. So, okay, she’s ready. Sorta.

How about the rest of you? Have you finished your shopping yet? Done your baking? Are you calm and well-organized, or do you, like the Bag Lady, leave things to the last minute because you work better under pressure? Anything else you want to share?

15 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

I have to wait until the last minute, I don't know why! The stores are way more crowded then.

But when I try shopping early, I dawdle and nothing seems right and I spend hours and come back with nothing. I seem to need to hear the clock ticking to get my butt in gear and make a decision.

Leah J. Utas said...

I still haven't done my Christmas cards. Serious gumption issues here.
We don't decorate and we've already eaten all the Christmas baking Mike did.
I'm sure I'll get it done shortly. If I don't, then cards will be late and that's not a crime.

the Bag Lady said...

Crabby - the Bag Lady has a similar problem. She can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit until the last minute. It just doesn't feel right to buy Christmas presents in July, like some ultra-organized people do.

Leah - gumption issues? You? The Bag Lady can relate. She is contemplating not decorating this year. Really, why bother? Ya just have to take it all down again in a couple weeks! And with no-one coming here for the holidays, it hardly seems worth it.

Reb said...

I did what little shopping I could afford yesterday and blew my wad! I didn't even look at Christmas cards, so I just may not send any out this year, not that I ever send a lot anyway.
Did what little baking I am going to do and might pull out a wreath to put on the door, but that will probably be it. I keep promising to "do more next year", but never seem to.

the Bag Lady said...

Yes, Reb, it hardly seems worth the effort. Would be different if there were children involved, but...

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm mostly done with my shopping, since I tend to do it early. I hate hitting the stores this time of year (actually, most times of the year), so I shop online and that means shopping early.

Sarah said...

I've got my Christmas cards out, but that's about all that's done. I'm hoping that my Christmas tree will be put up this weekend. I don't really feel stress yet, but I'm waiting for reality to hit, and then I'm sure I'll feel the stress!

My mother is one of those ultra-organized Christmas people. She generally has her Christmas shopping done by end of October.... crazy!

the Bag Lady said...

Bunnygirl - good for you for being organized! The Bag Lady always wishes she were, but she has come to accept that she is not, and probably (without a personality transplant) never will be.

Sarah - you are a step ahead of the Bag Lady! She will have her cards in the mail soon...really. And your mom sounds like the Bag Lady's mother - organized, efficient, intimidating!!

Hilary said...

I might start shopping soon.. maybe.

Hilary said...

oh..... Happy Birthday, Baggie! :)

the Bag Lady said...

Thanks, Hil! Woke up with a back ache and stiff joints. Sheesh. It's starting already...

Crabby McSlacker said...

Happy Birthday to yooouuuu,
Happy Birthday to yoooouuu,
Happy Birthday dear Baggie,
Happy Birthday to yoooouuu!

Hope it's a great one!

(And Bag Lady had too many syllables, so I'm going with Hilary and you're Baggie today. Hmm, I'm kind of baggy every day!)

the Bag Lady said...

Thanks, Crabby!!
The Bag Lady is pretty baggy (and saggy) herself, most of the time!

Geosomin said...

I'm nearly done it all...with money a bit tight, I'm making some bath salts and recipes in a jar for some of the family, but everythig nelse is wrapped.
I've tried to avoid the malls in prime hours (not a shopper at the best of times) and seem to hav survived relatively unscathed! I do suck at christmas cards tho. I just mailed one now to a good friend in the UK...she'll likely get it in June I'm sure!
A good thing about having been on strike for a while, is my family knows things are a bit tight with us, so it'll be a christmas of getting together and visiting and not about gifts...which is the way I like it to be. Now that I hav ethe tree up I feel much better about the holidays.
If only I could get to the week off work part, it'd all be great!

PS happy birthday!

the Bag Lady said...

Geosomin, the Bag Lady can relate to the home-made gift scene - she's been there more times than she can count. And yours sound lovely! (the Bag Lady has a weakness for bath salts)
And thanks for the birthday wishes!