How did it get to be Thursday already? What happened to Wednesday? I know I was around for Wednesday. I accomplished some of those things on Wednesday's "To Do" list. I DIDN'T get my Working the Shows Wednesday post up, though. So sorry. (I promise to run that story next Wednesday.)
To be honest, after a busy day of painting in the early morning, shopping with a friend most of the day, rushing home and preparing a meal for dinner guests, spending time with those guests before and after the meal, then, taking care of a little business - I made the mistake of sitting down for a second. It only took that long to fall asleep in the chair! When The Big Guy woke me up around midnight, I did the "zombie walk", literally bouncing off walls on my way to the bedroom where I quickly fell back into a deep sleep.
As most of you know, exhaustion is pretty much inherent in the pre-holiday rush. Those of us attempting to run a business, especially one whose business is centered on the season, run at a sleep deficit for weeks at a time. The older I get, the harder it is to maintain that kind of schedule. In the old days, I could go two days without hitting the sack when necessary and then rebound after just one 6-7 hour sleep session. Oh, to be young again!
It is important at this point, to PRIORITIZE. While we have orders to complete, gifts to buy, homes to maintain, family to take care of, etc., we also need to take care of ourselves. Sure, we can all handle a short night here and there but we need to realize we can't do it over and over without end. As we get tired, we take longer to create our product and make more mistakes in the process. Ultimately, we gain nothing in the process. A tired person is also more susceptible to whatever germs are floating around and with the flu season in full swing, you really don't want to let your guard down. A sick person accomplishes very little quality work and stays sick longer if they are forcing themselves to keep going at an unreasonable pace.
The secret to keeping it all together? SIMPLIFY where you can. You can make the daily meal times a lot simpler with a little planning and preparation. I'm a great believer in making planned leftovers. Basically, I cook at least double amounts where possible. This can usually be accomplished in the same amount of time but makes two dinners instead of one. Once cooked, freeze one of those meals. When you want to use it, simply thaw it out and pop it in the oven or microwave. This not only saves prep time but also clean-up time. I actually do this year-round, not just at the busy times. I also take an entire day every few weeks and stock pile food like stuffed shells, enchiladas, jambalaya, pulled pork, etc. These all freeze well and can be cooked up with very little effort. The wasted day really does pay off.
ACCEPT HELP. We all know we usually can't farm out our craft but we can allow our family members to assist with other need like KP duty in the kitchen, laundry, running to the grocery, even making the Post Office runs. If they offer to cook or clean, let them do it. Maybe they won't do it just the way you do, but it will most likely be perfectly acceptable. Most of all, don't criticize the help! Quietly accept however it comes out and be sure to say "Thanks."
We each have to determine where we can accept a little less perfection in our everyday life and what events we must take part in, whether it is attending the children's school pageant, having dinner with friends or even having house guests during the made pre-holiday days.
Just remember, you really can't do it all, something has to give. Don't let destiny determine what gives. Let it be your choice and plan to let somethings fall by the wayside. That way, the really important parts do happen and they happen in the way you want them to. You'll be in control of what really matters.
So, go ahead and turn in and get some creativity rest. (I've given up on the concept of beauty rest!)
Showing posts with label holiday planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday planning. Show all posts
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
37 Days and Counting - Christmas is rushing this way!
And the count rolls on -- 37 days and counting (fast).
I'm not ready. I keep fighting the urge to hit the "panic button" already. (There'll be plenty of time for that later.) Maybe someone could come up with an "Easy" button like that big office supply box store offers. That way we could avoid the panic and just sit back and enjoy the season.
The week before Thanksgiving is significant because it's my week to prepare for the holiday prep rush. Would that be more accurately referred to as Pre-Preparing?
I give a lot of homemade candy and baked goods as gifts so my kitchen needs to be ready for production line candy making and baking. I need the proper supplies and need to be able to locate all the dishes, pans, utensils, etc. quickly and easily. I spent today organizing my cabinets for smoother operation. A long as I was at it, I changed the shelf paper, too. I began my shopping list for candy supplies. Tomorrow, I need to inventory the baking supplies and review the recipes so I can round out that grocery list. I need to organize the refrigerator so I have at least two open shelves with enough room to cool candy.
Also, in preparation for the holiday rush and confusion, I try to stockpile some quick dinners that can simply be whipped out and thrown in the oven. Normally, I have some containers of jambalaya, gumbo, crab soup, pulled pork and stuffed shells on hand in the freezer. But stock of these is a little low at the moment. This, I need to work on this week. I also need to lay in supplies of the ingredients for some quick dips and other finger foods as we often have small impromptu get-togethers with our friends or get invited out at the last minute. I hate to go to someone's home empty-handed. Looks like I'll be spending some time in the grocery stores in the next few days.
I have some heavy-duty cleaning to do before I start decorating the house. I usually wash all my drapes before hanging my garlands, wreaths and such. I really wanted to whip up some new curtains for my living room but, realistically, it doesn't look like a good move. (This has been on my "To Do" list since this time last year.)
Every year, I swear I'll get those Christmas cards addressed "early" and get them in the mail before the last possible day. (Yes, I HAVE mailed some on Christmas Eve. Heck, I've even thrown some in the box on the 26th! ) Growing up, I wanted to be just like one of my aunts. She always spent the Thanksgiving holiday addressing her cards and mailed them the following Monday. To do that, I need to dig out at least one box of Christmas stuff to determine how many cards I have left from last year and what I need to pick up. (I already have my doubts about accomplishing this before then!)
I did hope to be almost overwhelmed with sales by now. That just isn't happening. I'm getting a nice flow of sales - mostly offline, but nothing overwhelming. I don't know whether to worry that they'll all come at the same time and definitely cause panic or if I should just accept this leisurely pace and just be grateful to have the opportunity to get our personal holiday needs taken care. (I do lean toward wanting the sales, though!)
The biggest problem with pre-Christmas planning is the fact that our lives don't stand still in the meantime to let us do all those things. We still have things like birthdays, appointments, Fall yard work, church and business obligations and other pulls on our daily schedules. Many of us travel or entertain through the Thanksgiving weekend. We simply squeeze Christmas preps in around these.
Like tomorrow, I plan to get outside and rake (again) and, hopefully, clean up the last of the flower beds. Then, I'll come in and throw some fresh paint on my yard reindeer. You know the kind - they're cut from plywood and pack up flat for storage. Mine are simply painted white but their paint has gotten a bit weather worn over the last few seasons. They definitely need some sprucing up. I also need to find them some spiffy new bows. I like the large red plastic ones usually available in the Dollar Store.
Hope your pre-holiday prep plans are going smoothly. (FYI - 37 days = only 5 weekends!)
I'm not ready. I keep fighting the urge to hit the "panic button" already. (There'll be plenty of time for that later.) Maybe someone could come up with an "Easy" button like that big office supply box store offers. That way we could avoid the panic and just sit back and enjoy the season.
The week before Thanksgiving is significant because it's my week to prepare for the holiday prep rush. Would that be more accurately referred to as Pre-Preparing?
I give a lot of homemade candy and baked goods as gifts so my kitchen needs to be ready for production line candy making and baking. I need the proper supplies and need to be able to locate all the dishes, pans, utensils, etc. quickly and easily. I spent today organizing my cabinets for smoother operation. A long as I was at it, I changed the shelf paper, too. I began my shopping list for candy supplies. Tomorrow, I need to inventory the baking supplies and review the recipes so I can round out that grocery list. I need to organize the refrigerator so I have at least two open shelves with enough room to cool candy.
Also, in preparation for the holiday rush and confusion, I try to stockpile some quick dinners that can simply be whipped out and thrown in the oven. Normally, I have some containers of jambalaya, gumbo, crab soup, pulled pork and stuffed shells on hand in the freezer. But stock of these is a little low at the moment. This, I need to work on this week. I also need to lay in supplies of the ingredients for some quick dips and other finger foods as we often have small impromptu get-togethers with our friends or get invited out at the last minute. I hate to go to someone's home empty-handed. Looks like I'll be spending some time in the grocery stores in the next few days.
I have some heavy-duty cleaning to do before I start decorating the house. I usually wash all my drapes before hanging my garlands, wreaths and such. I really wanted to whip up some new curtains for my living room but, realistically, it doesn't look like a good move. (This has been on my "To Do" list since this time last year.)
Every year, I swear I'll get those Christmas cards addressed "early" and get them in the mail before the last possible day. (Yes, I HAVE mailed some on Christmas Eve. Heck, I've even thrown some in the box on the 26th! ) Growing up, I wanted to be just like one of my aunts. She always spent the Thanksgiving holiday addressing her cards and mailed them the following Monday. To do that, I need to dig out at least one box of Christmas stuff to determine how many cards I have left from last year and what I need to pick up. (I already have my doubts about accomplishing this before then!)
I did hope to be almost overwhelmed with sales by now. That just isn't happening. I'm getting a nice flow of sales - mostly offline, but nothing overwhelming. I don't know whether to worry that they'll all come at the same time and definitely cause panic or if I should just accept this leisurely pace and just be grateful to have the opportunity to get our personal holiday needs taken care. (I do lean toward wanting the sales, though!)
The biggest problem with pre-Christmas planning is the fact that our lives don't stand still in the meantime to let us do all those things. We still have things like birthdays, appointments, Fall yard work, church and business obligations and other pulls on our daily schedules. Many of us travel or entertain through the Thanksgiving weekend. We simply squeeze Christmas preps in around these.
Like tomorrow, I plan to get outside and rake (again) and, hopefully, clean up the last of the flower beds. Then, I'll come in and throw some fresh paint on my yard reindeer. You know the kind - they're cut from plywood and pack up flat for storage. Mine are simply painted white but their paint has gotten a bit weather worn over the last few seasons. They definitely need some sprucing up. I also need to find them some spiffy new bows. I like the large red plastic ones usually available in the Dollar Store.
Hope your pre-holiday prep plans are going smoothly. (FYI - 37 days = only 5 weekends!)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
84 days and counting!
Mom used to use the phrase "A day late and a dollar short." Well, who isn't a dollar short these days? That's hardly a term to distinguish one from another in these hard times but I definitely feel like I'm running a day late ! (I actually am a day late. Notice there was no post yesterday?)
Maybe that's just a fancy way of saying I have no Working the Shows Wednesday for you this week. Blame it on vacation. I'm blaming everything on vacation lag at the moment. (I think "vacation lag" is related to jet lag.)
For all you readers who have counted on me for that Tuesday Countdown to Christmas - we're down to 84 days (That includes Christmas Eve in the count for anybody lagging behind.) I haven't done much to get ready either personally or business wise. (I'm soooo ashamed!!)
I have added a few holiday items to my shop but nowhere near the number I intended to add by now. Somewhere back in July, I made plans to add one item per day beginning August 1 and all of the items I was planning to add in that month would be holiday themed. So much for plans! Now, I'm starting to panic.
The good news is, some of my repeat customers have already contacted me to place Christmas orders. I admire them for planning ahead and shopping now. I wish I had.
Normally, we get our Christmas shopping started while we're at the beach in September (sometimes even before). There are just so many unique little gift shops there and they really do have some unique items. Add to that, we have a beach oriented family and many of our gifts feature beachy themes. We're also usually motivated by the fact that we're busy planning our Fall trek westward and it's a lot easier to load a bunch of gifts into the car than having to ship them later. So, as of today, I have one tiny little item for my man, and a few stocking stuffer sized items that I did find along the way and two package toppers that specifically cried out someone's name to me. Of course, I don't have any packages on which to attach those last two. Oh yeah, I also have two fancy gift bags that made me think of specific folks - again, nothing to put in them.
Of course, there are the gifts I want to make by hand for some members of the family, too. The plans are in my head but no work has begun yet. I feel pretty good about at least having some ideas for specific gifts but I've got to get busy making them a reality. Just as in previous years, I swear I am not staying up late Christmas Eve finishing gifts. Last year, I actually found myself testing paint to be sure it was dry before I could wrap on Christmas morning!! (I'll let you know how that oath works out in about 86 days!!)
I do have a goal for the week (besides finishing some orders that came in this past week while I was away.) I need to complete two birthday gifts that are already late. Then, I need to complete two that are due within the next two weeks. I have quite a few almost done items for the shop. It'd be great to get them done and listed, too.
Complicating this plan, of course, is the fact that it is already late Wednesday night and we have plans for Friday night and Saturday. Not much week left.
So, how is your holiday planning coming along?
Maybe that's just a fancy way of saying I have no Working the Shows Wednesday for you this week. Blame it on vacation. I'm blaming everything on vacation lag at the moment. (I think "vacation lag" is related to jet lag.)
For all you readers who have counted on me for that Tuesday Countdown to Christmas - we're down to 84 days (That includes Christmas Eve in the count for anybody lagging behind.) I haven't done much to get ready either personally or business wise. (I'm soooo ashamed!!)
I have added a few holiday items to my shop but nowhere near the number I intended to add by now. Somewhere back in July, I made plans to add one item per day beginning August 1 and all of the items I was planning to add in that month would be holiday themed. So much for plans! Now, I'm starting to panic.
The good news is, some of my repeat customers have already contacted me to place Christmas orders. I admire them for planning ahead and shopping now. I wish I had.
Normally, we get our Christmas shopping started while we're at the beach in September (sometimes even before). There are just so many unique little gift shops there and they really do have some unique items. Add to that, we have a beach oriented family and many of our gifts feature beachy themes. We're also usually motivated by the fact that we're busy planning our Fall trek westward and it's a lot easier to load a bunch of gifts into the car than having to ship them later. So, as of today, I have one tiny little item for my man, and a few stocking stuffer sized items that I did find along the way and two package toppers that specifically cried out someone's name to me. Of course, I don't have any packages on which to attach those last two. Oh yeah, I also have two fancy gift bags that made me think of specific folks - again, nothing to put in them.
Of course, there are the gifts I want to make by hand for some members of the family, too. The plans are in my head but no work has begun yet. I feel pretty good about at least having some ideas for specific gifts but I've got to get busy making them a reality. Just as in previous years, I swear I am not staying up late Christmas Eve finishing gifts. Last year, I actually found myself testing paint to be sure it was dry before I could wrap on Christmas morning!! (I'll let you know how that oath works out in about 86 days!!)
I do have a goal for the week (besides finishing some orders that came in this past week while I was away.) I need to complete two birthday gifts that are already late. Then, I need to complete two that are due within the next two weeks. I have quite a few almost done items for the shop. It'd be great to get them done and listed, too.
Complicating this plan, of course, is the fact that it is already late Wednesday night and we have plans for Friday night and Saturday. Not much week left.
So, how is your holiday planning coming along?
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