New Year's Resolutions Prep

I hope everyone had a happy holiday weekend. While I enjoyed my days off, I was glad to be back at work this morning. I think it has something to do with the predictability of the work-week schedule. It's nice and regular. There are so many events in the next eight weeks that it's kind of nice to have "normal" days in the midst of the mild chaos.

Even though we haven't even reached Christmas yet, I've been thinking about New Year's Resolutions. (This is, of course, on top of the obligatory resolutions of 'eat better' and 'exercise more'.) I've been thinking about resolving to change certain things about me. I'm a Mother Hen/Control Freak. I've been that way since High School, probably even before that. This means that I've got a certain number of non-strengths that get me into trouble. For example, I'm miserable at asking for help but I'm realizing that I may be slowly drowning in all the stuff I pile on my sometimes over-loaded plate.

Sometimes I want to do it myself because I think I'll do the best job at it. Sometimes I want to do it myself because if I foul it up, I will have no one to blame but myself. Sometimes I want to do it by myself because I want the satisfaction of the achievement. Sometimes I want to do it myself because I don't want to burden other people. Sometimes I want to do it myself because I don't trust that other people will do it right, or even at all. Sometimes I want to do it myself because I think I "should". But regardless of the reason, I'm feeling that I'm standing at the base of a mountain of stuff that has to be done and is precariously close to toppling over and crushing me.

But even as I sit here and think about resolutions, I can't quite see how I could resolve to be something other than what I am. I'm not really going to change. I don't believe that people ever really, really do. I'm never going to be anything but the Mother Hen that has to be in control of everything. Because how would you change that? How do you even begin to change elemental aspects of your personality? Maybe you could even ask, "should you change?" Because while I am feeling totally and completely overwhelmed and stressed out, I haven't drown yet. I haven't been crushed by all that stuff yet. And I made it to the ripe ol' age of 30 this way and I'm at least some sort of functioning adult, so something must be working.

So while I'd like to resolve to relax more and delegate more responsibilities to others I just don't see that happening. I think a better resolution for 2008 would be to learn how to cope with the fallout of my choices, which seems much more realistic and attainable.

Everyone loves a short work week

I love a three-day work week! It's the end of Tuesday and I'm only one eight-hour shift away from four days of freedom. Oh happy day!

I'm going in to have my wedding dress altered tonight. I'm excited to try it on again. I did try it on when I picked it up at the Wedding Chapel (boo! hiss!) but at that point I was so frustrated with the store that I couldn't really enjoy trying it on. I just wanted to make sure it was in good condition and leave. (Did I mention that they were just as difficult when I picked the dress up as when I called them? Real classy establishment. [stifled chortling])

So tonight I get to try on the dress, with the newly purchased wedding shoes, and "oh" and "ah" about it. The shoes are fantastic. I'm going to be hard pressed not to wear them before the wedding. They're silver sequined. Very cool. It's almost a shame that you won't be able to see them under the dress. But then again, I spent the good part of a day looking for a bra to go under the dress, and you don't see that either. Well, Zac will, but that's none of your business. ;)

Thanksgiving is when???

Two thoughts crossed my mind as I drove into work today.

1. Holy crap. Thanksgiving is a week from today!
2. Oh crap. That means I only get paid for three days of work next week!

I was happy about the first realization, but not so much about the second. I suppose I could attempt to cram 40 hours into three days. What is that? About three 13.33 hour days? As much as I'm going to miss the two days of pay, I think I'd be a very unhappy camper if I tried to pull off the 13.33 shift for three days.

I went to the Conservatory last night with Mom to check out the wedding site, in all its decorated glory. It is AMAZING at night when everything is lit up. Kudos to Megan for bringing it to my attention! I'm very happy with it. Most of the major wedding/reception decisions have been made. I'm really just sitting back and collecting RSVPs for now. It will be interesting to see how many out-of-state invitees will be able to attend. I'm wondering if I should have included a promise to take guests to the Mall of America the day after the wedding to sweeten the invatation pot. . . .

102.9 WLTE started playing Christmas music yesterday, much to my delight. Yes, I am that person. The one who thoroughly enjoys 40 days worth of Christmas songs. And NO, I don't get sick of hearing the same ones over and over again. They're like Christmas lights - they make the short days and cold weather just a bit more bearable. I mean, there is nothing more depressing than the end of January sitting in your car in rush hour traffic at 4:00pm and it's pitch black outside and you're stuck listening to Rob Thomas on the radio. Those are the moments that you're begging for Bing Crosby to come on and croon "White Christmas".

And just so I can place myself officially in the "lonely sap" catagory, I heard "Merry Christmas, Darling" by the Carpenters last night on the way home. When she sang, "We're apart that's true, but I can dream and in my dreams I'm Christmas-ing with you," I started to cry. Yup. I'm that person. I've got some shame. :)

Finally able to slow down some

No, I didn't fall into an abyss. I just have been insanely busy the last couple of weeks. Any of you that have seen me lately know that I was teetering on the brink of insanity but I've managed to wiggle my way back from the ledge. Let the Holiday Season begin!!!

This was my weekend:

Friday night - Mom's surprise party. Crazy good time. She was totally surprised and it was a blast. We had it at the Black Forest in Minneapolis and it was well attended by her friends and loved ones. We had a kick-butt Power Point slide show with photos of Mom from the last 30-40 years. Dad even set it to music. It was really a fun night. With Megan's pregnancy and my wedding, it was great to see Mom be the center of attention.

Saturday - peanut brittle making for most of the day. I'm not sure how many batches we ended up making, but it was quite a bit. Probably twice as much as last time. And we're still not done. This latest installment was for the Boutique on this upcoming Saturday. There are always special orders from people and the gift giving that we do, so there will still be at least one more day of candy making.

Sunday - my bridal shower. (For a ridiculous picture of me, see Heidi's blog.) It was surreal being the "bride". I've been to showers, but it's a lot different when you're the star of the show. My mom and Megan did a great job of putting it together on such short notice. Too bad that the good folks at Mapquest do such shoddy work on their directions . . . More than a couple of attendees were caused stress by the directions they received. It was fun to talk about Zac for a couple of hours and show off pictures of how cute he is. Many of the people at the shower only have seen him once, and then he was only known as the "Navy buddy of Paul's who is at Megan's wedding reception dancing (a little too close) with the maid of honor." One of the girls at my shower laughed and told me that she had asked her mom when they were leaving Megan's wedding, "Are Kate and that boy dating?" Um, no. We were just getting to know each other. :) Now look at us. A year later and we're getting married. What a long, strange trip it has been.

Anyhow, most of the wedding decisions have been made. Now I can enjoy Thanksgiving, finish putting together Megan's baby shower, chill out until after Christmas and then get married.

No sweat.

ENJOY THE SEASON!