Right now I’m in knee-deep in holiday STUFF. Every year I swear I’m going to have everything perfectly planned and decorated and non-stressed by now and every year about this time I laugh manically at myself.
It just doesn’t happen. :)
And I’m OK with that.
Right now the basement looks like a Christmas bomb went off. Every year I say I’m going to keep it organized as I go:
And you know…then the crazy person laughing ensues.
I blame Halloween. You can see from the five foot wide spider legs sticking out in the back that once I don’t get that all away it turns into “Awwww, I’ll just do it all in January.”
Right now I’m wondering WHY FOR ALL THAT IS GOOD it is I can’t keep the kitchen island cleaned off:
I read once online that someone thought I staged these photos. It made me laugh.
It made my husband fall out of his chair. He wishes.
Right now I’m trying to get creative with our Happy Elf (named by the Bub) every day, but I’m failing miserably. Last night it looks like he had some fun though:
And all I can think of is this:
Love that movie. Did you know it’s coming out in 3D next year? SO. THERE.
Right now I’m struggling because I was up till 2:30 a.m. reading this:
It’s good. Obviously, so good I can’t GO TO BED.
This is why I don’t read books as much anymore, which I hate. The only time I have is late at night and then I get completely sucked in.
Right now I’m getting ready for a Christmas party with the girls tonight. I’m making these (ohhhh yeah) and I sent out the call on Twitter yesterday for a festive, bubbly drink idea.
Becky’s suggestion was the easiest (I already had one of the ingredients) so I went with that:
It’s a Poinsettia Cocktail and it’s cranberry juice, triple sec and champagne. It’s yummy! I just mixed everything together till it tasted right. I may know this because I may have sampled it last night. ;)
I had about 25 things on my list today and I’m feeling pretty awesome because I got four done. Like every year, it will all get done. All the presents will get wrapped, all the food will be yummy, and if I don’t get it all done, I’m totally OK with that. All that matters is we’re happy and healthy and together. Nothing else.
Are you sampling any festive drinks, reading any good books, watching any great movies or just trying to get your house under control right now? I’d love to hear!
Have a GREAT weekend!!
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73 thrifties said (comment here):
This post cracked me up!! It's so relate able. You could have put a pic of my kitchen island up...it looks the exact same! My favorite line? "Christmas bomb." Thanks for the smile. :)
Nice to see real life in blog land. Can't remember when you finished up the debt free adventure- is this your first Christmas? I can imagine it must add to the joy of the season. :)
lol.....love the elf in the plane and the comparison to the Titanic. lol
Gurrrrl, I'm right there with ya! Except I've had more sleep and a cocktail. But, I just keep in mind that every year, I manage to get 'r done! To me, it's my version of the Christmas murrrrrrraaaaaacle! ;o)
That cocktail looks delicious, thanks for sharing! I need to make some of those stat!
Glad to know I am not the only one procrastinating to put stuff away! I actually was wishing for January to come around the other day. Tis the season I guess! :)
I'm in agreement..
the cocktail looks delicious..
think I'll make a batch for dinner tonite..
YES!!
nope, my gifts are not wrapped..!
finally found the missing box of Christmas decorations..decided i did not need them tHIS year.. decided to clean the oven and do laundry while not accomplishing too much of anything..Bathrooms ARE clean and bed has been made..! the furbabies are all asleep in there now.. while the computer keeps snatching me back to Blogland!!
okay outta here..
warmest hugs..
Loui♥
you are not alone. To translate - "ditto, ditto, ditto"! ;) Enjoy your party tonight!
My kitchen counter looks like your island! Hope to get to it before my hubby gets home from work (tee-hee) but I've been cuddled on the couch with my sick 3 yr old watching Tangled & now Gnomeo & Juliet. Kitchen is first on my list followed by 30 more to-do's. Where do the days go?
Oh my gosh, what a great post!.. especially for me right now when things are piling up, and I'm just hanging on dearly to my Christmas spirit.. I really DO LOVE this time of year, and I TRY my very best not to let any stress rob me of that! It does my heart good that you are "o.k" with things and how you can laugh at them!... I'm also thinking I might have to try a Poinsettia Cocktail! It sounds really good! ~tina
have you looked on pinterest for some ideas for Bub's Happy Elf? There are a bunch of fun ones to do - I love the one of him laying in a pile of powdered sugar on the table and making "snow angels"! messy, yes - but totally adorable!
Well I am due with my 3 rd child in 2 days....so I am doing Christmas a little lighter this year and being psycho organized...and letting some of the Christmas traditions we do every year go. Never going to have a baby around Christmas again!
House is a mess, wrapping paper everywhere (and many gifts still to be wrapped-oh and bought), 1/2 painted bathroom (yah, we're silly and started a paint project a week before xmas), and tonight we're going to sit back, ignore the mess and have a pizza-popcorn-xmas cookies-watch Elf and the Griswold's kinda night. I love Christmas =))
Now I'm not feeling so bad, lol! Every time I walk around or clean the house, I see a MILLION organization projects that need to be done They don't! =)
I think one thing I love best about blogging is that I only put up the pictures that look really good (well usually). Then I can pretend that the rest of my house doesn't look like a bomb went off.
And yes, my kitchen counters are a disaster 99% of the time. Aren't everyones?
By the way, I just saw your DIY Anthropologie globes. I made one too. Fun!
I loved the picture of you kitchen counter taken hostage by clutter, that is how my end tables look when I have too little time in the day.
And OMG those apple dumplings looked too dang good i wish my laptop screen was scratch and sniff.
me too! I am totally not a organize as I go. I wish I was. My kitchen table looks like that island ALL the time. I am so bad that usually it doesn't get cleaned off for meals instead it all gets shoved to the middle to at least make room for a plate or two and we eat buffet style off the counter in the kitchen. SAD! Thanks for keeping it real. We all need those reminders that we are somewhat normal :)
My first intent this year was to simplify my decorations. Then I found out(yea) that all four childen and families will be here. I have never had sooo much stuff sitting out. I know it will take me the month of January to put it all away. It will all be worth it-I hope they all walk in and are enveloped with Christmas and Love. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I found this so so encouraging! Coudl you rbing me a cocktail? my car isnt working or Id come to you ;)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a overflowing island! I too end up reading when I should be sleeping. I don't know about you but I need another 6 hours a day...that or I need to stop procrastinating!
Keeping things simple at our house for the holidays...we are attending a party elsewhere, will mess up their house and then come home while they clean up behind us... WELLLLL.....Maybe next year I'll throw the party. not.
Hello! My name is Kerry and I just happened to fall into your blog through pinterest. I knew I liked you through all of your wonderful ideas and down to earth posts. AND THEN...THE ULTIMATE! A NKOTB FAN!! I LOVE NKOTB! Been one since the beginning of time! Been concerting, vip'ing, cruising. My friend from junior high and I have been having a blast with them! Thank you for your posts! BTW, the cocktail looks yummy! xxoo
You sound just like me. I always say I'm going to be more organized next year.... and I start out good. Somehow... it all goes to pieces. LOL My spare bedroom is a jumbled mess of Christmas gifts that haven't been wrapped yet. In fact... I haven't wrapped the first thing. I plan to start some of that in an little while. *sigh*
I saw a pin on Pinterest that mentioned a bunch of Elf on the Shelf ideas. Maybe you can look for it. I didn't take note because I don't have any littles at the moment.
Have fun at your party. My birthday is tomorrow... so I will be toasting the last year of my forties. 49. *sigh*
;)
I'm in the process of cleaning my house so that when I come back from Christmas in Arkansas on the 28, I'll have a clean house. I've put it off for too long.
Glad to hear I am not the only one!!! It will all work out, right? That is what I at least keep telling myself. Have a good weekend!
So nice to know that I'm not the only who's kitchen counter that's piled up. ... And I also wish for a basement for my "Christmas Bomb" to explode in... Instead it's the laundry room and a corner of the dining room!
Oh such a cute post. That's what my house looked like last week. but I had to get it cleaned up, I have coming from Oregon here tomorrow. Still have a ton to do. Hugs, Marty
Thank you ...thank you...thank you. You do NOT know how much better this makes me feel. Think I'll have a glass of champagne now! I am smiling again.
I can totally relate to still needing to pack away the Halloween stuff! And I love the James Patterson books...this one was no exception!
Hahahaha ... we all secretly have that place in the garage or spare room where all of the Christmas madness hangs out. Your post gave me the laugh of the day.
Thank you for this post because now I know I'm not the only one with an explosion of Christmas in the basement. I love the holidays and decorating my home but it does get kind of crazy.
At least your mess is in the basement and contained1! to one area. Mine is everywhere!
Last night I told a friend I am hiding things in plain sight. Yep! You heard right my kiddos goodies are in zipped up shopping bags in the "tubs" right in front of them! Surprisingly, they haven't found anything this year!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Ha! I love this because my storage area looks exactly like yours. Christmas bomb meets Halloween. No time for reading or movies...I am busy taste testing holiday drinks ;) Will add yours to the list-thanks!
Thanks for sharing the book that kept you up late! I am always looking for a good read, and yes, I have to stay up super late to do it myself. But most of the time, the books are so worth it! I just dug into Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury. Jennifer
So glad I'm not the only one who can't keep my center island clean!
My sisters and I are having a mini party on Tuesday for my youngest sister's 21st birthday. She wants to try a pomegranate pear martini. I'm looking forward to sampling it!
Half of my kitchen table looks like your island.It's all fun though.And you are right the main thing is that we are all together.I really like your blog!
I'm nowhere near ready and I promise you whoever invented islands had 5 maids, no kids or hubby and certainly no job! gah! Mine is WAY worse than yours so don't feel bad!! I think the only way to ever keep them clean is to have it covered in pretty stuff, I mean totally covered lol You've got plenty of time darlin, just take a breath and enjoy!
For the most part we have it together...until you go in our room! The laundy. OH.MY.GOD. the laundry. We need to get our laundry under control!!
I'm not taking the time to read or watch movies...really need to get my house under control and would like a drink! One of those Poinsettia cocktails sounds good.
Bigs hugs from another maniacal, unorganized Christmas freak. ;) My sideboard looks like your island!! And Titanic in 3D? Get out!! I fell in love with Leo in that movie. ;)
ahh..finally real life photos! makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to know that I'm normal. Just got back from vacation (the only time I find time to read)Loved Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah.
Merry Christmas!
Maureen
I am super overwhelmed with everything going on, so you certainly aren't alone! My kitchen counter hasn't been uncluttered for weeks :)
I'm reading the hunger games trilogy right now and absolutely loving it. Highly recommend!
It's a relief to know that I'm not the only one w/a clutter counter!! It's funny because I take pics for my blog at just the right angle to hide all the clutter that is actually swallowing me whole! Thanks for being "real".
Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the giggle and knowing I am not alone!
I feel the same way! We're going to get a bunch of stuff done this weekend and Tuesday I can start cleaning up the house! There is a light at the end of the tunnel and somehow, everything always seems to get done.
Every year as I get my Christmas stuff out I say "I am going to clean all of this out after Christmas and get rid of some stuff" but I never do! So this year I got it all out and went thru it all before, now it's going to be so easy to put it all away! Yea for me, but other than that yea, lots of shopping, wrapping, baking still left to do!
You're not the only one. I don't even try to clean my table/counters/whatever off before I take pictures for my posts. I clearly don't have it all together and I know it's only going to get worse when I go back to school in January. Oh well! At least it's clean now! Company just left!
Thank you so much for your post tonight -- it definitely lightened my mood! I was feeling rather overwhelmed at everything I have on my "TO DO" list this weekend. I too always vow that "this year will be different!" Ha! Instead, I will be happy if I accomplish four things on my list! And maybe I will go out and buy myself that book and try that drink recipe -- it sounds yummy! Thanks for the inspiration and Merry Christmas!!
We have kept it low-key this year. My husband has been on some trips this past two weeks which prevented us from going to two events that we weren't too choked up about missing. We've set aside our school books, though, and will be spending next week baking and having fun. Christmas here is actually January 7; we celebrate on the 25th and then join in with the locals, too.
I love good books. Thanks for the recommendation. I was doing pretty well with the holidays and all and then I got a job Monday. Something I wasn't looking for but appeared out of nowhere and I took it. Because I don't have enough on my plate with 4 kids and Christmas and a quick trip right before Christmas (which we don't even celebrate at home). Of course. But, like you said, it will all work out. All that matters is a healthy family and being together.
I've got to try your cocktail mix -- wow! Have a blessed weekend :)
Although I should be putting ornaments on the tree, wrapping presents and labeling Christmas cards.... I am, instead, channeling you and your decrapification. I've been in the basement for 2 days straight clearing our junk and trying to organize.
That's been on my "to do" list for a year, but I choose the busiest time of the year to actually do it. Yes... I'm cackling like a crazy woman, too!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas :)
Me again... read "Unbroken" if you haven't. Couldn't put that down. Now I'm starting "Catching Fire," the second book in the Hunger Games series. I hesitated to read the first one since it was a "kids' book," but it was a good read!
Oh how I love that your kitchen island is a mess. Because so is mine. It's never tidy. We had the kitchen renovated last year and we told ourselves that we would keep the island free of crap. Hah! I decrapify every day and by the end of the day, it's full again.
Those cocktails look awesome. I'm thinking of making them for Christmas. To get the courage to deal with my mother-in-law...
You're so right about the part that even if you don't get it all done, it doesn't matter as long as you're healthy and all together. That's what it's really about.
Um..can I just tell you I totally get the whole reading issue. I actually had to take off my bank card on my nook so I would not buy any more books! It was keeping me from what needed to be done! It has helped...but now I just spend more time on Pinterest! It always gets done.
Happy Holidays!
Visit you often...you're truly talented! And while I'm at it...such an inspiration Dave Ramsey style...we are in the midst of using his program and feel so much better and in control and well...just doing what's right for our family. Thank you for sharing your story. It truly helped put things into perspective and reaffirmed our choice to follow the plan ;o)
Merry Christmas!
Jen
I'm still looking for the pile of crap I shoved somewhere at Easter and my collection of hose nozzles have been missing for a year. I did, however, find a can of tuna in the tub of ornaments.
Haha! And "A speckled Trout's" post cracked me up too.
My kitchen table=your bar right now. Mine would appear staged if it was totally clear. sigh.
I am SO the same about reading. I am in the middle of a series right now, 2 more to go. Can't even start them, bc I do same thing. Read too late at night. Too busy right now to 'allow' myself that.
Thanks for keepin it real, esp when you are really too busy to post. Of course you may never see this comment, or maybe you will get to see it around memorial day. :)
I am in the "just trying to get house & gifts under control" category. I buy for all 14 of my nieces/nephews, and that keeps me busy. Oh plus I decided the living room needed to be painted for Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Sarah!
Chrissy
I LOVE this post!! You just summed up what's going on over here just about perfectly! The decorations are up, but I keep tweaking them. The only presents wrapped are the 4 I bought at Von Maur on Wednesday and that's because they wrap for FREE!! No Christmas baking started. My youngest daughter (age 19..lol) just had tonsils out on Thursday (bad idea to do it this time of year, but have to avoid school). My island is a disaster as is my kitchen table. Table is a pile of fabric, scissors, twine, pinecones, ribbon and waiting for my next project. Sewing machine has 2 completed and 2 incomplete projects on it. Hope to "wrap" those up today! Enjoy the season. I love it!!!! Making your drink tonight!! WOO HOO!! Merry Christmas!!
We call that drink Scarlett O'Hara and have been drinking them since well every Christmas and Valentines Day ,my mother made them in a pitcher and always said not to waste expensive champagne since you can't taste it in a punch we also float fresh cranberry a couple in the glass Very festive!And we all had that Elf
Sarah! I love this post! So real! My basement looks exactly the same too...as I am sure many do! I want to wish you a wonderful weekend & Merry Christmas! Angie xo
fortunately I got the packages mailed, the goodies baked, the presents bought (not wrapped)... now I'm down with a cold, taking one of those cuddled in a blanket with my laptop Saturdays to fend off the nasties!
delightful to come back and see your blog, haven't visited in a while.. wow!
have a very Merry Christmas, and I love that Poinsettia recipe
xo
Kit
The cocktail looks delicious and your kitchen looks like mine. The laughing crazy lady lives here as well.:) You're right - it will all get done. And if it doesn't, as long as everyone is together that's the most important thing. Merry Christmas!
Love the champers! What a great cocktail! Christmas is so much more laid back here in Australia. I kinda miss my crazy, "I've lost it a little" laugh...kinda.
Sarah, hope you're partying and having fun! I'll being doing that tomorrow night. :) Merry Christmas, Sarah to you and your family!
I have the exact same problem, I can NOT seem to keep my kitchen island clean, I will completely clear it off then I turn back around and its covered again!! I just don't get it. And I still have my fall/halloween stuff partially out too, and christmas totes, I fully intended on going through everything.. organizing and possibly getting rid of some stuff I dont put out anymore.. but its just been sitting around.
i'll get to it in January =P
I always tell myself that I am going to have an organized, stress free Christmas every year & every year it doesn't happen! I'm glad I'm not the only one!!
As far as the book thing goes, I was up til 2:30am a few nights ago reading the Hunger Games!! Seriously, could not put it down!! Such a great book! I'm in the second book now...there are 3 in series!
Those cocktails look fabulous! May have to be serving them up on Christmas Eve!
Reading "Goon Squad" ( pulitzer winner)
We went glo-bowling with the adult children who are visiting-too much fun
putting together paint stick snowflakes tomorrow-will be late for this year's decor, but ready to go for next year's !
what I figured out a long time ago is that X-mas comes on time no matter WHAT you have finished, LOL , so enjoy all the mess!
This weekend - so far I've shopped, napped, visited with out of town family, eaten and drank wonderful concoctions and plan a replay (almost) tomorrow. My girlfriends and I do ours on Sunday afternoon. We start with "punch" around two and it just gets better... Not working on the house at all, it will all be here when I get home from work Monday!!
I so needed to see the pics of your kitchen island today! We are in the middle of a move and I am kind of losing my mind. I am getting some inspiration from your older posts about what to do with my mantle and dark paneling in my new house! Merry Christmas!
I know you didn't stage that photo. How? I have a kitchen counter that looks just like that. Every time I clear it, the stuff only "grows" back again. Listen, doll, we will get all this Christmas stuff done. And, if we don't, those drinks look good. Enjoy!
We don't have our tree up, all presents need to be wrapped, food needs to be prepared for a christmas eve party and we are in the middle of repainting the dining room and stairway.....what were we thinking!!??
Hi Sarah! I'm so happy you showed this...now I know I'm not the only one with a disaster area to deal with while I'm decorating for Christmas! You have inspired me so much since I have been following your blog that I decided to start my own. I hope I can inspire some folks like you have! Please visit when you get a chance and let me know what you think. Merry Christmas girl!
homesweetthriftyhome.blogspot.com/
LOL.. If there is a flat surface, it will come!! That seems to be the motto in our home.. It makes me feel almost normal that other people have the same problems! I am trying to actually work but got distracted with this blog and my office is Santa Sentral which looks a little like your storage area... I REALLY will get the wrapping done!! Phew.. back to work.. have a wonderful day!
Those cocktails look AMAZING!! Love your blog!! :)
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