WHEW!

So the Holidays are finally over.

Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas but I hate, no, I LOATHE the stress of the Christmas season. Ya know, the whole getting that one toy that your kid has been wanting all year and only one store in 7 cities is carrying it and in limited quantities and then there's the stress of money during the holidays because unfortunately we don't get a break from paying bills like the kids get a break from school which by the way should totally be a new law that passes AND let's not forget the major stress factor that is known as family get-togethers or suck fests if you have my All- American dysfunctional family. Many of my extended family belong on Jerry Springer, I'm very sad to say.

And it's these very same people that twice, sometimes 3x a year, my and mine have to get together with. I spend those 3 some-odd hrs. worrying about what they're going to say that I will later have to try to explain to my older observant kids. What word will they use this time that will make my blood boil and who will be offending who with what this year.

Thankfully, this year, there were no blow-ups, no hurt feelings, no negativity. It was actually kinda nice not having to stress about people actually having conversations. Family was actually smiling and getting along. Genuine smiles spread across faces, laughter between people that only converse at these (dare I say) forced get-togethers. It felt....strange, odd, weird...but nice all at the same time. I didn't miss the attitudes, the tension, the...the shit that usually happens on Christmas day. And I could breathe as a result......I might not be so lucky next year!!

Tag! I'm It!

Thanks to FeliciaE over @ Living Just Like Grandma for tagging me on this latest little Christmas diddy- sorry I'm late on getting to this :)


1.) Have you started your Christmas shopping?
~ Only just thanks to Black Friday


2.) Tell me about one of your special traditions.
~ Every year the kids get a new pair of Christmas pajamas just for that one special night.


3.) When do you put up your Tree?
~ Whenever I'm in the mood really. There is no set time frame of when it goes up or when it comes down.


4.) Are you a Black Friday shopper?
~ A dedicated one- this year I was sick at both ends if you know what I mean (all thanks to too much sugar) and I trooped through Wal-Mart and braved the crowds.


5.) Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
~ If we had the money I'd def. want to travel but we don't so we stay home.


6.) What is your funniest Christmas memory?
~ I'm drawing a blank. When I think of something I'll come back to this.


7.) What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
~ Either 'Home Alone' or 'The Santa Clause'


8.)Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
~ I bake for the kids X-Mas parties @ school- christmas cupcakes are always first on the list.


9.) Fake or Real Tree?
~ Although I'd love a real one I think I'd kill it before the big day arrived so we do fake every year.


10.) What day (as a Mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
~ The closer it gets to the 24th.


11.) Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
~ HELL YES.


12.) What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
~ Watching Christmas movies curled up on the couch.


13.) What Christmas craft do you like the best?
~ Who the hell has time for crafts?!


14.) Christmas music: Yes or No, & if yes What is your favorite song?
~ Not until almost through the first week of December and I don't think I have a favorite.


15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
~ As the money comes in.


We would love for any blogger to participate in this meme, even if you haven’t been tagged yet. Heather will go back and add your blog link to the list if you wanna play along.

Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them.

Then tag 5 or more of your favorite blogs, and leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged. When you post your blog, please spread some Christmas cheer & leave a link back to JaelCustomDesigns.com and the blog that you were tagged by. That’s it! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s answers!


Tag! YOU'RE It!

1.) The Young and the Relentless
2.) My Army of Five
3.) The cream filling of my life
4.) Lady Shameless
5.) Maneuvering Motherhood