Preparing For the Holidays Starts Now

Altered Picture--Origin of Picture Unknown

Think about whether you are going to do Christmas decorations this year.  Do you have to get out several boxes to get to them?  Do you have a room or a corner of a room that is not in use?  This is where you want to put those boxes, so you don't always have them in sight.  This week, go through that room, starting at the door and work around the room from left to right.  Work 15 minutes at a time picking up, throwing away, and giving away.  3 boxes or hampers to sort this will help.  Make sure you PUPA--PICK UP, PUT AWAY.  I suggest 15 minutes a day on this room.  If you want to work more, remember we are concentrating on the kitchen and you have tidying to do in other rooms. 

It depends where you are in your own personal health and life, whether or not you should put up many holiday decorations.  Could you be satisfied with just a few holiday touches in the house?  After all, you do not want being overworked, which can steal the joy of celebrating from you.  Also, what is put up has to be taken down.

Things to consider:

• Do you have help with putting up the decorations and taking them down?
• What holiday traditions are the most important to you?  Maybe, that should be what you concentrate on.  
• How can you make the holiday easier this year?  ~smaller tree; only decorating your mantel; buying precooked food for some of the special holiday meals;  pot-luck or assigned dishes for a holiday meal and do it buffet style;  gift cards for presents; asking adult family members to give to favorite charities or to some special needs families this year, because you plan to do the same.  

Remember to Breathe,

My tree, 2012

How is your energy meter?  I hope it is on, so you are able to enjoy the holidays, get something done, and rest at the same time.  We are not quite done with our tree; but then again, ornaments tend to move around as long as it's up.  There is always another angle or better place for the ornaments, especially when your labrador retriever knocks off an ornament with her tail.  Last year we didn't put up a Christmas tree, because I had surgery;  and I knew I was not going to be able to take it down after the surgery.  Furthermore, my Fibro-brain was not working well enough to think of a way to rearrange the furniture to fit in our tree.  Don't you love it when your brain is working better, so you can do the things you have been wanting to do?

This is archived material.  Remember to Breathe. People are more important than decorations.  Keep it simple if you have too.  Love, Deborah

P.S..I have not started decorating either.

Quite honestly, I am not sure where to go with today's blog post.  I am probably like most of you, trying to keep my head above water, and not get a flare-up.  Speaking of flare-ups, last week I got a cortisone shot in my right knee and it feels so much better, but I am seriously thinking of asking for one in my left knee.  Arthritis in both knees is not fun.  Actually, arthritis anywhere is not good, but such is life;  moreover, I put some serious wear and tear on my knees when I was younger.  I am thankful for the good years they gave me.

Some of you may be wondering how the green coffee extract is working for me.  So far, I do not feel any caffeine effects, which goes along with the research I did on what other people had said about GCE.  I am still keeping my food journal, also I include the time I take medicine and supplements, as well as what they are.  Now, for the good part -- I have lost four pounds!  Woohoo!  That takes me back to where I was before Thanksgiving, and I have been able to go to dinners and parties -- two of them.  However, I know of times this has been my undoing, so I am a happy lady.  By the way, moderate low-carb is keeping my blood sugar at an even keel.  That's a good thing too.

So goes the 2012 Christmas Season for me so far.  Most of the presents are ready to be wrapped, and I plan to start that soon -- one or two a day.  God bless you all at this wonderful time of year.  I pray for you to enjoy the blessings and good memories of past Christmases as well.

Also, check out what I have to say on my right sidebar about one of my favorite online shopping places who I happen to be an affiliate with.  I will give you a hint -- think of strong, tall woman, who is a warrior.  And aren't we warriors too, guys and gals?  We are fighting fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases, as well as finding ways to live our lives happily and more fully.  Merry Christmas!