Tanya - I've asked my dds in years past for gift ideas by a certain date. If I don't get any ideas, then I go out on my own and surprise them. What's been kind of interesting is that I think I have this big cool surprise and then I get a suggestion for the big cool surprise. I'm a bit disappointed when that happens but on the other hand, it's neat to know that I'm not all that off base on ideas.
Mel - LOL. Sometimes the rearranging sounds good until 2 hours later and you're still at it.
Kelly - I'm so glad that you're on the mend. I love the dreaming up of place settings and the not-cooking-for-a-while-because-of-freezer-meals thought as well. Sometimes the dream isn't worth the stress. That is great you are delegating and being realistic. And you know, I bet your co-workers will have a new appreciation for the party planning you do at work.
Maybe you can look at each week you've missed and from there make a two lists: what you feel
needs to get done and what you
would like to do if you have the extra time. Then work off your "Needs to get done" list.
Cindylouwho - I like your idea for stocking stuffers too. I think I got the idea that I have been currently using here or on the old Organized Christmas forums that CEO use to run. I've gotten plastic grocery bags, labeled the bag with my dds' names and then placed the items into the correct bags. Then I place the bags on a coat hanger in our hall closet. One of my extra coats hides the bags. On Christmas Eve, I grab the bags and put the items right into the stockings. So far as I know, no one has discovered this secret hiding place. Shhh....
Update on what's been done so far:
I windexed both the inside and the outside of windows in the living room and dining room. They really needed it this fall. Usually I just do the outside windows in the spring. The living room is now in pretty good shape.
Like Cindylouwho, I usually try to get some sort of gift list around Thanksgiving. That's when my in-laws ask about gifts. I thought of a few more ideas for gifts and wrote them down. I'm so happy about that.
I'm going to work on the costume today. I just realized that I will have no time for it this weekend so today it has to be.