"Not Me Monday"

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. You can also check out Hailey @ Be Serious & see what she has not been up too.

-I did not have multiple breakdowns last week that started with my toddler deciding that getting naked during her nap and going pee & poop in her crib was a stellar idea! and Then getting it everywhere was an even better idea. This was NOT THE SECOND TIME SHE HAS DONE THAT. It was gross, I did not cry while having to clean it up or while bathing her.

-I did not STAND in front of the coffee pot and wait and wait wondering why it wasn't brewing only to realize after a good 7 mins that IT WASN'T PLUGED IN that I had plugged the iced tea maker in instead. (!!!) I am way sharper then that!

-I did not spend ALL day saturday searching my college's online library looking for 4 professional journal article's for 4 assignments in ONE of my classes. After searching & searching, success did not FINALLY ensue me. I then did not spend the rest of the day reading 1 of the 4 articles and then writing a critique and part of Sunday. It feels good to be done with it. I am going to edit it today and possibly start the second one which isn't due for over a month, I don't want to stay ahead.

-I did not call M by his first name repeatedly to get a point across, forgetting that our adorable toddler REPEATS everything, and she DID NOT then proceed to call him by that ALL WEEKEND instead of "dada" it was NOT as cute as it sounds, I assure you.

-I did not beg M (& Andy) to take me to Chick-Fil-A before going to Hooters for the UFC fight Sat Night, so I could get a CookiesNCreame Milkshake, I did not walk-in to Hooters like I owned that joint being like the only girl (besides the waitresses) with my shake. No one said a word to me, for I am sure, fear of their life, b/c I am THAT ferocious.

-I did not have to get up early Sunday b/c the fighter I picked to win, lost Sat. Which is totally effed up, b/c he was totally 'favored' to win. I NEVER go for the favored guy, I ALWAYS go for the underdog and was going to but M (and the general male population of hooters) told me I was dumb so I went against my gut & LOST, did I mention out of ALL the fights I did not only pick 2 loosers- ugh. Ended up waking up w.@ 2,4 & finally at 6, after getting home at 1. It sucked, I made SURE the coffee pot WAS plugged in.

**What did you NOT do this week? Let me know** -- Use the little Linky thing there at the bottom and LINK yourselves!! I want to know what you didn't do this week!!



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I just love sounds, b/c I am a huge dork, so this week all my blog titles are all alliterations!!

Check back tomorrow... You know you're curious now to see tomorrows...

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli

"Christmas Crazies"

Ever notice how crazy people get around the holidays?

Not just about decorating but about gifts for so & so. Then there's the parties & the food etc...

People to me just seem uber stressed from a few days before Thanksgiving till AFTER New Years. That is just way too much time to be stressed, esp. during such a wonderful time of yr too!!

I used to be that way, too. Im not gunna lie, I used to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, everything had to be just so. I needed this recipe for this party & I needed to get my shopping done. Who have I bought for already? etc... Jackie remembers those days, she lived them with me!!

But idk when/what came over me & I stopped wasting my time stressing over it all & started to enjoy it more.

The holidays are a time to spend w/friends & family. Guess what?! If they are your friends (or family) they already know how NOT perfect you are & yet they still love you. They love you for your tiny flaws.

I know you have soo many ppl to buy gifts for, parties to attend or throw, cards to mail out, food to cook, etc.. Heres how I de-stressed myself:

-Christmas Cards: I ordered them before Thanksgiving. One less thing to worry about. Crossed off my list.

-I wasn't cooking Thanksgiving dinner this yr & it was not at my house. Just making a pie. Easy! Made it the night before after E went to bed.

-While the pie was baking I sat down & made a list of everyone who I was sending Christmas cards too & on the other side who I was buying gifts for & ideas of what I wanted to get them (makes shopping easier, if you have an idea)

-Then I called M & asked If he minded doing his family so It was a few less things to pack in the move. We talked about what we were getting everyone & then all he had to do was go buy it. Easy.

-I addressed cards one Saturday while E was eating lunch, dropped them in the mailbox the following Monday. No need for the post office or its crazy lines!

-The shopping. I decided that this year I was going to do it all online. So once I figured what I was getting everyone, I went on a virtual hunt for the best deals. This is so much easier then dragging E to the mall & in & out of a zillion stores. Fighting over parking spots and dealing with sick, flu-y people. No thanks. Plus most places were running great deals Black Friday-Cyber Monday.

-The parties. I have 3 to go to this yr. I decided what I was going to wear to them all last week & besides my presence (& maybe a bottle of wine) I don't need to bring anything. I am not throwing one this yr. (next year for sure!!) My parents are but Thats their stress. Not mine. I have offered help & been denied, I only offer once to keep stress to a minimum. Take it, or leave it.

I understand that if you're doing the cooking for Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner and having a house full of people all holiday season long, due to relatives staying or parties its harder to de-stress, but there is always a way to have less stress in one's life.

Make lists so you don't have to make multiple trips to the market.

Know who/what your buying for Christmas gifts so you don't over buy & set price limits, that usually helps too.

These are all just suggestions. Everyone's lives are different. What worked for me may not work for you. I wish you the best of luck in de-stressing this holiday season....

And remember "tis the season to be jolly"-- Try to relax a little more & enjoy it and don't get so "Christmas Crazy"

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun.
-Kelli-Sue

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