Tis the season that our family and friends gather to enjoy a peaceful, laid back, enjoyable Christmas, right? Wrong. Tis the season for sick kids, failed diets, horrible traffic, empty bank accounts and rude shoppers! I have found that being overly prepared gets you nowhere. Take for example, baking. I baked a couple dozed cookies for Peyton's teachers at preschool and all that got me was a little jiggle where I don't need it. Don't understand? Let me clarify. I baked these tasty little gifts from heaven called "Gooey Butter Cookies". Get it now? No...shall I go on? Do you remember that "Sex in the City" episode where Miranda bakes a chocolate cake? She eats a small sliver, then another, then thinks covering it with foil will keep her from going back for more. She was wrong. She then eats a sizeable piece and then places it in the fridge in hopes of forgetting her sinful treat. After another bite, she dumps it in the trash. She then stares at it in the trash, as if she is contemplating if it is still edible. She then walks over to the sink, grabs the dish soap, and squirts it all over the cake, at last giving it it's final resting place. That's what I should of done with these cookies. They might as well have devil horns and a pitch fork saying, "Don't worry, your husband loves you no matter how fat you are."
Strangely, in the midst of this chaos I find myself a little less neurotic. I have been waiting til the last minute to get certain things done. And if they don't get done, I don't care. Who is this person? I let Woody and Peyton decorate the Christmas tree....I didn't even check to make sure the red to green bulb ratio was accurate. I let Peyton put the bows on the presents and didn't worry that they weren't centered on the gift. It finally came to me the other day why I have been so calm. Happy pills. It has to be. When Woody ate the cookies that were supposed to go in a teacher's goodie bag, I laughed...I LAUGHED! What the hell is going on? In all seriousness, it's not just the happy pills. I started a new (very deep) Bible study this year and I think the teachings that I have applied to my life have tremendously changed my way of thinking, thus changing my attitude and actions. He reminds me of His presence everyday. Like when Peyton and I are shopping, she has to tell every person we walk by, "Merry Chrismas!" and "Jesus is the most important part of Christmas!" Now seriously people...if a 3 year old gets it, why can't you? Is it really necessary to start a riot over a $2 waffle iron at Walmart on Black Friday? Or to pepper spray a crowd of people so you can increase your chance of snagging an XBox? Come on....
Now here comes a challenge for you, one that I give myself everyday. Go out everyday in hopes of inspiring others to act in a positive respectful way this holiday season. Now, don't go acting like Will Ferrel in "Elf". That's a tad extreme...I like to imagine how Paula Deen would act. Could you imagine her Christmas shopping? She's probably a blast! Who am I kidding? She probably has someone who shops for her. And I'm pretty sure she would of laid a smack down on the stock boy at HEB when he said they were out of unsalted butter. (Yes, they were OUT of unsalted butter!) All I'm saying is, be respectful. If you don't get your kid their prized toy for Christmas and they are upset about it, it's probably time you teach them the real meaning of Christmas and also teach them what soap tastes like. And if you eat too many cookies or pie, who cares? There are bigger issues to worry about. Take time out of your day to help someone. Whether that's paying for someone's coffee or just smiling at them. Help an elderly person or a mom with kids in tow by putting their grocery cart away for them. Trust me, people will follow your lead. Because in the end, the person with the bad attitude acting like a fool is the one everyone will stare at and think, "That lady needs some happy pills!" I know, I was that lady.
Remember that you are only as strong as the hold of your hairspray, the coffee you drink, and the friends you keep!
