Take that Stress off your Plate

As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I’m hearing , “Oh my gosh, I’m so stressed.

I have way too much on my plate!”  OK ladies think about that.  Life is like a buffet line.  If there’s too much on your plate, you put it there.

I have the feeling you are now screaming at me.  “What?  Are you nuts?” That’s my life.  I have a lot to do.  I have a shocker for you.  Everybody has lot to do. --Well at least every woman I know has a lot to do.  I can’t make this sexist, but I recently called my sisters after experiencing a very hectic day (while WJJ was golfing) and said, “Next time, I’m coming back as a Gay Guy”.  I can still be feminine when I want to, have a gorgeous hunky boyfriend and not do all this “wife-mother-social director-chef-business woman” stuff

Anyway, let’s get back to what’s on your plate during the Holiday Season.  Over the last week here are some examples of what’ I’ve heard.

Mary:  I really need to wallpaper the guest room, Dave’s parents are coming for the Holidays.

Holly: Billy’s school is having a bake sale, so I have to spend the day making Christmas cupcakes.

Terri: I haven’t really eaten in 3 days because I’m trying to loose 5 pounds before Christmas.

Nora: I bought some hair color stuff at CVS, because I don’t have time to go to the hairdresser and get my roots done.

Shelly: I’m going to make all the food myself for our Christmas Party --I want it to be really special.

Carol: I have absolutely no time to even think about my “Christmas letter and cards” but I have to send them. People are so eager to read what’s happened to me this year -and it’s not pleasant.

Sally: I want to start an exercise program before the holidays.

All these Ladies are officially welcome to my “Crazy Club”.  Are they  crazy?

Mary:  You’ve been married to Dave for 15 years.  You never got along with Dave’s Mother.  New wallpaper isn’t going to change that.  Take it off your plate

Holly:  Buy plain cupcakes (cheaper) buy some small Christmas decoration or red “sprinkles” take 5 minutes to make them look like Christmas,  put them on one of your fancy dishes and swear you made them.  Take it off your plate.

Terri: Good plan --not eating, and drinking only coffee and diet coke. That will calm you down.  Not enough stress going --add that.  My advice--go eat a donut (not chocolate) and take it off your plate.

Nora:  So when you screw up your hair and have to spend hours having it fixed - or worse, look horrid for the holiday, how are you going to feel?  You know what?  I think you can fit in a couple of hours for YOU!  Book that hair appointment now and Take it off your plate.

Shelly:  Go to Costco or BJ’s and go food shopping.  Then stop at the “beverage department” and get some good wine.   The food will be great and after a couple of glasses of wine, it will taste even better.  Trust me, everyone will love your party.  Take it off your Plate

Carol:  If you haven’t even started thinking about Christmas cards --don’t !  Instead wait and send everyone a New Year’s card .  And while I understand that you have experienced  an incredibly miserable year --those of us close to you have been feeling and listening to  your pain for 52 weeks.  Yes, we can give you every detail about your now ex-husband and his big boob blond girlfriend who is 23 years younger than him or you.  Trust me we don’t need to read about it.  And do you really want to share all your “bad news” to others over the holiday season?  Nope, it will only depress you more.  So send a cheery Happy New Year’s Card the week AFTER Christmas so you can Take it Off your Plate.

Sally:  If you haven’t exercised in the last 49 weeks, do you think that perhaps you might want to wait until after the New Year?  Put it on your 2011 Goal Sheet and for now - Take It Off Your Plate.

Ok now that I am lecturing everyone, truth be known, the names I have given you are false --to protect “the guilty.”  And ladies, I am President of the “Are you Crazy Club” because I am one of these ladies.  Not telling you which one --but I bet you can guess?

So for the first time ever, I don’t want to invite you to join my club.  Instead, take a deep breath and decide what you can “Take Off Your Plate.”

Weekend Notes

This was a great weekend.  The Patriots won big time.  (Sorry Steelers fans…not really).  The Broncos won  -Hooray!  (I don’t think I know any Kansas City fans.  Interesting.)

WJJ and I had a great Saturday evening with friends.  Lots of delicious Italian food and wine.   And most importantly, my dear friend Yvonne came  through major surgery with flying colors!   

When someone you love is experiencing serious health problems it reinforces my philosophy.   When facing a challenge - there are only two points to consider.  If it’s not life or death - it’s everything else.  Of course you can then break down your challenges into “major inconvenience” and “minor inconvenience”.   Major inconveniences might include - God forbid - breaking a leg.  Minor inconveniences are things like losing your wallet.   Something like “running out of gas” is not an inconvenience --it is “bad planning”.

Anyway, several people in my “inner circle” are experiencing life and death situations.  But as I shared with my good friend Avis when she found out she had breast cancer, you cannot give cancer or illness even more control over your life.

I realize that takes a whole lot of inner strength. But you know what, every day that you don’t shed a tear, you should - no erase that  - you must rejoice.

So all things considered, it was a fabulous weekend!!! And tonight it’s a wine tasting event (for charity) and tomorrow my Executive Assistant Gina and I are going out for dinner.  And Saturday evening it is another charity event for the Opera Company.

It will certainly be a fun and fattening week!

 (By the way, do you know that the French do not have a word for “fun”.  They think it is too immature and childlike. )

Oh well, C’est la vie!