Just Call Me Sparky

Have you ever felt like Clark Griswald from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? All he wanted was a good old-fashioned family Christmas. He wanted everything to be perfect. Nothing goes right for him. No matter how hard he tries.

About three-quarters of the way through the movie Clark has a meltdown. I can totally feel for Clark. Now I haven't gotten to the point where I've taken a chainsaw to the neighbor's tree or even the newel post. Nor have I offered to drive a relative out to the middle of nowhere and leave them for dead. But I have stressed myself out needlessly.

Each year I think "This is the year." I can't tell you how many years I've tried to please EVERYONE and as a result I've only made myself miserable.

This year, at the last minute, we decided to scale back... tremendously.

Tonight when my Sweetie and the boys get home from visiting with some of his relatives we will enjoy a quiet relaxing evening that will include big bowls of chili. Maybe later we'll have mulled wine and the boys can have mulled cider. Tomorrow will bring a big family breakfast of pain perdu and a day spent in pjs. On Boxing Day (whatever that is) we'll visit some of my family.

Below are some photos of our simplified decorations. I even made paper chains this year. Says the girl who covets paper. I haven't made paper chains since the 5th grade because they're such a hassle to hold together while the glue dries. Then I realized double-stick tape. Duh!

Last week a dear friend of mine gave me a jade charm of a peace dove. I guess I didn't realize how much peace I need in my life right now. I plan to enjoy the peace of the next few days. May peace be with you also.

Merry Christmas!