Good Tidings

Hi
havent written for quite a while. havent had the energy or the time or the energy, or even the uncontrollable impulse for that matter, which is extreeemely weird for a creepy crazy blogging cat lady.

I am tired. I mean like proper tired. SO tired sometimes that it hurts my eyes to open them, it hurts my head to see, it aches my body to hold it upright. Some days I am finding it hard to walk.

Right now my fingers are shaky and numb, my knucles are purple with cold and my wrists ache just typing. The screen is hurting my eyes and my legs are very heavy but my feet are wriggling restlessly.My brain is ticking relentlessly.

Its not all bad though. I have some soothing music on to quieten down the noise, i have 2 pretty kitties cuddled up with me on my squishy cat-hairy sofa, roof over my head and keyboard to write with and a can of diet coke. Ive got things pretty cushdy, which makes me feel extrememly guilty.

I have things I need to do. Incase anyone hasnt noticed, it is nearly christmas. That Joyous time of year when you must face the busy crowds and scrape together your pennies and drag yourself to see people that you must see because it is christmas, and give carefully chosen presents to people who dont appreciate it. Hooray.

I love giving gifts and I love seeing family and friends with a smile, and i love roast potatoes. But I just dont have the energy that christmas requires, or the funds, or the non social anxiety. I also do not have the organization it requires to deliver cards on time, the concentration to sit and watch xmas films, or the patience to wrap bloody presents.

Bah humbug. I dont actually hate christmas. I think this year it will be fun. I just dread christmas.

I hate the build up to it. i hate the expectation it puts on families to come together and to give expensive things. I hate the commercial money making madness and the competition of who gave the best presents. I hate all the greed and the waste at christmas, and all the fake pretending of happy family and peaceful tidings to all.

and that song....”Feeeeed the woorrrld...Let them know its Christmas Time!”....why cant we feed the world all year round. Why does everyone pretend to be so nice at christmas? I think its becauseits nearly the end of the year and we have to feel that we are good kind human beings. I dont ant people to be nice at christmas. Why cant wejust be nice all year round, and share and feed the world and spread the joy and give little gifts here and there. Wh does it all save up until 25th December?

ANd I dont even believe in all that Jesus stuff so why am I even celebrating. BAHH HUmbUG.

But really,

I wish anyone reading this a very very merry christmas. And Also a happy 2012.

And I wont lie, because I am easily led and it is difficult to back out of christmas without seeming extremely selfish and unfestive and grinchy, I do have a piece of tinsel hanging up above my VW campervan picture, thanks to Wise Hollie, and I do have a pile of presents to wrap. And I am seeeriously looking forward to a day of fun and togetherness with lovely people and yummy food and crappy telly and laughing and... resting.



For anyone who is feeling the pressure this christmas, Here are Laura's top tips for a more manageable festive season:

Only buy presents for people who are going to appreciate it

Buy what you would like to give, not what the person expects or wants.

Dont feel guilty if you cant give a gift

If you cant afford to buy gifts...make them! cookies, a nice homemade card, knit something. Actions speak louder than words.

If you dont have the energy or time to make things, just give them a call, and let them know you are thinking of them.

Dont feel pressured to squeeze more in than you can cope with.

Relax and enjoy your time at christmas with the people who you choose, the people you like to be with.

(Sorry if this is terrible advice.... Im not an xmas expert or anything, its just off the top of my head..but this is whst Ive tired to do this year and Im having a merrier xmas than i have in years...with a smile!)

Festive Tidings Every body.