Just Melancholy

Mother’s Day was a success! Well, not for me; I’m not a mother yet. But my mom really received some incredible and useful things (don’t worry, nothing like a toaster or vacuum). My mom is an avid gardener and because the weather continues to get warmer, she is getting a little antsy about not having new gardening equipment and accessories. So this year, all my siblings and I pitched in and bought her a smorgasbord…no, a cornucopia of gardening supplies. She was absolutely ecstatic. But her favorite among all her goodies was her gardening hat…and then maybe her floral print gardening gloves. Now, we just have to figure out how to top this next year.

Yesterday I discovered the best time of the year to go to the gym and the store and have practically no one there: the evening of Valentine’s Day. I also saw an old coworker at the gym. She said she was all disappointed that they canceled all the aerobic classes because it was Valentine’s Day. She said, “Don’t they know that some of us are still single, fat, and need to work out?” Ha! It is true. I don’t think they should shut down everything like it is a national holiday. Although, it would be sad for those who had significant others and had to work on Valentine’s Day.

The moral of this story: If you don’t have anything to do on Valentine’s Day, go run errands. I’m telling you, Walmart was completely clear. Every open register was devoid of customers. It was fabulous.

Like every other year, and like others before me, my New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. However, I’m trying to center my goal more on training for a 10K rather than just losing weight. I think this will help me meet my goal because I have a date set for the future which I can’t fail on.

Of course, I’m also trying to eat less (especially chocolate) and enjoy food for fuel, rather than as an emotional outlet. Like other women, I do eat when I’m tired or stressed, a habit I intend to break. I’m getting some help from Akavar to eat less, and from a personal trainer to keep my workout time and to work out properly.

I’m going to reach my weight loss goal this year (lose 10% body fat) and run a 10K, and I hope you can reach your goals this New Year too!

I received a lot of good stuff this Christmas, but my favorite part was watching others open the presents I bought them. For instance, my little brother was so excited when he opened his huge remote control truck. With a little charge of the battery he had it racing throughout the house, scaring the dogs.

However, my favorite person to watch was my Mom. She has an old antique tea set she inherited from her Grandma, which was missing a tea cup and saucer. She didn’t know the manufacturer name or pattern number so she assumed she’d never have a complete set. Well, I found the exact pieces she was missing just by looking through pictures on a china replacement site. They have everything from china to crystalware replacements, even for older and discontinued models.

The look on her face when she opened the present was priceless. She almost started to cry, she was so moved by the present. It was definitely one of the best moments of Christmas Day!

As if I’m not stressed enough during the year, the holidays come around and amp up the pressure. Although the holidays should be a jolly time, I dread the annual Christmas shopping. I hate fighting the crowds, even if there are amazing deals the day after Thanksgiving on Black Friday.

I always worry if my hubby will like his gifts and draw complete blanks as to what presents the rest of my family will like. For instance, what am I supposed to ?@# get my new in-laws?

I’ve decided this year that I will cut back the stress. I’m doing most of my shopping online. I bought the rest of my presents on Black Friday in just a few short hours (in and out is my motto).

Although I love cooking, my annual Christmas party is going to be done by a superb Salt Lake City caterer that I used for my wedding.

And last by not least, I am sending out all my Christmas cards soon in one day, and making my husband help me do them. Luckily, we have pictures and cards already picked out and ready to go.

Anybody else have suggestions for making this year a stress-free holiday season? I’d love to hear your ideas!

If you happen to live in Colorado (like a few of our Just Melancholy contributors do), you have to check out Haunted Denver.  The site has listings and reviews of the hottest Denver haunted mazes, haunted houses, and other Halloween attractions.  So grab your sweetheart, kids, or a group of girlfriends, and go have a good scare!