Sometimes I really wish I had a chaperone.  I’d like someone to say, “no, she can’t go to that party . . . no, she has to stay home.”  I’d like to hear, it’s bedtime honey, put on the warm jammies from the dryer and go brush your teeth; take your vitamins darling; here, sweetheart, I made you some chicken soup — yes, honey, of course there’s garlic bread!; take a nap my angel, I’ll do the laundry.

Things happen when we are crazy busy, this is a photo taken a few years back.  Our fully-decorated tree fell OVER!  I had just called my girlfriend to come look at it, and before she could walk from her house, only one door over, to ours, it crashed to the floor!  It set us back a whole day!!!  We now tie our tree up every year.  This only has to happen once before you learn.

Yes, and cookies burn, kids get sick, the family has a meltdown, you run out of money, the washing machine stops working, and there’s a ticket on your car when you return from shopping in this happiest season of all.  So, as your self-appointed Christmas Elf, having been there myself, I’m here to remind you who the chaperone really is . . . here we go, take a deep breath, close your eyes just for a moment, and Listen . . . then come back and read . . .

Perfect timing, isn’t it?  To talk about stress relief?  Because not only is a huge holiday around the corner, with expectations galore, but tomorrow, December 21, is Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere; the time of year when the days begin to grow longer . . . how exciting! So I thought I would give you some chaperone-like ideas about what to do with all of your new-found time. (you can turn off the meditation if you want, and have some bathtime Musica)

When I’m too busy, I try to make some quiet around me.  And this is about the best place I know of to do that. Sinking deep into a steamy hot bubble bath, taking along a bottle of cold water to drink. And a book.  (And a kitty.) Yum.

I fix it so I only hear the ticking of an old clock, and nature noises, pancake turning noises,  crackling fireplace noises, purring noises, tea kettle bubbling noises, page turning noises, the skidding of the silver car as it passes GO and collects $200 noises.

Because the chaperone that lives inside us and knows what’s good for us, wants us to be happy; and she also remembers this old quote . . .

So maybe it’s time to have pancakes for dinner . . .

. . . or light candles, or make a wood fire, curl up under a comforter and take a nap.  (No fireplace?  This one burns for two hours, and provides perfect ambience.)

Make this amazing hot chocolate with whipped cream; pop in a candy cane swizzle stick if you like, take it to the sofa . . .

. . .  put your feet up, and read a good book; I’m loving this one . . . (which you could buy on-line at a lovely little independent bookstore that could really use the business, like this one),

Or watch a wonderful old movie, like Baby Boom, which you can either get on Netflix, or buy at this great big huge congolmerate that could probably use the business too.  I laugh until I cry at this movie; when she says she’s been “yupped and noped to death” and falls down in the snow in Vermont, I am laughing out loud!  The endorphins have a field day!  Diane Keaton always cheers me up!

Pull out your prettiest glass and fill it with delicious sparkling Prosecco, add a splash of cranberry juice, so it’s pink, and make it “Holly Jolly” with a sprig of  rosemary (the herb of remembrance) and one fresh cranberry. ♥

Or take your book and go to lunch alone! ♥

Or take your best friend!

She probably needs you as much as you need her. ♥

Remember when all the world seems to go mad, repeat to yourself over and over,

. . .  I am the normal one.

♥

People might not be mind readers, and may not see that you need a break, you will have to be your own chaperone, and make it happen for yourself. I promise, believe it or not, no one will notice if you are M.I.A. for a day.  Deep breath.  They will only notice how relaxed and happy you seem. ♥

The modern rule is that every woman must be her own chaperone. ♥ Amy Vanderbilt

And now, for a quick, pick-me-up-laugh, for soothing endorphins right now, go here.  There are more of these darling “Simon’s Cat” cartoons, all of them worthy of your valuable time! This one with the cat and the fly has been my exact experience this morning, sending a bowl full of kitty water over on my art table, drenching everything.  Uh huh.  Jack had to have that fly. ♥

 I’m probably no help —  now I’ve just made you extra busy, with everything I’ve put on this blog, all the “things to do,” books to read, cartoons to watch, plus all you have left to do, but please, take some time for yourself, stop in, say hello, bring tea and have it with me  — and be sure to look for your little surprise gift to show up here on Christmas Day. ♥ xoxo

(P.S.  If you’re going to comment, or read comments, or stay on the computer for a while, you might want to let this play in the background while you do, it’s very soothing! xoxo)