Christmas with No Stress

So I had an appointment with the crazy doctor yesterday. We talked about executing the no-stress Christmas. I have a list of things I am going to accomplish.

1] sticking to the budget that Dan and I both agreed upon no matter what we find on sale.
2] not stressing about tradition changes and go with the flow
3] keeping a filter on my mouth when I get stressed out
4] Not feeling guilty about sticking to a budget even if it means doing considerably less for others than I did last year.

How am I doing so far?

1] easier than I thought, yet harder than I thought. I found some really really good bargains on the things Dan and I planned to buy. We had great conversations about budgeting and whether or not to buy for each other. But, re: #4 I do feel very guilty about not being able to do much for some people. I will work through it.

2] I am not directing the handbell choir this semester, so no handbell concert for Christmas. I am not doing a piano concert at my home church this Christmas. I am doing a mini concert in Virginia at my Sis-in-laws church, but I feel good about this one. No pressure situation. My mom is having her big hoo hah this Sunday because she needs to be at Grandma's for Christmas. We are having my dad over Christmas Day so he will not be alone. He can play with Tad's new toys. It will be different, but I am looking forward to the change. Plus, you all know I will call my mom 1000 times on Christmas Day. So will Tad. He is getting the cell phone he wanted.

3] All except asking an idiot to be quiet or leave Sunday night when he was talking through the Adult Choir Christmas Cantata, I think I have done very well with this one.

4] see #1

So I am sitting here staring at the Christmas Tree with all the stuff underneath and remembered that in preparation for Christmas on a Budget 2008 I bought a few things for Tad several months ago and put them in my closet. I just found them and wrapped them all separate so it looks like more presents.

Oh, I worked out today and my legs feel like marshmallows. Great workout.

Keep encouraging my workouts, I need my cheerleaders!!!

Oh, and Pepsi tastes very very nasty to me. I had a little tonight and the first sip was oh so good until I swallowed it. I drank about 5 sips and each one got nastier and nastier. A little bit of me died tonight. I will wear a black ribbon tomorrow to mourn my pepsidom.