Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Whimsical Wednesday: Kris Kringle

Boy, this is getting to be a habit. Yesterday was the second time I skipped a post. Oops. Being a bit on the obsessive-compulsive side, I feel somewhat guilty about it, but on the other hand, it's healthy for me to see that the world didn't end. I swear, when you're a perfectionist like me, you often need a reminder that it's okay to be less than efficient.

Nevertheless, the time sure is getting away from me, and it's frustrating that I can't seem to do everything I want to do. How does everyone else manage to juggle jobs, blogs, writing, relatives, and holiday tasks during December? I'm finding it difficult just keeping up with work and family obligations, much less blogging... which brings me to a blanket apology.

I'm sorry, my bloggy pals, that I've been remiss in visiting your blogs as of late – and I'm sorry, too, that I have yet to follow through on my beta-reading promises. I'll try to catch up over the next few days.

That said, I just wanted to share a quick thought for today. Although Dan and I have created our own holiday traditions over the years, there's one tradition that I miss from my childhood. Called “Kris Kringle” by some, “Secret Santa” by others, it's essentially an anonymous gift exchange. I played it a lot in school – mostly because, it was an easy, cheap way for everyone to give and get a present at Christmastime.

I love it so much, in fact, that I decided to relive it today – we're playing a strange online version at Come In Character. Stop by if you have a chance!

11 comments:

Becky said...

Oh Laura! You ARE a bit OCD-ish. Don't worry about skipping a post, or apologizing for doing so. I have no idea how you keep up, even without kids! Take time to relax. Have a great Christmas!

Becky said...

I'll tell you what! You have my permission :-) to take a week or 2 off if/when you need to!

Laura Martone said...

I know, Becky, I'm a little bit of a wacko. But a nice wacko, right?

I admit to freaking out at times if I can't do EVERYTHING I want to do. But who among us has time for it all?

P.S. When I was twelve years old, I had a near-nervous breakdown at the Smithsonian because I couldn't see everything on display. Just ask my mom about it. :-)

P.P.S. Thanks for the permission to take a break. I should take your advice more often... Dan worries that if we ever manage to take a beach vacation, I'll freak without access to my precious laptop. Sadly, he's probably right.

Deb said...

I agree with Becky - give yourself a break here and there. I think age is curing my OCD factor, I don't have the energy to keep up with myself anymore :)

I've got company but will pop over to CIC for a quick look, sounds like fun!

Laura Martone said...

Okay, I'm convinced, Deb. After tomorrow's post, I'll take a three-day break. Oh, won't that be nice? Ahh...

Wish age would cure my OCD factor - it's awful!

dolorah said...

Thanks Laura; I'll stop by CIC. I've been lax there also. I'd blame the egg nog - but I haven't drank any this year.

And hey, take a break. Everyone else is. So, your OCD would suffer if you didn't do what everyone else is. Right?

Happy Holidays Laura; in case I space posting for the next four days. I'm off work and hoping to finish that critique I've been working on for the last month.

Then I'll be ready for another read; so if you want to send me your's I'm willing. Beats buying a new book, huh? And no worries about the reciprocal. Actually; I learned so much about my own short comings in this current critique I'm worried I need to go back to revision and hold off on the query process.

But: Happy Holidays.

.............dhole

Joshua McCune said...

Laura, take some time off. Enjoy some of that food you've been tempting us with and a side of bourbon. Happy Festivus :)

Anonymous said...

Laura, I don't think everyone is able to juggle all the things you mentioned. In fact, they're probably in their kitchens right now going, dammit! I owe Laura an apology for not reading her blog yesterday! Cut yourself some slack!

Becky said...

I'm not sure anyone has seen everything in any of the Smithsonian museums ;-) When our family went to DC, those museums totally blew my mind! Talk abotu the tip of the iceberg!

Enjoy your break! You deserve it!!

Laura Martone said...

Hi, Donna! Oh, no worries. CIC has been dying a slow death for weeks now. Come January 1st, I might be the only one to post there. :-(

As for taking a break because everyone else is, I'm afraid I don't work that way. I'm an OCD non-comformist - completely unaffected by what everyone else is up to.

Anyhoo, Happy Holidays to you, too! Enjoy your beta-read. If I can finish the two travel guide chapters I'm working on, I'll tackle my betas' mss, too.

Laura Martone said...

Happy Festivus to you, too, Bane! Atheists like us can appreciate a "holiday for the rest of us." And no bourbon for me, thanks - but I will take a beer!

Thanks for that, Anon 10:17! Your hilarious - but practical - perspective has shut me up but good. No more whining from this here young'un - 'cause you're right, none of us have yet figured out how to do everything. If someone had, there'd probably be a prescription for it.

Oh, Becky, no doubt I'm not the only one who's gotten overwhelmed by the Smithsonian. Ironically, the second time I went, I was with my eighth-grade class, and I was too preoccupied with the two boys I liked to worry about what I was missing in the museums. Maybe that's the secret - distract your worries with hormones - works every time. LOL!