This Time of Year

Is it just me, or does this time of year seem to move faster and faster as we grow older?  It doesn't matter what plan we made last year to do things better or different this year, nothing seems to work like we thought it would. 

Take for instance, shopping.  I was going to purchase one Christmas gift a month this year to make things easier to fit into my budget.  And just how many do you suppose I have purchased so far.  Now remember, it's October....so I should have at least 10 gifts purchased and wrapped.  Finished?  Well the answer is..........ZERO!!!!!!!!!  Yes....zero!!!!!!! A well thought out plan.  A plan that would have made life much easier.  A plan that would have fit nicely into my budget.  The problem is, a plan is just a plan until you implement it and I didn't.  

So now, with Christmas approximately 2 months out....I'm already 10 months behind.  And does it help that while out shopping the other day, for something I needed immediately, I might add, I overhear a woman in a smart looking suit, with her hair and nails done, inform the sales clerk that her purchase would finish her Christmas shopping?  Finish???  Really???  Every year I aspire to be that woman.  Every year I have such great intentions!  But every year, I fail.  So now while she is home, relaxing her way through the upcoming months of holidays, enjoying her time to decorate and bake and cook at leisure, I'll be stressing yet again.  I know I'll get it all done in time.  That's not the issue.  The issue is....well....I'm not sure what the issue is.  

Is it that I dread the stress?  Is it that I feel defeated?  Perhaps it's just that I want to be living a more stress free life.  Whatever my issue is, it is just that, one more issue that will affect me for the next 2 1/2 months like a hangnail.  You know, one of those mean, nasty, painful hangnails that hurts even when you aren't paying attention to it.  

But alas, this is my life.  Always planning to do this better next time or put that plan to work in my life, or figure out a way to be less stressed about something next time.  So if you have found a way to fight off stress without opening a bottle and downing a few pills or a glass or two of your favorite beverage, feel free to share.  As for me, I think I'll start by planning things a week at a time instead of a year at time.  At least for now.  January, well...I plan on changing it all then.  <smile>