Sunday, December 18, 2011

holiday anxiety

I'm having my usual difficulty getting my gift-giving stuff together again this Christmas.  I was going to do some kind of nifty thoughtful craft-type thing with Ian for my wife and that didn't really manifest itself.  I looked for candle-making supplies and tried to conceive a clever plan and it didn't work out.  Ian ended up doing a chalk drawing of a fish tank full of a bunch of fish we're going to buy for her when we get back home from our Christmas travels.  I suppose that will have to do as far as the creativity part goes lol.

I don't know, it just seems as if each year I get a little less into the gift-giving thing and have more and more trouble finding something for my wife.  We pledge not to buy much for each other and she's certainly not a high maintenance gal.  But, I seem to develop this "analysis/paralysis" anxiety and get brain freeze when it comes to clever or meaningful gifts.  Sometimes, I wish Christmas would just go away lol.  I'm just not big on the gift deal I guess, I don't know.  Do any of you struggle with this stuff?

I know that Christmas isn't supposed to be all about that, and hopefully I'll get something figured out before we leave for West Virginia on Friday.  Thankfully, I don't have any real drama associated with Christmas any more.  My familt is a wee on the dysfunctional side, but everyone seems to be behaving right now, so that's good.  And, it's been a long time since I've craved a drink or a drug at the holidays.  So truly I have much to be thankful for.

Maybe I will just focus on that, and see what comes.  I think part of my problem is that I'm too busy right now.  On top of the commitments I have, I am working on an exciting career opportunity managing the restoration of a major lake in our area.  The lake has been beset with some serious pollution issues that have arisen from a combination of local farm runoff, residential development and the unique features of the lake and its watershed.  The newly formed restoration commission recently created a position for someone to come in a manage all of the various lake restoration projects, deal with various governmental, businesses and private entities.  Thankfully, all the science-type folks are already in place.  They now need a business person/liason/project mgr/cheerleader/coodinator with passion and people skills (that's where I come in).  Wish me luck!  This will be an exciting, interesting position that comes with a nice salary upgrade.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gift certificate to a day spa. You're buying local, and she'll love it (says the career day spa girl...)

Anonymous said...

And don't forget to to honk when you drive through Charleston...

Marcia said...

Yes, I struggle with the gift thing too. I'm not very creative! Good luck with the career opportunity!

Syd said...

Next year, ask her for a list of things and pick from that or give her an iPad if she doesn't have one. That is the most awesome gift! I know it is consumerism but unless you all vow to do made gifts, then I guess being a consumer is what it will be.

That lake project sounds awesome. Glad that you are applying for it. It is a really worthy thing to clean up the waters.