Welcome to Judiland's Word of the Day Countdown to Christmas--day 14!

Only 11 days until Christmas!

Today's word is: Joy
as in......find it!

The other day, after talking to yet another friend who was sharing her stresses of the season, I found myself wanting to scream "Can't you just find the joy?"
But, I stopped myself.
I get it--there's so much to do in regular everyday life that when the obligations and the chores and all of the work involved with the holiday season are added to it, stress is something that just happens.
Now that we are all grown up, gone are the simple days of just waiting for the magic of Christmas to descend upon us.
We are now the magic makers---we bring Christmas. We make the magic.
It's a pretty big responsibility.
We want to create the memories and give the smiles and make it all beautiful and wonderful.
Yet, in the process and the work of creating those memories and giving those smiles and making it all beautiful and wonderful, we find ourselves overwhelmed, exhausted and yes--resentful and sometimes even angry.
Of course, we feel horrible for feeling those negative feelings. No one likes to feel that way.
Especially at Christmas time.
I'm no different. I sadly admit.
I've got this nasty habit of doing too much, taking on more than I can handle and thinking that I alone must create a storybook, glowing holiday season for those I love and hold dear.
I subscribe to the idea of never letting anyone know just how many nights I work deep into the night, not getting an ounce of sleep and making things just appear as if it were the work of elves and fairies and good old Santa Claus.
I'm a firm believer that you should never let them see you sweat or look the least bit exhausted.
I'm all for full make up, special holiday outfits and a 24/7 look of merriment.
No. Matter. What.
I don't think decorating or cooking or planning menus or entertaining should ever look hard or tiring or too damn much.
And, I don't like enlisting guests to be part of cooking or cleaning up or doing any kitchen duty.
Yeah, I'm cuckoo like that.
I want my guests to think it's all so effortless and happens without me even messing up my manicure or yelling at anyone. Like magic!
So, as you can imagine, with the burden of all that magic-making, I find myself completely frazzled just following the rules I alone have set for myself.
Funny thing---since I've been behaving this way for sooooo long (going on 30 years!), it's now just what happens in Judiland.
Which causes quite a bit of a angst for me---I can't stop now.
It's what brings me joy. Um. Ah. Well. Hmmm.
Just the other night, as I was struggling with putting away my summer clothes to make room for my children to come home for the holidays (I was storing them on their beds since they went back to school after Thanksgiving) and attempting to also put away the Christmas decoration tubs, scooting up and down the steps, taking my life in my hands--Carmen asked me--"when are you going to finish the dining room?" I looked at him with a stare of I hate you now.
He didn't get it. He just didn't understand. This is his wife who brings Christmas effortlessly into his life while wearing lipstick, singing Jingle Bells.
"You know, put the Christmas table cloths on the tables and fill the china closets with all of your Christmas china?" he asked as I teetered on the staircase.

I'm looking for the Joy.
I'll add it to my list.
Joy. Joy. Joy.