Christmas Survival 101

There are two weeks left until Christmas, so in the interests of emotional preparation, today's blog post is full of strategies as to how to survive a chaotic Christmas. Just as a quick background comment, last Christmas at my parent's house was completely outrageous for reasons that lead into a freakishly long story and, when told, lead into a very angry Kaycee. Just rest assured it wasn't pretty. Then all year long, I swear, at least once a week, there was some reference to Christmas. It never went away. So the goal this Christmas for me is to enjoy it beyond the chaos of my family (who I really do love to death, don't get me wrong; I just want to choke them sometimes).

So, Christmas Survival Strategy 1: Get a phenomenal sister-in-law. The lovely Rianne has had her share of family dysfunction as well, so she is completely understanding of me and my issues. I can vent, I can call, I can show up at her apartment and she'll make my brother let me in, she's amazing.

Christmas Survival Strategy 2: Get Busy. My phenomenal sister-in-law and I decided that this year, as both of us are further discovering our artsy-fartsy sides as we get to know each other more, that we are going to make every body's presents this year. Well, that means both of my brothers, both of my parents, two pairs of grand parents, aunt uncle and cousin, and then each other. Then job stuff happened, and school happened, and we don't see each other as much... we're kinda behind. There will be no time to dwell on the errors of last year, I'll be having too much fun hanging out with Rianne making stuff!

Christmas Survival Strategy 3: Avoid the house. Wait... I already do that. Working two jobs and being a full time student has its perks.

Christmas Survival Strategy 4: KAT 103. KGBI has been playing nothing but Christmas music since 3 AM paper route the day after Thanksgiving.

Christmas Survival Strategy 5: Christmas cookies. I've never done Christmas cookies before, but I've always wanted to try. As my phenomenal sister-in-law has been teaching me how to cook, cookies will most likely happen at her apartment, we will most likely be in a very silly mood, we will most likely laugh a lot, and the experience will produce happy memories to associate with Christmas.

Christmas Survival Strategy 6: Keep track of the honest to goodness reason for Christmas. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas isn't about time with the family. Christmas is about God sending His Son into the world so that He could walk in our shoes, lead a perfect life, and then die as the perfect sacrifice we needed to be able to spend eternity in Heaven. Family just happens on the side. The holiday shouldn't be consumed in the image of what doesn't work in my family, but instead in how much I am loved by a holy God.

So tell your big brother to hurry up and get married, find something productive to consume time, avoid the house, don't drown yourself in Christmas music, make some fond memories, and to use one of those cliches that actually hold a lot of truth, keep Christ in Christmas. Merry Christmas, blogging world!!!

November has come to an end, and with it, NaNoWriMo (which I epicly failed, but it's okay. It was a learning experience, and now I'm ready for next year!). One might look at this statement and reason, "So now Kaycee has her life back and will actually post a blog every now and then!" Oh ye of too much logic. Thou must open thine eyes to the insanity that is my life.

I'm working two jobs. I never turned in my notice for route because I'm waiting out the first six weeks of my new job where they can can me any minute. Between the two, I work 39 hours a week. I am also a full-time student. I'm also moving out in a little over a month, just so long as we can pull it off.

So you freakishly logical folk who believe that I have more time this month, you were sorely mistaken.

I do, however, have two topics that I could blog about: we have the History project, which is researching the family tree, and we have How To Survive Christmas: A Guide to Protecting Sanity in the Midst of Chaos and Turmoil. So it's up to you: Drop me a line, and cast your vote!!!... and then add some more blog ideas, because two will only last so long!