I am running fifteen minutes late for our coffee date this month and I am so sorry you are hopping around in the cold waiting for me. Time gets away at me currently and I am just running behind on everything. So I am more than happy to pull you inside the next best Starbucks. It has been ages since I sat foot into one but today’s virtual coffee date calls for a toffee nut latte. I already know its going to be too sweet but I want one now… mainly for the whole atmosphere and all.
While we peel ourself out of the scarves and coats and hats we are already deep in conversation
If you and I had coffee…
…I continue telling you about the hectic times and my lack of time management I am currently experiencing. It is ten days to Christmas and I have not a single present I ticked off my list. I should have sent off my package to my sister in order for it to get there in time. I have not made a single Christmas card and obviously not written one either. My room is utter chaos so much so that I skipped yoga because there was no room to roll the mat.
And I am tired. There have been nights I slept eight hours like a corpse just to be hit by insomnia the following nights with me lying away from 2-6am. And of course sprinkle it all with migraines.
If you and I had coffee…
…I complain about my one client. Again. Not getting his shit together. Not approving content and at the same time complaining that there is no Christmas and New Years content produced. If feedbacks come it is like “we don’t like it”… Sigh. After switching back and force of topics, not knowing what to do, changing products last minute without any info about them so I cab actually produce anything. It had me pivot oh so many times this year. I was planning on being on vacation as of Friday… Only to have a last minute call at noon to hear we need to plan the January content and how to continue. Sigh… I set boundaries and said I can’t do it but I a feeling very restless and giddy now.
And with all this back and forth I have not managed to the many things I need to do for my own business. things I had planned to start in November and that have not happened. For one I need (no one is forcing me but it is the only marketing I do for my business) to (hand) write about a hundred Christmas cards. Cards I have no address for yet. Addresses I wanted to prepare just to run into the road block with apple contacts. An issue I try to solve every year in November just to hack it somehow and do manually because I am running out of time. So this year… I am really out of time. Here are a few other things I have on my to-do list: banking contract, set up new accounting software as there is a change in law as of January 2025, finance check and adjusting all subscriptions and bills and recalculate my own prices, strategy meeting with myself for 2025 with tomse goal setting, website update, … these are the ones I have on the top of my head right now. Did I mention I am tired?
If you and I had coffee…
…I add that on Advent First I did pull out some Christmas decorations and decorated the apartment a tiny bit. So we do have some holiday spririt. Much more than last year when I lost the Christmas Magic.
And last weekend my sister and her boyfriend stepped into our very own Hallmark movie when e went Christmas tree cutting. It was a whole happening with us getting there, grabbing saws, searching our tree and then cutting it, dragging it back, stopping at the animals (alpacas and donkeys) and ending the day with Christmas market strolling, mulled wine, market food and sweets. I made a little video you can watch here.
Of course the tree is not up and decorated. This is a job for December 23rd. I have strong opinions about this. Long time readers know my rant.
If you and I had coffee…
…I asked how things are going on your end. Are you deep Ito the Christmas spirit or do you struggle this year?
If you and I had coffee…
…I want to know what your plans for New Years are. As a good friend you already know that I am not very fond of this particular day and that I usually whole up at home. We may cook a nice dinner like a meat loaf or as last year we did a huge charcuterie board and had a movie marathon. we have no plans for this year though. Something low key. I have no desire for big parties.
If you and I had coffee…
…I share that I was the lucky winner of San’s NaBloPoMo giveaway. For weeks I haven’t checked any blogs and only saw her emailing my inbox. I am so so excited. Many thanks San.
If you and I had coffee…
…I share with you my image from the office window.
As we take our last sips of the cooled off beverage we are starting to get bundled up in our warm clothes again. It has not been a long chat today as we both have errands to run. But we promise to continue these meetings in the next year and hopefully with more time and stories to share.
What errands would yo need to run? What would be your beverage of choice be? Do you feel the Christmas spirit? How does your Holiday to-do list look like? When will be your last day of work be?
18 comments
I always love these posts, I love how you set the mood at the beginning.
I’m sorry you are behind with your cards and gifts. That feeling really can suck a lot of the joy out of the holidays. I hope you find a solution soon. Also the client that wants content now but doesn’t like the content or approve what is given, FRUSTRATING.
I’m finished with my shopping (as of yesterday), and I have my cards in the mail. The only things I have left to do are plan a menu and do the shopping for that. And I need some stocking stuffers. I’m going to dinner with a good friend next Friday, I intend to get some things then, as the restaurant is near a lot of shops. Likely I will get nice socks.
New Year’s Eve is my birthday, and when I was in my 20s it was a lot of fun, we would go to bars or whatever. We had another couple that we would sometimes go to dinner with (her birthday is the 29th). But nowadays I prefer to stay home for a cozy evening, so your plans sound perfect to me. My birthday wish is to go see an art exhibit at a museum in San Francisco, so we will do that in the early afternoon. My husband will likely cook a nice dinner, and we’ll watch a movie or something in the evening.
Yes the weeks before Christmas were a bit crazy and the client frustrating. As you can see … I only get around answering comments these days.
I bet everyone being in party mode for your birthday is so much fun specially being young. But I get it, doing something a little less loud can also be so nice.
You and I sound very similar when it comes to Christmas, Tobia. I’m not a big fan either. I find it all a little too much. The noise, the rushing around. The insistence I buy presents for everyone. The whole thing just for one day where everyone insists on being home with their friends, and don’t want to actually spend Christmas day with you.
I prefer a quiet time at home anyway, with my OH and, like you and your partner, we do a small dinner, and yes, charcuterie and cheese. Lots of little things through out the day, still in our PJs just hanging out watching movies.
Oh, and congrats on winning San’s giveaway. Much deserved. Enjoy!
Oh I love love love Christmas but I wish I had more time to enjoy. less stress and hectic – granted most of it is homemade. I don’t like that gifts is such a big thing these days. I would be happy receiving a book. Or something homemade. But especially my husband is not a fan of such things. Sigh.
For New Years I am al lowkey. I make it to midnight but only to watch the fireworks from a safe space. I dont need a big party or something. However we did discuss if we should host a party next year but since all our friends have kids no one would show up I fear.
I love Christmas. As you know, my tree goes up quite early. This year I haven’t been able to send cards because of the postal strike, but I think the workers will be forced back to work tomorrow? That said, I know it will take a long time to get things back and running in the system (they’ve been shut down for over a month). People will be receiving Christmas cards from me into February and March, I suspect. But it will extend the festive spirit :)
Sorry about the rough nights. Ugh. Life is so much harder when we’re low on sleep.
That postal strike really did take forever and I am sure Christmas cards will turn up far into the new year. I feel sorry for the small businesses.
Rough nights, migraines, a bad client, and a ton of handwritten cards – no wonder you’re tired!! I hope you can get it all done and get some rest. Congrats on winning San’s prize! I’ll have to look back and see what’s up with your Christmas tree rant! I enjoyed the “Hallmark” video of your Christmas tree-cutting adventure! I’m with you about not loving New Year’s Eve or parties, and I’ll certainly be cozy at home with hubby, watching TV.
It will be a cozy night in on New. Ears Eve. I think I will mix myself a load of fancy (nonalcoholic) cocktails and watch the fireworks from afar.
I’m trying to feel the Christmas spirit. I mailed the cards, saw the lights, and have done a lot of shopping. I still have two people to buy for, though, and there’s no way the gifts will be getting to where they need to be in time. *sigh* That’s okay, though, because I’m off December 24-January 1 and I’m going to sleep a lot and hang out with my cat and that’s going to be a true celebration!
Hope you had some lovely Christmas celebrations and are deep into I g Zelda, sleeping away the rest of the year and reading a bit.
I’m sorry about the client difficulties. That sounds like such a headache to deal with.
I am definitely in the Christmas spirit and I love all the twinkly lights in my home! I’m mostly done with shopping, too. That makes the holidays season a lot less stressful for sure. My last day of work is Friday!
Hope your Christmas was good and every one enjoyed the presents you picked out.
So many thoughts! Thank you for this virtual coffee/tea date. I’d love to contribute my answers.
What errands would yo need to run? I don’t really need to run any errands… The tree is fake and has been up since December 1st (lol), we have a one string on lights on the fireplace mantel, we have another small Christmas tree in the dining room, a wreathe on the front door, and a fake pine on the fence. We don’t do cards anymore, and no one to send gifts to – my parents are in Russia, can’t send anything there, and our mother in law is in Maine and all she wants is money.
What would be your beverage of choice be? Hummmm… Hot black tea! With cream, the fatter the better, and sugar – YUM
Do you feel the Christmas spirit? This year… Yes, I have to say I do. But mainly because of these three things: lights on houses all over New Jersey, Christmas music (jazzy, choral, traditional), and concerts: at my kids’ schools, and live theater plays, holiday-themed.
How does your Holiday to-do list look like? Every year, in November, it’s the same: get gifts on/close to Black Friday, put up the tree on December 1st (or near there), pull out the wreathe, make cookies, listen to holiday music, go see some live theater.
When will be your last day of work be? It’s this Friday! December 21st. Then I’m off till January 2nd!
Thank you so much for sharing all your answers Daria. I have caught up on your blog so I know that you had a lovely Christmas even though it was at times rather busy.
Do you miss your family over the holidays? I know you didn’t have an easy childhood but I wonder if it seeming you think about. Sorry if that is too personal.
That client sound like a pain, sorry you have to deal with that before Christmas. I hope you find some time to deal with your business admin, but also get some downtime over the next week. I need to get some presents for the girls and post a letter, but not too much else. I do not send out Christmas cards.
I love sending Christmas cards but this year I am so late it becomes a chore.
The client is hard earned money. But it’s money and pays better than other clients so yeah…
Sounds like you are well into checking everything off your to do list.
I have to admit, since having baby #2, life has gone bonkers but I took a minute and read a post or two. Then I was like, oh this was the apartment situation last year gal (because apparently that is how my overworked mom brain works these days). Then I saw the coffee dates and thought I need to get back into this.
Hope your new year is going to be swell, that any apartment you moved to doesn’t suck, and that all the good comes your way in 2025~
Thank you for spending some time at my blog in your busy mom life. I haven’t been around at your space and totally missed baby #2. Hope things are going well – even if crazy.
Wishing you a happy new year and may it be full of firsts and happy moments,
Tobia recently posted…Shaping Happiness In December 2024 And a Farewell to 2024