Holiday Stress

Is there anyone out there that isn't stressed out about the holidays? It seems like no one is happy including myself. I feel a lot of pressure and the family drama seems to have started up just in time for the holidays. I was doing ok up until yesterday. I had done my shopping way ahead of time and there is a lot of baking in my freezer and the wrapping is done. I splurged and bought more decorations this year to put up. I was starting to feel in the holiday spirit. There is a lot of stress coming from family members. It just seems like no matter what you do, someone is always going to be unhappy. I've tried to create a nice Christmas for my family and I. I've put a lot of work and effort into it. I even bought way more gifts this year and tried to make an effort in what I got people. I baked cookies for my MIL and Grandma who are both ill. I was really hoping that I could make it a nice Christmas for my kids and also family members. People are fighting already and the expectations seem higher than ever this year. I could blog about all the drama but I really don't feel like it. It's coming from all sides this year. I can't stop thinking about my Dad. The whole thing makes me depressed and sad and missing him. I associate the holidays with him. We'd go months without talking but we always wound up together at Christmas. I can thank my Grandma for that. She was often the mediator. My Dad always tried to put an effort into being a Dad/Grandpa during the holidays. He spoiled my kids and always went to the Christmas concert. This year was very different and affected me a lot. My mom came to the concert instead. She said some things which bothered me right to my core. I love that line in the movie Christmas vacation. He talks about getting through the holidays with a lot of help from Jack Daniels. lol. I admit it. I usually drink more during the holidays than any other time of the year. And I don't think that I am alone. The liquor store last weekend was the busiest I've ever seen it all year. People were stocking up on the booze. I bought a lot of different varieties including ice wine (which is for New year's eve) and expensive merlots and Bailey's and rums etc. My sister has mentioned that she also does a big booze run for the holidays. I am willing to bet there are a lot of people who will get through the holidays with some alcoholic beverages to help them out. I usually take a blog hiatus around now. I don't like to blog much during the holidays. Master Anakin and the kids are home and I'm usually busy with cooking and baking and all those holiday themed activities. When does a slave get holidays?? I don't think that I get much of a holiday until boxing day. I've got a bunch of slave duties even when it's the holidays. I keep thinking about the good parts of the holidays. All the great foods and time spent with Master and my kids. I enjoy our family time and also cherish the memories of watching my kids enjoy Christmas. I think that the holidays are all about my kids now. I want to create some nice memories for them to look back on. My family was very dysfunctional growing up but I did have some really nice holidays. My Dad was often in a good mood and it was one of the few times I would see my parent's together and happy. Christmas won't seem the same without my Dad around this year. At least my period is over. Is there anything worse than PMS and trying to deal with Christmas? I hope that I can try to somehow get back into the holiday spirit again (even if it's with the help of some Jack Daniels) and start celebrating the holidays! May the force be with you all!! ~padme amidala