Christmas Craziness

This year I was in the mood to decorate the house a bit more than usual. Could be the Christmas board I've been pining to all year on Pinterest. I didn't get everything done but did add a few more things. In the living room I was trying to decorate the bookcase with the extra boughs from the tree. We grew up with the mantle decorated at Christmas. This is the time of year I wish I had a fireplace - for the mantle. 

And in the sunroom I hung boughs at each window. I started to do bows but the cats thought they were fun so am waiting until next year to include the bows. 

Speaking of cats, I just saw the extent of damage to my bag. I had some cookies zipped up in it friday night and I think Webster was ruthless trying to get to them. Crazy!  The handles are almost gone anyways but i was going to get a little more life out of the bag. 

Luckily I'm not too annoyed as I've been looking for a new bag anyways. Plus they are so cute.  I have been a bit more annoyed this year though around the festivities. I'm trying not to let it turn into a chore. But this year  it's gotten more annoying with everyone wanting the wish lists spelled out. On one list I had put a general description of something I wanted (along with several other choices) and linked an example from LL Bean. I get both emails and texts telling me it's sold out. Frankly I don't have the time this time of year to hunt down alternatives, especially since I'm not the one retired. I'm literally one step short of just buying the gift, wrapping it and handing it over to the person so they can turn around and give it to me. What's the point?  And then on top of that I get to look forward to the family festivities in VT where half the people don't want to be celebrating Christmas there. It's probably the fact that this will be the last Christmas in VT (the plan is to sell the place in the spring) that I've lost my patience with the usual holiday antics. Being a sentimental traditionalist that I am. And on top of that I had the best laid plans for gifts and thought I was ahead only to find myself scrambling in the eleventh hour. I ordered something online about three weeks ago and after enquiring about it find out the order was lost in the shuffle and some of the items are sold out and the others are coming after Christmas. Ugh. End of rant. 

Last night I was trying to get the last of my shopping done. Unfortunately a bunch of stores closed early on Sunday. While waiting in line at Macy's, I saw this 'sale'. Apparently they really want to off load the 10" but not the other sizes. So I'm not the only one feeling the craziness of Christmas.