I can feel Christmas snapping at my ankles and I am wishing to shout a bit. I'm no fan of this time of year for a pile of reasons. Some years the stresses have been unexpected and shocking. This year the stresses are known about and its almost worse. (Near-strangers to stay at Christmas? What is this madness? I'm sick in my head! It's my worst nightmare ALIVE! It's Christmas for crying out loud!! Oh yeah... no room at the inn... the stable... spirit of the season... must remember... breathe.)

So I am just putting it out there now. Who will hold my hand? Who will soothe my brow when I am a whistling kettle?

Mood + Christmas = Scream. Shall we have a blog dedicated to Christmas stress where we can list the problems? No big explanations, just a list, long if you like. It will give the stress a place to be. And from there we can look, survey, sneer, nod, let it all out and therefore and LET IT ALL GO.

My list:

I think I'm borderline OCD so nothing feels 'done' enough.

I have 12 to cater for and four is plenty for my head.

I have two near-strangers coming and I don't want it. At ALL.

I can't stand the excess... of everything. I don't actually like receiving presents!

Routine goes and I need routine to survive.

There. It is said. Breathe out.

Once it's in black and white, it is a starting point of acceptance and letting go. Lists please.

Love from

The room above the garage

A Moodscope member.