Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
WSG #51: Giving to the most needy and how to stay organized in the least organized time of the year.
Well, that was a thing. Christmas has come and gone, left a path of destruction, emptied my wallet and fattened my arse. That said, it’s my favorite time of year. I hope you had a great time over the past few days with family and friends. We still have New Years’ to plan for and avoid.
Tonight we are watching Bridget Jones’ Diary and then Holiday. Both are Christmas-in-the-background, rom-com type films from the 90s and early 2000s. Delightful! It’s funny watching old-ish movies with my girls who are all college aged. These movies make me conscious of how different things are from when I was their age. They smoke pretty much anywhere and all the time, they go to video stores, drive stick shift and their grammar is pretty darn great. The leads in the films, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Jude Law are still fabulous, female catnip. My girls have fallen in love with them, too.
That’s all for now. Merry Holidays and please enjoy the rerun from last week below, and please share WSG with someone who could use a little escape.
Tis the season for giving!
As I was doing the Holiday Gifting Guide this year it occurred to me I ought to be paying attention to the most needy. And I don’t mean my dog or a kid. Or me.
We all receive a lot of asks in the mail this time of year. A lot. The number of worthwhile causes is anxiety provoking. Who to give to? How much? Give less money to more causes or the reverse? Is it insulting to only give a little? What’s a little?
I’m not sure what the answer is, but it’s clear I need to do something. I have a few organizations that hold a special place in my heart and wallet. I’m sure you do, too. At years’ end perhaps it’s time to break out the check book (dating myself) and scrawl to some new ones?
Anyone?
I, for one, am struggling to just get dressed in the morning. It’s gray and cold and rainy. I have so many items on my to do list it seems easier to go for a walk. But then I am right back where I started, frozen in place. It’s all I can do not to turn to the Internet machine and let it waste my time with cat vids til I can blissfully get in bed and read. At least I'm sleeping well!
Quick side track…
How do you stay organized? Lists? String tied around your finger? How dumb is that. I wouldn’t remember what the string was there for. That was a thing when we were growing up left over from who knows when. Pre ballpoint pen, I guess. Below is a photo of lists that I am currently working off of. The lists I could find. I notice that the one for Christmas Eve isn’t there. Seriously, does anyone have a better way to organize? Please share! womenssurvivalguide@gmail.com .
I know people whose homes are immaculate. No clutter at all. Where is all their stuff? Especially this time of year! Can you feel where I am headed with this? Hmm? Can you? Oh, yeah, that’s right it’s a re-appearance of….The Crapping!
The photographed lists above are an indicator of the non public spaces in my house, meaning, my side of the bedroom. It’s fine for me, but is it the most productive and calming space? No, it is not. Is it nice for other people, husband, to live with? Probably not. I know people whose homes are immaculate. No clutter at all. Where is all their stuff? Especially this time of year! Can you feel where I am headed with this? Hmm? Can you? Oh, yeah, that’s right it’s a re-appearance of….The Crapping!
A Christmas Crapping!! (And Hanukah, too!!)
Sent by Djamila from her kid’s FB parent site. Good one!
A Christmas Crapping, or Hanukah, is a time honored event that spans the Holiday season. It encompasses not only the process of wrapping a shit ton of gifts but for some of us it also includes the return of the college student and their stinky bounty.
The Christmas Crapping is therefore a similar but different event to the Spring Crapping in that even without the return of kids and their months of laundry you have the Holidays and all its own special clutter.
I have a few photos sent in from friends, but, please Let’s have it. Send me your worst, not gross, Christmas Crapping photos! I’ll stick ‘em on the insta!
Do you know any women who are trying to navigate that “Now what?!” phase of life with positivity and humor? Or maybe you just want to drop a hint for something on this list? Share this post with a friend!
Here is our chance to say, “Hey, I know you and thank you for doing a great job and not being an asshole.”
Back to giving.
I didn’t mean to get sidetracked but did you expect a linear thought process from me?
Think of all the possibilities for giving. We have our family and close friends to give to, sure. But then there are all those people we interact with daily whom we do not always recognize as meaningful contributors to our quality of life. Here is our chance to say, “Hey, I know you and thank you for doing a great job and not being an asshole.”
Let’s start a list and I want people to add to it…
I found a number of lists online. There is a pretty good article from US News here. And one from Care here .
Delivery drivers.
Mailman/women
Babysitters or nannies.
Door attendants and building managers.
Maintenance workers such as repair people, housekeepers, pool cleaners, trash collectors and landscapers.
Pet walkers, groomers and sitters.
Personal trainers.
Hair stylists and beauticians.
Newspaper carriers.
cobbler
“For people who might roll their eyes … or say that's too rich, I'd say that if you can afford those luxuries, then you can afford to tip,” from Care.com
Tough talk, but pretty true. The only item I take some issue with is the amount to the hair dresser. I do not know where these journalists get their hair done but suggesting a tip of the cost of a session is nuts. And what does Care have against cobblers? They say no tip for them, that is why they are on the list above. For the several of us with a cobbler, I’d say give them a tip or a present or an “‘at a boy!”
Basically, like anything in life: think for yourself as far as tipping goes.
Well, alrighty. That concludes another WSG with your’s truly. Here is a thing I think the history buffs with enjoy. It’s a Substack writer called Letters of Note:
Christmas should be more than just external things, Tommy
A soldier writes home
Merry Christmas Everyone! Love Gidget the Wonder Dog.
