I know I said I wasn't posting again until the New Year, but I have one final piece of business to address.
please enjoy this photo of me pretending to relax
I was about to pack up my laptop and iPhone and iPad and old iPad and emergency old iPhone that I mainly use for streaming music, and super extra old iPhone that only has a battery life of 7 minutes - when I realized I hadn't given you a list of what I intend to do on my time off between Christmas and the New Year. I can't pack that stuff up for my official week off until I've given you my annual list of how I'm going to relax.
This is a burning question in your mind I'm sure, right up there with how many ice cubes you currently have in your freezer.
As someone who spends their whole life doing stuff, and loving doing stuff, I sometimes have to remind and/or force myself to relax. To sit back and rest my brain and body; allowing drool to cascade down my chin as I gaze at the television from the comfort of my workshop.
I mean couch.
How I Plan to Relax
- Handcuff my ankles and wrists to the front, left leg of my couch, forcing myself into a locked, permanent fetal position. Inform neighbours and family to ignore any pleading or screaming they might hear from December 26th to January 1st.
- Realize plan #1 might be incomplete and come up with a "safe word" in case of emergencies. Alert neighbours and family to my "safe word" - tinkle.
How I'll Actually Relax
- Handcuff my ankles and wrists to the bathroom vanity. 'Cause that's just more sensible.
- Knit.
- Wean myself off of elastic waist band pants.
- Dig sparkles out of my scalp.
- Make a hand puppet out of my back fat.
- Do my nails. (organize by type and size)
- Learn how to use my new camera.
- Learn how to use my new dehydrator.
- Learn how to speak Chinese with a Russian accent.
- Clean up all the Christmas crap.
- Reorganize the basement to better accommodate the Christmas crap which may involve a jackhammer and drywall.
- Read a book. This book. (I've actually started it, I just need to finish it)
- Come up with 156 post ideas for next year.
- Contemplate whether it *really* matters if I finally throw out the frozen blob of something in my freezer I've been trying to identify.
- Refuse any and all New Year's Eve invitations in favour of walking around the neighbourhood after dark so I can get a *really* good look inside other people's houses.
- Sit. I'm really going to sit. Honestly I am. In a chair and everything.
- Order compression socks in preparation for my busy week of sitting.
- Maybe make a lasagna.
- Clean up, reorganize, declutter, get a new television for, streamline, cozy up, make perfect, make imperfect my office.
- Unplug. My coffee maker and give it a thorough cleaning.
O.K., that really is it for me until the New Year. I hope your time off is as relaxing as I'm planning mine to be.
Dale
See ya next year. Merry Christmas.
JodyG
My first thought echoed Nancy, Karen, go find the rancher dude. Then I started to wonder - is Roch Hart a REAL name? If it is, it one great name. Anyway, I really enjoy your blog. Merry, Merry and Happy, Happy.
Maryanne
Merry Christmas Karen
Thank you for a wonderful year of fresh ideas and interesting posts!
I hope you do sit...sit soaking in your beautiful home!
Regarding #13 if you take requests, I have a few
how to make a healthy flavored creamers. Coffee creamers, though I would be using it in my tea.
Homemade unique birthday gifts
TNR - getting the word out to your readers what TNR and community cats are!
making ice decorations to hang outside this winter
Making homemade ricotta cheese
These are some of the things I planned on tackling last year
and never did!
Cheers to a great 2019! Health, Happiness and Posts!
Arlene Stopps
At this point ...a few days before Christmas...I hate it!
I start off liking the idea...then ...I hate it!
Where is the fun?
Anyway...have a wonderful week off...relax and enjoy.
I am looking to run away!
Love your blog!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎄
Suzanne
Are you there? You did not comment on anyone’s comments....please sign back in...just for a minute....please...because I NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU GOT YOUR BOOTS! They are wonderful!
Have a happy, healthy, Karen-kind-of-relaxing Christmas, and New Year’s spying on your neighbours!
Mary W
I really had plans for my dehydrator but found it was used annually to prepare the best in the world beef jerky for my grandson. Oh, and I tried dried flowers which didn't work so well. So decided that he would enjoy it more than me and gave it to him. He has made jerky twice and I don't think he tried anything else, even though he planned to - just like his granny. I love dehydrated food, the idea of dehydrated food, the ease and smell and sense of pioneering from dehydrated food. Just don't do it - now please discover why so I can stop myself from buying another one which I really want to do. Crazy old jerky loving granny.
Jacquie Gariano
I had a great dehydrator during my "Mother Earth" days and dehydrated everything and I mean everything. The house really smelled when I did onions and garlic...LOL
I gave it away for some unknown reason and regreted it later. A couple of yeas ago I bought the same brand again and love it. My grandson likes jerkyn too, but I make it for him. I don't want to see my dehydrator gone again.
Amy
Karen,
So far I’ve had a ROTTEN DAY of FIRST WORLD ONLY problems. I came to the post downright grouchy, I’ll confess. The item involving back fat had me BUST OUT LAUGHING! Thank you for restoring my sense of humor and perspective. Thamks gor a great year of laughing and learning, along with the proper perspective adjustment!
Tess Turbo
Enjoy the Solstice and bring in the New Year with your usual flair and style.
p.s. sadly compression socks don't come in very flattering colours, so tart some up and see what happens. Start a new trend in sitting fashions!
Pamela Marshall
I love Bill Bryson. And so will you. Happy relaxing!
Cathy Reeves
First off, the coat. I MUST HAVE THAT COAT. The boots are only a good idea in Canada.
We just don’t get that much snow. Second, I agree with the others who observe that you look so tightly wound you might spring off your perch there and launch yourself across the front fence. How will you explain flying across the windshield of your neighbor’s car?
One more thing while I’m ranting here, I hope your 2019 list includes some travel. Go to the other side of Canada and tell us what’s there. Or the other side of the other side. Or come to the states and do a ‘progressive fan’ visit. You could probably visit all 50 states before I do. ( don’t forget about the coat!)
jaine kunst
Hmmmmm, I just don't buy that story about sitting in a chair and relaxing.
Merry Christmas, Karen and really, enjoy your time off.
Patricia H Otto
Bill Bryson, nice Iowa boy, anything he writes is worth reading. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Pat (nice Iowa girl)
Patricia Otto
Bill Bryson, nice Iowa boy, almost anything he writes is worth reading. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Pat (nice Iowa girl)
Katherine L Varnum
Good morning Karen. 4am from Vancouver US. I work for a 93+ woman who does not stop doing stuff all day long. The kids have me there with her so she has help if she gets herself in a pickle. We are a great pair. She is 93+ and I am 69. We are busy all day long doing stuff. Our plan is to keep doing stuff till we drop. Good on you from us. We love your style!
Sandy
Merry Christmas, Karen. Wishing you the very best in the new year.
Roch Hart
I tripped upon your blog as I love doing stuff. I'm a guy ranch manager dude entrepreneur, an entrepreneur is just another word for thinking too much, and loved to read how you write. Also, love the stuff you do since I'm always doing stuff between all the stuff I should be doing. Anyways, this particular blog is my problem. I find it impossible to not just sit. Drives me batty. Unless of course its at the end of the day and I can enjoy my Rum and Diet Dr. Pepper and Curse of Oak Island, which my family hates, as they spend millions looking for a treasure. I digress. Love your blog, Merry Christmas!
Nancy
Karen, you should give up on Idris and go find this rancher dude. Sounds like your kinda guy.
Beautiful photo, Roch! Where are you? Are they wild?? Just gorgeous!!
Joyous Solstice and Happy Holy-days, y'all.
Lonelle
I was just thinking the same thing Nancy! lol
Roch Hart
Yes, they are wild horses and sharing a cubicle with them means its always horseplay! But yea, I'm blessed. Merry Christmas.
Cheapdiva
Can’t imagine getting through the next 11 days without you! Please share what you end up watching and what color polish you go with. I’ll be getting a mani over my 10 days off and like you, organizing my basement - still have boxes to unpack from my October move into my new old farmhouse!
Annie
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for the bright spot you add to my life! It’s always a delight to read your posts. Take care and I’ll see you next year. Annie
Francine Nault
I totally agree with you about Karen. I cannot find where I can comment on her page so therefore I also wish her a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and always enjoy her posts.
Catherine Vosper
If you could bottle some of that energy and sell it you would b a rich woman overnight!! And I would be your biggest customer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, may all your wishes come true.