It's a good thing these things are happening at Christmastime and I have FM 100 to fall back on.

I'd like to think I manage stress well. My independence-stricken, type A personality says I "Have to, or else."

I've made a goal recently to consciously work harder at being kind. Not the fake, bring you a casserole kind of kind, but the real thing. I just really feel like I can be better. I hope to be at least.

I figured Christmas was as good of time as any to begin this task, so I've been trying...but, the stars have not been aligned in my favor. Certain obstacles have tested my patience/stress management level, which in turn, create attitude problems that I frequently need to adjust. I've had to ensure FM 100 and it's constant Micheal Buble' (or whatever) playing Christmas songs are on in my car at all times to redirect and refocus back to reason I am trying so hard.

The obstacles are included, but certainly NOT limited to:

*Deak screaming anytime Micheal Buble' or any other mellow singer decides to sing on FM 100. He prefers the Hip Hop version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town (which includes several meaningful lines: "Yo, Santa..Got my Ice? and "Rudolph...I ain't cool with him no more...he got the six four." are just a few faves) ... and those who know Deak, know he isn't shy about expressing his hatred of certain musicians. This makes listening to FM 100 and de-stressing nearly impossible while driving with him. I wish Black Eyed Peas or Eminem would create a Christmas Album.

*$700 worth of overdue work on the car. I love when those things have to happen in December. Apparently I've needed brakes, tires, air filters, a battery, windshield wipers, and several belts for quite some time. Hmmm...who knew?

*Abby's seasonal (December) ADHD/I kinda think she's on crack mental disorder. I find myself taking VERY deep breaths and closing my eyes each time she begins prepping for her dramattitude. (Yes, I just made up that word). On a positive note, she was chosen to eat lunch with the Principal at her school this week, and was beyond excited.

*Dentist checkups suck. They suck worse when the three wisdom teeth you were hoping would disappear on their own (don't they all?) decide to explode with decay. When I told my dentist I didn't feel any pain, and need to wait until the summer to pull them...He just kind of laughed and said,"Ah...okay. But, call me the day you wake up and want to shoot yourself. That's when your ugly, decayed nasty ass tooth has hit the high road." (Okay maybe I embellished the last line...the rest true)
Oh yes, and I need a crown.

Yippee.

*My hair is from Hell right now. It's like I've been taken over by the spirit of an eighty year woman who wanted to pass me her coarse, dry, gray, straggly hair do and get a good laugh out of my misery. It is falling out of my head and I have two inch gray (yes, gray) roots showing. I am ONLY 30!!!! I tried to get out of going to the Relief Society Christmas party because of the gray, but I was bribed with a diet coke from a friend and enticed to see if I could get away with sneaking it in.

(I got away with it right up to the point where I SPILLED it in the middle of the pathway...karma.)

That's all...in the spirit of Christmas and my goal to be kinder...I will not allow these momentary spite filled rages to overtake my day. If you see me humming Christmas carols to myself while in public, just walk away, give me my moment, and try to pretend it is not a sign of delusional behavior.