okay. got it.

Is anyone else out there feeling the frazzle dazzle of the Christmas season??? Getting stressed out by the mile-long to-do lists? Just wondering. :-)

I will admit I'm feeling the frazzle dazzle.

I think that's why I was sent a message. I'm scurrying around here doing the everyday laundry and dishes and the daily 'pick ups and put aways' while also trying to do the Christmas baking and decorating and shopping and wrapping and gift making. It leads to holiday

As I was doing the dishes this afternoon I got my message... Stop. Take a breather. Take a break. Look around you and enjoy all that you have been given. And how, you may ask, was this message delivered?

By this little sparrow. He sat on the window ledge outside my kitchen sink taking a nap, and I thought How can he afford to do that when it's so cold and he should be busy eating seeds and keeping warm???

Then it occurred to me. The lightbulb lit above my head. If this little bird can pause for a few minutes and collect himself and not freak out because there is only so much time in a day to get his things done, maybe I should do the same. This little bird will still be here tomorrow and he will still have his list of things to accomplish, but he will be a happier bird because he paced himself and didn't worry. OK. Got it. I need to allow myself to

Close my eyes and be still. Take in the smells... cookies baking, a fresh Christmas tree, bayberry candles burning. Take in the sounds.... holiday music playing softly in the background, the kids peeling the plastic wrap off their candy canes, Benny tapping his foot on the floor as he lays there writing more things on his Christmas list (LOL). Take in the sights... the glass container filled with Christmas cards from family and friends, a beautiful tree decorated mostly by Sarah and Ben, a pretty pink poinsettia on top of a cabinet in the living room, our two nativity sets laid out just so by Sarah.

Relax. Enjoy the season. Let go of the guilt (that's a biggie for me... don't know why I carry such a load of guilt about everything). Message received and taken to heart.

Even Sophie gets it. LOL! buh bye frazzle dazzle....

:-)