Due to procrastination...

... my Christmas cards have been canceled.

*sigh*

For twenty-two years, I have sent out Christmas cards. For seventeen of those years, a little newsletter has been enclosed. But this year, I dropped the ball. I totally and completely missed my window of opportunity to get the cards made and when I attempted to write the newsletter (it is in the format of a newspaper), my writing skills disappeared. It sounded boring, and uninteresting, and very much like a, well... newspaper. And so I set it aside telling myself that I would eventually "get back to it."

I never got back to it. Instead, I decided to play with the decorations on my banister. I kind of like how this turned out, although I plan to tweak things a bit next year in order to perfect what seems to be a good idea that could use improvement.

What I did was sew the Christmas ball ornaments onto the ribbon after I wrapped the ribbon around the banister. It took me three days to do the sewing. What can I say? I'm not very fast when it comes to figuring out something new. The good news is that I only broke one ball. The bad news is that the ribbon keeps pulling away from my banister and the balls sort of knock against the rails when the heat comes on. I know there must be a better way to do this, but so far, the better way has escaped me.

Anyway... back to the cards. Fast forward to Monday, December 20. As of Monday, I have received so many wonderful cards and letters from friends and family that I am now overwrought with guilt knowing that I have not sent a single card - so much so that when my sister in law phoned me yesterday, I informed her that I was going to be superwoman and attempt to send Christmas cards even if it meant that they would arrive after Christmas.

Yeah, that's not going to happen.

I am reminded once again that although I am a crafty person, I seriously lack the skills it takes to make Christmas cards. And that darn Shutterfly - good grief. They do NOT cater to the procrastinating customer. Their target ship date for photos is ten business days. Okay. Late is one thing, but next year? I don't think so. Talk about adding salt to my already wounded pride.

I did, however, attempt to make some cards for the VIP teenagers in my life. Here is how they turned out: 

I guess they don't look too awful, but this is what may not be apparent:

1. The paper is not holiday themed - it is autumnal
2. There are only four cards here
3. It took me three hours to make these four card
4. I spilled purple ink all over my carpet
5. There is no purple in these cards - where did that even come from?
6. When I cleaned up the ink, it spread under the cabinet and it's still there
7. I got ink on the fabric that was sitting on the table
8. I was a mess:

Clearly, card making is not one of my crafty talents. I can't believe that I used to get paid to do this stuff. What were those companies and magazines thinking? Jeff and I once sat down and did the math to figure out how much I made per card. I think he calculated something like $1.23 per hour. Yeah, card making was not going to make me rich. It's a good thing I got out of that business.

So here it is, three days until Christmas and I still have not sent out a single card. I am honestly ashamed of myself. Therefore, I hereby publicly vow to do better next year. In fact, I promise to start the cards in November. I also promise NOT to try to make them. What was I thinking?

Alas, this is going to have to serve as my official holiday greeting to all. To sum up our year, here is what the newsletter would have told you:

• Jeff continues to work hard - all day, every day
• I sew and play - all day, every day
• Alyssa is still in college and will be studying abroad in Italy this winter
• John graduated from high school and now attends ODU in Norfolk
• I spent three wonderful weeks with my family this summer (bliss)
• The dogs continue to rule our roost (chaos)
• We are all healthy and happy (blessing)
• We wish you a Merry Christmas and a splendid new year (love)

I'm not supposed to blab about the Italy thing because Alyssa has yet to officially announce it. But since she will be leaving in four weeks, I guess it is okay for me to mention it. Just don't post the word "Italy" on my facebook page - she would be mad at me for that spilling the beans.

And that's that - The Edgerton Express in a nutshell.

Please know that my intentions were good. I want to say a special thank you to each and every person who has taken the time to include my family on your holiday mailing list. Your cards and letters have brightened my holidays and have touched my heart. It is always such a treat to hear from friends and family near and far. And the pictures that have been sent? I LOVE THEM!

And so from me to you -

 
Happy holidays, my friends!

Comments

[Patty]

Hi Edgerton's! We think of you often and are glad to know all is well with you and your family. It's OK to take a break from the Christmas card task some years. In fact, I haven't sent my Easter cards in about 5 years now! And I don't know if I'll start it back up this coming Easter either. Oh well, we'll see.

Congratulations to John on his graduation! And that's so neat about Alyssa going to Italy. Krissy studied abroad in Florence when she was at the Univ. of Hawaii several years ago and LOVED it there. She made quite a few local friends there that she she still keeps in contact with and learned to speak the language enough to communicate with them pretty well. Which city is Alyssa going to?

Next time you're in the 'Couve we'd love to see you!

[Procrastination Free Living]

Actually even I don't gave a card that its okay. I want that time is my family and friends. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Jo Day]

Hi there,
I have just been reading your blog and I have to say how much I appreciate and adore you honesty! This mother in the UK spends her days much like you and while I am blissfully happy most of the time we all have bad days. You make us realise we do share these!
Love
Josie

[tracy]

I can so relate. I did however make and get out my cards. Some may get them after the holidays.
But for some reason this year I don't really care. That is so not like me. I always have a huge amount on my plate and usually get it done. Not so much this year.

[Helena]

I didn't get cards done this year. Alas. Your banister looks beautiful!

Maybe Mpix would be faster than Snapfish?

(Italy! Wow!)

[Kelli]

That's 4 more cards than I've ever made in my life. And I didn't even pretend like I was going to do Christmas cards. I did New Year's photo cards, but those darn things are ex-pen-sive....so I still haven't ordered them - trying to decide if it's worth it! LOL

[Susan from Maryland]

I did my cards at Ritz Camera this year. I uploaded them from home and picked them up the next day! You could send out Happy New Year's cards. They have lots of options to choose from.
Susan.

[Julia Love]

Kelly, I understand and feel your pain. After one hectic Christmas where I couldn't get it together despite frantic efforts at getting pictures to make a card, I switched to sending a Valentine's Day card. It gave me more time to prepare and it worked with my last name of Love. People love getting cards all year so perhaps you could find a different holiday to address?
Julia

[slammie]

You poor thing! I love Costco for their cards now. Jealous of the unmentionable word and can't wait to see pictures!

Happy Holidays!