Welcome to my burn out. I had BIG intentions for today's post but every time I started to write - nothing happened.
The curtain is down on my brain for the year and as much as I'd love to give you the performance of a lifetime today, I can't. Cannot.
At the end of every year I am creatively BURNT OUT. I then pledge to actually relax for my time off between Christmas and New Year's Eve so I can recharge. I need and plan to slow the hell down for one entire week, even if I have to chain myself to a sloth to do it.
I'd TOTALLY chain myself to a sloth. I *love* sloths. I wonder where I could get a sloth. I think the most exotic thing my nearest pet store sells are the one eyed mice they sell to snake owners.
Before I leave you to your own few days of relaxation in the form of family fights, present returning and turkey burning, I will give you some insight into what I plan to do with my relaxation time until I see you again late next week.
My Relaxation List
- Sit
- Knit
CookI love cooking but I hate having to clean up after cooking so maybe I won't cook.- Forage for whatever food in the cupboard can be eaten out of the can.
- Wonder why the only canned food I have is Sweetened Condensed Milk.
- Contemplate whether consuming can of Sweetened Condensed Milk constitutes eating or drinking. Decide it's both based on it's more mainstream drink/food cousin, Boost.
Realize I have single handedly created a new rage drink by serving sweetened condensed milk in a cup. Make a note to find a modern version of a hipster boyfriend whom I canFacebook,InstagramSnapchat,Tik Tok, look at while holding my drink invention which I will serve in a bowl (now that I think of it) to make it even more hipster. - Feel ill from "dinner", strip naked and lie down on bathroom floor.
- Notice dirt.
- Ignore dirt.
- Notice dirt again. Curse dirt.
- Wash bathroom floor which leads to kitchen floor which leads to mudroom floor which leads to outdoors.
- Wave at neighbours looking curiously at my outfit which I now realize consists entirely of rubber gloves.
- Wave more enthusiastically as a way to distract them from my nakedness.
- Retreat indoors.
- Still unwell. Lay on the couch. Do not MOVE from the couch.
- Contemplate installing a refrigerator in the couch. No that's stupid, I should just move the couch into the kitchen.
- Bored on couch, move to computer.
- Look up ways to relax
- Find my own post on chaining yourself to sloth
- Fall asleep on couch, wake up and repeat.
Have a great Christmas and Hanukah, each and every one of you. If you're celebrating something else, let me know and I'll wish you a happy one of those.
Even though we all know this is technically the season of hope and love, you and I are smart enough to know it's also the season of outbursts and arguing. There are only so many Christmases we all have in us so don't waste this one getting worked into a fit for whatever stupid reason.
Sit.
Relax.
Chain yourself to a sloth.
Mary W
You know there is a Sloth Institute of Costa Rica that rescues, studies, supports sloths.I joined for several years and got emails occasionally concerning current events and births and releases. Your picture is adorable. Merry Christmas, Karen - waiting with baited breath until your return in 2024. (Baited is weird but mine does remind me of dead fish before I brush in morning. Wonder where this old saying came from.)
Cheryl in Charlottesville
Thank you for being you 🤍
Cindy
Thanks! I needed that!
Cindy
Chris W.
I totally agree with you - we all need time to decompress and regroup. I try to take a little of that time every day. Things work out the way they're supposed to so just put any issues out of your head and make peace with doing that for yourself. Wishing everybody happy holidays however that looks for you.
P.S. Please do not go outside just wearing rubber gloves or you definitely will become the issue!
Jane
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you too!
Karen
Thank you ma'am! ~ karen
Librarian Nancy
Because I believe in treating myself, I’m buying myself a new hot water heater for Christmas (do I know how to splurge or what?). Which they are coming to install today, in the laundry room off the kitchen, which means that my kitchen is pretty much unavailable today. Lots of baking left to do. Sleep is over-rated. Whatever you celebrate, have a happy one. It’s supposed to be around 50 degrees here in Chicago.
Karen
Hi Nancy! I'm just about to start some day long baking/cooking. I haven't checked the most recent forecast but I think that's close to what is predicted for here. ~ karen!
Lisa
Merry Christmas one and all and for gods sake relax dammit!
Camille
Cheers to relaxing time. Thanks for all you share with us..
Karen
Thanks Camille! Are you holding a goat in your photo? I need a goat. Just a baby one for a little while. ~ karen!
Marsha
I love your sense of humor and snarkiness! Merry Christmas Karen!
Karen
I tried to be snarky in my response to you but couldn't even muster snark. Merry Christmas. I'll snark when I'm over my burn out in the New Year. ~ karen!
Julie
Happy holidays Karen. Enjoy your time off and rest up so we can enjoy you again in the new year.😉😜
Alicia Clark
Well this was very nice and thank you for sharing your burn out. It’s a reminder that we’re all ok and sometimes taking time for ourselves is the best thing.
Merry Christmas to you. Thank you.
Karen
Oh burn out is real and even for someone like me who finds relaxing to be very unrelaxing, it's necessary. :) Merry Christmas Alicia! ~ karen
Kay
So am I the only one to think the cleaver hanging over the baby sloth looks like a guillotine situation? Whoops. 😯😁
Heard some of aforementioned dung stick, but you put it more funnily. Although, I haven't seen anything about it in the Bible so I don't understand how it can be considered "Christian." That part is confusing. Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! Happy New Years! Happy Holidays! Whatever they may be.
And just something I think is funny, not trying to starting a fight, but did y'all hear about , according to the scientific method, atheists cannot actually exist? 🙃❄⛄🎄🎉✨🎁🎀🎶🕯❄🎄⛄🎉✨🎀❄
🌵Las Vegas Pam🌵
Best advice ever:
“ There are only so many Christmases we all have in us so don't waste this one getting worked into a fit for whatever stupid reason.”
Thanks for the reminder. I freak out (almost) every Christmas. So ridiculous. For some idiotic reason, this is the week I decided to turn a room in our house into my art studio. A room dedicated to painting and more art. It’s the first room you see upon entering the house. I’m hosting Christmas dinner and the place is in mid-stride, messy, no place to put all my art stuff. This room is never used and I just finally decided to use it. But Christmas week? You made me realize that’s just the way it’ll be and dinner will be super fabulous while in the next room, a conversion of sorts takes place as art is my therapy.
Happy Holidays to everyone and to all a hopeful new year.
Karen
It'll be fine. It's always fine. The only things I can remember from past holidays I've hosted are the ridiculous, hilarious things that happened. Like when the chickens who live outside the dining room window jumped on the windowsill and watched us eat Thanksgiving dinner. Or when while packed around the table after dinner we tested my symptom-less sister for Covid for FUN and all screamed in horror when she tested positive. I do not on the other hand remember messy rooms. No one does. :) Merry Christmas Vegas. ~ karen!
🌵Las Vegas Pam🌵
Dearest Karen,
I remember the Covid testing being mentioned in a past post - and boy do you and your family know how to have fun! I usually like to just remain sober and test everyone’s IQ during dessert while listening to Buckner Fanning man-splain some strategery.
Marie Anne
Merry Christmas! Happy slothing and all the best for 2024!
Karen
Thank you! You too Marie Anne. ~ karen!
Sue
Even in a state of burn-out & stating you cannot write….you remain hilariously hilarious . Thank you, sincerely, for brightening my year. You make “lol” happen in me in spite of having some non-“lol “ health issues this year. Proving laughter is a valid medicine!
Karen
Sorry about your health issues Sue. Laughter and drugs really are the best medicine. In combination they're unstoppable. ~ karen!
andrea
I worked in an Italian restaurant for a while. The most popular dessert was called carmello, boiled sweetened condensed milk served with whipped cream, over which was sprinkled chopped nuts. So smooth and the whip cut the sweetness. Make two small holes in the can top, so it won't explode when you immerse the can in simmering water 1/2 way up the side & cook for about an hour, I think. Open can, cool, & scoop out portions. Yum!!
Karen
I had a friend who made it into caramel that way as well! I am absolutely going to finally try it now that you've reminded me. Thanks. ~ karen!
Randy P
First let me wish you, Philip and all your kin a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. In the spirit of "inclusion" and "diversity" I will add a Merry ChristmaHannuKwanzMadonStice! And to all my fellow atheists, have a great Monday!
Randy P
Lest I forget any fellow 'Trekkies' -
Martina
Thank you for including us! 😂
Grammy
As a fellow atheist, I also wish you a Happy Monday. But I still have a decorated tree and presents because at our house the holiday is all about food and drink and Sandy Claws bringing toys to children and dogs because being generous and kind is a good thing. Also fudge.
For others, what Karen said. Have a happy holiday whatever your reasons.
Karen
LOL. Good. I think you've covered everyone now. ~ karen!
Rhonda ( Southern Oregon)
Happy Solstice. May you embrace the darkness knowing there is a peace in the stillness it brings. Tomorrow will bring us a shorter night as every day does until we embrace our collective summer solstice. And so it goes ...
Blessings and love.
Elainee
You deserve a break and I hope Santa takes pity on you and brings a gorgeous, intelligent man to your door carrying an adorable sloth. What a Christmas this will be. Have a good one.
Ron Sexton
I wish I had your energy and enthusiasm. I'm just sitting here, waiting for a sloth to chain itself to me.
Enjoy your down time and thanks for all your hard work!
Ron
Karen
Ha! That made me laugh. ~ karen!