most magazines or websites have a “stuff we like” section where they feature products that they use or wish they had.
since, anti-materialism is one of the goals here…
i will continue to post crafts that i plan on using at some point.
Craft: http://photojojo.com/content/diy/photo-cover-notepad/
inventions:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/technology/personaltech/26pogue.html?th&emc=th
time to start making the year to-do list.
“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you,” says Proverbs 9:8 (New International Version)
The marathon between Thanksgiving and New Years can be a painful succession of snotty-nosed babies, awkward gifts, chatty aunts, unpalatable traditional foods, nosy step-uncles, weird traditions, creepy family friends, boring dinners, and glares from your parents for not behaving. There are several tactics to consider for a punishment free holiday that strike a balance between actually caring about the get-together and staying connected with your friends.
1. Be sneaky with the texting and internet use
Holidays are all about family time. Sitting on your cell and texting incessantly is your best bet at getting the phone taken away. Your parents are probably generally tolerant of the tap-tap-tapping of your cell but one snide comment from your persnickety great uncle might change all that. The slightly fishing comment of “So… Billy spends a lot of time not socializing, huh?” will embarrass and frustrate your parents. Then, they might possibly ban you from the phone and computer completely.
2. Take long bathroom breaks
The secret solace of the bathroom is the most unquestionable hideout. No one is going to ask you why you were sitting in there for 40 minutes after Christmas dinner. Most older people also won’t realize that you can stream 30 or so Youtube videos during that time. It’s a win-win unless they hear your snickering before each flush.
3. Strategize your seating
Both at the dinner table and during the gift exchange, the perfect seat can change the experience. Crouching behind your overweight second-cousin makes the fact that you are hiding too obvious. Sitting directly opposite the cute over-adored step-grand-daughter will deflect all attention to the areas not near you. This is when the discreet texting will pay off. Also, a large clump of sullen teenagers will draw the attention back to you so make sure you hide next to someone who doesn’t make you guilty by association. Kneeling next to your oblivious Aunt Rachel, who will stare at the baby while adding credence to your presence while allowing you to zone out sufficiently.
4. Make friends with any strange animals or children
First, you don’t want them attacking your legs or puking on you and by them I do mean both strange animals and strange children. Second, taking them for a walk and giving the parents/owners a break is a good excuse to sneak out and call your best friend to moan about the ambrosia that your Cousin Susan keeps force-feeding you.
5. Volunteer to help with things that give you personal space
This is similar to befriending animals and children. Offering to move the gifts upstairs, take coats to the closet, or chop wood in the backyard will make your disappearing act less suspicious. You can be gone for hours before someone starts to wonder why putting the excess Tupperware in the backseat of the van took so long.
6. Don’t disappear for too long
Disappearing for 3 hours when you were asked to change into a different shirt will probably throw your parents into an embarrassed rage. They will realize that you are trying to get out of the festivities and assume your attitude is combative. After holiday punishments heap up and suddenly you’re grounded until prom. Make an appearance and chat with the chattiest about something vague yet, sufficiently memorable. If you can manage to come up positively in conversation while not actually circulating with people, you have perfected the holiday-sneakaway.
