In the back of my mind a tiny squeeky voice is prodding at me. It's annoying and it's persistent. I've taken Excedrin, and even had a little 'Egg Nog & Bourbon'. Nothing helps. It started about a week ago, just after Christmas, in fact.
Lets face it. One of the most frustrating things about 'The Holidays' is getting all my ducks in a row. No, not the one that will be enjoyed by all on Christmas day. Most certainly not the 'Goose' that everyone likes to give the cook (while I'm bending over basting the turkey)! I mean the 'ducks' that represent the 'chores'~.
Shopping for gifts for everyone.
Decorating the Manor.
Planning the Menu.
Arranging the Seating Plan.
Setting the Table.
Becoming an alcoholic
~Well, you get the idea, however, once that part of 'The Holidays' is accomplished and put to rest, there is still that squeeky irritating voice egging you on, getting louder every day. This phenomenon is the other frustrating thing about 'The Holidays'.
It begins with a whiny obvious statement like, "It's going to be a New Year, soon." Then it starts with the prying, "What are you going to do to make it better than this last pitiful one? Huh?"
The snide criticism is what really gets to me!
Then, it has the gall to start pointing out the goals I didn't quite get to this past year, "What about those shabby little savings and retirement accounts, hmmmm? Tsk, tsk, tsk!" And then, "Oh, is that a Michelin growing around your middle? Aren't we a little too old for 'baby fat'? What happened to the $300 membership at the rec center? How much does each visit to the pool and weight room work out to when you only went about 8 times all year? Not very cost effective was it? Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
It's condescending little tone making me moody and causing me to snap at my dearest of friends. At this point, my family is ready to duct tape my mouth shut and is even considering selling me as slave labor to some middle eastern sect!
Ok, ok, ok, I give up!
It's time to deal with the issues and make that hounding stop!
1) I promise myself not to go over 600 pounds in 2003
2) I promise myself not to let my savings account go below $25 in 2003 (required min balance)
3) I promise myself to save $300 this year by not buying a rec center membership and buy myself comfort food instead (refer back to #1)

There, now. That feels much better! And I believe the whining has stopped. Just to make sure I'm going to imagine my alter ego finding a nice big, two sided sledge hammer laying along the side of a neuron pathway, then finding the whiny little bugger and whacking her until she's nothing but a little grease spot on the dura matter. Ah, what a nice thing silence is!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!