Annoying...what do you think?

So--the "best laid plans" typically don't happen.

This year I saved the tree and decorations to bring up to where the "fam" was all going to meet.

Yup--I didn't put up a tree--or any of my decorations.

At the time (throughout December) it all made sense.

I still had boxes everywhere--the house was a mess--and needed to be cleaned (which it beautifully was) before my parents came to stay for a couple days.

My mom is on her second life-time round of chemo--so clean is what we needed.

Well--of course--a kid in my sister's family came down with stomach flu--

Which mean they didn't come until late Christmas Day.

Which meant I had spent almost $200 to rent a condo for 1 day that I didn't get to "share".

Which meant we didn't bother putting the tree up--cause it was supposed to be where "Santa" was going to leave everything.....

So yup--I spent Christmas Day with no tree, no Santa, bored to anger literally.

I mean--love my parents--but spending Christmas Day with my bald sick mom---well--just reminded me of what future Christmas Days will mean....

I know--people not going through this same hell would say "seize the day"---but honestly--

I cursed cancer, cursed germs, cursed stomach flu, and cursed my sis and her husband who couldn't even get there early enough for the Christmas dinner I spent tons of money, and lots of time on.

I know--Christ would be calling me "Martha"---

Or would He be kindly giving me a hug and telling me He understands?


Anyway--so here's the annoying....

I feel like I've been cheated.

I've definitely learned a lesson. I'm not saving the Christmas Tree for any "best laid" plans next year--even if it's incredibly difficult to find time (and a clean place) to put it up next year.

Oh--and I'm NOT spending a fortune on a condo or Christmas Dinner next year--who knows--I may end up with just my "own" best laid plans for the actual days.

What's honestly annoying--is that I've noticed the older I get--the more I hate the actual Day of Christmas.

Love the lead up--don't even despise the "lead down" the week after (although yes, that "lost and where are we going feeling" is still there.

I actually was glad earlier this month--thinking that emotionally putting up the tree would be too hard this year--without the nieces and nephew to take my mind off of everything.

But now--well, this is annoying--but do you think it would be weird to get home and put the tree up?

I mean-- I had it up last year until February (never ever thought I'd be one of "those" people--but last year I just did not have the energy to take it down until the end of February--and most of January I was not in the state where the tree was....)

Cause honestly--I missed the tree--and find it offensive that after being cheated out of the "tree"--to not get one until next year.

What do you think?