Winter nesting syndrome
I don’t know about you, but I cannot for the life of me get into Christmas this year. I haven’t hung a single decoration, put up a tree, strung a single light. And I’m not gonna. So there.
On the other hand, some strange hormonal/psychological/seasonal urge hit me today, and I decided to finally rip apart my office and maniacally file papers and purge drawers and dust and stack and what have you. And tonight I feel like pulling out the little device that steam cleans shower tile. And I may refold towels and vacuum under the bed. What’s up?
Maybe part of it was I spent the weekend at my friend Carolyn’s house, and I’ve come home inspired. Carolyn and her husband met in a graduate theater program, so they both have a background in set design. It shows. Each room of their house feels like it belongs in a movie. The den looks like a perfect movie den. The living room is light and white and plush, with a grand piano and mirrors and pillows and so many comfortable places for the cats and me to curl up. The guest room is a total girl room–flowered lampshade, flowered bedspread and curtains, more pillows and everything soft and warm. Going there is like a spa for me. It’s such a treat for the eyes.
So maybe that’s what’s behind all this nesting–I want to do better. I just don’t pay enough attention to my house. I feel guilty taking time away from my writing to do something as frivolous as clean out all this clutter that makes me nervous every single day. I keep promising myself that as soon as I finish this current novel (yes, behind schedule, please shut up) I’ll take an entire week off to do nothing but clean and organize. But apparently whatever gland triggers dusting and vacuuming decided to act up today. I can live with that.
Is anyone else having a hard time getting into Christmas this year? If so, do you know why? Because I’m open to your diagnosis. I tend to think it’s because I’d rather work than shop, but that’s true all year long, so you’d think I could muster up some spirit for just these few weeks of the year. But not this time. Bah.
And while we’re at it, is anyone else a winter nester? Do you love this time of year so you can catch up on cooking and cleaning and repairing or building things? If so, what’s your particular nesting fix?
Technorati Tags: Christmas, Winter, Winter Traditions, Christmas Traditions
December 19th, 2006 at 6:38 am
Putting crown molding in my office. Been wanting to do it for a while. Just put (fake)hardwood floors in it at Thanksgiving.
Can’t really skip Christmas with a four year old(Who looks like he’s five, if you ask him) but my wife and I would like to.
My parents are the problem. No matter how many times you say don’t get me anything, they still get something, so we have to get them something.
And the lights that I hung on the highest peak of my house are now out. 3 Sections have gone dead. (So much for the 1 goes dead not all claim) This year I went mostly with lawn lights. 2 minutes and you have a 6′lighted outdoor tree.
December 19th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
I am so uninspired for Christmas =( I’m totally blaming the weather! I live in NJ, and it’s like 70 outside!!! We have not hung a single decoration or bought our tree yet. I tried wrapping presents yesterday, but it only made me depressed thinking about my lack of money!
I did go into Philly on Sunday with my fiance to check out the Light Show and Dickens Village at Macy’s. It was lots of fun, and I was getting in the Christmas spirit… but I lost it again!!
Robin, I’m totally feeling you!!
December 19th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Thanks, Christen. I know you’re right–the weather has a lot to do with it. It’s been in the 70s here, too, until today when it was 50. Which may explain why I just got back from Christmas shopping. Hmmm . . .
December 19th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Maybe you are too excited/hyped/nervous/overwhelmed/giddy about your 2007 release to get excited about anything else right now?
December 19th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Hmmm, now there’s a happier spin on things. But no, Heather, I have to be honest: I think I’m just a big Christmas crab. Somehow I don’t think you are, though. You seem awfully holiday-ish to me. (Which makes me extra sad to read on your blog about your snotty head cold right now. Bummer!)
December 19th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Lol. My husband would beg to differ. But he is holiday-ish times infinity.
Speaking of Crabs… I have a shirt that reads ITCHIN’ FOR CRABS on the front and JOE’S CRABSHACK on the back.
I have to remind myself that I can’t wear this one to school functions.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
It’s important to be inappropriate at school functions. Keeps people on their toes.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Usually I’m a holiday decorating maniac. Any holiday, you name it, is a reason for me to dig out boxes and boxes of decorations. No holiday is too small-I have the cutest little Valentine people, but I digress. I have not decorated at all for Christmas, usually my biggest extravaganza. We are going on a cruise leaving on Christmas Eve to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary, and it will be the first Christmas we are not at home. I made the decision weeks ago to not decorate at all and I am regretting it because I cannot get into Christmas without my decorations! And it is too late now. My eight year old still believes in Santa and she is so worried that without her being home and without our tree and decorations, Santa will sail by our house. We did put out our Christmas stockings and a few stray nutcrackers that managed to escape last years packing away, and she made a few paper things at school, but our house is decidedly un-Holiday-ish. Sadly, that, and being away, has affected our Christmas merriness.Ho-Ho-Hum.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I’m not sure what I’m doing can be called nesting, unless it’s like a squirrel’s nest — a huge pile of garbage gathered around me for warmth. This place looks like I’m in the process of moving. Or building a tornado. Or both.
My fiance says we’ll decorate when we get a real house. For now, the second hand furniture, saggy entertainment center, and ikea design is about as good as we can do…
December 19th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
Deborah, sorry you feel so forlorn about it, but at least you have a festive reason for not decorating. But it’s interesting to learn how much you really miss it, huh? I’m guessing you won’t make a habit of going on Christmas cruises.
Diana, how fondly I remember my saggy entertainment center. Must be a post-college, pre-marital rite of passage.
December 19th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Hmmmm… I have second hand furniture and am surrounded by saggy, old, blahness. I am also post-college, pre-marital. I think you’re on to something Robin!!!
December 19th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
robin like you i spent the better part of last weekend “organizing” my home office (and not done yet). this consisted mostly of going through piles of papers and stuff, throwing away anything dated 2004 and prior and creating new piles. found some things i forgot i’d lost, pretty cool. i think its the new year/fresh start syndrome. as i am on record as my favorite hobby being “closet cleaning” (followed closely by laundry folding), not surprisingly, i love it. its so tangible, and clean, and i adore clean, i mean really who doesn’t, but i practice it as an art form. next, the GARAGE, yummy!