No control

I have to admit I am a bit of a control freak - which is no good thing at all.  Some people tell me I am very organised - I think they are just really meaning that I am uptight, anal about things that really don't matter and I should really go and take a chill pill.  This goes in ups and downs. 

At school and just after my A Levels I was the biggest stress cadet known to mankind.  I had SERIOUS issues.  Not getting my own way with things (read boyfriends) - I would  just seeth with anger until it took over my life....those A levels (so not important now) - lived my life around them like nothing else in the world mattersed.... it was quite a pathetic way to be.

A year later, after a good stint as an au-pair in Germany I had 'chilled' considerably.  I just went with the flow.  I would get changed in public not caring at all who saw bits of me flashing.  Did I stress that my bags were probably overweight coming home?  Nah....  Did it matter that there was a good chance I'd miss the ferry?  not at all - there would always be another one tomorrow..... I arrived back in England with a different (good, relaxed) outlook on life.  God I even went out without wearing a bra (probably not the best idea even back then...) but fear not - I ALWAYS shaved my armpits.

But now with kids etc I am heading more down the control path.  Not so much with the kids but life in general.  There's a fine line between getting them organised and micro-managing them.  There's making a plan of what needs to be achieved in the day and there is a bloody military schedule....

With the extra pair of hands here (mother in law) there are things that get done - and not my way.  But I should be grateful for the help.  Does it matter she mixes up all the cutlery in the drawer?  Nah - not really.  That she leaves her boots inside for us to trip up on?  Worse things in life.  That she puts  the wrong PJs on the kids at night?  So what?  But I think I may be  beginning to chill.

Tonight, hubby and I went out leaving grandma and the kids to decorate the Christmas tree.  Told myself I could always change things around afterwards.  That is was up to them where things all went.  As we left MIL was telling off Mac for the 5th time for taking off something she had hung - I expected to come back to a shambles.

But you know what?  They did a bloody good job.  I am dead impressed and I told them so.  Nothing has been changed....and despite us having gotten the world's most crooked tree (probably) I think they did a great job.

I am chilled, admiring the tree (no themes - we don't do themes or colours - just all of it) and no alcohol or non-legal drugs are involved.

Bee testing the Christmas tree skirt.

fertig!