And We're Off! Let the Holiday Madness Begin!

In a rare event, I just made myself a second cup of coffee, an indulgence that is normally saved only for when I'm at a restaurant for breakfast (you know, because the servers walk around topping off your mug every five minutes and before you know it you've ingested the equivalent of an entire pot!) Therefore, if this blog has the feel of being on speed, you know why.

So today's the big day - HALLOWEEN!  I just finished volunteering at my children's school, got gas in the car, went grocery shopping and to the vet, cleaned up the breakfast dishes and have the second load of laundry in the machine. I've cleaned four - FOUR - bloody bathrooms, swept, mopped, and vacuumed the floors, and I still have a very large pumpkin staring at me waiting to "be prepped" for carving.  Please note, it's only 11:30 a.m. 

On top of all that, my son's friend is coming over straight from school (which will counteract ANY and ALL cleaning I accomplished today)  and the two of them are going to construct a haunted house in my garage.  With what supplies, I still don't know, but it is what it is.  As long as I am NOT going to be expected to contribute any more than the candy I'm providing them, it will all be good. 

AND, just to mix things up a bit today, my outdoor cat needs a bath - don't ask! 

So there you have it.  My day in a nutshell.  We all know what happens next.  It is a downhill free-fall toward the craziness that IS the holiday season.  I am already slated to host Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner.  Just in general I am one of those people that can get easily overwhelmed.  So, I'm remembering MY golden rule that states "What gets done, gets done.  What doesn't, obviously didn't need to."  How's that for stress management 101? 

What are your secrets for remaining calm during the busy holiday season?