Comments (25)

By kilax, December 25, 2009 6:01 am

Happy Holidays Everyone!

My family does a holiday photo each year (you can check them all out here). They usually have a funny theme, but this year, we actually took a serious photo to send out.

Anthony, Me, Steven, Mom, Nicholas, Dad, Thomas (baby) Nick, Courtney (SiL) and Christina

Don’t I have a gorgeous family (if I do say so myself)? I am happy we took these*.

The original Ilax clan

I get to spend today** with my other family – Steven’s parents and brother! They snuck in (from Kansas City) just before the ice storm and I am happy to be celebrating the holiday with them in our home this year! We’re so lucky that they were able to come out and share the day with us. It’s so nice to slow down and relax for once.

However you spend the day, I hope it is wonderful! Leave me a comment telling me your favorite part of the day!

*Even though, uh, it was 25 pounds ago
**I will see my family in January

Comments (18)

By kilax, December 14, 2009 5:15 am

Last year, I tried to use the Livestrong dailyplate. Yeah, that didn’t work for me! But I still get the Livestrong Newsletter in my email. Last week, there was an article titled “How to Survive Holidays with the In-Laws” that I thought actually had some good advice.

Ha, don’t get me wrong. I think it had good advice for dealing with ANY family member during the holidays, whether they are blood-relatives or not. Here’s the short version of the tips (which focus on when family visit):

1. Communicate your needs in a gentle, but confident manner.
2. Stick Together.
3. Find out what works and stick to it.
4. Trade holiday traditions with your in-laws.
5. Try not to take criticism personally.
6. Accept or redirect offerings of help.
7. Remember that the visit is temporary.

I suggest looking at the article for the full description!

The one I think I need to work on the most is tip #5 – try not to take criticism personally. The full tip says:

Try not to take criticism personally. As long as a mother- or father-in-law is not abusive in his comments and critiques, let his advice cause as little emotional defensiveness in you as possible. Handle his suggestions the same as you would from any other adult.

I have major issues with people telling me how to do things. Especially in the kitchen. Which is funny, because I know nothing about being in the kitchen. I just always feel so defensive when people stop me in the middle of doing something and tell me to do it another way.

Are any of these tips things you need to work on? What is your method for having a stress-free family gathering? Any crazy stories you want to share?

Comments (24)

By kilax, June 14, 2009 6:35 pm

Fresh out of the shower. Scary!!!

I said I wouldn’t let it happen again, but it did. We went on an hour or so walk with Steven’s parents right after noon. I didn’t have my sunscreen with me, and thought, “what the hell, I’ll get a nice tan.”

Uh, no. I’ll get a nice burn.

I now know. I don’t tan. I burn. No one else is red like me.

Does anyone else immediately burn? This sucks.

(Lame-o post, I know. But what I really wanted to write about is how much I wanted to be running while we were at the park, and we all know there are more than enough running posts here, with more to come…)

Comments (14)

By kilax, May 18, 2008 8:26 pm

Do you ever get back after a weekend of seeing your family and think, “Jeez, I really need to make more of an effort”?

More of an effort to be easy-going, and just let people be the way they are?

I do.