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Murphy’s Law to End 2015 But Joy for 2016

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Murphy’s Law states, “If anything can go wrong, it will.”

See as much as I can have a the best laid plans in place, something always ends up diverting these plans with Murphy’s Law at play.

Murphy's Law to End the Year

So Murphy’s Law seems to dominate quite often especially here.

Take for instance, all week leading up to Christmas.

I had been going crazy for days before Christmas with both my girls school holiday parties, a monthly Daisy meeting for my younger daughter (yes I am one of her troop leaders), shopping, baking, wrapping, moving that damn elf around, even blogging and so much more.

Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans

Moving the elf was just one of many things on the long to-do list…

Murphy’s Law also states here that when you are at your busiest more will be added to the list to make you even crazier and busier than you can imagine.

Plus my back was feeling all this added stress in spades and squeezed in chiropractor appointments when I could to try to find some relief.

Those who know me know I have issues with my lower back that stem back for quite a few years and only had gotten worse after my second pregnancy resulted in my lovely, younger daughter falling onto my sciatic nerve the weekend before I gave birth to her resulting in terrible back labor that five years later I am still feeling the repercussions from.

But still keep trying to continue on even when the pain does flare up.

Again, Murphy’s Law also states that you will feel your worst at times like these…

So those days leading up to Christmas found me doing just that with my back and then subsequent pain that I felt was brewing, but still manageable for the most part (thankfully).

And still Murphy’s Law also finds that if it it can indeed go wrong, it will go wrong…

Christmas Eve came and each step of the way, if something were to go wrong, it did that day from an online placed order getting given away to another customer to my husband being sick with a sinus infection and on went the list.

Reindeer Food

The reindeer still had to be fed with or without electricity…

I tried at each nasty turn to keep it together. But just as the evening was winding down, my husband and my older daughter snuggled comfortably into our living room to watch Prep and Landing Christmas special on DVD, that is when the power went out in at that part of our home, including the lights on our Christmas tree.

Breakers were flipped and nothing was bringing the electricity in that pocket of our home back on.  A Christmas miracle was not to be for this one sadly.

With Murphy’s Law eventually you will crack and break under weight of all the stress if nothing else…

This was the proverbial straw to break me. So, I finally crumbled and dissolved in a blubbering, angry mess.  Not proud of my reaction and reminded me of one of my favorite classic Christmas movies when Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation had his own classic and epic meltdown.  

Ironically, I had the movie on in the background on our other TV when the aforementioned power went out.

Christmas Morning 2015

Thank god for extension cords!

Somehow though we all soldered on in the end and Christmas Day was celebrated with our girls being no worse for the wear.  My husband even used an extension cord to plug the tree into another outlet that still had electrical power.  The girls opened presents excitedly and the rest of the day went off pretty smoothly.

The Girls Christmas Morning

Excited and Smiling on Christmas Morning…

But still we didn’t get power restored to our home until late Sunday (three days after the electricity died in that section).  

Christmas Smiles 2015

Still smiling Christmas afternoon…

Of course being Christmas weekend, we had one hell of a time finding an electrician to even come to take a look. Still two neighbors came having some electrical experience, but couldn’t even find the source to this problem.  It should be noted that late Saturday evening, I finally took to Facebook to post a message in a local buy/sell group, where the wife of a local electrician connected us with her husband.  

Amazing how social media really is the place to turn to when all else fails.  

By the way, he came early Sunday and worked through the day to diagnose and fix the problem, which ended up being more extensive than I could even begin to explain here.  Suffice it to say, we have some holes in our wall now where new electrical wire needed to be installed.

Once again, Murphy’s Law states that it is never just a simple fix by far.

Just grateful to this man for all his help and his generosity.  Seriously, there are still some wonderful and amazing people out there still and this proved it to me.

The girls still have the rest of this week off, but my husband had to return to work Monday morning.

Yet the weekend ended with us finally getting to play and enjoy the newly gifted Pie Face game that Santa brought the girls.  A side note on this though is our youngest upon opening it Christmas morning told us that they never actually asked for this game.  However, Sunday night she couldn’t have been more excited to play (as were the rest of us, too).

Playing Pie Face

The best and most fun of times playing Pie Face

Just when you think there is no light at the end of the darkest tunnel, there is may still be with Murphy’s Law.

At least heading into the vacation week and now the New Year this week here, we are seeing a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with Murphy’s Law thankfully.

As for the New Year, most know I am not a resolutions type girl, but try to pick one word to live my life by.  Last year was to unplug when I could. I feel I did that successfully with taking some short breaks for vacations, summer, Disney and even Christmas, as well.

Joy-2016-Word

Well my overall word for 2016 is Joy–to enjoy, savor it all and to generally be in the moment more, such as the aforementioned Pie Face Game that reminded me how lucky I am to here laughter and joy like in the video below with my older daughter. These are truly the moments I want to take it and wash over me again and again.

Here is to joy and #Hello2016 What is your #WordOfTheYear now?

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**Sidenote – You can find me on SITS Girls today with some social media self-care advice for the new year.

Now, Happy New Year to all and hope that Murphy’s Law gives us all a break in this new year to find more joy in all aspects of life!!

 

What is your word or resolutions for 2016?

Signature 2015

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bev says

    Sorry to hear Christmas was so rough this year! I probably would have had the same reaction as you. Looks like in the end you all had fun 🙂 Glad they figured out the problem in your house and hope those holes get patched up soon. We thankfully had an uneventful break, just some home projects that thankfully happened without a hitch. My 2016 word of the year, which I’ll write about next week (taking an extra week off from blogging!) is calm, as well as organized. Hoping 2016 brings you lots of joy!

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks so much Bev and definitely just glad that it all ended well for us as for a bit there definitely was touch and go. And glad you are taking an extra week for you, but can’t wait to see what you word of the year is, too now!

  2. Seana Turner says

    My husband also got a sinus infection over Christmas and is still coughing. Thank heavens for FB groups – funny how they have become the “go to” for problem solving! I’m so sorry for the series of calamities. I know Moms are drained by the time Christmas morning rolls around. My word for the year is “laugh”… I want to do this more!

    • Janine says

      Aw, so sorry about your husband having a sinus infection, too this holiday season. You are so right about FB groups, they really are a godsend at times like these. And I love your word of the year as I think more laughter goes a long way indeed! 😉

  3. Meredith says

    I LOVE this post–and I’m right there with you–as always! Murphy’s Law reigns in our home–but here’s to choosing joy anyway!

  7. Kelly Frey Suellentrop says

    My grandma was a Murphy, so I partly feel the need to apologize every time Murphy’s Law causes chaos 🙂 But I can certainly relate. You had quite the holiday! Glad things are returning to normal. And what is it about Christmas and illness. I get sick almost every year!

  8. Echo says

    Murphy’s law is definitely a pain in the butt! I am so proud of you for holding it together. I probably would have had a Clark Griswold freak out of a whole other level!

    My 2016 word is Me. I need to remember to take better care of myself.

    Happy new year, my friend!

    • Janine says

      I love your word for the year and seriously thank you for your kind words. I am not to proud to say that I truly wasn’t graceful when the power went out at all though. Happy New Year to you too, my friend!

  9. Faye says

    This SO resonates with me! Murphy’s Law is definitely my nemesis. I’m glad it all ended well – Happy New Year!

  10. Bill says

    Is there an opposite law…”if anything can go right, it will?” If so we need to find it quickly. 🙂

    Happy Monday, Janine, and thank you for being who you are.

    • Janine says

      I wish so and if you find it, please share with me!! Happy Monday once again and thank you too for just being you always 😉

  12. Chris Carter says

    OH HONEY!!! I have been thinking about you and wondering how your Christmas break was and ohmygoodness you poor thing! I get it. Oh, do I get it! My girl was sick the ENTIRE break. Now I’m miserably sick. Sigh…

    But your girls? They are just SO beautiful and SO precious!!! Here’s to NO murphy laws for 2016!! Lord knows, we need a BREAK~

  15. Jen says

    Oh my goodness what a Christmas! I agree choose joy, if you laugh even when it is hard, it makes the hard easier to bear. I love that almost pie face picture of your husband. Hoping 2016 is a great year for you my friend!

  16. Tamara says

    Aww.. the Pie Face game looks FUN!!
    I totally hear you about Murphy’s Law. As you know, Cassidy had a sinus infection the way Kevin did. Scarlet and Des traded fevers, and Des puked while Scarlet coughed.
    Fun times!
    The busy just gets busier! And the sick happens at the worst times!

    • Janine says

      You said a mouthful and the sickness really always does seem to come at the worst of times sadly. And wish we could play Pie Face together as it is really such a fun game! 🙂

  17. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Joy can sort of be a cure all, I hope you and Kevin are feeling better. For me there’s nothing more intolerable than foot, tooth or back pain. Wow and Murphy couldn’t have picked a worse time with the lights!

    • Janine says

      Kenya, you are so right about Murphy and the lights. And slowly we are feeling better, but definitely no fun here at all!

  18. Mama G says

    I am giggling thinking of you pulling a Clark rant. Sorry to hear things were rough for you, but it looks like you managed to pull it all together and have a great day. Here’s to a wonderful 2016 for us all. My word for this year is #forty

    Yikes. Happy New Year! x

  19. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I am so sorry you had one bad news and then another. It always seems like when it rains at my house it pours too. I truly hope your back is feeling better, Kevin is better and your power is all back on. I have problems with my lower back too. I have always said it was because of giving birth to twins but what I really think is it is due to so many long hours of blogging. Sitting for long period of time is terrible for my back. I love that you are going to find JOY in everything this year. I am sure with time you will laugh about this Christmas season. This may be the one Christmas your kids will never forget.

    I hope you have the BEST 2016!!!!
    Many blessings my friend,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      I think you may be right about this Christmas being unforgettable to them, but seriously feel terrible that this had to happen when it did. Still, it is what it is and just hopeful for better to come in 2016 for all of us now!! 😉

  20. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I forgot to mention I love this picture and video of the Pie Game. At least, it brought some fun to your crazy holiday season. WHY DIDN’T WE THINK OF THAT? It is so much fun for such a simple toy.

    Blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      I couldn’t resist the video, Diane and when we play again I still have to get better video of my younger daughter, too still 😉

  21. Kristen says

    Ok Yes the electricity thing totally sucks, and your husband being sick,and your back…BUT you found joy! I’m so happy you are starting the year off with such a positive attitude. Happy New Year and may everything go right in 2016!!

  23. Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says

    Oh, man! I tell you – that last week before Christmas and the days leading up to it were rough. I really was just anxious for Christmas to be over so we could get beyond the busy and the stress. Isn’t that awful? We ended up having a great Christmas and last week was full of sleeping in and family time. I’m actually pretty sad to see it end! Here’s to a great 2016 filled with joy and peace!

    • Janine says

      Not awful and pretty much felt the same leading up to Christmas here, too. And I was sad on on hand, but also happy to have a bit more peace and quiet still here on the other still. Wishing you also a wonderful 2016 filled with all things good now, as well!

  24. The Pinterested Parent says

    That pie face game cracks me up. I love the shower curtain. So cute! I am sorry that you had a bit of a rocky holiday. We were sick here & stayed in and snuggled too. We had TV, but no sinks. Lol! We have been 2 weeks in our new house waiting for our granite & sinks to be installed. Bring on 2016.

  25. Aunt Gloria says

    I’m glad you got the electricity issue resolved and hope that’s it for a long time! Joy is a wonderful word to focus on and hope you have lots of it, not only this year but for many years to come! Happy, healthy, joyful New Year to you and Kevin and the girls. Lots of love……

  27. Allie says

    You poor thing. Losing power on Christmas Day!? Thank goodness for the warmer temps. And still, you pic k joy for your word. I love it!

  29. Ginny Marie says

    What a crazy couple of weeks you had! We have all had to go back to work and school this week and I feel like I could use a couple more days off. Oh, well! Wishing you much joy for 2016!

  31. Leslie says

    That Pie Face game was HUGE this Christmas! Glad to know you had so much fun with it. I also chose joy as my word for the year. Many wishes for a very joyous 2016!

    • Janine says

      Aw, love that we chose the same word and headed over to check your take on this now, too! Happy and wonderful 2016 for you, as well 🙂

  32. Rosey says

    We’ve got Pie Face but we haven’t played it yet. I think it’s going to be fun. 🙂
    Phft to Murphy and here’s to an amazing 2016!

  33. Melissa Charles says

    Murphy is a complete jerk. I’m familiar with him. Too familiar, by far.
    Glad that Christmas turned out ok, that the lights are back on!
    We got Pie Face here, too! It’s awesome!

  34. Dana says

    Joy is the perfect word – it’s the second time I’ve seen it as the word of 2016! Must be true.

    Wishing you a fully electric, clear-sinus, unpluggable new year!

  36. Shelly says

    My word of the year is – “rebuild”. The #valleyfire took our barn, garage, tractor barn, tool workshop, chicken house, horse, chickens, a corgi, tractors, vehicles, trailers, fencing, etc., luckily we still have our house.

  37. Kristi Campbell says

    Murphy’s Law can so go away – as you know, we all have sinus infections here too and they stink. Also you’re the second to tell me Pie in the Face is fun – must get!!! Love your word of the year as Joy, Janine. Perfect. And so you 🙂

    • Janine says

      Aw, some much love and hugs to you. And you are also just perfect. Hope you get Pie in the Face soon and all feel better, too!

  38. Allie says

    Janine, I am so sorry that everyone is sick. Not a fun way to start the new year. And I still feel for you about the power outage. Not cool. But the girls sure do look gorgeous! Wishing health and JOY this new year!

  39. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    That is quite the Christmas story, Janine! I think I would have lost my mind. But you know that’s one that you’ll be telling for years to come and those are always the best stories, aren’t they?
    Here’s to a joyful year for you!

  40. ruchira says

    Hi J9,

    such a treat to see your blog and read about your christmas and see your precious family 🙂
    The face pie game is awesome!! It must be such a thrill and yet takes courage to throw it at one’s face…LOL

    As we start our new year, I hope the murphy’s law has something better planned for you and your lovely family!
    xoxo

    • Janine says

      Aw, so happy to see you here, Ruchira and been a bit of a crazy day with both my girls sick now, as well as my self a bit run down. So did indeed make me smile to see your name. Thanks always and Happy New Year to you, too!! 😉

  41. Jamie says

    That last week of December I was worn out too. What was all this for? But Christmas morning was great. (and we had power, thankfully.) But I was exhausted most of the day from being up till 3 am Christmas Eve. I knew that it was nothing more than my own doing. My writing and blogging was non-existent in December to free up more time to relax. I guess I must have found other things to pack into that time. Joy is a wonderful word — because like everything it is a choice. Making it your word shows that intention on your part. We do have so much to be joyful for. Happy New Year!

    • Janine says

      Thanks, Jamie and I do have great intentions here and just hope to be able to see as much joy as I can through it all this year. Happy New Year once again!!

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Rabia and unfortunately now, I am under the weather and the kids were both home sick today. So when it rains it pours I guess. But still got my hope that things will indeed get better for us in the weeks to come now this year.

  43. Anna Fitfunner says

    Wow, what an epic Christmas! I’m sure that it will the be subject of many a family story in years to come (“remember that Christmas when the power went out?”)! It’s great that everyone managed to keep it together and enjoy the celebration. I think that you started early with your 2016 Word — I see joy in the faces of your daughters as they greeted the holidays and the New Year!

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Anna and we tried, but this week found all but my husband sick in the house, but still hoping this is just a small speed bump that we have to get over now. Happy New Year once again!! 🙂

  44. Mardra says

    JOY is a great word to go-to for 2016.
    In fact, I feel you may teach Murphy a thing or two with that mantra tucked in your pocket.
    Awesome!

  45. Julie Jo Severson says

    Oh my gosh, for starters, your girls are BEAUTIFUL. Wow! Well, sorry about all the hoopla in your household during a time that is stressful enough already. We hosted my sister and her family for Christmas week, and it was a zoo full of snafus, too, including dropping a new mirror I bought for my daughter’s dresser in a parking lot with it shattering into millions of pieces. Argh! I hope you’re all feeling better by now. I can’t think of a better word than Joy.

    • Janine says

      Aw, man sounded like yours was just as crazy as ours here and seriously hoping things have quieted down for you, too. Happy New Year once again, Julie!! 🙂

  46. Rea says

    I am so behind with commenting! But I’m so sorry this happened to you over the holidays. Losing power at home is the worst and I’m glad you had it fixed the soonest time. JOY is indeed a joyful word! Everybody deserves to be happy. Enjoy the year ahead my friend!

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