Everyone is counting down the days to Christmas. A friend e-mailed me, moaning that she would never be ready. I commiserated with her. I’ve been there, and thought we’d have to either call off Christmas, or sit in an undecorated room. I even left the Christmas tree to be decorated on Christmas eve several years in a row.
This year I had help. My youngest sister, and two of my nieces have assisted me, moving things up from the basement, and getting things set around. Dear Husband has done the shopping for the kids and grandkids. Of course, the only two people I still have to shop for are DH, and Elegante Mother. My bad.
I spent today writing thank you notes, and trying to get the last of the Christmas cards done. I’ve taken over the sending of cards for Elegante Mother, both gift cards for the 25 members of her family who are under 21, and greeting cards. The Empty Nester’s Sweatshop met for lunch on Tuesday and several of the thank yous are going to those ladies. A few more are going to the quilting bee.
I’d like to steal a little time to write three long letters to friends I won’t get to see at Christmas. I have a few quilting projects to work on, and some baking to do, but otherwise, we seem to be making headway! I just have the dreaded shopping to do, and we’ll be ready to celebrate.
If you are mired, my best advice to you is to lower your expectations, simplify, and keep in mind WHY we celebrate. I’ve done a little of all three this year, and I can do more yet. There’s a lot to be said for simplicity.

I seem to have made the shift to rising at 5:00 a.m. I still need a little assistance to do it, but it’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. I have the sense that if I was working outside my home, it would be easier to heed the alarm. Dear Husband and I have learned not to let the radio wake me if it’s absolutely necessary that I be up. I can coast listening to the radio for 45 minutes, even when it’s on LOUD! *G*
I’ve created a morning ritual that helps me get things squared away. DH wakes me and then leaves to make his lunch. He goes down the drive to drop off the mail, and then returns to warm up his truck. When the weather is bad, he’ll snow plow the drive before he leaves While he’s doing that, I start Elegante Mother’s coffee, and make myself a cup of tea. I empty the dish washer and refill it, and get a load of clothes started. Once DH leaves, I carry clean clothes to my bedroom, make my bed and get dressed.
This pattern of activity seems to help me get into work mode. It clears off the counters and creates working space, and limits the distractions At that point, I can fix toast or breakfast, do a little office work, check e-mail, or attend to anything that needs to be accomplished before going off to exercise.
I’m a creature of habit. I operate better when I’ve cleared the decks, and don’t have a lot of detail hanging over my head.