wednesday

I'm tired.
Yesterday I wrapped K's gifts (that boat was a tough one), the gifts for all the cousins (and realized I had forgotten one, Oldest came to my rescue), decorated the house, ironed the clothes the boys need for their performances (Middle tonight, Youngest Monday), and stressed the whole day.

Today I will bake half a dozen cranberry-orange breads (the neighbors), make the cookie dough (two or three kinds), and wrap the rest of the gifts. The last few cards need to be posted and I must remember to 'gift' the postman, the newspaper man and the music teacher.

K has finished two editing jobs in town and is, I think, home now, for the holidays. He has his own long list of things to do.

While it's good to have physical things to do (laundry and a wine run) I know that we both have mental strain tearing at us and that is exhausting as well. It's crunch time and we need it to be Christmas already.

Middle is still sick (three weeks) and the kids at school are buzzing around Youngest and unsettling him (he's not the type to get jitzy before the holidays). Thus far, I have been able to keep Youngest away from Middle and, therefore, healthy, but I got a stern warning from the pediatrician about not letting Youngest get sick as the virus Middle and I have battled will wreck havoc on his delicate system. Another worry.

We have the Hanging Of The Greens at church on Sunday and then a feast at K's sister's house.
Church again on Monday and then Christmas breakfast with my family here.
It feels like the roller coaster is inching up the first incline and we are close to teetering at the top.

I feel this way every year.
I'm sure that once I have the baking and wrapping finished I will let my mind rest a bit - but for now all I can do is angst over getting it all right.
I've check the archives. I was in exactly the same place last year.



This year I did remember to watch my favorite movie.