So, December is here already, and I'm feeling particularly unprepared. I need lists to function and so far I have no Christmas lists. I do have a list that says, "Make Christmas lists" on it. I don't need to panic quite yet though. Do I?
My first job tomorrow will have to be ring the domestic appliance man, as the temperature in the fridge is the same as the temperature in the kitchen. Sigh. I've only just had to buy a new dishwasher. And when I went to get out of the car this afternoon after a cold couple of hours watching the middle boy playing football, the doorhandle broke. I'm thinking I'll have to live with that though. I'll add it to the list called "Things to do one day many months (years?) from now in the event I have some disposable income". That's a really long list.
But I didn't come here to moan, I do love December, especially the beautiful light. I always notice the time that the sun sets. It was 4.05pm today. The sun is up for only just over eight hours. This was around 4 o'clock yesterday at Slimbridge.
I love the bare trees silhouetted against the sky as well. And the fact that you can suddenly see so many birds in them.
There's been a little less football than usual this weekend. Last Sunday the eldest hurt his ankle in a match, and he's spent the week hobbling dramatically about the place. I took him to the doctor on Wednesday, who sent us to the Minor Injuries Unit. Who told us not to run on it until it stops hurting. Of course, if I'd applied common sense I could have got to that point without giving up three hours right in the middle of the day. But at least now we've been told nothing is broken.
The weekend has flown by all the same. I need to be more efficient with my time I think. I'm feeling a little out of control of things at the moment. The littlest boy is being quite high maintenance (by which I mean difficult) and all the little setbacks of life are taking up too much time. I shall focus hard this week and try and accomplish more I think. All the things on the list of things that don't have to be done immediately but that ought to be done soon. Painting the littlest's room, clearing up the garden, ditto the allotment, clearing old toys and things that I've amassed in a huge pile ready for a table top sale that never seems to happen (should I cut my losses and give them to a charity shop?) Things to put on Ebay. Corners and cupboards needing to be tidied. I'm taking a deep breath and preparing to be constructive this week. Wish me luck.
Good luck, CJ. I know exactly how you feel. I have a lot of things I want to get done, none of them immediate or urgent, but they should get done. I don't think you need to panic about Christmas yet, though. Well, I actually don't think anyone should panic about Christmas, ever. I think it takes the fun out of it, but I totally get feeling pressured at this time of year because I usually do too. My big thing is wrapping; I *hate* wrapping. It's so time-consuming and it feels wasteful, especially since they unwrap it all in mere seconds. I hope you have a good week and that you are able to finish it feeling more accomplished. I'm rooting for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this lovely comment Jennifer, you've made me feel more positive. I used to work with a lady who put aside an afternoon for gift wrapping. She poured a large G&T (gin and tonic) and put on a movie and had a lovely time. Of course it's not quite the same with children lurking about the place trying to see what's going on. And probably best not to start on the gin before bedtime... Hope you have a lovely week, I really enjoyed your last post. CJ xx
DeleteI know just how you feel, CJ - I feel a wee bit panicky and not at all in control of my (long) to do list...that festive spirit is just eluding me today. It will come though. I sympathise with the broken appliances and general lack of disposable income. It gets boring after a while, doesn't it! Good luck with the coming week and before I forget, your photos are so lovely, especially the shot of the candle. x
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the festiveness will get us all in the end. Thanks for your comments Gillian, they are much appreciated.
DeleteGood luck, CJ ! I love love love the fact that you have "make more lists" on your to-do list.... I thought it was just me ;o) For what it's worth, I'm very much in the same boat.... It's all like wading through treacle at the moment. And I would charity shop the surplus stuff - clutter takes up room in your brain, and well, the money you'd get for it - you've managed without so far. Unless you get a sudden burst of inexhaustible energy and extra time from somewhere, in which case, send some my way too ! x
ReplyDeleteAlso meant to say, that top photo of the trees and birds silhouettes is utterly stunning, and it would sit beautifully on a Christmas card.
DeleteGreat advice Allegra, honestly, the clutter has been annoying me for months. I know I'll feel heaps better when it's gone.
DeleteGood luck with the lists! Even just getting them written can make you feel like you've got one chore out of the way, or is that just me...
ReplyDeleteYou're right, although I still haven't got to that yet...
DeleteMy advice would be to do less! Are all the things you feel you want to get done essential in the greater scheme of things or might they wait until after Christmas when things might be less fraught? Take a little down time to recharge your batteries and then you will come at the things on your list with more energy.
ReplyDeleteThis is good advice, I do try and keep things simple, so I need to remember this.
DeleteI wish you a ton of luck, There is always so much to do and always so little time. But you have healthy young ones (minus and ankle), and the fun of the holidays approaching. Do what needs to be done now nad push the rest aside until you can do it, and of course be good to yourself.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Thanks Meredith, I shall do this. And focus on making time for what is important.
DeleteI think everyone of us can relate somewhat to feeling that Christmas is coming fast.We do it to ourselves every year don't we. It will come whether we're ready or not. The main thing is to have that cosy feeling in your home. Forget about the unimportant stuff - that will be there when it's all over. Enjoy December and the run up and try not to get stressed.
ReplyDeleteI love that - "the main thing is to have that cosy feeling your home". Wonderful, I shall remember this suggestion, thank you Julie.
DeleteHope you can come up with a list that is 'just enough' and doesn't leave you frazzled and no adding to it!
ReplyDeleteNo adding to it is good advice indeed!
DeleteJust do what you can and leave what you can't - my motto.
ReplyDeleteSimple and sensible advice, thanks Sue, I have taken note.
DeleteLists on lists made me smile so much - its exactly what I would do. And then when I write my Christmas list I can have the satisfaction of ticking it off my main list.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking of things that it would be good to do before Christmas and putting them on my list - and then thinking about how much time there is and deciding that there really isn't enough and that its not important really!
It does help to cross off the stuff that can wait, when it comes to the crunch.
DeleteMaking a list that says make a list. That's a good start, believe me. Something to tick off the list is always good. I used to write things on my to-do list after I'd done them just for the satisfaction of ticking off the items. ;) I thought at one time I was getting List Crazy so I tried to do without lists for a while but after several months of accomplishing nothing I'm back on them again.There will always be things to do, that's life isn't it, especially with children. I wish you a happy time with happy lists!
ReplyDeleteJess xx
Managing without lists is a scary prospect. I hadn't considered that I may be addicted to them! But honestly, I don't think I could function without them.
DeleteI agree, the December light is beautiful and very precious, with so many dark hours at this time of year. I love your photos of the birds silhouetted against the sky and the water - so atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really thought about Christmas yet so I must make lists, too. I'm not looking forward to that!
Hope your eldest's ankle is better again soon.
Thanks Wendy for your comments and well wishes. There's still a little hobbling, I don't think he is quite ready to give up his special status as walking wounded yet.
DeleteTerrific photos. Your 'to do' list seems full of non Christmas things. Good luck with whatever you end up doing, and fingers crossed that the littlest boy changes to low maintenance for you and eldest boy's ankle gets better soon. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Flighty. I'm hoping the little man will be happier once the holidays are here.
DeleteI've still got lots of things to do for Christmas, though I've made a good start with the present shopping now, I'd hardly bought a thing at this time last week. Hope the ankle's better soon and I'm glad to hear that nothing's broken. I remember my son coming home from school after a football match complaining that he'd hit his arm on the goalpost and it was really painful. I left it days thinking it was just bruised before I took him to casualty where we were told it was broken. I did feel like a bad mummy.
ReplyDeleteMy middle one broke his elbow back when he was five, and I didn't take him until the next day because I thought it might clunk back into place overnight (this happened to the eldest when he was little). But it didn't, and the hospital asked me why I hadn't brought him in when it happened. How guilty I felt!
DeleteYou will have more success than me, I know, but I start every Monday thinking this week will be different.
ReplyDeleteYou've been to Slimbridge again.. still looks beautiful!
Oh I'm exactly the same, ever optimistic that this will be the week that everything gets done.
DeleteHope you have a constructive week, I should be doing other things rather than blogging! The light in your pictures is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Yes, maybe that's where I'm going wrong, too much blogging... But surely a little "me" time is essential for my sanity, yes?
DeleteI wish you all the best. December is such a busy month... I try to plan less and less and enjoy the preparation of Xmas as it is really my favorite time of the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie. I do love December, busy-ness and all. Once I have a few presents in the bag I will relax more.
DeleteI love December too :).... I am singing "Back to December". Wish you all the best & good luck :)
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