Never a shortage…
Today wasn’t quite the writing-filled day I had hoped for, but I did manage to pull together a response to the one of the prompts — appropriately, perhaps, it was the one dealing with “to do” lists (Dec. 7). My shopping is done, so it’s not on the list, but I’ve written up a list of the gifts I’m giving too. I’ll hold off on posting that, as I’m guessing there will be a prompt about gift-giving coming up.
In this list, I’ve mixed together Christmas plans with my “normal life” responsibilities. It seems appropriate, since, in truth, this season is all about that mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary….
December seems to be escaping on me already, leaving in its wake both frustration and a panicky sense being inadequate to the task of making this season all I want it to be – even with my efforts to avoid perfectionism. I must remember to breathe, to trust that God is in this and all will happen as it should, and what doesn’t get done isn’t that important – in other words, “Keep calm and merry on!”
I came across this Scripture earlier this week, and it seemed very timely: “Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do” (Ephesians 5:15).
So – on to the list!
STILL TO DO
- arrange babysitter for Dec. 10, so we can attend the KCDC Christmas supper party with Bryan’s colleagues at Kosta’s and the Andrea Menard “Sparkle” concert
- crafting with Megan
- take photos of church kids’ (and Bryan’s!) Christmas musical
- get caught up on my Christmas journal entries
- put together my album
- continue with my Advent Bible studies
- breakfast get-together(s) with Timea
- finish doctrinal paper for SIM
- get paperwork signed for neurosurgeon appointment
- pick up Santa Claus photo at Gordon Denny School
- pre-Christmas Weight Watchers meetings (their new program is being introduced, so hopefully I’ll be able to control myself when it comes to all the baked goodies)
- home appraisal for mortgage switch-over
- host prayer triplet meetings with Kathy and Klara for our church revisioning process
- write year end letter, make copies, find addresses and send the letters out
- finish and mail baby thank you cards
- try peppermint and pumpkin pie chai lattes at The Java Shack
- get each room of the house cleaned up to my satisfaction
- finish up paperwork for maternity leave income statement
- write letter to our sponsor child in Indonesia
- read Northerner Christmas edition
- continue taking daily photos for Project 365
- attend remaining Advent services
- process photos from last weekend’s wedding
- play Christmas CDs
- find out about volunteering for Scattered Site project for the homeless
- call Searsons about helping with singing at long-term care
- read Mousekin’s Christmas Eve, The Night Before Christmas, and Nativity story from children’s Bible to Sara
- set up nativity
- finish Christmas wreath
- buy REAL tree at NorthMart
- decorate tree
- decorate house
- gift wrapping
- munch on Christmas oranges and Bryan’s cinnamon rolls and butterhorns
- book dental appointments
- install childproofing on drawers and cupboard doors
- find out about possible work-from-home opportunity with Eagle Point
- set up savings account for Sara
- set up Registered Education Savings Plan
- work on income tax revisions to include medical trips and home renovations
- ship gifts out to British Columbia
- make my first ever gingerbread house
- find stocking stuffers for Sara’s first stocking
- attend Christmas Eve celebration at church
- enjoy gift openings
- get library area ready for Mom and Dad to sleep
- massage appointment for my lower back issues
- find out about New Year’s Eve plans at church
- get some sleep!!