I’m having trouble believing that Christmas is just 12 days away, and that we’re flying to Arizona in just 8 days, and that Jeremy’s mom is coming in just 7 days, and that I haven’t really done much of anything in the way of Christmasy stuff. Ack!

That’s not strictly true, I suppose. At my own snail-like pace, I’ve been making bits and bobs here and there, and I’ve been mulling over things to buy and create and give to people. I had some great ideas, but now that time is slipping away from me, I don’t think they’re all going to come to fruition. I also had great plans to bake up a storm this month and fill my flat with cozy Christmas smells. That hasn’t quite worked out either.

I suppose I’ll get my fill of Christmas at home: a giant Christmas tree, lots of twinkly lights, family, the Food Network, and even some snow (up in the mountains, at least). And if I don’t get any baking done here, I’ll do my baking there; if nothing else, I’ve promised my parents that I’d make mince pies for them again this year.

So I’m alternately panicked and relieved that Christmas is so close. I don’t know how I’m going to wrap up everything that needs to be wrapped up before we go away, but at the same time I can’t wait to get out of here and go vegetate somewhere else for a while. As the year has wound down, I’ve felt myself winding down, and I need some time away to kick-start myself again, recharge my batteries, gather my resources for the coming year (and a busy year it’s going to be, too). So bring on the holidays—I need them right about now.