Beginning to feel a lot like ...

Considering what a very minimal Christmas we will be observing this year, I'm surprised how much needs to be done in preparation. Bith the minimalism and the needing to do thingd are by choice, of course, so this is not a complaint: even that familiar, frazzled, I will never get everything done in time! is traditional and seasonal if not quite not agreeable. Or perhaps that's a sign that I am emerging on the other side, and it's so nice when it stops.

So: cards to be posted are now in the post, though cards to be hand delivered are still to be written (we seem to have used all the cards we bought; some of the neighbours will receive the same card as last year). Presents are sorted, though one remains to be wrapped and handed over (actually two, since J's birthday falls on Christmas Day).

We went to the Farmers' Market yesterday, and bought vefetables from the winter veg people for the first time since February. I have ordered from Ocado, for delivery at bedtime tomorrow, this being the inly slot on offer. I am counting on more shopping at Broom House Farm, and on another delivery from the greengrocer. Also if possible a cheese order - optional, but I'd like to do it. If the doctor sends through my repeat prescription, I'd like to collect that, but if not, it's not time to panic yet.

We don't put up decorations, but maybe I'll have time to move some of the piles of things (most but not all of them books) from the sitting room, and put up some cards: meanwhile, I am enjoying looking at them as they arrive.

Not Christmas-related, but thematically related (file under Things that Had to be Done and can now be Crossed off Lists) my appointment with the opthalmologist this morning went well: yes, my sight is deteriorating, but this is due to cataracts, which means that it is operable if / when I reach the point of wanting to.

And now, there are things I should be doing ...