I finally finished Gran’s photo scrapbook this afternoon between research for the cello book layout, a long phone call (unexpected but important), and a visit from Jan to show me the scarf she’s just about finished knitting with the homespun I did for her (expected). The photo scrap book took a billion times longer than I’d planned for it to take, thanks to delays and delays along the line for various reasons (couldn’t find a scrapbook the right size for ages, the original and backup plans for printing the photos fell through, missing photo paper, me not wanting to nag people, and so forth). We got Gran’s gift out in tonight’s mail via Xpresspost, which was pricey but worth it. The day felt like I was racing from one thing on my list to another, unable to give anything the attention I wanted to give it, and I’m feeling even more overwhelmed looking at tomorrow’s list.

I have one more day in which to finish up gift-related things and wrapping for tomorrow night and the Toronto Christmas, do last-minute laundry for favourite clothes people want to bring with them that got worn between last week’s wash and now, pack as much of the stuff for the trip to Toronto as possible for both myself and the boy and gift/hobby stuff, do some work on the layout of the cello book (oh, right, my job with which I make money), try to at least look at the music for the evening of carols tomorrow night (once I know what music we’re doing, and I haven’t even touched the cello since the recital because of December madness), and chivvy corral the family for the carol visit. And then once we’re back from the musical evening, the boy needs to be put to bed (ha, after the excitement of visiting, and with the excitement of knowing we’re leaving early the next morning?), and then HRH and I have to take down the tree before we can get to bed ourselves. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. And I was looking forward to the actual drive until tonight, when the past three days caught up with me.

The Yule log made from HRH’s family’s birch tree that was killed in the ice storm of ’98 was damaged in this year’s Solstice candle vigil. One side of the top is all charred. Over ten years of use, and this year, bang. I’m so upset about this.