December Crush

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the Christmas activities added to my usual busyness. I'm handling this in my usual way, which consists of staring alternately at my To Do List and the calendar, wondering how I'll fit one into the other. When I come to the conclusion that I can't, which is what always happens, I take my mind off the crisis by calling a friend or watching another episode of whatever I'm watching. I know all you organized people are wondering why I don't jump in and tackle one job, any job, and get at least that one thing done. Well, when I'm that overwhelmed, it just doesn't seem possible to get anything done. I'm in my ostrich phase. I hope that if I don't see or think about the list for a while, it will go away and bother somebody else. Preferably someone energetic who will do it. When I do get myself started it's usually because I've crossed off a few items. Everything on my list had seemed important when I made it, but now I need to be realistic and figure out what I can leave by the side of the road, so to speak. This method is very useful all through the days approaching any big event. As I get more panicked, I decide again that more of the items on my list aren't as important as I thought, and they get crossed off as well. This goes on repeatedly during the last few days before the event, and it works beautifully. I always have my To Do List completely crossed off by the big day, coming at it from both directions as I do. What specific things are on my list? One example is reviewing my progress regarding how much work I have to do before the every-other-month cleaners arrive, which is soon. On the plus side, the clutter is minimal. Much of what I tucked away other times are still tucked away. Obviously, I'm not using any of it and I know this means that in another few months I should get rid of it all, or at least put it in deep storage. I like the idea of getting it out of the way, but I'm worried I won't remember what I saved, or where deep storage is exactly. However, all the flat surfaces around the house are covered with papers. This is a constant issue in my life and I'm pretty sure it's a time problem. I know where it should go, it just piles up faster than I can file it. Dear Santa, For Christmas I would like someone to regularly sneak in and do my filing. Thank you. And so it goes, on and on. I suppose should stop nattering to you about it and get something done. I definitely should. And a very merry getting-ready-for-the-holidays to you!