photo credit: Neil. Moralee via photopin cc (circle & slash added)

Reading this post made me consider my own level of Christmas cheeriness accomplishment. Here's what I found:

• Last week I intended to start playing Christmas music but somehow forgot. The post prompted me to open iTunes and start the "Holiday" genre playing in a shuffled loop. Right now Imogene Heap is singing Just for Now. Before that it was Jethro Tull and Solstice Bells. Next up, Trans-Siberian Railroad. This is the thing that will help me get in the mode.
• Last weekend I blew started to blow the dust and cobwebs and cat/dog hair off the Christmas tree. Need to finish that little task.
• I verified that the tree lights still work. Will turn them on once the tree is dust/cobweb/hair-free.
• No baking. Haven't done that for a number of years. We don't need the calories (nor the gluten) and the kids young men probably don't, either.
• All but one present purchased. Today.
• No presents wrapped yet. This weekend. Maybe.
• Christmas letter text is finalized. The annual letter is a big project (see next 9 items).
• Photographs inserted to letter. 
• Letter converted to .pdf and emailed to about a third of the annual list.
• Christmas letter printed. This required a trip to WalMart Tuesday night to purchase another color ink cartridge.
• The envelopes are addressed.
• The letter is folded.
  
• And stuffed.
• Most of the envelopes are sealed. I mistakenly purchased envelopes that require licking. I quit somewhere around half-way through because I was tired of the taste.
• Christmas postage stamps purchased.
• Need to finish licking and sealing and stamping; can mail them all today.
• Might (maybe) dig around for some other decorations — the two nutcracker men I needlepointed 20 years ago, the Christmas tree skirt, the stockings.
• Need to acquire the requisite items for Christmas Eve smörgåsbord — cold cuts, rye bread, gherkins, shrimp, picked herring of some kind, whatever else I decide we need.
• Elder Son will arrive home this weekend. Younger Son will be here, too.
• Younger Son is hosting Christmas at his apartment.
• Yay! I am not the primary cook!

photo credit: Jamie In Bytown via photopin cc

photo credit (doggie humbug): sdkscorp via photopin cc