This being a full-time working single mumma gig is busy.

I keep thinking of things I should blog about. If only I had the time.

This weekend I am hosting family Christmas dinner. We’re having it early because my lovely cousin and his gorgeous boy are going to New York. They’re having Christmas in New York. Without taking me with them. Nuff said.

So, this week I need to clean my house. I need to decide what we’re eating. Well, that is I need to decide again. And stick to my decision. I keep deciding, then changing my mind. Being a foodie and a recent full vegetarian makes my decision making a little tricky. Okay, a little more tricky then. Luckily there are many fabulous blogs with great ideas for food. More choices to add to my confusion!

I need to shop for ingredients. Of course, most of these will need to be fresh so that puts this task to the end of the week. The end where it’s going to get really busy.

Our tree is being delivered on Friday (this one we chose a few weeks ago – https://bumpyroadtobubba.com/?s=the+christmas+tree+farm). I need to decorate it. In itself this will be an interesting undertaking this year with a bubba who has just started to crawl. I can see it already: I put on, she takes off. Note to self: maybe don’t put any of the crystal ornaments on. In fact, maybe a minimalist look – one with decorations only on the top half of the tree – will be our theme.

I need to decide what theme my table setting is going to be. I told you I’m a Christmas crazy. And I’m not even joking about the table theme. While we’re on that, I need to wash and iron my antique table linen. Hmmm … maybe that one can go on Grandma’s list?

Then there’s the play list to go along with dinner. It has to be the right blend of Christmas music and relaxed background tunes.

I need to ascertain – once I have confirmed my menu selections – that I have enough of the right kind of plates/platters/bowls/glassware to present the food as optimally as I need to. This will of course require conferring with another foodie friend. One who luckily doesn’t live very far away and is happy to loan me whatever may be missing from her vast collection. It’s hard to imagine that my vast collection may be missing anything, but you never know.

I need to buy flowers. Another end of the week job.

I need to check my candle collection to make sure I have enough of my favourite candles so our house smells like Gardenia flowers. Not to be confused with the fresh flowers that we’ll have. Of course, I need to decide which variety they will be.

I really should sort out the garden. Or call the garden guy to sort it out for me. Maybe he’ll get the message by telepathy? Like the dog wash lady should. I did think of both of them at 4am. Oddly enough, neither of them has called to confirm as yet.

I need to buy my Secret Santa presents. And Bubba’s (she’s not allowed to go to the store alone just yet). Oh, and I’ve invited another friend who isn’t on the Secret Santa list because I hadn’t invited him when I did the list. So he needs a gift too.

I need to buy wrapping paper. Because that’s a theme I’ve already decided on. Yippee – one decision firmly made.

I need to decide what we’re going to wear on Saturday evening. Both of us. It’s the first week of summer and today I’m wearing boots and a coat so that decision could be a little last minute. So instead of just one summer dress each I need options. Lucky for Bella and Bear dogs are perfectly attired for every occasion in their beautiful fuzzy coats. Even if they’re not washed. A quick brush and they’ll come up a treat.

I need to put some things on eBay. That may have to wait until next week.

I really need some sleep. At this rate, that will have to wait until some time mid-2016.

I need to check the wine supply and decide if there’s going to be a Christmas cocktail or whether French Champagne is an acceptable arrival drink. I think it is. Maybe I should taste the champagne just to be sure it’s okay. What’s that? Maybe I shouldn’t? You’re right. Then the rest of this list would be in jeopardy.

I hope Bubba has a better week sleep-wise and that she’s not quite as clingy as she has been for the past 10 days. Not that I don’t love to cuddle her, but if her demeanour continues as is, it is highly likely guests will appear at the door, we’ll both be in our pyjamas, the house will be a mess and we’ll be ordering pizza. Which we’ll be drinking with French Champagne. (That is if I’ve remembered to put it in the fridge.)

At least now I don’t have to write myself a to do list …