I know how you feel. I've been busy baking, and while I have cleaned the kitchen between each batch, I think this will keep me busy enough for the next day or two that at most I'll list a couple of eBay things, I won't manage a major push. I have put up a few decorations, it is modest, but very pretty.

I may not de-clutter, but I will sit down and make sure my taxable donations are all cataloged. This is a big piece of the income tax puzzle that I have tended all year. I have receipts and photos documented through November and I have made significant donations this month (I took a large box of maps in to the Special Collections in my university). They sent a letter acknowledging the gift, so I'm set. In this day and age I can track down my W-2 and other tax information very quickly online, I don't need to have a printout mailed to me by January 31. I need to race to do my taxes because it means my daughter is eligible sooner for scholarships (based upon my income) and grants. I think some of them, like the Bill and Melinda Gates funds, go away very quickly in the year.

(Did I tell you that a co-worker at the library where I work made a big discovery this year: she ran into an old librarian friend from a course they taught together. Turns out that old friend is the mother of Melinda Gates. Whoosh!)

I've been playing old movies this evening while I work. One not so old, but a hoot, is Independence Day. Now playing is the Monty Woolley classic The Man Who Came to Dinner. My son has seen it before, but probably didn't understand the punchline. I just now explained to him about the Lizzie Borden rhyme, so he gets that reference. The pumpkin bread will be out in a couple of minutes, in time for the end of the movie. It's a nice productive evening when I can both bake and enjoy old movies.

SRS