I awoke this morning to a Facebook reminder telling me there are only six more Mondays until Christmas.

WHAT?

How can that be?

Perhaps I shouldn’t have ignored the other 46 warnings my Christmas-fanatic friends sent me.

Christmas can’t be here. I haven’t even completed the fall yard work. Oh, wait, that happens about two out of every three years.

I did move the plants in from the sun porch yesterday. The cold is headed our way, and the weatherman last night mentioned the “S” word.

There have been other signs; I just sort of chose to ignore their significance. I do have Thanksgiving plans in place. I am signed up to take part in a seasonal shopping event at Ed & Eva’s in Greenfield. I sell my photos through them, and their Artist Showcase is November 22. I did agree to do a Christmas number for a local talent production at the Warren Cultural Center on November 28.

But as of last Friday, these all still seemed to loom so far in the future. (Note to self: Find that music!)

Last week was about Election Day. And final edits for projects turned in on first-of-the-month deadlines. I was making some November appointments and polishing off Halloween candy.

I haven’t even received my daughter’s Christmas list yet. (She’s slipping.)

Ready or not, it’s time to find the Holiday setting on my time management control board. There will be shopping and decorating to do, extra events to work into the schedule, menus to plan, and toffee bars to make (the only real essential baking anymore).

My holidays aren’t what they used to be. They’re much simpler now than when I had a large family and a small child. There are things I miss – rooms full of jolly family, the twinkle of the Christmas tree reflected in that little girl’s eyes, stepping on Barbie shoes in the middle of the night.

But in many ways, they’re better. Quieter. More meaningful. More thoughtful. I’m still surrounded by many wonderful people that I love. And we’re able to enjoy each other without the chaos. We can even hear the Christmas music playing in the background.

There will be plenty of food and libations. Plenty of talk and laughter. Plenty of friends and family. Plenty of Christmas spirit and warm holiday glow. More peace and warmth and love than a person should be entitled to.

But first there are six full weeks. This is a busy time for me on the work front – much writing to do, many projects to complete.

And now holiday preparations to blend into the mix. Guess I better get started… Maybe I’ll make out my Christmas list tonight…