I managed, despite the chaos that is my current existence, to get to the local craft fair yesterday with DD. This year, we came out with 1 gift each - there was a lot of tat where it has been good in the past. But that is 1 more for me.
DD was on a roll though. I sent her to "shop at home" from a bag of things that I had for various reasons that I wouldn't give (regifting, mostly too small and cheap for the people involved, some too young for the people left on my list etc) and she found things she liked for most of her DCousins. (And all suitable, in fairness to her, as gifts from her). She managed to get 1 more at the craft fair, and 2 more in another shop. She'd already bought something for another cousin a few weeks ago. So now she's down to just 3 DGPs.
Life is manic - but vaguely manageable. I will get through it all.
DD did go sailing despite the wind being higher than forecast yesterday. She did really well, as lots of boats were going over, and she kept hers upright until the very last corner (4 legs per lap, and she had to do 3 laps) - when she "dry capsized" (sail went in the water but she got it up again while staying dry herself) and then went over again as she had finished and was turning to head for the dock (a "wet capsize" - she went for a swim!). But she came home grinning still - that it was a proper sailing day, she'd worked hard and managed it, and that I'd seen her capsizing was a bonus.
DH was away again, and the guy fitting the doors had to come back Friday to finish them, and again on Saturday to finally finish them!! He left after 7 on Friday, and DH left about 20 minutes later. It was 7.30 on Saturday night, and I had mess everywhere and trying to cook DD's dinner - I was raging at that stage! But they are now hung. And no more workmen (apart from a gas boiler service if we can organize it) until after Christmas. And I was in no mood to see anyone in the house Friday as we'd had our senior management conference all day (with a weird poetry reading as our "wellness" session!), and then had to go see a new afterschool club for DD.
My cough is still there, and I am having sleepless nights because of that, on top of juggling balls in my head to keep everything going, and the start of night sweats. DH forgot to change the alarm last night, from 4am to 5.30am!! I could have cried as I was only just asleep after he'd woken me earlier to turn on the radio - I need a full 9 hours at least tonight. Then maybe I will feel more human if not a tiny bit festive.