While trying to stay optimistic about the rushed feeling that always accompanies the end of the year, the feeling that there’s still lots to do and not enough time to get it done, money to make it happen, or energy to do it, your evil twin sister might emerge to complain, confuse and offer contradicting views.  My inner “Griselda,” acerbically speaks at times and offers versions of the following 12 Days of Christmas.  See if you see your evil twin in this…

1. A partridge in a pear tree – no, no partridge, no bird at all in the tree – or the oven for that matter. Since there’s also little money growing on your tree.  Cut out extras; forget stocking stuffers.  If you hold off on presents, maybe you can take off to Bali for a real Christmas.

2.  Two turtle doves - are you kidding?  You can’t take in any more animals, you can barely remember to feed the fish (let alone kids).  Find a dog walker and then maybe you can finally take in that cuddly puppy Rover…or on second thought, consider how you can earn extra holiday mula, like, maybe you can walk the neighbor’s dogs.

3.  Three french hens – what’s with the animals?  You’ve got plenty to do already with taking care of yourself and your immediate others.  You still have to figure out your trip to your family, where you’ll share all that lovey-dovey cheer and your badly wrapped presents.  Just keep the French hens and you can return them to Paris yourself.

4. Four calling birds - you might be hearing calling, but it’s not birds.  It’s your goody-two-shoes self trying to butt in and tell you to get the main things done and don’t worry about the rest.  Don’t listen.

5.  Five golden rings – you wish!  You don’t even clean the one you have.  The only rings you have to deal with are the rings around your kitchen sink and tub.  Then there’s the several closets of junk, old clothes and stuff in your storage room, paper stacks that are just too much to go through and sort.  So, just toss it all out. 

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