We’ve a busy few weeks in front of us: this weekend, baptism; next weekend, Polish Christmas party; following weekend, something I can’t remember, and the same for the weekend after that. I just know it’s busy — blur-everything busy. And that requires preparation for the preparation: you have to plan your plans this time of year, I suppose.

We begin in earnest tonight: an hour’s worth of ironing. There’s a lot of pressing involved with traditional Polish Highlander costumes. I get to work on some of the food we’ll be serving Saturday: pork roast goes in the oven as I slice the broccoli and cauliflower for the salad.

Nana and Papa, though, come over to the house to do the real heavy lifting.