"Christmas is coming, the cook is getting fat, please to put a dollar in a young man's hat . . ."
OK, that's not the traditional version, but what good is a folk carol if you can't alter the words to suit the times? There's no space anywhere: The refrigerator is filled with goodies and the closets are brimming with gifts already received or yet to be wrapped.
I've made two emergency runs to the stationery store, three to the supermarket, one to the music center and five to the bookstore. (Actually the last doesn't really count; I sneak into bookstores at the least excuse.)
I have glitter in my sugar bowl, frosting on the chairs and little light bulbs underfoot.
I've found the felt ornaments I thought I'd lost years ago, but can't find the Advent calendar I bought three weeks ago. I've yet to decorate the windows.
But we've seen the Symphony of Lights at Symphony Woods, gone to the Winter Concert at Hammond High, and attended the Savage Library Christmas party.
So far, the holidays are under control and right on schedule.
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Several weeks ago, children's librarian Jean Salkeld and volunteer Wauneta Wine teamed up to a terrific presentation on quilts.
Mrs. Salkeld read "The Josephina Story Quilt" and then Ms. Wine taught the 13 participants how to make felt quilts. The idea was to make a quilted book bag whose design echoed the child's favorite book.
The finished works are on display at the Savage library. Stop by to see quilted dragons, horses, ballet slippers, giant peaches and whales on new book bags sewn by Ms. Wine.
In another month, Ashley Ackerman, Alice Giles, Julianne
Harmon, Lauren Harmon, Katie Lee, Rachel Lerman, Rebecca Lush, Jeanne Mann, Tiffany March, Elisha Robinson, Jeremy Trunk, Taralyn Trunk and Amy Turriff will reclaim their bags.
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Not everything revolves around the holidays: There's also basketball.
The Savage Boys and Girls Club reports the following action: In the Instructional League, the Deacons routed the Tarheels, 9-8. Chelsey Barrett, Tony Zammichieli and Bobby Blush led the Deacons; Marty Lewis, Sean Connors and Daniel Kreh led the Tarheels.
The Spartans won 20-16 over the Wolverines. Kevin Showe scored most for the Spartans with help from Scott Shores and Scott Peddicord. Ken Brown, Julia
Reynolds and Daniel Parrish led for the Wolverines.
The Terrapins won against the Cavaliers, 23-12. Nick Purdy, Matt Stevens and Casey Gallas turned in great performances for the Terrapins, while Colleen Bredland, Billy Dunn and Bradley Abt did so for the Cavaliers.
The Hawkeyes beat the Gophers, 20-14. Congratulations to Russell Heimlich, Christopher Kelly and Will Feighner for great performances.
In the Junior league the action was fast. The Badgers defeated the Hoosiers, 40-28. Curtis Gore, Brendan McClellan and Matt Webner led the Badgers, while Rachel Foley, Ryan Kessler and C. J. Kincius led for the Hoosiers.
The Gophers beat The Hawkeyes, 38-16. Patrick Peters led the offense for the Gophers with valuable assists from Brandon Boring and Tommy Johnsen. Casey Gunther led the Hawkeye offense with great performances by Nick Gallas and Megan Reynold.
In the Intermediate League, The Knicks celebrate their second victory with a 71-33 win over the Lakers. The Knicks flew to victory led by Michael Ryan, Steven Pyles and Brian Hurford. Ryan Miller, Jeff Miller and Nathan Heath turned in great performances for the Lakers.
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Two Thursdays ago, my family went to the free winter concert presented at Hammond High. There were performances by the orchestra, the choir, the jazz ensemble, the jazz combo, the concert band, the madrigal singers and the wind ensemble.
Everyone had a grand time until my littlest one got her foot caught in the seat, and my family came home.
Although they didn't hear the entire concert, they were really moved by the jazz combo's performance.
The music played by Josh Sommers, Peter Laanisto, Shani Harris, Todd Nessel, Chris Kennedy, Jenny Cartney and Nuke Vega had my family swaying.