At this time of year, I create list after list — wish lists, gift lists, shopping lists, grocery lists, honey-do lists and daily to-do lists.

Before the sun is up, I peppily peck out the first to-do list of the day, a “cheery-and-optimistic” list.

After lunch, I review and revise, creating a slightly panicky “oh-oh-I’m behind” list.

As dinnertime nears, I dash off a desperate “OMG-what-do-I-absolutely-have-to-get-done-today?” list.

Why couldn’t I just have started the day with that one?

Sigh.

Finally, just before bed, I give up, blearily scrawling the last list of the day, a “what-I-didn’t-get-done-today-and-will-have-to-face-the-consequences-tomorrow” list.

Crawling into bed, I am asleep before my head hits the pillow.

But, ACK!! Those blessed lists wake me in the middle of the night, swirling around in my brain.

Bah humbug. If only I could make a list and check it twice.