Where did the year go?

One moment I'm preparing for Nano, the next Christmas/New Year is over and I'm back at work wondering what happened to the past two months. Apparently, there aren't enough hours in the day for me to do any the stuff I'd like as opposed to what I have to. It's all a blur. I probably need to slow down, smell the roses, put my feet up and do something other than be a government worker or carer, both of which take up enormous amounts of time. I should note that I resent neither, but it would be nice to have a few more hours in the day. Even now, the day draws to a close after another ten hours at work - budget constraints have meant no recruiting for positions of staff who leave. From a section of four this time last year, we are now... two - including the boss. Of course, the level of work hasn't changed and it must be done. Some days, I feel like there's so much to do that I accomplish virtually nothing - at least not that I remember. Since I haven't been fired yet, I must be doing something!! But... I've managed to read two books! Two! I know I shouldn't be excited about that, but I am. I've always believed that to write well you have to read, and read a lot; call it 'learning by osmosis'. Reading inspires, something I've been sorely lacking if my most recent Nano project is anything to go by. Next week, I begin two and a half weeks' leave, courtesy of all the extra hours I've worked over the past year. The decision is what to do: write, edit, read, research family history, watch some screen, along with clearing out the garage of the parent's house. Damn, but I'm tired. I guess I'll just wait and see.