It's all over for another year!

Christmas was hectic. The weather here, as for everywhere else, was treacherous. On Christmas Eve the OH went out to the bank, and slid the car into the kerb at the top of our street. Damn snow! We had a nice day, with a lovely Christmas dinner prepared my me. My Mum and Dad came for breakfast on Christmas morning. And no.1 and no.2 sons went to their Dad's on Boxing Day, so I got the car out and headed to their Dad's house. But the car had no power in the steering and the wheel weren't aligned. The OH had managed to bend the wishbone, costing a nice £100 to fix. But it's only money, you can't take it with you, so they say!

That's Christmas Sorted!

Well it seems I was wrong, I thought my Christmas lights had blown last year, and I was ready to either buy new ones or repair by taking every bulb out and testing it. But I got the OH to get the stuff down from the attic and they were fine. And I had a packet of replacement bulbs with two left in it. Instead of getting slightly senile with age, I seem to be getting more organised. Quite odd. Every year as a child, my sister and I would beg my Mum to put the tree up. All our friends would have theirs up. And eventually we would come home from school and it would be up. We never got to help and it was always a work of art, like an interior designer had worked their magic on it. It didn't bother us, that was just the way things were done in our house. And by the 28th the tree was taken down and everything was back to normal. And as a result I can't stand my tree being up for long. I usually put it up as late as possible and take it down a day or two after Christmas. And I never let the boys help, they would get home from school and find it all done, just as I did. So this year I decided to let them help. No.2 son always moans to be allowed to help so this year I caved. And it was good fun. We listened to Christmas songs and for an hour there was no bickering. I should put a tree up every day. I did the lights and tinsel but the boys hung all the baubles, and made a damn fine job of it too.

Christmas Awesomness

I'm feeling very festive, hence the bright red text, I finished my Christmas shopping today. I still need to get stocking fillers but all in all its done. It has been a hard slog, but I guess it will be worth it. Until No.1 and No.2 sons break everything. And start fighting (at about 11am on Christmas morning). But I'm in such a good mood I may even put the tree up tomorrow. I usually leave it until the last possible minute, because I'm so behind with Christmas shopping, and the tree is just a visual constant reminder of everything I still need to do. But not this year, and I feel quite proud. I remember one year, with a week to go, just starting the shopping. It was actually how I imagine hell. I'm not a huge fan of shopping as it is, and the seasonal madness that is Christmas shopping is just a nightmare. Working in a supermarket doesn't help my loathing of shopping either. It's been almost a year since I worked during trading hours, but the memory of holiday shoppers still haunts me. But back to the tree. I need to find a spot where Oscar can't reach, it's his first Christmas, and he's an excitable puppy at the best of times. I can see him having lots of fun with my carefully decorated tree. I think I need replacement bulbs for the lights, I put them away last year, broken, they hadn't worked for a good few days. Roll on Christmas, I'm ready for you this year.

The Seat Stealer

I have a favourite spot, I always sit here, and so does my laptop (precariously) but every time I get up, Oscar steals my seat. Here he is, one ear flicked jauntily back from the effort of all the seat stealing.

Also, my left eye is a bit tingly. No. 2 son has an eye infection, and I don't know if it's paranoia or impending infection that's causing said tingle. Just what I need, the look of a mad woman with one blood-shot weepy eye at the staff Christmas party. Brilliant. Bring on a surprise bout of acne (of which I've never suffered from) just to complete the look. Just my luck!

Headache Update

Day 10 of the anti-depressants, you'd think I'd be giddy with happiness, seeing as I'm not even depressed, but I just feel my normal, slightly annoyed self. However, there hasn't been a hint of a 3 day long thumping headache, so they must be doing something right.

I even managed to venture out and do some more Christmas shopping. I'm at that tenuous stage where I may have bought everything I need, but I can't quite remember what's in all the bags hidden away from no.1 and no.2 sons. And I can't really be bothered to start raking through them all. Oops! Never mind, either way I'll just blame Santa for the lack of/glut of Christmas presents (works on no.2 son, but no way no.1 son believes)

I'm actually looking forward to Christmas now, we're having dinner at home this year instead of going to my Mum. And even though this means I'll have to slave over a hot stove instead of being waited on, it does mean I can have a few mulled wines or egg-noggs (vodka and wine more like) Usually, its a sober event (for me) then we drive home to a cold dark house before I get to have some festive spirit (the above mentioned vodka and the wine) Of course it could be a disaster (with me too merry to cook dinner, or even to care) but I'm ever hopeful.

Oh, Pain

Things that are a pain right now:

• my aching head

• my credit card (from Christmas shopping)

• my head (so sore it deserves another mention)

• No.1 son (after 4 days of freedom he is grounded again, cue moody teenager)

• No.2 son (who has found joy in being by my side constantly, I only get peace in the bathroom, he must think I have bladder problems)

Tell me why ......

I don't like Mondays? I had a dream last night that I had phoned in sick to work. Then my alarm went off, 3am, and I was still hungover from Saturday night! Just about made it through work, feeling a little bit sick still!

Finally got my stair carpet fitted, joy, I'm going to hoover it, probably won't get done again this side of Christmas. And the electrician came and showed me the catalogue of new fires, and I've picked one. Probably won't get it this side of Christmas!

So I'm off to have a shower, change the bed sheets, fold some washing, then finally, bed, nice and early as I have to get up at 3am. I wonder if I'll try and pull a sickie in my sleep again.