It's Christmas!

How has your Christmas been? Mine's been good. Lots of good food, lovely presents, snow on the ground and the company of family and friends. What more could a girl ask for? Maybe Johnny Depp turning up on my doorstep on Christmas morning, but I guess that isn't likely to happen.
Christmas Day was a relaxing one, just spent at home with my parents. We took Barney for a long walk in the snow and frost and there was hardly a soul around...just the occasional dad with children wobbling about on their shiny new bicycles! I remember those Christmases...new bike, first pair of rollerskates, first computer (Commodore 64, now that shows my age!). My favourite presents though were always the little gifts stuffed into my stocking. It seems that these days children aren't happy unless they have a mound of the latest technological gadgets. I remember last year asking a child what they had had for Christmas- the reply, "erm, a mobile phone, a Nintendo DS and a laptop, that's all". What happened to the days of getting excited by wind-up toys, puzzles and board games. Or perhaps I was just a strange child.
Boxing Day was spent in the excellent company of my best buddy, with the exchanging of more presents and the consumption of more good food. I am now the proud owner of a book-on-a-page framed print of Wuthering Heights. Fab.
All in all a great weekend.

My book-on-a-page print of Wuthering Heights. Thanks Voley!

Merry Christmas!

How have all the festivities gone? Had plenty of new socks? Fallen out with the family? Eaten and drunk too much? I've enjoyed my Christmas, apart from my dog being rather poorly again- he seems to be on the mend now though. However, I've really struggled this year to feel festive- Christmas just seems to come round far too quickly... I think Christmas every two years would be far better!

My last two days at work before finishing for twelve (yes, a whole twelve) days were fun, if rather hectic. We were charity bag-packing at Morrisons on Tuesday...fun, but I wouldn't like to do it every day. It appeals to the people-watcher in me. It's fascinating both seeing what people put in their shopping trolleys (an awful lot of alcohol) and listening to the conversations/ arguments between husbands and wives at the checkout! Some people really haven't heard of Christmas cheer. We raised just over £520 which wasn't bad for packing a few shopping bags, but I didn't half ache the next day.

Wednesday was our party for the children and young people who come to the Playground. What could be better than a load of over-excited children just before Christmas- poor old Santa nearly got crushed! I do enjoy it though, it reminds me of the excitement I felt as a child at Christmas.

Christmas Eve was busy. Had to clean the house, wrap all my presents up (I was as disorganised and last minute there as usual) and drop presents off all over Stoke-on-Trent. Called in on my brother and saw his new puppy, Boddington. He's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which isn't one of my favourite breeds of dog- I prefer large dogs- but I must admit he is rather cute.

I spent Christmas Day with my family and that was a lovely relaxing day. Just wish there had been some snow. I love my turkey dinner, and Christmas pudding with rum poured over it (my grandad started me on that one at a very young age!) is one of my favourites. Actually that is a good enough reason not to have Christmas only once every two years. Yes, I had some socks, but no, I didn't have any arguments and no, I didn't drink too much, though I did eat quite a bit. Had some fab presents including another new bookcase from my parents (Voley is very jealous), some Morph and Chas bookends and books to go on my new bookcase (by the way Voley, did I mention about my new bookcase?!!), vouchers which will be happily spent when I next go shopping, and a variety of other bits and pieces...oh, and a mini Radley bag keyring, just to feed my obsession.

Christmas Day wouldn't be Christmas Day without Doctor Who and I wasn't disappointed there. Fab. David Tennant is soooo good, can't wait for the New Year's Day episode. I may well cry when he regenerates though (and I never cry at television programmes or films...well, except for when E.T. dies, that gets me every time- sorry) and I think an official week of mourning may be necessary. Matt Smith is going to have to be very good to top David Tennant, don't think it's going to happen.

Voley came to stay Boxing Day, bringing me more books for my....wait for it....new bookcase. Much appreciated. We watched Doctor Who (yes, it was good enough for me to watch twice) as Voley's family didn't quite get the timing of their Christmas dinner right and I actually spent most of an hour not annoying Voley with my incessant waffling...didn't last, especially after I had drunk a couple of Archers. Yesterday we had lunch at my brother's pub and then went to the book shop (no surprises there!).

I've done very little today. Had a lie-in and mooched about. Am off out later for a post-Christmas buffet soiree with my good buddies. Hopefully I will be able to follow conversation tonight as when we went out for dinner last weekend I was deaf in one ear- the whole evening was a bit like a game of Chinese whispers!

Toodle-pip for now.

Bah Humbug

How's your Christmas shopping going? Mine's going really badly. I'm slightly concerned at my lack of sense of urgency- I only have a couple of days free before Christmas to get practically all my presents bought, it's not good. I think some internet shopping may be in order...how ever did we all manage in the pre-technological era?
In fairness, I was intending to go out and buy most of my gifts at the beginning of this week as I have had a couple of days off work, but my dog has been rather poorly so I have been somewhat housebound. He's on the mend now though so perhaps a trip out tomorrow may be called for. I did manage to get out to buy my Christmas tree this afternoon so a spot of decorating will be on the cards- maybe that will get me into the festive spirit.

Christmas starts here...

...well, I suppose it actually started at our Variety Show considering the number of Christmas songs that were performed, but my first Christmas 'do' was on Saturday. We went out for our staff Christmas meal, and what a civilised affair that was. All I can say is that it was a good job we had the whole upstairs of the restaurant to ourselves. Much alcohol was consumed (more by some than others- I must say I was just nicely tipsy, thus avoiding the inevitable hangover the next day) and presents were exchanged. The highlight of the evening is always our Secret Santa competition. Usually, Secret Santa is about the present that you give, but not with us- we compete to see who can come up with the best wrapping, and we have had some fantastic creations over the years. It does get exceedingly competitive though and when it comes to judging the winner it has been known for waiters to be bribed and flirted with! I didn't win this year, must try harder next year.