Well that's that then!

Christmas Day!  As usual we spent ages working up to it and there it was...gone!  I admit I approached it with some trepidation this year, although to the outside world I presented a confident, positive attitude, inside I was secretly scared and succumbed to the odd bout of closet tears.  Our first Christmas away from everyone we love so dearly.  Could I telephone/skype everyone without falling into a sobbing heap?  What on earth was I going to do without all the cooking and entertaining? As so often happens the thought of doing/coping with something was far worse than actually doing it!  So it was that I enjoyed several phone conversations and video links with everyone.  I cooked a full three course lunch, just for 3 of us, which went SO smoothly I was convinced I had forgotten something!  Our friend Jim came from across the street and joined us and we spent a leisurely afternoon with a late lunch followed by afternoon tea and sweet treats, good conversation not to mention a good bottle of wine and a little Christmas spirit if you get my drift!  Lovely Man and I agreed no presents as neither of us are working yet but my wonderful little brother and my best friend decided that they would not adhere to this particular stipulation and sent us parcels anyway!  So Lovely Man and I are now sitting with our evening cuppa sporting lovely new PJ's.  He has a new book to read "Man v's Wild", I have a "How-To" book for Adobe in-Design (much needed as I really struggle and bug hell out of both my brother and son on this one!), a lovely Moleskine Cahier note book (so I'll look real professional when I cover an event for the Echo!), and a gorgeous shawl cardigan, matching beret and necklace!  Thank you Jan, Derek and Ellie, Jay, Nik, Dan & Jack!  

So, I survived after all!  Lovely Man I know will always survive no matter what...I just sneaked a peek at his book.  He will learn how to make a meal from maggots, skin a snake and eat it, build a shelter in the snow, cool himself using his own urine and live without his cell phone....Mmmmm Nice!

So what now?  Well already that New Year feeling is seeping in.  That feeling of anticipation, of new beginnings, good intentions and optimism.  I am looking forward to some spring cleaning, knocking a hole in the wall (the new dining room worked perfectly and I think the hole may appear sooner than I thought!), a new art class with Tam starting on 17th January and hopefully some visitors from the UK.  So much to look forward to!

So, here's wishing everyone a very happy, positive New Year where dreams come true and peace and love are in abundance.  Happy New Year everyone.