Sunday 23 December 2007

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

I'm shivering away and loving it!

If only I'd remember to take my scarf & beanie out with me it'd be even better. Everyone's huddling together, rushing in and out of shops, warming up with a mulled wine, winter Pimms or eggnog ... now that's delightful.

I was on the bus today crossing Wandsworth Bridge in a stunningly heavy fog. It was impossible to see from one side of the Thames to the other! When we paused mid-bridge we could only see dull, slightly darker masses on either side. The only clear things were the cars in front and behind and the lampposts along the bridge. It was almost as though we were floating in the clouds. Magical!

... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Wednesday 19 December 2007

We wish you a Merry Christmas ...


I'm a little torn about Christmas this year.

On one hand I'm exhausted. It's not just the parties, it's my long work hours combined with my determination to go to the parties despite my long work hours. I'm forcing myself out and forcing myself to have fun which isn't exactly how the season is supposed to work. Plus I just want some sleep.

Which is a shame, because I was more excited about Christmas this year than I've ever been. Ever.

When you're a kid it's mostly about presents and lots of holidays. My family Christmas never really had a religious push behind it (though I did think Christmas Eve Mass with my grandmother was kinda cool). We never went overboard (though Santa obviously always thought I'd been an extremely good girl). Those long summer days, weeks and weeks of them without having to go to school were just as exciting. Unless I went to England to be spoilt rotten - that was good too.

But thanks to some wonderfully festive friends, I've rediscovered my Christmas spirit over the past couple of years. So I've been looking forward to it for months and months.

And yet I find myself sitting here, a week out, wishing I didn't have to go to a party I loved so much last year, wishing I really had started on those Christmas cards a little earlier, wondering if I can find a website that will still deliver gifts for Christmas, and looking forward to everyone heading off for Christmas so I can have a break from it all.

But at the same time I'm so desperate to enjoy myself. I'm packing up all my favourite things to take away with me so I've got all bases covered. I'm triple checking about arrangements for Christmas day and trying to think of gifts that will please/not kill everyone. I'm responding enthusiastically to each and every invitation that comes my way.

Because Christmas only come once a year. And if I wait until I'm ready for it, I'll miss out. And no one wants to miss Christmas!