The final flurry

We made it! Another working year done and the holidays await. I might have had a nap as soon as I finished work yesterday!

I have to admit it’s been a tad chaotic these last few days so I’m really happy to be finally resting at home knowing our plans for the near future involve walking, eating, napping and watching films. I can’t wait to quietly potter and just breathe.

Christmas has always been a really special time for me, and over the years, although it has become more difficult with my family, I still try to appreciate this time. I end up cherry picking happy moments out of hard situations to make me feel better; like looking through old family photos with my dad today, and him interrupting my sister with tales of family gliding adventures in the 90s (with all the vrooooom actions and sounds). Alzheimer’s is a funny old disease.

Anyway, I know it can be really hard for a lot of folk at Christmas but my only advice is to try to carve your own happy from it. Whatever that might be. For me that’s the following…

Dinnerware c/o Homesense

1. Appreciating the Christmas lights and sparkles on a bus/car ride home.

2. Having 2 weeks off (6 days off permanent work and 4 days off freelance). I can’t wait to rest my brain!

3. Wearing red heels to add a little festive cheer.

4. Standing still in the snow and catching snow on my tongue.

5. Drinking mulled wine to warm myself up after getting caught in the rain.

6. Planning Christmas dinner for two with our new dinnerware (c/o Homesense) and being very happy with my lot.

7. Wishing strangers a Happy Christmas.

8. Singing to Christmas tunes with work colleagues.

9. Posting Christmas cards and thinking I’m winning at adulting (even if for one day only).

10. Stacking a pile of books to read over the holidays.

11. Pigs in blankets.

12. Looking at the Christmas tree every morning with a cup of tea in hand.

13. Feeling fortunate to have a roof over my head and food in the cupboard.

14. Christmas Eve Cinema screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. I can’t wait.

15. Singing carols in the square in Hebden Bridge.

16. Playing games with Roller Derby team mates and laughing so much I cried.

17. Watching good and bad TV telly! I have my bumper Radio Times at hand.

18. Reading Nigel Slater’s The Christmas Chronicles (I know I’ve mentioned this before but it’s so good!).

19. Snowballs of the Advocaat variety.

20. Knowing that for a few days pretty much all us around the world take time to stop, celebrate and be grateful. That brings me a lot of comfort.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2018! See you on the other side x