I didn't blog last week - largely because I didn't want to go near a computer when I was off and then when I was working towards the end of the week I was frantically busy and had eye strain by end of the day.
Christmas was really lovely, on Christmas Eve we have lots of traditions at my house. We only had one prior to son being born 14 years ago, but those have been added to over the years.
Before son was born my Christmas Tradition was to watch Micky & Donald's Christmas Carol. A cartoon (obviously) that's about 20 minutes long. 14 years ago we had an old video recorder that we could watch it on (when I say 'we' I mean 'me' - husband not interested). But that video recorder is long gone. The problem is the film seems to have disappeared. You can't buy it on DVD or electronically or anything.
Now we have to watch it via YouTube - but at least we can still get it.
I mentioned that these traditions have now been added to. So here was Christmas eve. Get up - drink coffee (a very important Christmas Eve tradition), switch our tree toppers (we have 2 trees) from Fairy (me) and Santa (son) to Stars.
Then we take a magic key outside and put it on a bush in the front garden. So Santa can let himself in because we don't have a chimney. We also decorate a bush with baubles and put carrots outside for the Reindeer. Son is now 14 and so is largely humouring me - but I'll take that!
We then go to garden centre for hot chocolate - though this year son refused to humour me and husband never has - so I went on my own!
Son was going to go to midnight mass for the first time in the evening, but wasn't feeling great so we decided to go to crib service at 17:00. I have to admit it was very awkward. The Vicar was trying to get people up to take part in a nativity. 'Who wants to be Joseph?' - Silence - 'Who wants to be Mary' - Silence. I think we may skip it next year or go to another church.
We used to have an amazing vicar at the church - it was standing room only - every week. He left and they bought a new Vicar in - it shows how important leadership is. The whole church has changed. I used to go with son when he was a baby as it was a bit like a day out. The old vicar loved kids and there would be about 30 of them crawling around at the back of the church. Now there is a lot of eye rolling if anybody even coughs. Needless to say, I don't go any more.
After the crib service we came home a friend came over and had party food and nattered. Then son went to bed.
I love Christmas morning - I'm always up before the family. Son's stocking is full and I put the tree lights on. I know son will be excited when he wakes up - and trust me - with a teenager that doesn't happen often.
So once family awake we opened some presents and had breakfast. We then headed off to my brothers house where mum and dad were also. It was especially nice this year because he has some Ukrainians staying and this meant that there were two young kids in the house (7 and 10). It always lovely to have kids around at Christmas.
I'm so impressed with the Ukrainian family. There dad is still back at home and is part of the war effort. How they managed to dig deep and not sit there worrying about him all day I don't know. Though I guess they deal with it every day - so it's just another day. Hopefully they had a chance to speak to him at some point.
After a yummy lunch we headed home at about 20:00, I sat down with a glass of fizz when we got home (designated driver) and promptly fell asleep half way through the glass!
So I woke up on Boxing Day with a clear head - which was a rare treat. Son got a huge amount of cash for Christmas (lucky him). He wanted to buy a PS5 and got enough money for one. Though they are gold dust at the moment and hard to get hold of. He managed to find stock at Game in Brighton - so on Boxing Day morning he was dressed and ready by 08:00 and I drove us in. We were literally standing outside the store as the shutters came up and he had his PS5 in his hands by 09:30 and was madly messaging his friends with the exciting news.
I explained that there was no such thing as a free lunch and then forced him to wander around the shops with me whist I looked at the sales. I'm now the proud owner of some silk cargo trousers (very unflattering it turns out) and a hot pink sequined jacket - that I'm convinced I'll get some wear out of - but unless I become a stand up comic I'm not sure where or when!
There were then 2 days off before work - which was great. So I started to work on the bits I'll display at next year's Christmas Tree Festival. I always do them around Christmas when I'm still feeling festive. These then get put in a box until they are needed in 11 months time!
Thursday and Friday I was at work, having lots of fun with AI - but I'll not bore you with work stuff. Then before you know it - it was New Year.
We never really celebrate new year - but this year a friend joined us - it was touch and go as they had COVID the week before, but they tested negative just in time (watch this space). So they came and joined us for something to eat and drink and we played the Taskmaster Board Game husband got for Christmas from Son.
Friend didn't know TaskMaster and was less than impressed by the game, but we all loved it - I have a feeling it's going to be our New Years Eve standard from now on.
Then on New Year's day I took down all the decorations and packed Christmas away for another year (sad times!). Then took dog for walk down at seafront. Today's picture is of the sea that day (it's at the far end of the reef - blending into the sky). This was the only view that wasn't filled with hungover people walking around like zombies. Seafront on New Years Day with the zombies is another tradition for many around here!
So that's it really - Christmas and New Year Over - I've got to wait 11 months for my favourite part of the year to happen again..... Boo.
So where does the ouch come in. Yesterday I was messing around with the dog and she put her paw out and managed to scratch my eyeball. My goodness it hurt.
I've woken up today with a very sore eye and a huge bloody scratch across it. I've had to bandage it up. So am looking somewhat odd. It's strange. With one eye I'm very dizzy and I've totally lost my perspective (but then I never really had any anyway - boom tush).
Back to work this morning. All back to normal. I've got a crazy Q1 ahead of me. Not looking forward to it at all.
On top of all of that I have eaten and drunk like a Roman Emperor for 2 weeks. I'm now on a diet and am booze free for January. It's 08:00 and my stomach already thinks my throat has been cut!
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