So, how was it for you?

We have had a lovely time, after weeks of planning, cooking, buying, wrapping and decorating - everything happened and went beautifully. New traditions were started, much food was eaten, Santa brought all the perfect toys and we were with family and friends - perfect. Apart from the kids being crook but hey you can't have it all.

We are so lucky to receive all the gifts we did but where are we going to put all this new stuff! Our house is modest but not tiny but it's not a tardis either and something will have to give if we are to fit it all in. Three bin bags of toys have already made their way to a charity shop and there will be more to follow.

I love Christmas decorations, candles and glitz.

But now that Christmas is over, it just looks like clutter and is just something else to dust. I am craving clear empty surfaces.

Aaah, the scent of Christmas candles!

But the smell is making me nauseous, we had one lit all afternoon today and I am offically sick of the smell of spices, pine and gingerbread. I'm looking to Spring and the smell of clean washing, fresh from the line, of daffodils and the fragrance of cold winter walks on my babies' cheeks.

I am craving space and cleanliness, I am craving a fresh start, the New Year and all the good stuff it will bring.

We still have too much food in the house, friends came over today and helped make a small dent in the food mountain but we still have to plough through tons more. I feel like I might burst and all I desire now is fresh fruit, fresh veg and gallons of water.

I can't bring myself to throw good food away, so looks like Tony's work colleagues will be getting a whole lot of chocolate some time soon.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve. Bring it on I say - I'm ready for you and am very excited at the prospect of doing some stuff differently in 2008 - I hope for lots of things in the coming months but mostly just to make life more simple and enjoy every moment as I now realise just how lucky I am.

New Year Resolutions

Ok, so we haven't even had Christmas yet and I'm now on to New Year, I am still formulating my resolutions but here are a few to start with....

1. Make a will

2. Limit internet use - no computer between 9am and 5pm

3. Lose a stone in weight - I will be Kate Moss by Summer (without the drugs and dodgy boyfriends!)

4. Drink 2 litres of water EVERY day

5. Do some exercise

6. One load of washing and ironing EVERY DAY, this way I won't be in fear of the mega tower of ironing I currently have.

7. Ok and here is the big one - get driving. I don't even know where my licence is at the moment but I will make moves towards getting mobile.

8. Chill out and enjoy every day instead of worrying about tomorrow

There will be more.....................

Mistletoe and Wine

What happened to mistletoe? Is it indicative of my life that I no longer see any. In previous years I couldn't keep away from the stuff and would be able to sneak a crafty snog with anyone I fancied - these days I never see the stuff. Is there a link between this and the amount of wine I drink/have previously drunk over the festive season? Mmmmmm or is it that no one is waving it near me these days? I feel a little depressed at that.

Sleep

Sleep has been very elusive around these parts recently. D Boy has been a real terror waking 6 or so times a night - at my advanced age this is no good - I just can't function on so little sleep. It's not just his wakings it's the fact that I can't then get back to sleep and then am on the go all day long too. I was beginning to fade but then last night the little beauty went from 6.30pm until 7am with just one waking at 2am for a feed. I don't feel any less tired yet but a few of those in a row would be very nice. Mmmmm what will tonight bring??? I will try to feed him up on potatoes and cheese today to see if that will help.

The princess is doing marvellous, she is busy practicing for her nativity play (a star don't you know - her twinkling is astounding ;) ) and we are all feeling very very festive. Childrens gifts are now all wrapped and I am not going to buy anything else for them. All other gifts are purchased and will be wrapped before the end of the weekend. Cards are now posted and I have placed my food order so now all I have to do is have a glass of sherry and a cherry liquer chocolate and watch my kids enjoy this special time of year.

I love lighting the candles of an evening, playing the christmas music and filling the house with the scent of cinnamon and pine (candles mainly!). We get the tree on Saturday and plan to spend all afternoon throwing bling onto it. I used to be very anal about the tree and it's colour scheme - now I just say go for it and throw all the shiny colourful things I can find at it.

I have always loved this time of year, but having TWO children in the house makes me so very thankful for what we now have and so very happy indeed.

Off for a bop to Jingle Bells with my boy!!!