New Year's Eve

I don’t like to be too well prepared for Christmas. To me there is something magical and seasonal about having to get a few bits in the last minute rush. I will never be the sort of person who has the tree up and the presents bought and wrapped by December 1st. This year, however, a nasty cough and cold left me drained of energy and festive spirit at the time when my preparations should have been well under way, meaning it was all a bit last minute for me. Everything was done, and I got to sit and relax on Christmas Eve, but the previous week’s rush and the fact I was up until 3 am wrapping on December 23rd has left me in recovery mode this last week. Hence I am having a VERY quiet New Year’s Eve tonight. Andy has gone out for a couple of games of snooker with my nephew Mark, and then we shall enjoy Jools Holland’s Hootenanny!

Meanwhile, here I am with my laptop and a nice cold glass of Chablis, and a music channel playing cheesy party hits, and time to get the chocolates out soon…..bliss.

Christmas came together pretty damn well. Andy was the master of decorations, and came up trumps with a 7ft tree (which he christened the ‘behemoth’) for half price. The girls had a suitably splendid array of presents, but without ludicrous amounts of money being spent. And Christmas morning doesn’t get a whole lot more magical than spending it with a three year old.

Hoped to put a picture of the tree here, but couldn't get it to work for some reason.

The time has come to reflect on 2005, which on the whole has been a good year. This time last year I was surrounded by boxes and chaos, having been in the house just two weeks, and I was just beginning to get my head around biliary atresia. I’m glad not to be in that place now. This year has a much more stable starting point, and I feel so much stronger than I did then.

When I look back on this year, the lows I can remember seem generally fairly small in the grand scheme of things, and mostly related to my depression, and times when I felt overwhelmed by life. On the other hand, there have been so many major highs. The amazing good health that Hannah has enjoyed, Caitlin venturing out into the world at pre-school and nursery, a brilliant holiday, a special 30th birthday treat, and that is to name just a few. I thank God for all the blessings He has given us, and for the strength I have found in Him.

Ever the optimist and lover of the clean slate/new exercise book, of course I have made resolutions for the New Year. Trying hard not to do my usual trick of setting myself impossible targets, I am trying to keep things specific and achievable. So here goes:

Resolution for 2006
Raise money and awareness for CLDF. I am tentatively hoping we might raise £1000, but knowing nothing about fundraising I am not sure if this is achievable. My first step is to contact the fundraising officer for advice.

Resolutions for January
Gain some financial control!
Sell my car
Perhaps having them on here will help me keep them.

The wine is reaching my brain now (will I stay awake until midnight?) and I had better get this posted whilst still in reasonable sobriety – still have to faff with the Tree Photo.

Happy New Year! (and a belated Happy Christmas, always a bit slow…)