Christmas 2009

Lisa worked the 21st and I did 22nd & 23rd, both times I was in and out in less than an hour which was fab and Christmas work wise has been a million times calmer and better than last year. I've worked less hours and whilst at times it has been stresful, it almost seems like nothing compared to last year. Being able to have the premises and even better, the employee in the premises rather than both in the house has been priceless. Just having the space to pack properly means that parcels can be done in half the time. Fantastic.

Consequently this means that home life has been much better this Christmas. The Christmas tree was bought the first weekend in December rather than a few days before Christmas Day, and Charlie and I have had time to do stuff together. We've had a few rocky moments but overall, so much nicer than last year.

I had some dental surgery on the 16th December which has definitely affected everything as I really suffered this time with pain right up until Christmas Eve. I was overdosing on ibruprofen and paracetamol every single day just to be able to barely function. It was horrid. The sleeping sedation also wiped me out completely which was also a new side effect. I can barely remember anything of that day and managed to wipe my new site after being stupid enough to do some work when I got home!

So, Christmas Eve started with giving Charlie his Christmas Eve hamper which went down a storm. This is my new tradition and is an extension of new pj's that I always wrapped and gave in the evening of Christmas Eve. After breakfast we started work on the Gingerbread House Kit I got in Selfridges, had lunch, did the star biscuits, watched some xmas films, played some games etc Charlie had a bath, I had a shower, we donned our new xmas pj's, we popped popcorn, made our snowman soup (hot chocolate with squirty cream, mini marshmallows and chocolate drops) and watched Santa Buddies and then Charlie went off to bed. Lovely, lovely day.

Christmas Day and Charlie woke at 7.45am and came in to my room and we opened stockings. Charlie love his wooden puzzle box and his other bits and pieces, particularly the Disney Pin I picked up in Florida in January for his collection.

Downstairs and we let the dogs out and then opened presents. Charlie loved his DSi, Meccano set, puzzle ball, DVD, DS game, Bear Grylls books from my Godsons mother and National Geographic subscription from my best friend and 3 Wii games from my brother and his GF.

Charlie got me a new Willow Tree ornament, the new Dan Brown book, box of Hotel Chocolat chocolates, Next & Debenhams gift cards and fruit and nut toblerone.

I made Jamie Olivers Christmas Pancakes for breakfast which were yummy and then we went over to my parents around 11am. Lovely lunch and more presents, lego and Cambridge Brain Box kit and some other bits for Charlie and then we came back around 3pm and walked the dogs. By the time it was 4pm I was starting to feel really ill and fell asleep on the sofa for an hour which is really unlike me. Charlie helped my Dad take my Nan back to the care home and we had a light tea and then early bed for both of us.

Boxing Day and we went into town as Charlie wanted to spend some Christmas money. It wasn't very busy really, much busier when we went back on Monday!

Apart from going into town again on Monday where Charlie got two cd's and 3 DS games for £60 in HMV we've just slobbed out at home since. Very nice and relaxing tbh. We've spent every day in pj's since Monday.

Will add photos tomorrow.