Ding dong merrily on high

I love Christmas. It's a bit mental this year what with the Spousal Unit being away during the week and having to move 300km in a week or so - probably why I completely forgot two lots of interstate guests, good thing I haven't put the spare room bed on the nature strip yet, eh? - but Good King Wenceslas didn't whinge about chilblains and Caspar, Balthazar and Melchior weren't grizzling about camel chafing! Joy to the world, my lovelies!
I was getting a bit overwhelmed by it all but then my Tiresome Cheery Friend popped by to share some holiday bonhomie, and I decided to just enjoy it all. Key word: DECIDED. As I say to Noddie all the time (poor child), you decide what you think about things. You decide whether you see all the good things around you or only the bad stuff. YOU DECIDE.
So I am having a splendid time going through my cupboards, chucking stuff out, ok ok mostly J's stuff and putting things in boxes. Tonight I'll be thoroughly enjoying myself packing the quite startling number of ornaments in my house, recalling all the stories attached to each object - oh, and watching Hogfather and eating mince pies! I have to make my Christmas pudding too - I was going to use my usual recipe but I've packed my cookbooks, oops.
You know how sometimes your brain turns on you and tries to convince you that since you've put on a bit of weight lately you're so utterly lazy/hopeless/completely lacking in any sort of /charm/moral fibre/personal worth that you'd best eschew the glam frock and shroud yourself in baggy dowdy black? Oh, you don't? Well anyway, that was where I was on Friday night -almost hyperventilating with anxiety about what to wear to my work party (flash CBD bar) and CR bash (Y&Js). I had to channel my wonderful friend Mary Sunshine who wears whatever she jolly well pleases and always looks AWESOME. I took a few deep breaths and prepared to pretend to be my fabulous self. I didn't have to fake it for long - I had a brilliant time at both parties in my short blue dress and heels and caught the last train home. What a high-stepper! I was a bit sad when I thought someone had stolen my sunglasses at the CR party, but my friend found them! Another win!
Next morning J and I did a power shop (all Noddie's presents in 45 minutes) then had a family outing into the city. J hadn't been to the Hari Krsna restaurant so Noddie and I took him there for lunch and then a trip up the Eureka Tower, which was really fun. On our way we came across the AC/DC exhibition at the Arts Centre. Three words: Too Much Fun! More words: Go And See It! Oh my but I was weary after all that and my large Friday night, so it was nap time for LBTEPA before we trotted off to friends' for dinner. Let's just say it wasn't Noddie who fell asleep on the way home.
Sunday was another lovely day; Sunday school in the morning so Noddie could get her prize, then friends over for dinner before the church carol service. I love singing carols - it's like breathing joy! And I've been practicing in the car on the way to work so I could do all the high parts, such fun! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
In health and exercise news.... ummmmmmm........I'm working out almost every day but feeling aimless without a specific race goal. Snacking like the offspring of a pacman and a combine harvester isn't helping either. I'm feeling uncomfrotable and bloated and cross with myself. The time has come, people, to Reverse The Slide.
My interim goal weight is 75kg. Now the Plan Is This. I nicked it from the mighty Duane, who is living by the credo WWAID? - What Would An Ironman Do? My Plan is WWASKPD? What Would A Seventy-Five Kg Person Do? She'd eat toast at home for breakfast rather than getting a coffee scroll on the way, and would eat her homemade soup for lunch instead of a focaccia. She'd exercise daily and drink a lot of water. She'd enjoy Christmas food and drink, but in moderation. As shall I!
Now, all I have to do in the next couple of days is finish up at work, make the pudding and Christmas biscuits with Noddie, buy the Spousal Unit's present and wrap the last two left undone, and do the bare minimum of housework to render the place habitable when the rellies roll in on Christmas afternoon. We'll start the day with NODDIE'S PRESENTS FROM SANTA (don't think she doesn't know how many sleeps there are to go), then church, an elaborate picnic, including a mountain of prawns mmmmmmmm in the park with my brother and finally the family talk-, eat- and present-fest.
And you? How do you celebrate? Do tell!
Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, my friends.
Peace on earth and goodwill to men.