Happy 2007 Everybody!!!

The fireworks are still popping off to the front, right and back of the house, the cats were cowering in the bedroom but seemed to have been revamped by a new toy in the shape of a champagne cork. Girlpants is currently drawing pictures of a potential house to build this year, FIL is critiquing the bands on Jools Annual Hootenanny and I have had the laptop on in the background all night. Earilier this evening, we were round the parents, bullying father not to put a £4.99 mirror special in the new delux bathroom we're currently putting together, whilst enjoying a roast lamb with Christmas trimmings, foillowed by a brandy drenched M&S special crimbo pub and a toast to absent family, friends I know and have known and new friends whom I have never met.

What a wonderful evening.

So the sales have begun. I didn't think much of them actually - there was nothing there that I really wanted, but off we trotted because you never know. All I came home with was a new wok, mainly because one of our frying pans had been murdered despite the life time guarentee.

Girlpants, in true boys style got a new toy. A rather big one. If anybody would like an old widescreen television, then there's one going as there's a new landmark in the lounge.

And if I could fit it into an actual picture, I'd post it but the new toy plasma is gi-normous. But at least Girlpants is happy. And now his dad is down, it means that it will be a horror movie marathon until the new year. I'll be the one hiding behind the sofa then...

Well, both Girlpants and I are on our way out now for those £5 turkey bargains, bubbly and beer in the shop and to deliver some pressies en route. Needless to say, I don't think as my first day back on the plonk after over a week will leave me in much of a state later, so unless you find me online in a somewhat inebriated state attempting to type in a straight line, may both Girlpants and I, the stinky fat cat, the mouse allergic cat, Talkative Sis and family all wish you a fantastic Christmas. And remember - if you eat enough roughage today of all days, then you may get a present after midnight from a little visitor...

I've been fighting for the last two weeks, but now I've been at home in bed for the last two days to try and get myself better for Monday. And also not to infect others at work as I figured that it may have proved to be a slightly unpopular move in the festive season. This however has meant missing work, money and even worse, our little Christmas party which we organised ourselves. It also meant that none of the others were able to open their Christmas presents as I wasn't there and I had one of them. Lesson one of how to pee on other peoples Crimbos, as I received updates via text yesterday saying that the party was flat, party poppers were lame and that they were going home early.

Damned those winter superbugs wannabes. Not only have I Catholic guilt over the others having a pretty pants last day (as there is only three of us in the office), but I was nauseous and feverous last week, which then developed into a full blown cold with racking cough and continious sneezing for over a week, which is only dying off now. So despite that fact that the office Christmas party was a bit of a flop by text accounts, I am slightly solaced by the fact that the cold's dying off just in time. It has however, left me a Christmas present of it's own as I am now the proud owner of bright red nose. Bright red on my gorgeously golden brown skin. Just in time for Christmas.

That's the sound of silence as The Aussie has moved out after seven weeks. Whilst it would be nice to enjoy this new unique sound and sleep a whole night through each night, the silence is currently being murdered by the wails of a dying fan, lurking somewhere in the back of my laptop.

I guess that's the price from having two rather long haired cats who are follwed around by tumbleweeds of their own fur, who like to sit on top of desks and laptops as they basically generate warmth in the chill of winter whilst waving their tails around the vent and shedding hairs which then clog up the cooling system. It basically means that I'm slightly scared to actually boot up the laptop as the grinding aounds like something being ripped out of the innards of this machine that holds my life. CV, email, favourites... Losing this laptop would be almost as bad as losing your mobile, wallet and keys in one night.

Memo to self - must never forget to back up....

Twelve days before Christmas? Where did that one come from?? This date traditionally means that my deccies should be up tomorrow, that most of the presents should be wrapped under the tree, cards sent off and Girlpants should be presenting me with a dead bird on a twig of a pear tree with no leaves or fruit due to the time of year.

So much with being prepared. Admittedly, there is a duck defrosting on the side for festivties as an alternative to the partirdge, but that's to treat The Aussie tomorrow and besides, partridge tends to smell like a cats bum. But in addition to the busy working lifestyle I now lead, I'm now in a wild panic about how the puddings haven't been made, shopping has fallen by the wayside and cards are in a heap on the table. I sense a couple of late nights of baking, writing and online shopping ahead, which in all honesty, may just fall further and further behind as I delve into a cabernet to dull the panic and pain.