A lovely trip to see my sister in Wales and be pampered at the spa was a great way to start the month! Massage and lunch and steam rooms and saunas – and an ENTIRE HOUR SITTING READING MY BOOK WITHOUT ANYONE YELLING AT ME!

It was basically heaven, so thanks to my sister for a brilliant early Xmas present!

Work was very hectic and busy trying to wrap up everything before xmas. Then we were striking and picketing and demanding justice, and wrapping presents and decorating the tree and various pre-Christmas admin jobs.

And a very sad and subdued trip to Scotland for my friend’s funeral. My mum came to babysit the girls for a few nights so I could get up to Scotland and back for the funeral. A sad trip but I managed to stay with an old Uni friend up there and it was nice to see them.

Then I got exhausted and overwhelmed and miserable and was signed off work for a while to try and sort my mess of a life out. It has all been a bit much and I’m struggling to cope with anything at all really.

So we did xmas things in a low key way this year, went to a panto, saw some friends, ate some mince pies, bumbled about quietly.

And actually it was a really wonderful Christmas – it was quiet and everyone was pleasant and kind to each other and no-one shouted. We all relaxed and caught up on sleep and got lovely presents and had a truly lovely time.

Then we went up to my mum’s for a few days over new year and had a nice relaxing time up there. All in all it was a nice end to the year, in spite of being a bit hectic and exhausted and worn out by the end of term!

Hoping 2024 brings us some fresh starts and calmer, happier lives in general.