Prince Charming’s friend’s mum died last night. So unbelievably sad but I’m glad she’s at peace now and that the family aren’t in limbo anymore. If you can spare some kind thoughts, please take a moment for her family.

I know that New Years resolutions don’t tend to work out well, and I’m not sure there’s ever been one that I’ve stuck to. But…I’m hoping that by writing them here you guys might help me to stick to them. They’re pretty standard:

1. Lose weight. I desperately need to lose weight. I’m hoping to be back down to a size 8/10 by the summer. Only a stone or so to lose. It’s achievable, it just means that I may have to cut down on the snacking, takeaways and wine for a while. Plus if I lose weight I can fit back in to my old clothes which will save me from buying any more which will help me to:
2. Save money. I want to be able to move in with Prince Charming at some point. I also want to own a house by the time I’m 30. Apparently you need money for that. Who knew?!
3. Learn to drive. Yes I’m in my mid-twenties. And no, I’ve still not got my license. I will do by the end of the year though!
4. Spend more time doing stuff. Let me explain. I’m pretty lazy. I have to admit, I spend most Sundays doing nothing. I read blogs, sometimes write my own, surf the internet and watch films. To me that’s heaven but I do realise most people would be bored stiff. I’ve got to shake myself out of it so from now on, I’ll only allow myself to do it if I’ve already been for a run or done some sort of exercise.

Please, please, please hold me to them. I’ll keep you updated on progress. What are yours?

New Years eve was good for me, had friends over, sang sing star, drank champagne all night. My perfect NYE. I was at one point heard to say “I wish I could have champagne on an IV drip.” Pretty much sums it up! How was yours?

I must have been very good this year because I got some very lovely presents. However my Christmas day wasn’t that great.

My mum had a fight with her boyfriend the night before, decided she missed my dad too much, drank herself silly and spent the day in bed. My sister and I had to cook the dinner. Let’s just say that it wasn’t the tastiest dinner ever.

I’m having a really odd time of it. Can’t seem to shake this depressed feeling I’ve got.

Hmmm. Sorry for whining!

Not happy, it’s the fifth time since March that our boiler has packed up. I’m paying rent for a house I can’t live in at the moment and am having to live with Prince Charming. Much as I love that, I don’t love wasting money.

Me = grumpy

However, it is only 2 more sleeps until Christmas, I don’t have to be back in the office until the 5th January and I plan to spend a lot of time catching up on sleep over the break.

Plus, I’ve had a week of pretty much free booze at work. Love it!

It’s not just work. Prince Charming’s business is struggling and I’m feeling the pressure to support him, I don’t mind doing it at all, I will do anything I can to help him and if it means listening when needed I happily do it. It’s just quite a pressure.

Added to that is that Prince Charming’s best friend’s mum has terminal cancer. She is like a second mum to Prince Charming and he’s – understandably – taking it hard. I’ve tried to encourage him to go and see her but I think he’s pushing it to the back of his mind. I just don’t want him to leave it too late. He fell out with his best friend and wasn’t in touch for a long while. I think he’s feeling pretty guilty about it. Again, I just want to do anything I can but it’s bringing back memories of my Dad and making me so sad. I’m crying now. I do it in secret though, don’t want Prince Charming to think that I’m making this about me, or that he can’t share for fear of upsetting me. Again pressure.

Finally, I found out on Wednesday that one of my very good friends from uni has testicular cancer. He caught it early and is going to be fine but he’s having his last round of chemo this week and I know that he’s going to feel just awful. I wish someone I love didn’t have to go through it all. It makes me sad for him that he has to go through it.

I’ve said it before but I really do try to think of everything happening for a reason but when you here these awful stories about how cancer – and the treatment for it – ravages people it’s very hard to see what the reasoning is. Everything’s so sad at the moment!

And then I have to go into work and pretend that I care about something that is  really, in the grand scheme of things, meaningless.

More cheerful, festive post coming as soon as I get that festive feeling back.

Apparently it was fixed yesterday but by the temperature in the house tonight I’m not betting on it.

On a more cheerful note, I popped to Oxford Street this evening to get a couple of pressies. Bought something for Prince Charming and my secret santa present for work. I picked the woman at work who was bullying me for a while there. I tried to get her something that she’d like hoping that karma rewards me for being nice to someone who’s horrid.

Oxford Street was lovely, very Christmassy but not enough carols for my liking.

We’re putting the Christmas tree up at home tomorrow. Can’t wait. Decorations. Mulled wine. Christmas songs. We’re going to have it all!

Yay!

Until today when I belatedly read the news about Gordon Ramsay I had a (not-so) mini crush on him – is this weird? I know he’s pretty ugly but he loves seemed to love his wife so much. And he always looks like such a great dad to his kids.

But now I have beef with him. How could he cheat? He had everything worked out perfectly and he promoted himself as a family man, he always featured his children in his series’ and he always talked about his family when he was interviewed. I can’t believe that he’s ruined that all for some floozy. Yes I went there, she’s a floozy.

Ok beef over.

(Much like my crush on Gordon).

It’s actually snowing quite a lot. Wasn’t too happy about this when Prince Charming dropped me home at 7.30 this morning on the way to work but now that I’m happily tucked up in the warm, I’m very excited that it’s snowing outside!

What I’d really love is if the snow messed up the trains tomorrow morning (and it seems that they use any excuse – rain?!) and I could work from home in my pyjamas!

Continuing on the winter theme. Prince Charming and I went to the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park yesterday. It was a lot of fun, mulled wine, German market and lots of Christmas songs. I would highly recommend it, though it only takes an hour at the most to wander round.

It’s all just too exciting, 32 days until Christmas!

Must start thinking about Christmas presents. For others that is, I already know what I’m asking for – jewellery:

I want that one

And that one

• Is stress from my work making me ill or do I just have a bug?
• How do I always manage to forget my coat when it’s a really cold day?
• Am I going to get the pay rise I’ve asked for or will my boss chicken out?
• Will I ever be able to cook as well as my mum?
• Is my dad haunting Prince Charming’s car? It’s falling apart and used to be my dad’s. Is it because my dad doesn’t approve of Prince Charming?
• Which hottie in Spooks do I fancy more? 

Stay tuned to see whether I can find any answers!

Watching the glorious Hollyoaks this morning and Carmel (the ditzy blond) was giving Lauren (big hair, black clothes) advice on sex. Best quote ev-er:

“Lauren, it’s not something you do when you’re bored like Jenga.”

Riiiiight.

Great stuff

I’m desperate to decorate the house, clearly I’m not mad enough to do it yet, I will wait until December. I’ll just wait impatiently.

The girls and I have agreed to get a fake tree this year. Normally only real trees will do but last year our real one made such a mess we’re sticking with a fakey. Saw this the other day…and I really can’t make my mind up about it. Is it so cool it’s right or is it just so wrong?

What Chrismas looks like in Oz??