The Void between Christmas and New Year

As with most other bloggers lately, I've been way too busy shopping, wrapping, decorating, visiting and UNwrapping for Christmas to put aside time to publish a post.  If I was a more experienced and professional blogger I would have had prepared posts to carry me over the busy period.

I've also got the usual frozen writers block where I consider anything I write not worth publishing (I've started this post three times now).  I just deleted several paragraphs which sounded like a big whinge about not enjoying Christmas as an adult.  You might agree it's just not the same as when you're a kid. Presents are few and sometimes they are known before the unveiling. As partners you usually know how much you've spent on each other. Some married couples don't even bother buying for each other. They might have realised the credit card is going to have a hard time recovering from the onslaught from Santa as it is and decided that they really don't want to lose sleep over two gifts they really didn't want. But where's the romance in that?

Our series of anniversaries starts on the 19th December (when we met), then the 24th December (our first date) and 4 years later, 17th February (wedding).  I usually get told we have too many anniversaries but this year marked 15 years together. We managed to get out on our traditional Boxing night to the movies (War Horse, very good English war movie with added much loved horsies!). And I did receive jewellery for Christmas, so I shouldn't complain.  Even got the next Mia Freedman book and a Rolling Stones calendar from the kids.  This year we told the in-laws not to buy anything for us, they spend enough on the kids - and guess what? They didn't get us anything. First time, not even the usual exchange of gift cards.  I think they finally realise we're all grown up, bugger it!

I think the thing is when you're a kid, after the initial excitement of Christmas is over, you've got new stuff to play with.  I think I just want to play with something. 

Last year I got my iPhone which even though I knew I was getting it for weeks beforehand, it was as exciting as when I was 13 and I got my first bike on Christmas morning (which I paid half of).  And it's kept me entertained for a whole year and counting (the phone, not the bike).  To be honest, this year I hadn't requested anything except the seemingly impossible, an iPad.  I was able to borrow one from work for the holidays and as it's not 3G I've not used it outside the house. I'm also limited as I need to keep it free from any non-educational apps (boring!).  So then Mr Moneymaker asks me about it and I say I would definitely need one with 3G not knowing he was thinking of getting me one without it. So I blew that!

Anyhoo, my Christmas is about to get better. My sister and BIL is coming to stay for a week, which includes a New Years Eve and Mr Moneymaker's 40th - a huge do with dress ups!  And I just know she's going to love the furry leopard skin stiletto short boots I just bought from the op shop.  I may have to dangle them tauntingly in front of her before letting her wear them.  Just have to find an outfit that will match them and fit into the 70's movies theme. What am I going to wear?!?!?!?

One lovely present I did receive this year was from my Social Media Secret Santa, Melissa from Suger Coat It, was Nikki Gemmell's book, With My Body, which I've already finished (along with the goodies) and a bottle of something I can't remember that will make my hair beautiful (I'll let you know what it is and how it goes another time).

But now I better go to bed as I've got a house to clean tomorrow for my visitors. And a costume to figure out.