I am looking forward to Christmas and enjoying the seasonal goodwill so I hope this new variant does not start to impact everyones plans too much. Having said that, I am not planning big parties and loads of socialising anyway, I think I must be getting old and, possibly, boring! I really like relaxing at home with my family (Who ever happens to be in at the time) and watching something on the TV in the comfort of my own home.
Gone are the days of late nights, or early mornings, and my slippers (Yes I do have some) are the choice of comfort whilst moving about the house. I have been asked what I want for Christmas and I normally have no idea but this time I’ve asked for a couple of pairs of comfortable joggers to wear around the house. I think the ‘pandemic lock downs’ have made me resistant to getting into tight and more formal clothing and I change into my comfortable kit, as soon as I get in the house.
I am trying to be a bit more planned with Christmas and buying presents this year, just in case the shops get forced to close or have restrictions placed upon them. Normally, I’d leave everything to the last minute and panic buy for people but, this year, I’ve even written a list and have started my shopping, most of it online!
I’m not a great person to go shopping with as I do not enjoy looking around and browsing, I prefer to know what I want, go in and out, with as little fuss as possible. Unfortunately, yesterday I got persuaded to go to the town centre to help my wife buy some presents and it was not a great experience. The chilly, biting, northerly wind was not pleasant and contrasting that with the hot bustling shops, I was constantly undoing my jacket and taking my scarf and my mask, on and off.
But, every cloud has a silver lining and I managed to get my obligatory Christmas market bratwurst, for lunch, and the parking was free for the day – small mercies.
The trip into town was short and I was soon back home, after a brief, cold, windy walk along the beach. My wife then went out to do the ‘real’ shopping, leaving me to chop some wood, watch the football and then open a beer. A perfect afternoon / evening.
Life is a rollercoaster ride and we need to enjoy the highs and prepare for, and manage, the lows. I have memories of uncomfortable times in my life which make me grateful for my life now, and it’s good to take time to reflect on that, now and then. I am sure that the people who recently lost their electricity supply, because of storm Arwen, are grateful for the power being back on now and having the WiFi, heating, TV and cookers working again. All things we take for granted and have a big impact on our day- to-day lives.
What are you most grateful for and why?
I am grateful for my wife who does most of the shopping required to keep this home functioning.
Thank you darling!
Have a stress free week, enjoy the run up to Christmas and the festive break.