Something sickly

I told Tom earlier that I didn't really need anything for Christmas, because he had already given me everything I need. Aww...

Family

I'm just this minute having a near-epiphany about family. I realise how much I value all my family members and how much I miss them.

Last weekend Tom and I trekked up to Blackpool for his grandmother's 70th birthday. Tom's family from Cheltenham were there too, as well as all the locals. It was the first time I'd see all of the siblings and cousins together before, and it was brilliant. The next occasion will probably not be until the wedding next year.

Now these people are also going to be my family, and I can't wait for that! I am going to be married to Tom and both sides will come together and I'll kind of be leaving my family but not really. [Enough lovey sloppiness]

What's also caught my attention a bit is that I have some old friends from years past who once were very close to me, and time has meant we've drifted apart. But there was also a lack of effort on both parts, and now I wonder how I feel. Some of them haven't ever met Tom, who is now a huge part of my present and my future. They've moved on, they are much more popular and busy than I am and they don't seem to have time for me. Likewise I have other commitments and social groups and not sure how things would fit together in this world.

Also, on a political note, can you exclude these people from the big events in your life? Tricky.

Superstitions

Just grabbed lunch from a cafe down the road, and noticed that if you wanted to avoid walking on the cracks, Cheltenham is really not a good place to be.

There are paving stones everywhere, and because nowhere here is actually flat, most of the slabs are cracked and though functional, not tessellating.

The other day I briefly had a chat to someone about superstitions. I'm surprised at the number of people I've met (especcially 'rational' ones) who won't walk over drains. Now I said that I avoid walking under ladders but for the reason that they may well slip of something could easily fall off from them, whereas the drain covers are designed to be walked on. Obviously if one's fallen into disrepair then yes, avoid it. But what else is there to be worried about?

I also had a huge argument (really a heated discussion but I won't deny there was a bit of name-calling) the other day with someone about religion. Yay. I was trying to explain to them that even if they themselves don't believe in anything, there are positives people gain from beliefs and also it isn't ok to go around dictating to others that they should and shouldn't believe something. And that you can share something with people even if they don't have the same attitudes as you. This person just couldn't get that, but we agreed to just let it go before too many black eyes were exchanged.

Back on the spirit of tolerance, I've been making Christmas cookies! They're meant to have holes pierced in each of them so you can hang them on a tree but our tree is already crammed and I don't see the point wasting time using food as decoration when it can be eaten!

It's been a while

So it's now December, the tree is up (thanks, Jo) and we have spent more money than we should have on hopefully beloved gifts.

Tom managed a whole month without shaving his moustache through November, albeit creating a blonde 'tash and ginger chin. But I'm proud that he managed it!

Work is going well. Just over a month ago I was making a few silly mistakes but it seems I have managed to avoid being too cocky and repeated them (mostly) which is progress. I'm a proud soul and hate being corrected or disciplined in any way so although I do need to be chastised once in a while I don't like it! But eventually I'll get it together.

We've been seeing a lot of my family recently, which is always nice, and this weekend coming we're heading up to Blackpool to see some of Tom's relations. But my folks should be visiting us on Christmas day.

Also, today my nails are all sparkly and my hair is amazingly smooth!