The other thing that keeps me awake at night

is this little critter...

scuttling across the roof in the early hours of the morning and proceeding to shell nuts on the Velux window immediately above my head!!!

...but it is hard to get too grumpy when he's so cute.

Doing a 'Nigella'

to ensure ample supplies since we're still snowed in for the festive period. This has involved copious amounts of time in the kitchen accompanied by the Miss Sensible (Strident Student is excused as she earning a crust on Turkey duty at Waitrose, lucky girl).

We are now adequately stocked with shortbread, mince pies, gingerbread cake and the ubiquitous pan of mulled wine is installed on the hob so we should be able to feed any waifs or strays that turn up on the doorstep...you know who you are ;o)

Sledging!

One requirement of the 'Mum' job description is to make a complete numpty of yourself in the hope of keeping sproglets entertained during school holidays, and today was no exception...except if I'm completely honest I had an absolutely fab time too (despite being a total novice), getting a cold, wet, very bruised arse and a glowing red nose to compete with a certain reindeer :D

Sure beats working...

My good friend Mr.Insomnia is back

well to be honest he's been kicking around again for a while now but I keep vainly hoping I've seen the back of him. For all of you who manage 6 hours a night or more don't ever take it for granted...it's really no wonder sleep deprivation was used as a form of torture.

So I woke up in the early hours of the morning again with six million things running through my head like Ticker Tape against a backing track of Gorillaz 'El Manana'. The whole sequence moves so fast I can hardly grasp onto the thoughts never mind work out what I need to do with them. It kind of reminds me of the opening sequence of Monty Python when the head opens and all manner of stuff pours out and morphs into something else. Quite surreal believe me & all created completely without the aid of hallucinogenics!

I do know what the 'elephant in the corner' is that's causing this, but despite my best efforts it's not something I can fix so unfortunately it'll rumble on...

A fix of cuddles

Due to the inclement weather it wasn't practical to traipse all the way up to Sheffield but since she was going to be bringing a tonne of books back to start her dissertation, I arranged to pick up the Strident Student in Burton which is a stone's throw away from my Bruv's place which also ensured we could spend some time with my incredibly cute nephew :o)

Tradition dictates

that the Christmas tree is never purchased until after Strident Student and I have had our birthdays. Those events now out of the way, a trip to the Xmas tree farm was called for. Each year without fail each there is a heated debate about the relative merits of the various types of fir &/or shapes before the perfect one is finally selected. This year's specimen is beautiful but having lugged it to the car we discovered it was just that little bit too long :o/

...so we drove home in -4º with the boot half open!!

A long story involving a hacksaw later, we've now managed to get it into a stand, aligned vertically, raided the loft for various boxes of gubbins and decked the halls, plus an 8ft Nordic fir.

Finally finished the Xmas shopping, turkey's ordered, cards written, parcels posted.....now all remains is to pick up eldest, finish work...then collapse in a heap with a glass of mulled wine...or two...

Slightly frazzled

due to brain overload! So far this week I've dealt with everything from ISO audit findings, to a bid requiring specific security clearances, reviewed contracts for Kidnap & Randsom experts, discussed the recruitment of medics for the Oil & Gas business, conducted an appraisal, & briefed the MD on the reorganisation....
and to make matters worse the tin of Quality Street which was in my office has disappeared without trace :o/
Not sure I can carry on without chocolate.....