Christmas Greetings, Grovelling Apologies and a Tag Reply

Oh my goodness the guilt is unbearable. I am rubbish. Haven't been near a blog for weeks as far as I can work out, and here are all you lovely people leaving wonderful messages, fun taggy things and good wishes. I have truly missed you all, and wish to goodness I had time now to stop at all of your blogs and leave personal greetings. Apart from anything else, I want to hear all your news!

The fact is I've been absurdly busy with all the stuff of life. Preparing for a month-long trip (leaving tomorrow in fact), mopping up after the end of the school year, clearing the desk at work, Christmas shopping and entertaining ... you know the drill.

The girls are great; Mads did incredibly well in her final exams and auditions and has been offered her first preference for uni, to study for her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts. Yay! Ditto James, and most of their friends, which is fab to the max, as they say.

I have eaten FAR too much at Christmas lunch today, and I will now use my last remaining strength to respond to Stevie's Christmas tag:

1) Best present ever as a child: During a time of tightened belts, my sister and I received beautiful big baby dolls, dressed in the most gorgeous clothes. Mum had been offered ex-display baby mannequins from the local draper's shop, and made the clothes herself from lacy offcuts and scraps of fabric. Other kids had baby dolls that wet themselves and went mouldy inside. Ours were special. I wrote a story about them for my girls when they were little, which they then illustrated. Later we gave a copy to my mum for Christmas, and it was ... aahhhh.

Best present ever as an adult: Hmmm. Lots. Mostly things that have made me laugh. Also books, music CD's, great cooking pots and weird ephemera. I'm a little strange and most of my family and friends know it.

3) The one gift you've always hoped for and not yet received: A horse. (And of course somewhere to keep it.)

4) Your favourite part of Christmas dinner: Cold Christmas pudding the day after, thinly sliced and spread liberally with Brandy Butter. Ohhhhh ......

5) Favourite Christmas movie: Don't watch movies at Christmas. Too busy eating and laughing with family and friends. If we have any quiet time later, will watch whatever had been given to anyone on DVD.

6) Most lusciously shameful holiday indulgence: Enjoying such beautiful food, wine and comfort with loved ones while so many others in the world are less fortunate.

Well, there's that. Love and best seasonal wishes to you all; to Vally, Gypsy, Stevie, Dan, Rache, Neans, Paul, Suesjoy, Grace, Lace, Maria, Anne-Marie, Dale, Cheryl Ann, Lesley, Stefan, Sindy, Heidi, Koos and everyone else who has ever bravely ventured onto this page and brightened my day. I'm full and fuzzy-headed, so forgive me if I've left a name out that should be here. I look forward to catching up with you all when I'm back at the end of January.

Ho Ho Ho and pass the mince pies please!