in short bursts mostly, along with lots of shouting and tantrums in between times. He really can be the most awful person to work with at times, not that I don't give as goo as I get of course!

I found my Christmas cards - I'd forgotten I put them in the bed drawer with the wrapping paper and odd presents, rather than out in the garage with all the decorations. I've got plenty for this year because I really don't send out so very many. I need to be putting together some kind of parcel for my PILs in the next week, or two at the latest. We got some items (thanks Harrods!) but I really want them to have lots of little bits to open because they've finally learned the thrill of opening presents, and it's almost like watching kids these days. When I first knew them they thanked someone politely for the present and then you'd find it weeks later, still wrapped! They then moved onto unwrapping it at home afterwards, but the year we gave them a whole suitcase filled with wrapped presents they had a ball! And this year and last they've had nobody around to help them celebrate, which is heartbreaking, but I just can't be there for Christmas and CNY.

DH started asking where this year's wishlists are - DS and I both have birthdays before Christmas so it has been a lifesaver for him and my SIL in the past. My parents aren't very impressed, but the kids know full well that they are allowed to put anything they want on the wishlist, just be prepared that some things are only so much wasted ink. I may get some of what's on their wishlist, or I may get none of it! As long as they know that, and I was careful when I first did it to make sure they understood that it wasn't a chance for an attack of the 'gimmes'! So wishlists need printing and the cardlist needs some attention or I'm at grave risk of neglecting them entirely. I don't need to do any decoration shopping this year because we had to do loads last year, starting from scratch again. I'm not getting my usual opportunities to shop midweek and alone, so I really appreciate how working mothers struggle with gift buying. I have a few, but then I realise that DS' birthday is less than a month away and I have usually got the bulk of everything by then, so I can pick out what will be for his birthday and what's for Christmas. But hey, I have plenty of ideas, and I know how to use the internet now I'm in a country that actually has online merchants and I don't have to order from halfway round the world. I have a great cheap bookseller up my sleeve, I have plenty of family game stuff planned and I've even been to a real Hawkin's Bazaar shop Honey, so I'm not doing too badly!

if only work were going so smoothly!

Kerri.