chaletian | Christmas: A Trifle Scattershot

So, Christmas, eh? Firstly, though today was being slightly dreaded by, I think, everyone, it went off very well indeed and everyone seemed to have a nice time. Grandad looked slightly snurpy when Daddy had a mock against diesel engines to Andrew (Grandad has long been a proponent of the diesel engine; Daddy thinks they're shit), but that was as bad as it got. I changed the subject whenever the ground looked boggy (I get to do that because I'm Daddy's favourite and at the moment I can do no wrong as far as Grandad is concerned). Grandad's still slightly dodgy on his feet, and has put on so much weight in the past couple of months (I think because of the drugs he's on) that he looks completely different to usual. But actually it was lovely to see everyone, and share presents (and to give and receive presents that people like - we tend to be quite good about that in our family), and just be together, and be huggy and chatty and catch up and mock Andrew's driving and Matthew's girlfriend and Chris's city slicker ways and my hair. And *g* I showed Grandma the end of my Christmas speech, where she and Grandad had earned internet fame by virtue of their donation of the grandparental chintz, which tickled her. It was a really, really nice day. Mummy braided my hair, so I felt about twenty years in the past! Chris bought us Yahtzee! And the new Nigella Lawson book. And I got the most genius looking book about Dorothy L Sayers and LPW and the inter-war period, which looks absolutely fascinating, and some Chanel mascara, and a chocolate orange (natch!), and some theatre vouchers (now the question is, cherie, do we blow it all on one show, or eke them out?), and some slipper socks (will my mother's attempt to get me in slippers never cease?!) from my parents, and various bits from the rest of the family, which was all very nice (and an ace CD from Rosie, which I am listening to at the moment). Mummy did an interpretive dance to the flashing rhythm of the fairy lights: a sight to be seen. Grandma got a huge kick out of the little pop-up mouse I got her and chuckled quite considerably. I wore make-up and high heels. We had Christmas lunch instead of dinner, which was super (though obviously, with the mater cooking), and then unexpectedly got salmon sandwiches and ham and beetroot sandwiches and mince pies at tea time. The proper grown-ups may have looked a little askance at these, but the younger generation devoured them whole-heartedly. We watched Galaxy Quest in the afternoon which is always a joy, and then after everyone had gone we watched Little Miss Sunshine, which I bought for Daddy, and which the parentals loved. Me too. I think it's one of the best films to be made in the last few years. I spoke to Katie and Kathye, as is only right and proper.

Anyway, I hope everyone had as nice a day as I did, and the rest of the festive period is nice and jolly and relaxed. Ciao, mes amis! xxx