Tis the season...

to be exhausted!

So, December. We've not even hit Xmas yet and like most people, it's already been a MONTH. My son turned six so we had a party to enjoy/endure (thankfully shared with a few others from school); his grand old age mean't I could now "sign him" to his local football club via an official FA form (honestly it felt like my first official "Momager" act); The Year 1 Nativity was a hit, even if they have been rehearsing since the first week in November and I have felt an intense need to dissemble all bells from possibly ringing out since around that time; We've fought off the worst of the lurgies thanks to vaccinations (yes, people, they work), ginger, elderberry syrup from the farm in West Wales, and an inordinate amount of honey.

I've shopped and wrapped and decorated and hid. I've employed an Elf to pose in a variety of positions on every shelf in the house. I've cooked and baked - for family (a six tiered rainbow cake I've insisted on making for my son every year) and for friends (nothing beats buying back the cupcakes you baked for the school Xmas fair).

I've washed football kit on a seemingly daily basis (to be fair it's all he'll wear) and stood in the freezing cold by a dark pitch on a weekday evening having attempted to shovel a car picnic of mac n cheese into my boy in the ten minutes he has between after school activities. Honestly, just thinking about my Wednesdays gives me the chills!

That being said... it's all been ... actually quite lovely!

I've managed to keep up my strength training with the help of a few friends (Mel & Tess!). And, there's also been time for some work... the latest podcast episode of Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story was released. I'll post about it separately as it doesn't feel right to include it in all the me, me, me diatribe above!

So, the countdown to Christmas is now officially on. Out of Office is (sort of) set. We're headed back to the homeland of Wales this year for a big family reunion which will be so gorgeous, even if we are all snotty and tired!

Nadolig Llawen i chi.

Bring on 2026!