sunday 23rd dec

this day was just fine. my brother, sister-in-law and their two boys, our nearly neighbours/ parents group friends and their baby, and two friends came for an early dinner to note the passing of another year for me.
one day we are just going to have to make dinner for my brother et al that consists of meat and three veg! we made marinated lamb skewers to be made into kebabs with hommus, tabouli etc, etc. it's just not their cup of tea; the poor boys ended up having leb bread with cheese and tomatoe sauce! not exactly a nutritious and appetising meal. also we completely forgot that one of our guests is vegetarian. oops again. at least he's not a rabid-"don't even put it in the same kitchen/ plate/ table/ pan" vego.

dinner was about 5:30pm. then i bathed percy followed by our usual bedtime routine- bath, blow dry, massage, nappy, boob, book, bed. i recall she slept quite well despite the racket downstairs. in fact we think the dimming of the racket might cause her to stir! we've noticed on a few occasions she'll stir or awaken when we turn the tv off or otherwise decrease the volume in the house, and get ready to go to bed ourselves.
i think she woke twice for a feed. this seems to be what she does now- can pretty much settle herself from other stirrings but is hungry every four hours. wonder when she'll grow out of that..?

we had yummy sponge birthday cake for dessert. my nephews helped me blow out the candles. there is a photo of this but it is currently stored on a computer i don't have access to. will attach when i can.

i got a lovely red handbag, choccies and a massage voucher as my birthday presents. i did ask myself how one gets to 32 without owning any hand bags. i imagine this will be unimaginable to most women. i'm just not a bag person. i find them unwieldy and generally ugly. particularly the fashion of the last few years that includes lots of tassles, buckles that don't actually buckle, chains, more buckles, etc etc. i do have one bag that is incredibly plain and just black that i keep at work. it nicely fits work files if i have to take one or two to a meeting. so how do i carry all the junk about the women carry? well, i have a nice red back pack that is minimal and can look like a hand bag too. all i carry is my wallet, my keys and my phone. optional items include a water bottle, tissues, lip balm and sun glasses case. i'm beyond make-up; maybe one day again, and with the contraceptive implant i don't have periods so need none of the paraphenalia that goes with that.
having said all this, i really do like the new bag. i'm sure i'll find occasion to use it; and it will probably last me the rest of my life!