Just ran into him (fully clothed) when we took the children out to see fireworks. He yelled "Happy New Year, I am drunk" as he raced past us to his house. It's totally a Hallmark film.

One year ago we spent the afternoon together. We drank fancy gin and made plans for shenanigans. We were going to drink wine coolers and watch "the boombox movie". The last thing you said to me was "Love you". @agnesgraye.bsky.social miss you, love you, someone left it on the porch

Am I able to nominate myself at this late stage for word of the year?

Miss 9 has two friends for a sleepover tonight. This may get interesting.

Still awake. Got caught up in a Reddit post about glioblastoma. Was cathartic. #fuckcancer

Miss 9 is still asleep. She did not sleep well the 3 nights we were away (as evidenced by her midnight hanging decorations on all of the door handles and creating artworks and actually helpfully packing her bag the night before we left). Hopefully we'll get back to normal before theatre camp!

Managed to unload the car, nip to the dairy for bread and milk, heat up a pie and pour a gin just in time for the thunder.

Yesterday in a nutshell

Children are watching K-pop Demon Hunters. Grownups are drinking wine outside. Ideal Boxing Day situation.

Baked salmon, minty buttery new potatoes and asparagus consumed before I took a picture. Salmon may feature at every meal for a while and I am making gravlax with some.

Lunch going in the oven.

I has a @mattyangel.com in the house!

Oh the serenity (children are all inside assembling various gifts)

Starting off Christmas with a virtuous grape and orange fruit drink. Yes it's a mimosa.

There should be Love Actually screenings with audience participation like Rocky Horror

Whenever I get gloomy about the state of the world I watch Love Actually.

We have repaired to the countryside* for the festive season. The luggage is unpacked, the children are in the pool and wine is being served on the terrace. *Outer suburbs but I've watched all of Downton Abbey recently, can you tell?

Love our Mushroom Neighbours a lot. Will drop off the already planned gifts for them before we leave for a few days.

Awesome, period arrived late so I'll have the worst of it on Christmas Day. Brings a whole new meaning to Krampus.

Miss 9 got up at 3am (unbeknownst to me) and has been painstakingly creating this work of art for her brother.

I can't be arsed going to fetch out suitcases from the attic for our Christmas trip away (2-3 nights) so we're going to be super posh and use reusable shopping bags. All matching, just like Downton Abbey.

Made cheesecake for @mattyangel.com birthday

Christmas party at my local this afternoon and completely lost it when a guy popped his sunglasses on his head as he walked in followed by his son (4-5ish) doing the same.

It's the locals Christmas party.

Cookies! For one of three events we have before Christmas.

Thank you Secret Santa! The Triceratops is amazing and the salad mix will be amazing for the theatre camp I'm volunteering for! #SecretSantaAoNZ

I'm officially done. Here are my mostly Hallmark Christmas stats. #SecretSantaAoNZ

Who's staying up until midnight for opening? #SecretsantaAoNZ

Hmm... daughter's school website says full day tomorrow, a hub newsletter says half day. Getting a bit annoyed at communication, this is not the first time there's been a contradiction.

Managed to shut my fingernail in the front door this morning and the pain is argh. Base of nail is already turning a lovely deep purple shade which won't show up in a photograph yet.

Most epic school photo ever?

Miss 9 singing "Deck the Halls with BOWELS of Holly" just now reminded me of last year when I finally learnt "Do they know it's Christmas" is "feed the world", not "FEVER world"

Help! Seven slots to fill by midnight on Miss 9's shirt for theatre camp fundraiser. Just $5 for a 16 character name or message.

Would anyone know where I could get a desk that changes from a sitting desk to a standing desk for a reasonable price? Mr 14 rarely asks for anything and I'd love to get him one but with his illnesses I haven't been able to work much this year.

Today is @agnesgraye.bsky.social birthday. I miss her more than I can describe. Going to watch Practical Magic with margaritas and probably cry a lot.

The $1 $2 $3 slots are still available if you'd like your name/pets name or business name on a shirt ❤️

Asked Miss 9 to pack her bag (from a list) for a school trip tomorrow. Togs, towel, wetbag, jersey, water bottle, sunscreen plus getting clothes ready for the morning. It took her an hour and a half.

Continuing my Epic Christmas Film Watch...#39 is Tinsel Town which I'm actually enjoying.

My #SecretSantaAoNZ gift has arrived!

Two of my friends have bought a slot purely to have their cats names on a shirt and now I'm thinking it'd be awesome to have all the slots filled with pets names 🤣

I know everything is expensive right now... fundraising for theatre camp for Miss 9 if anyone wants to advertise/put a supportive message in it would be greatly appreciated xx events.humanitix.com/gyb-matilda

The local mall has a pet Santa photo day and there's a child in the line with a chicken.

This week's school bell is "Aotearoa Christmas" which is a lovely song and more importantly not Wham.

Did it. Apologies for my terrible singing. vt.tiktok.com/ZSfKnqc6a/

Welp, Miss 9 has refused to sing the #ponytailgate song I made up on the fly years ago unless I sing it with her so look forward to some screeching shortly.

The most gorgeous little puppy appeared up our driveway just now with no collar. I asked it where home was and it showed me the house two doors down but seemed a bit dubious... knocked on the open door and called out and a moist man wearing a tiny towel appeared and thanked me.

At @seawall.bsky.social for her childlings birthday party. Balloon swordfighting and piñata destroying ensued. Brilliant afternoon!

I've managed to outsource a lot of the vacuuming and all of the mopping for tomorrows inspection to Miss 9, who is desperate to earn money for reasons she won't disclose.

We've got a flat inspection on Thursday and I'm very unenthusiastic about cleaning but giving the childlings a packet of wipes has resulted in sparkling skirting boards and light switches.