As a miserable, cynical adult, I normally hate Christmas. I'm not religious, so to me it was always just a hassle. Endless traipsing round overcrowded shops, trying to find something half decent to get various friends and family members. Tedious, and stressful. Though not so this year. To be fair, with regard to presents I was a little more organised than previous years. I only have the toddler to purchase presents for still. And that's purely because I have no idea what to get her, having used up all ideas on her birthday last month. Hmm. Not so good, and slightly stressful, but not the end of the world. I shall find something. And there it is, that unfamiliar optimism creeping through. Strange sensation.
To be frank, I suspect what has changed is the fact that the toddler is now of an age that Christmas is something she finds exciting. All our neighbours have lights, decorations, and Christmas trees up. They're also making a deal of it on CBeebies. It's so sweet seeing her so excited about our tree going up in the lounge, her little eyes lighting up when she helped decorate the thing. And of course, now she understands what I mean when I say she'll get some presents. And the toddler loves presents. She told me so on her birthday. Bless her. And so she eagerly awaits Christmas Day, while I look forward to a day of eating my Dad's cooking while watching the toddler rip into her presents. Of course we'll be off to my parents for Christmas dinner. It'd be miserable if it was just the two of us.
But of course, I cannot forget The Family. She has to see them as well. It's only fair of course. That's assuming they can be bothered to turn up. Though they managed for her birthday this year, so maybe it'll be different Christmas too. For her sake I hope so. Unless the sullen cousin tries to spoil it again. Hmm. I anticipate much fun there.
But aside from my renewed sense of Christmas spirit, I have been feeling positive this past week for other reasons. Without meaning to enjoy the misery of others, I couldn't help but smile when told that someone had slashed the tyres on Psycho's car. It seems I'm not the only person who can't stand the bloke. Haha. Good on 'em I say. Now he has to fork out for new tyres. As well as all the parking fines, because he won't put his parking permit in his car. He lives in a disk zone you see. But it's all part of his battle with the council or something. Hmm. Not that he pays the parking fines, hence the bailiffs. Not forgetting the outstanding council tax as well. Idiot.
So, aside from my nice family Christmas, and the toddler's other one, I am also looking forward to hooking up with friends back in the city. I must confess that I'm almost looking forward to seeing the city again as much as my friends. I always was more of a city girl though. I like the anonimity, and the shops. We've barely anything decent here, and what shops we do have are tiny. Most of what we have here are cheap, tacky shops. Grimness. But I shall be glad to see all my friends again, while escaping the toddler. As much as I love her, I do need to escape every now and again, so that I can just be myself. I know a couple of mothers who are all about the kids. I'd never want to lose who I am. And so to the city I'll go, to eat out and have a few drinks with friends. Before catching a train back to this dump. And what fun I shall have, while the toddler torments her grandparents.
And so, for once I actually look forward to Christmas. It's been a good year so far. Mostly anyway. And so I wonder what the next shall bring. Hopefully the ex shall meet someone else, and get off my back as a result. Maybe Psycho will get struck by lightning. Maybe The Family shall learn to put others first. Or maybe it'll just be more of the same. But either way, it can't be that bad. I hope.
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