I’ll be glad when everything gets back to normal because I’m really not enjoying the holiday season this year. Nothing bad has happened; I’m just struggling to feel the spirit this year. I thought it was just me who hated New Year but a lot of people at work are feeling the same way. Maybe it’s because 2009 is going to be a worrying year financially for a lot of people and if the downtrend continues, my town high street is going to look like one of those deserted towns you see in westerns with the tumbleweed.

When I finished work on Wednesday, I headed into town and was dismayed by all the closing down posters in the windows. I had a bit of a pang when I passed the empty Woolworths unit, even the shelves have gone. I will be totally devastated if anything happens to my beloved Boots. Yeah, some people get attached to trendy boutique and the rest of us get addicted to chemists! Not that Boots can really be called just a chemist these days. I had a look at the sales but there wasn’t really anything I wanted so opted for the 3 for 2 special on No 7. Actually, I got nearly £40 worth of stuff for free because I used my Advantage card points. That’s why I love Boots! Best card ever!

I have vouchers for HMV but the shop was heaving with people so I decided to skip it and spend them later. Not sure what I’m going to buy yet. I bought another calendar for half price so I have the studly Jon Bon Jovi on one wall and the ever cute Anne Geddes babies on another.

I also bought a new pair of shoes in M & S after searching for ages for two the same size. It’s happened to me several times in that shop so I’ve come to the conclusion that people with different size feet buy their shoes from there. I also spent a good ten minutes hunting for the hosiery section, why do they have to keep moving everything? I actually hate wearing tights and tend to buy a size up in shoes so I can wear socks but they usually stretch so much, I have to buy insoles. So, I’m testing out the ankle sock equivalent of opaque tights. Woo, glamorous!

Today, the big plan was to go online and access the new records on Scotland’s People but they have upset that by not having them there. I have a mystery waiting to be resolved. I guess it will have to wait another day or two.

I guess it is that time of year again - the big review of the year! I was reading over last year’s review and this is going be quite repetitive in that nothing much as changed. Jeez, I’m boring.

Work: We had a lot of policy changes this year and we are still getting busier which is reassuring and also worrying. Reassuring because we have secure jobs unlike some at the moment but worrying because I don’t think enough changes are being implemented to cover all the extra work. We are recruiting more staff but there are still those who are cruising through the day which is creating a bad atmosphere. I’m trying not to let things get to me as much and that will be my main focus for 2009 but it is so incredibly difficult.

Family: The big shocker of the year was my brother taking his wife back after a two year separation and the whole family moving closer to us again. My SIL behaves like nothing ever happened and we’re doing our best not to ruffle any feathers but I’m not convinced she really wants us to be part of her family and that hurts.

Personal: Boring as ever! LOL! My plans to move never materialised because the pay deal is still being negotiated and I’m stuck in a rut until it is all sorted out. The annoying thing is the tax man will get a large chunk from anything they give us because it will be backdated until Sept 2008.

I managed to get to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as stated and it stayed dry for us. I wish I could say the same for the Bon Jovi concert as that 3 mile walk back in the rain is still memorable! It was a fantastic night though and I’m really hoping I’ll get to see them again.

Internet: It’s been pretty much status quo as far as the internet goes. My sites are still going strong and I do my best to keep them looking fresh. I’m sure MCO is probably about ten years old but I can’t remember the exact date I registered the domain name. It’s frustrating not getting any feedback from the registered members (would it kill you to comment, people?) but I have a small group of friends over there who are my regulars and they make it all worthwhile.

Geekiness: I managed to resist buying an iPhone and I still think it was the right decision in light of the continuous problems and expense. I did buy myself an iPod Touch though and am more than happy with that. I purchased a MobileMe account which keeps my Mac and Touch all happily synced. I haven’t experienced any problems with it so far which is surprising since I’ve heard a lot of stories saying otherwise.

Fandoms: The whole VirginMedia/Sky One feud has been resolved and I get to watch the new seasons. Yay! Not that it mattered because I set myself up with a US iTunes account which let me see the shows I was missing. I totally love Prison Break which was a new discovery for me courtesy of Blockbuster rentals. I loved it so much I bought my own copies! I’ve also rediscovered LOST but I freely admit I only watch it to drool over Josh Holloway; the storylines still annoy the hell out of me though. I haven’t got into any of the newer shows this year which is worrying since most of my favourites are due to end this year.

2009: My cousin is getting married at the end of January so that requires making an effort to dress up which is so not me. I’m not looking forward to it as there are more than 200 guests and I’m not comfortable with large crowds of strangers. I intend hiding behind my camera so expect lots of kilts on my Flickr account.

I have Nickelback tickets for May and hope to be adding a few theatre dates to the calendar as well, hopefully one being The Witches of Eastwick with Marti Pellow before it hits the West End. I’m also hoping I’ll be able to participate in some of the Homecoming 2009 events depending on where they are and when they are.

And, maybe, that move may just happen this year!

Hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas. View my card here

Everyone seems to be sick at work just now. I’m still full of the cold so I’m staying away from more germs!

I had a hellish day yesterday with an almost migraine that I managed to catch in time but I felt pretty crap most of the day anyway. The sky was really black most of yesterday and that explains the headache. The magnesium tablets haven’t helped although I’m not convinced I had the proper ones.

So, I spent the day catching up with S4 of Lost so that I’m ready for the new season in January. Parts of the show still irritate me to death. I mean, what the hell goes through Kate’s head? She still can’t choose between Jack and Sawyer. Gimme a break! Sawyer! Sawyer! The man is beautiful! I’m also still hooked on Prison Break which is hanging in there despite the low ratings and I’m so grateful Fox are seeing it through to the end for a change. There’s nothing worse than having a show axed before it has reached its conclusion. Ratings are PITA.

I’ve never been one for wearing loads of cosmetics and I much prefer the natural look so it was very strange to find myself perusing cosmetic websites over the past week. I guess I’m feeling some discontent with how I look. I really don’t dress up because I never had the money to stay fashionable and now that I do, I’m not happy with my shape. I want to lose some weight but seem to lack the willpower and I’m always tired which makes me a couch potato.

So, I’m taking small steps to brighten myself up a bit. I actually have quite good skin which makes me look a lot younger than I am but as I said I’ve never been much for make up. Make up counters in shops intimidate the hell out of me!

My biggest problem is dark circles around the eye area and I’ve been trying loads of different concealers trying to camouflage them but I’m having no luck. I bought Benefit’s Bo-ing concealer but while it is a good concealer, it actually seems too heavy around the eyes for me. So, armed with my Advantage card, I headed into my favourite shop, Boots, and headed for the No 7 counter. I was in luck - no sales assistants caught me in their radar so I was able to browse at my leisure.

I bought some foundation from the Intelligent range which I have used before because it has a light, velvety texture which is easy to apply. I also bought Radiance Concealer which is their version of the more expense YSL Touch Eclat. It goes on smoothly and it a lot lighter than the Benefit stuff. I’m still seeing circles but I think I need to learn how to apply it properly. Since I was spending more than £18, I got a free clutch bag full of No 7 goodies and I’ve been playing with them the past few days.

I can’t remember the last time I applied mascara so I had a go with the sample in the bag. I actually quite like it and doesn’t feel all sticky. I’m a contact lens wearer so a comfortable and safe mascara is essential. I have naturally long lashes but they get very light at the tips so they look like spider legs when I apply mascara! I didn’t even try the green eyeliner. I can never apply this stuff without making a mess and it is way too finicky for me.

The real treasures in the bag though were the free samples of Protect and Perfect Serum and Day Cream. Last year, the Horizon show on the BBC did research into a lot of different anti-age creams, some over a £100, and they discovered that none of them did what they claim and were a waste of money. However, their research did come out in favour of the P & P range at Boots, saying it actually worked and it cost less than £20. The following day, the serum started to fly off the shelves at Boots and they couldn’t keep up with the demand! So, I tried the serum last night and was very impressed with how it made my skin feel like satin. It takes about 4 - 6 weeks to see any great benefit on wrinkles but I don’t have too many of them to worry about just now, except around the dreaded eye area. Fingers crossed it helps!

And, no, Boots aren’t paying me to put all these product links in my blog!

My free week is over and it has been bliss. No stress, no headaches. It’s actually felt like quite a long week which makes a change because usually they fly by. Maybe it is because I’ve been so busy on Christmas stuff. I don’t mind going back so much because I don’t have any full weeks until the New Year and I’m so determined not to let things get to me so much. I don’t get paid to worry about half the stuff I worry about anyway.

Yesterday, we headed to Ayrshire to check on the caravan which has been closed up for the winter. My mum wanted to check on some repairs and change the dishes of salt which collect the dampness. The caravan park was totally empty of people and it felt kind of eerie. The caravan itself was also really, really cold since it has been lying empty and the power is disconnected. We didn’t stay for long, thank goodness, because it was getting really windy by the sea. I always feel like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards when I’ve been down there. Forget doing anything with you hair!

Afterwards, we headed into Glasgow for a wander around the shops and of course it was pouring with rain by this time. There were a lot of shops having special sales but they were remarkably quiet considering it was a Friday.

Once we were home, I curled up and watched The Dark Knight on DVD. I love Christian Bale. The lights kept flickering though and I was expecting a power cut but thankfully, it didn’t happen.

Ah, well, wrapping up here I come.