Every cloud and all that

[nsd_user663_59305]

Well, Christmas Eve I went to work, then did a little bit of last minute shopping, spent the rest of the afternoon and evening preparing for Christmas and The Dinner, I cooked and carved the goose, made a stock from the giblets then made a gorgeous, velvety gravy etc, etc, etc. Had a quick supper, I was too fooded out to really want to eat then put my feet up for the rest of the evening anticipating a wonderful Christmas Day. It started off ok, I had a couple of lovely pressies from the MIL, then the OH opened his stack of carefully chosen, appropriate pressies while I opened two parcels, each containing an awful top, one which might have fitted when I was ten, the other I could see on a much older lady - Disappointed? I was gutted, the worst bit about it is that the OH usually manages to get it sooooo right, and to be honest I was really expecting something special this year as he's in work (until September he'd been in and out of work, usually out, for the last seven years) and is in a much happier place than he's been in an awfully long time. He went outside for a smoke and I went in the kitchen and sobbed, the cat followed me out and sat there meowing her head off, I thought she was asking for food so I shouted at her for being a selfish moo, but she sat there and did that Prrrrrp noise whilst slow blinking at me, so I picked her up and she cuddled in purring loudly and rubbing her head on my chin and neck. Suddenly it hit me what a selfish, materialistic madam I was being, I have a lovely home, my OH, my animals, my parents, my family ,some wonderful friends and a good job - what on earth was I getting upset about? I dried my eyes, pulled my shoulders back, apologised to the OH for being cow then got on with enjoying the day - we went to my parents yesterday and did Christmas day all over again, I had a marvellous time and only seriously thought about cigs once, and that was when my brother was talking about maybe buying an e-cig and cutting down on the fags, but I didn't want one at all, even when I was feeling really sorry for myself I didn't want a cigarette - just nicer pressies :cool:

[nsd_user663_54332]

Aww 3 cheers for your cat!!

And big well done for feeling like that and not smoking

You're right, we do put so much on material stuff and it makes us miss the really good and important things!!

[nsd_user663_29008]

Cats are great at knowing when you need a bit of comfort and stepped in at the right time - good for you another crave beaten and binned!