Christmas wishes

EARLIER this week, I was dazzled as the sun hit a 'Santa Stop Here' sign that almost sent me off the road.

It's bizarre the way Aussies insist on putting up their exterior Christmas lights throughout this summer festive season. By the time it goes dark enough to switch them off, it's time for bed. But this year, it feels a lot more like Christmas.

I was a tad disappointed last year - there were no festive songs in the shops. There were no festive songs on the radio. In fact, Christmas Day could have come and gone without me noticing it - only for the children giving us a daily reminder on how many hours left they had to wait before Santa's visit.

This year, however, it's different. The lead up to the main event is still a little downsized compared to what we know from our times in the UK but I'm not sure whether it's me getting used to things or if everyone has cranked up a gear into getting into the spirit of things.

Either way, I'm happy. And if husband manages to get hold of a CD that features "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues, he'll be smiling too. Christmas just aint Christmas without the bittersweet and harsh lyrics of Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl.

So all that it remains for me to say is a big massive "Happy Christmas" and a Happy Aussie New Year from us Down Under. I promise not to feed the Big Fella too much Sherry seeing as though he comes here first... can't having him falling off his sleigh before his journey north now, can we??!

Sunshine n Sleigh Bells

IT'S getting easier, this Christmas in the sun thing. No more do I enjoy a 'cool yule'.

And I've been getting some funny looks this arvo, as I drive to work in my Ute with the windows down and the sounds of Wizzard blasting out from the stereo. As Roy Wood croons out how he wishes it could be Christmas every day, I feel as if it is.

I love living on the peninsula. Every day I have to remind myself how lucky we are to have been given the opportunity to move out here. The bay views. The colourful and quirky beach huts. The social life. Oh my word. The social life. I'm craving a quiet night in but in the days leading upto the main event, it aint going to happen.

I'm working shifts galore with start times varying from 7am on Sunday mornings right through to midweek lates that see me get home at 10.45pm. The early rising on weekend morns plays absolute havoc with my alcohol intake the night before, as in not enough, and the late finishes mean I miss out on any social events that have been planned.

I really have to get myself sorted with a more family friendly job. Husband seems to think I'd be better off full time in an office job than having two part time jobs with the obscure hours that one of them attracts.

I've come round to his way of thinking so am on the lookout for such like. But am in no immediate hurry, I'll just bide my time until the perfect little number presents itself to me. Maybe I'll get the winning scratchie on Christmas morning and won't have to worry about meeting the mortgage repayments ever again but for now, on the lookout I am.