Every year I find myself pondering the point of Boxing Day. I guess if you're coupled it's the day you see the other family, but if like me you're not you just end up seeing the same one as the day before, only without the presents. Which is exactly what I did.

In a break with tradition my sister was there too, as her husband was busy laying floors in their extension - and by that I don't mean flooring, I mean actual floors. So the kids came too and the lovely dog.

Today is not a holiday, it's just a Saturday, so life will return to normal, which in reality means all the shops are open. I've no plans. I did have a gentleman caller planned for first thing, but even as I made the arrangements it seemed like a really stupid idea so I cancelled them. I can feel this becoming a recurring theme over the next few days!

Anyway, before I retreat under the covers with a book lets pause to say goodbye to the marvellous Eartha Kitt who died on Christmas Day:

Welcome to the first blog of my forties!

If you think that means things are going to be any different around here you're mistaken! I've always been old for my age, so the aging process has been a good thing for me. And like a lot of men I feel I'm looking better as I get older, never having had the youthful good looks in the first place. And of course us Capricorns are late bloomers anyway. So, the forties - bring it on!

And so to Christmas.

In a break from recent traditions we had Christmas at Mum's this year. It's what she's been wanting to do for years, and with my sister's house turned into a building site and them living in a caravan it was the only option. I went over in the morning and spent a couple of hours helping get things ready, then my sister turned up with the kids and there was a frenzy of gift giving, followed by way too much dinner. The after yet more washing up we all slumped into armchairs and watched my sister get quite giddy playing some Wii game that involved jumping cows. Chocolates were passed around until the kids started complaining they felt sick, and mid-evening we all went our separate ways.

So how was it? Well it was lovely, but there was also a slight sense of anticlimax. There was bound to be: people had been talking about Christmas since September, and about my birthday since the last one - no day can live up to that much anticipation! But everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and there were no tears, and you really can't ask for more than that can you!

Unexpectedly, as I was doing the first of the piles of washing up, it occurred to me that it was the first time we'd had Christmas in Mum's house since Dad died. For the last couple of years he was alive we'd been going to my sister's, as it was easier to move adults round the county than small children, a tradition which had kept going. So just when I was convinced all the 'firsts' were out of the way I found myself standing at the sink trying not to cry. Mince pies helped me though it, but it did take the edge off the day somewhat.

Anyway, onto more important things: did you see Doctor Who? Inevitably it was much hyped so I was very keen to see it, and the fact that David Tennant is leaving and the episode was called The Next Doctor added to the excitement. And yet just like Christmas itself it was something of an anti-climax, as these Christmas shows often are. Let's not even talk about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special...

And today's plan? The same as yesterday but without gifts or children. Have a good one! XXX

Last night I celebrated my impending birthday with a small group of my favourite people. We went to a lovely restaurant in town and had a gorgeous me, and despite telling them otherwise they showered me with gorgeous gifts. It was a lovely evening, thank you all for joining me, I love you all! XXX

This morning I have been to work, although by that I really mean I sat in the office and spent most of the time on the internet. I'm finished work until the 5th January, and it feels great!

And finally,

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! xxxx

This is me at the work Christmas meal, shortly after I'd been surprised with a card, gift and a chorus of Happy Birthday. I look a bit serious don't I, which is a combination of having drunk too much to be able to read properly and being a little bit moved and frightened there would be tears!

I did my usual thing - I went reluctantly and ended up staying in the pub till midnight, stumbling home having had way too much to drink and really enjoying it! I thought I'd taken it easy drinks-wise, but then I tried to count up how much I'd had and realised I had no idea, which clearly isn't taking it easy at all!

The meal itself was at the Thai restaurant in town, which is lovely but expensive so I only get to go when someone else is paying! As always the food was gorgeous.

Somehow during the course of the evening I managed to rekindle a crush I had on our IT man, who has been working out madly to get over his second failed marriage and is looking very good on it. He's always happy and smiley and always asks people to marry him when he gets drunk. And he's straight. Oh well.

Today I've mostly been battling with a hangover, which as gone now which is handy as the drinking is about to begin all over again!

I seem to have slipped into a holiday mood a little too quickly this year because although I had loads to do today I've buggered about so much I've got almost nothing done! Aah well. I spent a pleasant two hours making paperchains and watching Rufus do Judy. Unfortunately the paperchains are too heavy for blutack and I have no drawing pins so they're piled in a chair, which isn't quite the festive look I was going for! The list of things I still need to do is longer than I would have liked but I'm abandoning it and devoting the week to pleasure.

Last night I took presents to Ema & Alan's children, which is always the official start of Christmas. Luckily we've cut down on the adult presents but I still came home with a pair of lovely cushions that their eldest child had made for me! We ended up going out to Frankie & Bennys to eat, which turned out to be great - a big burger, a great sundae for afters - the back to there's to sit in front of the TV and watched Enchanted, which was surprisingly Christmas without actually being about Christmas at all! It was a lovely evening!