Once the snow and ice had cleared from the streets and peoples minds, it was down to the business of shopping and prepping for the festive season. The rotten Irish economic crisis seemed to rightly take a back seat for a while, and so far not a mention, leaving people free to think of more positive times ahead. Although on reflection I'm not sure the stress of Christmas can have such a positive effect on either the mind or the body. Money is tight and wallets are light, or so they say..
For me it was about enjoying overdue family time. It's been many years since I was home last and I was determined to make the most of it. Dinner on the day was here at Mum and Dad's, joined by my sisters Ann and Louise and there trend crazed sons, Chris and Aaron. 'Youngsters now-a-days', as my parents would have once remarked! Seems it will be a never ending chant for every generation as years role by. Of course it was nice to have them all there, that's was Christmas is all about right.. Family and getting together, sweet..
Towards the end of the day and once the washing up was done, they all left for their respective dwellings. The folks and I made for the Christmas gifts and started the ritual unwrapping. Not going into detail, but I wasn't disappointed with my gifts, nor was anyone else. It was a quiet relaxing day, an open fire and some less than quality viewing on the TV. No surprises there..
In any case it passed much like any other day of the week, except for Sundays, they for some reason have always been weird. Maybe because as a child it was Sunday Mass, then dinner. Nothing much else happened, it was literally accepted as a day of rest, damn Christians..
Boxing day, or St. Stephens day in the Republic of Ireland, seemed to drag on without too much fuss until later that evening I started feeling out of sorts. Initially blaming Chris as he was sick on Christmas day, it wasn't until the next that the flu really hit me. Now this was something of a surprise and shock as I don't do sick very well. Especially after having already been a bit 'fluie' about a month before. But oh no, this was going to and did knock the crap right out of me.. Even today I am only getting over it, and that's after a house call from the doctor, a course of anti-biotics, which I HATE having to take and of course dosing up on multi-vitamins. Yeah poor me!! Sick as a small hospital, but tended and cared for by my mum, just what ever son wants when they are ill.
But with a chest still full of yucky stuck to cough up I will come back stronger and better for it, after all, 'what doesn't kill us, yaddy yaddy ya', you get the picture.
Esther even made a special trip up here to 'Norn Iron' to see me, and mum & dad before heading back to ring in the new year and keep ringing it in until 3am. She has stamina that girl. But it was great to see her as it had been days due to my illness.
But now the new year is here, 2011, it will be both easier to say and write, should ever a thing in this computing age need be done. I mean who writes stuff anymore! Damn shame I say, for letter writing was always a huge highlight for me, especially when I first started travelled and needed to inform the parents of my where abouts, which when they got it was too late as I would have usually moved on and needed to do it again.
2011, only one more year until the end of the world, I think? So is it worth make resolutions? Does anyone really keep them or is it just the feel good for a month factor before old habits creep back in? Me not so sure, said in my best Yoda voice. No, none for me. Just another year that will only get better if that's what I really want. Ah sure I will see how it goes and try my best to do what I always do, and that's make everyday day great..
I do on the other hand have a few missions at hand that need completing before they self destruct.
Build up the Merlin frame and get it road worthy. I bought a Fatty Ultra Headshok just before Christmas and am now ready to piece the beast back to it's former glory, or close it just now. Really looking forward to that.
Also need to focus more on getting my business running here in Ireland, rope in some clients and start to help make a positive change in their lives. Nervous, but really looking forward to that as well.
Ummm. Need to find a place of our own so we can empty the storage unit and have some breathing space again, get back into our routine of biking and fitness, healthy eating and spending some well needed and deserved quality time together, sweet as.