Happy Twixmas

I never knew Twixmas existed until I saw it on social media as a hashtag! So what does Twixmas mean to me & what do I do during this ‘in between’ period?

Alt Text: A lightbox positioned on a carpeted floor in front of a real Christmas tree, decorated with baubles, felt toys & paper Cornucopias filled with sweets. The lightbox has a message in black capitals which says “Happy Twixmas.”

My blog is a bit later than planned this month. I got very sick after my last bone infusion – I got Mastoiditis – the best way to describe this is an infection in the large bone behind the ear. It’s a very rare side effect of the Zometa infusion, but you know me, I get all the rare stuff! Luckily I didn’t need any intravenous antibiotics to clear the infection, I just had two weeks of strong penicillin & pain relief instead. I’m still on antibiotic ear drops to clear the last of it up, but it’s still fairly unpleasant. At least it doesn’t feel like I’m being drilled in the head through my ear now!

Before Christmas, it’s always a hive of activity around my flat. Aside from ordering all the food for a mega feast, I make my own Christmas cards & email cards. This year, I also finished off a wooden Advent House that I’d been painting. I decided to fill it with Christmas cracker jokes, wax melts & tree decorations rather than sweets. I saved the sweets for some little paper Cornucopias that I hung on the tree. For the first year, I contacted family & friends to ask if it would be ok if we didn’t buy presents for each other anymore, apart from the kids. Thankfully everyone agreed to this. We’ve made a pledge instead to spend more quality time together which really is a better present to each other. I don’t need anymore ‘stuff’, I want to surround myself with laughter from my loved ones. And what’s the point in bankrupting ourselves at a time when we’re all suffering from the cost of living crisis?

So this Twixmas, I’ve been spending even more time with family & friends than usual. It’s been really relaxing. I’m taking Stephane (my partner) to the Panto – despite living here for 50+ years (he’s French), no one has ever taken him to see a Panto. I’m very excited to see his reaction.

London empties out over Christmas & it always feels like I have London to myself. I love this! Many families in our street have gone to their second homes in the country, lol (I’m lucky that I have a Housing Association – social housing – flat in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea)! I chill out at home, taking advantage of the peace & quiet. This period has always been my time for reflection. I don’t make New Year Resolutions, instead I think about the significant events from the past year & deciding what I might want to do in the next.

But Twixmas has a special meaning for me – I call it my ‘waiting time.’ I’m basically counting down the days to the New Year because on the 2nd January, I turn another year older. That means another exciting year of adventures. It’s always my best day of the year because I genuinely feel grateful to be here.

And speaking of being grateful, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope it brings you peace & comfort.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I’m very humbled by how loving you all are to me.

Stay safe & stay brilliant!

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