Xmas Do 2023

Hi,

For Yours Truly here, the festive break starts today. Due to child care needs, and having had fewer long holidays this year, I’ve got days off to be used up. So, that’s me done until the New Year. A very pleasant way to spend the last few weeks of December. I feel rather lucky in that. The Ever Lovely Mrs J is still going in as she’s got things to finish off. Likewise, Child 2.0 hasn’t finished this term yet. Only a few more sleeps to go, though!

To use a modern phrase, it feels very much like a gift of time. Not just time away from the hamster wheel of the typical weekday, but with that, the freedom that comes from not being ‘against the clock’. The feeling that you’ve got to be somewhere for something. Instead, you can downshift and start to rush less. Sway with the wind rather than be pushed through the storm.

Mx McSneezeFace

Talking of having to roll with it, earlier this week I was off sick. Nothing life threatening (thankfully!), but a rather unpleasant cold that knocked me flat.

The Ever Lovely Mrs J suggested on Monday that staying off work might be a good idea – she’s wise and kind ❤️ – and yet I found myself thinking: yeah, but it’s just a cold…

But, back from the morning school run and feeling decidedly rougher, I called in sick. Cue a very long sleep until lunchtime and another in the afternoon, while my body fought the infection. Same again on Tuesday as well.

I guess it’s a gentle reminder that sometimes health – physical and mental – need to come first. That, and sometimes, the best option is to get comfy, give things time, and see how it goes, rather than ploughing on regardless.

Be prepared!

I’d read somewhere that prepping has become a thing of folk stocking up for whatever near future End Times event arrives. Maybe I’ve not got the hang on it, as my prepping consisted of checking in on the group’s Xmas Do catering status and my Christmas party outfit needs 😉

I’d had a try on of two new red dresses (XL and XXL) but they just didn’t sit right. So they will be returned later this week. Lovely colour, yet not great material or fit. Then again, maybe hoping an unknown brand might fit by bloke frame is a Christmas wish too far 😉

Size 18 and it fits women of all shapes and heights? Bah! Humbug! 😁

It seems my body has changed shape over the years and my much loved Desigual dress that Mrs J bought me, is heading to the that’s a bit snug 😬 part of the wardrobe. So that was a no. There was last year’s number and a black lace dress with a sweetheart neckline that was also an option. Both of those went on to the wardrobe door of possibilities.

Cue Thursday morning and I thought I’d try the newly arrived black dress from Roman and give my old corset a go to improve my shape. Unfortunately, I mistimed things and had to throw on a hoody to attend an online meeting. Well, sitting in a corset certainly helps your posture 🙂

After the call, the Ever Lovely Mrs J arrived home and, bless her, she’d caught the lurgy as well. 😔 Cue a long hug, offers of hot drinks, and ‘just go to bed, lovely!‘.

As we hugged she asked ‘Are you wearing a corset for your back?’ and then we both chuckled as Mrs J rethought things. “You don’t have a bad back. Are you testing things for Thursday already?” she teased.

I was glad she saw the funny side of things and decades back, this would have felt like a ‘nightmare moment’. Instead, it was shared humour and rather lovely. ❤️

The night itself

Shoes and spare shoes? Check.

Dresses one, two, and three? Check.

Two long sleeve tops? Check.

Wig? Check and double check

Sandal tights plus emergency pair? Check.

Make-up bags and remover? Check.

Freshly showered and moisturised? Check.

Loving the sparkly red toes? Check

Jewellery? Check

We are go for launch…. 👍

Ah, Houston, we have a problem: the ring road is blocked due to a traffic incident.

Don’t panic, Jones. Look out of the window and you’ll see police are clearing the cars. There’s no ambulance , so everyone’s okay. Remember your Big Girl Pants training…. and breathe.

Party night

So, despite traffic issues and illness at the start of the week, I’ve made it in. Cosmetic cement applied, shapewear slipped into, and luckily no Isobel was harmed as I nearly fell off my new heels 🤭 That made me rethink and go back to my trusted nude heeled sandals.

They’ll be fine. I’ll be sat down most of the night, right? Oops 😁

I had a brief chat with a new member and a long hug, as she was struggling (understandably so) with a recent death this year, bless her. D gave me an idea for something in the new year, maybe a make-up class for beginners? But we’ll see what the interest is.

Isobel – fresh from dodging the Threat of the Stumbling Organising Doofus (that would be me! 😁) – kindly helped out by shuffling the chairs and tables around (thanks Mrs). If you’re lucky, Izzy will post a snap of her outfit and kickass boots.

Val arrived looking very classy – and I’d expect no less – and with food as well, bless her.

Just a quick mo to double check my lippy and outfit…. Oh, a bathroom mirror? Well, isn’t it The Rules of T that require a quick snap? 😉 Gah, who uses a digital camera nowadays? 🙂

The group has started to arrive and it was great to see our new folk, regulars, and some absent friends, so to speak. The curse of shifts and real life often get in the way, so people don’t always get to meeting.

Someone had tweaked the lights and set up Christmas music as well, bless ’em. Given the last of the food brought in, we were ready to start. Much conversation and shared laughter was had, as we moved between seats, the food table, and drinks by the kitchenette.

I dropped off an Xmas/thank you card plus gift for our friendly Community Centre Manager. S had done the same and in her card, as well as writing something very touching, S mentioned she would be retiring in the new year. I shall miss her: not only for her humour, but her continued allyship and all round awesomeness. I’m thinking flowers and a card are in order.

Back to the night, we had a few late arrivals – which is fine – so numbers increased a little. Luckily, there were just enough chocolates in the box S had gifted us, for everyone to have one. Sharing is caring 💜

Wrapping up

We had a quick tidy up – yes, I remembered bin bags this year! – and the unused paper plates and wooden cutlery went back in the cupboard. We had a few bottles of pop left over that got regifted and food wise, we didn’t have any waste, so a happy coincidence on planning.

Someone had brought along a balloon with Merry Christmas Girls on it, so a few folk had pictures taken with that. Oh, talking of photos, here’s the full outfit (thanks for the snap, Val). The dress is sleeveless and being somewhat pale (and conscious of my shoulders), I went with a kimono shrug to avoid worrying about things.

Despite losing my lipstick due to the meal, dare I say I felt happy with how the outfit et al turned out? That’s a rather lovely feeling to close the night on.

As folk started to filter out into the night, there was time for a quick snap sans wrap. Maybe if I’d had a little more time, I could’ve applied a bit of coloured body moisturiser, but hey, who knows if that might have turned a bit blotchy or Tango Terror.

With everything packed away and everyone gone home, it was up Val and I to do a quick check of the building and lockup. We had a further chat by the cars as I took my nail polish off, which was a really nice way to close the evening.

Just a case of hanging my party clothes back upstairs and deprincessing the spare room, ready for when our eldest visits home.

Jeez, I hope I’ve got enough space upstairs for all those shoes…. 😁

L x