What was to be our first family Christmas dinner alone was somewhat spoiled by both Alison and myself having flu. I spent Christmas Eve feeling feverish and Alison awoke during the night with sickness and diarrhoea and had to phone in sick at work - something that she was loathe to do as she felt that they wouldn't believe her. Rather than feeling self pity we gathered ourselves enough to ensure Bethany enjoyed herself although she seemed a little confused by all the proceedings and was as happy to play with the wrapping paper or the bows on other peoples presents. The sore throat and achey joints I can cope with but what is really annoying is being off my food and most things that I do manage to eat tasting of cardboard. The fridge appears to be tormenting me by still being stuffed to bursting with rich goodies that give me indigestion just looking at them.
   Bethany seemed to enjoy visiting other people more than anything else as it allowed her free rein to run around in newish surroundings as we were able to pop out to exchange presents and she particularly enjoyed playing with Joshua again although Nathan is a bit more wary of her. This may be due to her running around without due care and occasionally falling into him and him not able to get out her path in time.
   When we got home and put Bethany to bed I thought I would brave alcohol and got a beer which was fine but the medicinal whiskey afterwards proved a bit much and was still there when I woke up on the couch a couple of hours later whilst listening to the cricket. I might try wine after beer tonight.
   The mistake I made when ordering presents online worked out well in the end. Alison said that she would like some charms for her bracelet and I ordered a couple from Amazon - a seasonal snowman was fine and would thread through her Pandora bracelet nicely, however the fairy was a clip on type and after cursing myself and thinking how to send it back I thought of buying Alison the appropriate bracelet for that charm. My logic that her other bracelet was fairly full and this would offer some variety proved successful although I did confess the real reason behind the purchase and of some other charms so that the fairy did not look out of place on its own.