Cards a-go go

Who'd have thought writing out a few Xmas cards would take so bloody long? Have used up all of Lucy's homemade ones, so it'll have to be the breast cancer charity ones next. Realised that I'd forgotten to get a parcel sorted for Gavin and Anita, may have to send a New Year's something instead. Hopefully haven't over-looked anyone else.

Was so exhausted this morning, after sorting out Billy's bad case of diarrhea, and getting Lucy up and off to school, I ended up going back to bed 'til 10.30am. How slack is that?! Meant that half the day had virtually gone by the time I headed out the door on a card delivery mission, and to the library to borrow books, story tapes, and DVDs. Bumped into Terry on the way home, says he has to go to hospital tomorrow to have tests done on a lymphoma on his neck? May need admitting for it to be drained, which will stuff up his Christmas, that's for sure. Did look really swollen, and quite red in places. I guess it could be serious. Might do a bit of internet research to see what I can come up with.

Now that the video's all plugged in and working, Billy fished down one of our old tapes – the one of Eddie and Rosie, taken by the Fernihoughs the week before we skipped Oz. Eddie such a scrawny thing, with the most ridiculous squeaky little voice, and a really vile Aussie accent. Wonder what our lives would be like now if we'd stayed living down under? Life can be so strange.

Working at the Acorn tonight – Jazz Christmas party. I'll probably end up eating too many nibbles as usual. May have to take pen and paper, write a newsy letter to me Ma seeing as we got one from her today. Looks like she's settling in ok.

Confirmed with Simon that we'll be accepting his kind offer to spend Xmas dinner at his. Will be a treat not to have to cook, and hopefully won't turn into a drunken debacle. Saves me from feeling left out because Graham'll be going to his folks place, and I'm not invited as his girlfriend. Typical. Will see if he wants to join us at Simon's though, if he fancies it.

Better get cracking – need to be at the Acorn in ten. Have to remember to get some electric – had a mad moment earlier, when the house was plunged into darkness, I couldn't find the key thing, then Simon rang, and Wendy turned up at the door. All this, right at the point when I was frantically trying to get Lucy's food ready so that she could get off to gymnastics. Chaos central it were.

Even more bad mothery than usual, as will have to abandon Billy whose been ill in bed all day. Stopped vomiting this morning, but suffering from the shits now instead. Hope he'll be alright. May have to leave the bleach out handy, just in case.

'All of me', 'Paper Moon', 'Crying Mood', here I come.