Christmas Eve I asked my husband (not yet ex) whether he’d like to come and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with me in town. I’ve never seen it, but everyone tells me its a wonderful film. He was busy preparing for Christmas Day (he’s a perfectionist and a faffer, so he’s best left to do what he must).

I went on my own.

And it is indeed a wonderful film. Its a long time since I have been in a movie theatre and the audience has applauded.

When I got home, I boiled up some mulled wine, which I make in the same way every year because ritual matters (a Mrs Beaton recipe):

• 2 Oranges, sliced
• Half a dozen cloves
• A whole nutmeg
• A cinnamon stick
• A star anise
• A bottle of red wine (75cl)
• 75cl water
• 150g of brown sugar (demerara or any soft brown variety)

The spices have to be the whole variety – don’t think you can use the pre-ground type you might have in your cupboard unless you like a load of flavourless dust in your drink!

Pop the water, oranges, sugar, and spices into a big metal pan and bring to the boil. Once it has boiled, add the wine and simmer for about 30 minutes with the lid on.

Serve in mugs. You might manage to serve it in glasses if you pre-heat them, but the odds on the glass shattering are too high for me.

I popped a few mince pies in the air fryer for 10 minutes, and had them, the mulled wine, and brandy cream while watching the Muppet Christmas Carol. The dog joined me on the sofa!

What a happy Christmas Eve!

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Christmas morning I woke at nearly 9am after sleeping deeply! Poor dog! Busting for a pee!

It was her that actually roused me because I could hear her squeaking.

I sent the usual “Merry Christmas” messages to friends and family on the various social media platforms. Then, after a couple of coffees and some breakfast, I was getting ready to go for a run, but my dad phoned.

It was good to talk to him, but my mind was on the run. He told his usual stories. I know I shall miss them when they are gone, but sometimes I feel like interrupting him to hurry him along, but I don’t wish to embarrass him but pointing out his repetition. I think he probably knows anyway; I have a theory that these stories are “scripts” that make social interaction easier for him, so it would be cruel to derail him. Besides, I am aware that ASD folk often have scripts – and I know that I do and that allistics get impatient with repetition so I try to avoid it.

My run was about 3k, it was a tad harder this morning, which I am putting down to the wind – its cold, and bright today, but god is it windy!

When I got back, I phoned my brother and chatted to the nephews: “Uncle James! Uncle James!” – I love it!

Then it was present time!

I wasn’t expecting anything from anybody, so I simply left my deliveries in their boxes. Sad? Ingenious? I don’t know. It certainly gave me something to look forward to.

Funny, but I’d forgotten what the first item was I opened – I was delighted to find that it was the vacuum cleaner attachments. I was actually excited! And I laughed that I was excited: what have I become?!

The next was a puppy tail butt plug. I didn’t realise that I’d ordered large. I have no ideas how that’s going to work! 🤣

The next was a spanking paddle. Don’t worry – that was then end of my “toys”!

Then there was the fake leather jacket from Temu. It looks OK. It was a large, but an extra large might have fitted better! I hate these Chinese sizes. Extra large? My arse! In UK sizes I am a medium.

Then there was “El Hobbit”. “The Hobbit” is my favourite book and I know it very well, so I figured that it might be a fun book to read in Spanish because I may not know what the Spanish word means I can work it out from my own knowledge of the book.

Finally, there was a big parcel: A Star Wars triptych for the lounge. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped, so I’ll put it up where I planned for now.

Then it was the dog’s turn: I always buy her presents for Christmas. Its a family tradition and its great fun for us and the dog to unwrap them. Sadly, any treats she unwraps get taken away almost immediately. Poor puppy!

She was delighted with her rope toys.

For the afternoon the dog and I are off to the husband’s flat for lunch … will that continue the peaceful theme?