Happy New Years Eve. We did our going out last night in an attempt to avoid crowds, vast expense and knob heads. Think of it as being at the park for rope drop to get on Toy Story Mania. Such premature celebrations mean we can be safely positioned on our couch when the dogs go beserk at all the fireworks at midnight tonight. I am really looking forward to that.
Louise, Emily and I went for a lovely Chinese. Not that this recommendation will be much use to either of my readers who live miles away, but if anyone else stumbles across this, Tung Fong in Worsley is excellent. I think the name translates to Fat Bastard.
In trying to keep my hand in for trip report writing in about 240 days, I took some food photos.
My lack of practice is displayed there, with half of my lemon chicken being in my belly before the camera captured it. What is more amazing than how full I was on the drive home was the fact that I woke up hungry this morning.
Aside from the madness of going out on New Year’s Eve my biggest issue with it is the concept of new starts, new diets, resolutions and all that stuff. Sure, I need to lose some weight and I will, as I’m ready to, but the immediate switch of all the adverts from food excess to gyms, weight watchers and fitness DVDs drives me up the wall.
I’m not too big on lengthy reviews of the last year either. This is mainly as I struggle to remember what happened, but my summary of last year is this. Freddie’s arrival was a huge and monumental highlight. We had a great holiday in April and Mustard have gone from strength to strength during the last year.
Pretty much everything else seems to have been a great big hairy ball sack of never ending stress, drama, worry and shite. Now, I recognise that this isn’t 100% true. I’m quite good at not remembering or recognising the stuff we are blessed with. We’re all healthy, housed and here after all, but 2017 has seen some of the worst, darkest and most testing times that my little family unit has ever been through. I probably say that every year, but this year it is less melodramatic than usual. We’ve been through some really deep shit this year.
Standard caveat time –
I know many folks, including both of my readers will have been through worse. Indeed to remind me of this fact, my Dad has spent the last few days in hospital following a planned procedure. I will not include the details of what he has been subjected to, as it will make your eyes water, but safe to say that it has been a traumatic end to the year for him.
Our Christmas was a bit strange as, apart from Christmas Day, Louise has worked every day. That has been rubbish if I’m honest. mainly for her of course, but it hasn’t felt too much like Christmas due to that. The day itself was lovely, with Freddie getting lots of presents he has no concept of, and the meal going pretty smoothly. I got some great presents this year. Louise got me one of those fandangled Virtual Reality things for my PS4. It is weird! It is very immersive and a bit discombobulating but great fun.
I got some delightful Dunhill smellies from Rebecca and Tom, which was handy as my Sex Panther had run out some time ago.
Louise also got me some Sauvage as I must remind her so much of that bloke in the advert…
Either that, or getting two lots of after shave just means I smell and they are staging an intervention.
Emily got me a new camera. Clearly she is being paid for too much if she can afford to spoil me in this manner. It is a belter and I can only hope it will finally allow me to capture at least one firework photo that isn’t blurry nonsense.
So now, with the tree in our front room looking tired and droopy, representing quite nicely that feeling of Christmas ending, and everyone’s bloated excess, thoughts turn towards the return to work, the fear that none of my work clothes will still fit and the realisation that I haven’t missed it at all. I also know that at some point in the coming days we have to undecorate the tree and somehow wrestle it outside, in the process spreading pine needles to every corner of the house where we will still be finding them in August.
At the ending of a year, I do need to thank everyone who has read any of this stuff over the last 12 months. I’ll be honest and say it amazes me that you still do and I am very grateful for every one of you. Some weeks, these posts are easy to do and others not, which I would imagine also relates to the reading of them, so many thanks for your perseverance and loyalty through the bad and above average content. From me and everyone in the Mkingdon family, I hope your 2018 is everything you want it to be and if at all possible it involves a chunk of time in Florida if that is your wish.
Till the next time….
Mkingdon's Blog 
Your translation of the Restaurant name – had me reaching for a Tena lady! (TMI) lol lol lol
Happy New Year to you and your family – keep writing and keeping us all entertained.
Just off to get a fitness dvd – I need something to rest my cup of hot chocolate on (with squirty cream and marshmallows).
Thanks Karen. You’re my favourite of my two readers 👍
I must be the other one then 😂😂. Have loved reading your snippets on a Sunday. Wishing you and the family all the best for 2018. Keep on writing.
You are equal first Anne 😁
Happy New Year to you and your family Craig, here’s to a better one! (Ours has been pretty sh*t too, 2016 wasn’t a patch on 2017….but May 2018 will be spent in our favourite place ☺️)
Sounds good Jo. You’ll let them know we’re coming won’t you?
Happy New Year. I never miss a blog and you always manage to make me laugh. A good point about reviewing the year and looking back at the highs and lows. I had redundancy, then ended up in a job with a bully for a boss which depressed me no end. Thankfully I left that job and managed to get a more suitable job where I am treated like a human again. I also had my running to keep me sane and the support of a great group of people. Next year begins with selling our house for an upgrade so that will challenge our patience no end. Looking forward to a fresh start though.
I bought my wife a new camera for her Christmas which she was delighted about. Wishing you a happy 2018 and hopefully a less stressful, more enjoyable year. 🙂
Thanks David for being a regular! Sounds like a stinker of a year but with a positive ending. Congrats on powering through. I hope 2018 is a belter for us both. 👍
I always look forward to Sunday’s in order to read your very witty and funny stories especially as I have been living in Rhodes Greece for the last 4 years..it delivers me a little bit of Britain…keep up the good work I have followed you for years and years when you used to have me in stitches with your trip reports on the Dibb..I have 114 days to go until I go “home” for the 10th time…(not that I’m counting )…have a wonderful New Year to you and your family x
Thanks Dawn, it takes real tenacity to read this stuff as regularly as you do!
I always enjoy and look forward to your blogs regardless of the subject. Returning the sentiments in your last sentence … heres to a new and improved 2018.
I will be in Florida in April sharing some of the time with my two grandchildren (4&5) who will be visiting for the first time. Definitely something to get me through what’s left of winter 🙂
Oh my goodness, just went back and watched the sex panther clip … hilarious!
Happy new year to you all too!
The Tung Fong is literally 3 minutes from my house and we have almost weekly take away 😳 delicious! Glad you love it too.
Look forward to your email every Sunday, keep up the wonderful writing.
Well, we did wave as we passed! 🙂
Happy New Year to you all! Hope your dad is on the mend. Tip for getting a tree out the house with little mess – put a duvet cover over it, tip the tree over and tie the open end. Keeps car needle free too if you have to take it somewhere 😊
Top tip, thank you.
Happy new year to you all x
Happy New Year to you guys as well from someone who recognised the battle cry of being married to a shift worker. Husband has gone on a 1600-0200 backshift in British Transport Police and sadly the time of year is not kind to some people who do desperate things to themself so that’s how he will undoubtedly spend the bells.
Not to complain because like you we have our health and home and family.
So Here’s to us, wha’s like us.
I couldn’t do shifts. I salute those that do….
Happy New Year to you all. Please keep it all coming in 2018 as I sadly have no Florida trip to look forward to this year, so need to hear about yours to keep me going through the long months of no Florida holiday planning of my own x
I am happy to provide this vital service!!
I continue to be entertained by your musings every week. I don’t usually comment but accept my thanks for raising a smile every Sunday evening. All the best to you and yours Sir.
Cheers Ian. 👍
Hope your Dad Dad feels better soon and our thanks to all those folks like Louise who truly do look after all of us in shift work. So we had a mixed year of highs and lows, which I suppose every years does, and enter the NY awaiting a gallbladder op and supporting two elderly mothers one here and one abroad, life trundles on. However we have a dollop of Florida to look forward to then a DCL Alaskan cruise with somewhere else after, not booked yet which is unheard of for me!
Keep writing your bits and bobs, we do tune in every week for our weekly chuckle, even if we don’t always comment!
Peace and prosperity to you and yours.
Sandie
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Thanks Sandie, and to you!!
I too am one of the quiet people who always looks forward to reading your ramblings on a Sunday but very rarely comment – I’ve been stalking you via here and the DIBB for many years 😉 . Please keep rambling (and tripping! ) and I wish you all a very Happy New year.
With your excellent taste I suspect you aren’t dozy at all Doris 👍😁
I enjoy your blog every Sunday. I’m a bit late this week due to the new year celebrations. Looking forward to reading more this year. Happy new year to you and your family.
Thanks Gill. You are excused 😁
Happy New Year to all the family. I wish good health, wealth and happiness to all.
Right back at you!! 😁