Well, ok Im being Dramatic. Christmas can be a slightly strained time if your not careful. Thats why this year I resolved to be helpful and considerate while away with my family, and not complain about the various little incidents which occur in a regular family full of short tempered highly opinionated individuals.

So, first of all as is tradition we all piled into a car and drove down on Xmas Eve to my Grans house. Now, it doesnt matter what the occasion is, but when you want to get the family together for a car journey there will always be the inevitable "why arent you redy yet?" "Im waiting for you," "your in the way," "why arent you helping," and "stop moving things around" arguments. Add to this that instead of leaving the annoying gits at home, we have the Incredibly smart and intelligent idea of bringing both Dogs with us, one an illness ridden old git who barks at everything, and a hyperactive rescued dog who go's into psychotic yelps of agony when your stupid enough to try and take her out of the house.

So were crammed into the car with 2 idiotic dogs in the back, and several bags of presents and multiple changes of clothing, and Holly, the younger dog is not used to the Car. While my older moody dog Pip just lies down and dozes off, we have an entire car journey of supersonic high whining which drives everybody around the twist.

While the actual arrival and Christmas events of seeing family and Christingle services are without incident, bar noisy children, hour late groups and dogy sound systems, the evening go's off without much of a hitch.

Apart from having 2 dogs transplanted from their usual home into a small old ladies house with MANY small breakable knick naks and a kitchen thats so small that while the ladies are trying to make Christmas dinner theres several instances of the mutts nearly causing one of them to fly head first into the oven. Now dont get me wrong, I love my pets. But I love being a bitter moaning bastard too, so my resolution to be the helpful decent human being was tricky, but hey, we made it.

Things only got really trying when it was running late, and I decided to call it a night. While my father had managed to land the nice comfy bed with several thick sheets and comfy matress, I had the cheap sub-bed.... with the duvet. And thats it, No sheets, nada. Plus in the insane shouty mad rush to leave home, I forgot to bring my night wear. So I spent Christmas Eve in the coldest room in the house with my blissfully sleeping and snoring like a mother bitch Father, wearing my day clothes, huddled in the foetal position with a rather bitter mood.

Christas day was pretty fair. I decided it would be a good idea to stay in bed for a while, as my mother had to sleep downstairs to keep an eye on the two rampant maniacs we brought with us. I had a lil chat with my dad, and eventually was served a lovely Cup of tea in bed along with the subtle suggestion to get my rear downstairs before some appendage of mine was altered in some unpleasent way.

So after we all got up and gathered by the 1 foot plastic table top tree with 3 lights and a drizzle of tinsel, it was decided that it would be best if we didnt open any gifts untill the dinner was set in motion. That is to say, it was best to do what my Mother wanted, or else. As you may have noticed, I seem to be taking a negative look at this years festivities, thats not the case. Ive had a lovely time with my family really, but who doesnt like a good bitch?

Gifts were recived, food was prepared, guests arrived and good times and mad demented Barking at cars was had by all. The evenings entertainment was the usual family around the TV, with an interesting Doctor Who special, a new Wallace and Gromit story, and also Eastenders. Bloody Eastenders. Who freaking cares? Thats the problem with being in someone elses home, you have no say in what you watch.

Today being Boxing day, and after yet another uncomfortable night in the freezer, we enjoyed plenty of leftover turkey sandwiches, carrot casserole, sausage surprise and a zillion other inventive ways of polishing off the insane amount of food that gets left over every single year. While Im all for keeping waste to a minimum, perhaps not buying such a freaking large turkey might help those of us who feel the need to vomit after the 7th Turkey Sandwich with stuffing and cold sprouts.

Although the Apple Sauce really does help.

Anyway, long story short, Its been another Christmas, and while I may be a moody cynical bastard who loves the sound of his own voice, it has been a good one for the family. And thats what its about. Its about everyone around you, not yourself. Its for both your realtions and the friends you see every day, and especially the ones you dont get to see so often.

So very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and for crying out loud, next year lets just send the dogs, and perhaps certain family members to the kennels. lol.

All the best gang.