Gearing Up for New Years from AJijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Well Christmas is over and Boxing Day is winding down. We have been shopping, cooking and cleaning for days and now we can relax.

All the presents have been distributed and gratefully received, meals have been cooked, Skype calls to absent friends and family members have been made and wrapping paper has been saved or thrown out.

Toasts have been made and we can now look forward to New Year’s Eve with friends and family.

We had 9 people for Christmas Eve which ended up11. We had not entertained in our home for some time so it was important to me that everything was spit spot. Silver, copper and brass was cleaned, new blinds for the terrace were bought, noche buenas (poinsettias) were purchased and the house was cleaned from top to bottom and the pool was cleaned lights were hung and all the best silver, china, crystal and linen was cleaned and trotted out. Candles were bought, wine was chilled and the menu gone over carefully with all the best ingredients purchased.

Treats were bought for our puppies and visiting puppies and the moment came for the guests to arrive. Our home looked beautiful and a wonderful meal was served and we all had a wonderful time together.

Christmas Day we Skyped family and touched base with all our loved ones in the frozen north.

Now we can take a breath until we start the preparations for New Year’s Eve. Hair appointments have to be made, manicures and pedicures booked, clothes selected and cleaned, reservations made and again Skype calls to family who we will not be with as we hurtle into 2011.

Although we are far away from our previous home we are lucky enough to have family members and wonderful friends here with us for the holidays. We miss our son and his girlfriend terribly but are happy they are happy and doing well in Thailand. Even though this is our first Christmas apart in 29 years, we are so lucky and appreciate everything that we do have.

Please at this time of year raise a glass to absent family and friends and perhaps do something for those less fortunate than ourselves.

We wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.