This is my brother David, the morning after our get-together on Saturday night. He's looking a bit worse for wear, but we were all feeling the same so it didn't matter.
Twenty one people came and we had the best night. The only family member not to come was my sister Jennifer, who lives in Sydney, (and we were missing Graham, of course). Mum had a great night. She went home around 11pm but I think she would have liked to stay too. There was so much food, drink and talk that the night went on to the early hours, and on Sunday it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon before everyone that stayed over went home. That was good because we ate and drank again on Sunday, and not much of the food was left by then. Certainly none of the beer was, but there's still a couple bottles of wine in the fridge that should make it till Xmas day.
I don't know what I was so worried about. The house sparkled, it was so clean, and though the day was hot, we had a nice shady spot out the back and for anyone who couldn't cope with the heat, the house was air-conditioned. I've decided to cook Xmas lunch and invite Mum and Reg around, and my Nanna who is in the nursing home. I think she'll enjoy getting out of there for a couple of hours. After lunch Carly and Alex always spend the afternoon with their father, so I can take Nanna back at the same time. I'm looking forward to it. If I can cater for 20, I'm sure I'll manage 6 on Christmas day.
I have less than a year now to give up smoking, I promised the kids I'd give up before I turn 50. The count-down has begun.