The time of year in all its glory

November, the time when all the Christmas stuff comes about in to mass production and promotion after Halloween and Bonfire night. I mean I know its for businesses to make their sales as soon as possible and for people to get prepared for the Christmas period, but I just dont agree with it being so early. For me, the Christmas period starts when you start seeing all the decorations outside homes and through windows (I'm not a peeping tom, just nosy and it's hard not to notice when people leave their curtains open at night, we all do it). So that is around about 5th December onwards, thats when I get them little butterflies as I start to realise its nearly Christmas. However, in November it just seems too early for me, I know the nights are getting longer and its getting a hell of a lot colder, it doesnt feel like Christmas yet and seeing all these Christmas adverts and displays from stores just feels wrong, as if they were selling it after Christmas, it just isnt right for me.

Anyway on the subject of Christmas, its just the perfect time of year for me, I dont know why, may be its just the inner child coming out knowing that all the family will be round and everyone just seems happier, I believe everyone feels the same as I dont think I know anyone that doesnt like Christmas or the time of year. I love the cold nights and being tucked in indoors in the warm under blankets and duvets. I just dont like the cold if I'm out in it too long, I think it's a good thing to be enjoyed in short spells. I'm more of a summer person as I would rather be boiling hot than freezing cold as I still have all functionality of limbs and it dont hurt to be hot.

Its changed for me now that I'm older, instead of wanting things and receiving things, I want to give things and see people's reactions when I give them presents. I mean I havent asked for anything this year, my parents have both asked me what I wanted and I've given them the same response 'I don't know'. I like presents that are practical and have a use, not things that just sit there the whole year round. I am grateful for every present I get, but everybody has their preferred type of present. For me, socks are better than something that is just going to sit there and do nothing. At least I'll use the socks. So I think my mum is getting me toiletries for uni and I still haven't said anything to my dad on what I want as I honestly do not know. Although, aunty Joann has really good dress sense for me and always buys me a nice piece of clothing for Christmas, that's what I look forward to this Christmas. She has 3 daughters but still has good dress sense for men, I find it interesting.

Anyway that's enough about Christmas. I don't know if you noticed but I was a bit contradictory in my blog today. Ranting about Christmas being displayed too early, and here's me talking about it, on Rememberance Day. This is what I should be talking about, but too be honest I dont think I could talk much about it without balling into tears as it just makes me think of my two grandads that fought in that war and now are no longer here. They both lived through the war which was the good thing, otherwise I wouldnt be here in the first place. I didnt get to meet my grandad on my mum's side as he died long before I was born from a shrapnel wound he sustained through the war. My other grandad on my dad's side, my great grandad in fact, lived until the right old age of 86 if I'm not mistaken and today would be his 93rd birthday. I am so grateful to the both of them and the millions of other soldiers who fought in every war to keep my freedom and to fight for our country. RIP Richard Ashworth, Philip Saunders and the countless numbers of the bravest people who lost their lives for their country.

That's it for tonight, sorry to end on a sad note, oh this is my great grandad (little grandad to me).

Jim