What's occurring?

Is the world going mad?

B & M, known in this house as "burgers 'n mayo, started their Boxing Day Sale a week ago.

Wilkinson,s halved the price of Christmas decs around the same time.

More cookery books than I can shake a stick at are being advertised on prime time TV, alongside Hollywood style adverts for every seasonal meal that you could possibly imagine, ready to pop in the oven. No work needed.

There have been dire warnings that this new benefit system will result in a landslide of evictions, while the people who dreamed it up and put it in place have their heads below the parapet. Mouths tight shut.

Amid reports of growing alcohol related illness and accidents supermarkets are pushing booze at prices lower than some bottled water.

I have a large leather sofa that is in the way, I have been advised that if I advertise it on a "free to good home" website most of the replies will be from  dealers looking to sell it on.

Once again the police are expecting a rash of DD offences, in fact these have already begun. Works parties are notorious for this.

While there are those to whom Christmas is a means of showing the Jones's just who can spend the most others will struggle to put food in their children,s mouths.

This last one does not sit easy with me. In fact it has kept me awake at nights. There is real and complete poverty throughout this affluent country and  my new country of residence is not exempt.

I have spoken before of my desire to do something more for a good cause next year. To take that extra step.

I have a quilt to make for a friend and I will be making another to donate. I hope to find an organisation who will raffle it off. The first people that I will approach is Tesco, in each of their stores they have a food bank collection box. Also at regular intervals they have a team collecting food and other necessities in store. 
If any of you have a better idea please let me know.

If this is a success I will repeat it as often as I can.

My Christmas begins today, I am off shortly to collect Fran from the station. Her room has fairy lights and a tree, all turned on, there is Christmas music playing softly and the curtains are drawn. Fluffy towels are hanging in front of the radiator, bath bombs ready and a fresh cooked loaf of bread for a sandwich after her bath. She will want one after the train journey.

                           TTFN                                                 Pam