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Debbie Leigh: Season of bad timing
WOWSERS... another year almost over.
For most of you, that probably brings thoughts of Christmas lunch and hangovers.
It's all that for me too but more importantly, it means another year older.
I know technically we're all another year older as we enter the tens, or whatever this next decade will be nicknamed.
But today is just three days after my 33rd (ouch) birthday – so somehow it feels particularly painful.
A friend of mine who just gave birth – on November 30 – was in tears as she neared the end of her pregnancy, worrying she was going to have a December baby.
That's how serious my situation is.
And anyone else who has grown up opening combined Christmas and birthday presents, and birthday gifts covered in festive wrapping paper, will understand my predicament.
Never mind that I have to suffer the indignity of accruing another swathe of wrinkles at the one time of year when everyone wants to party their socks off and look their best, there are too many other unfortunates in my circle of family and friends who are similarly cursed.
So after buying all their birthday gifts I'm already hopelessly skint before I've even started my Christmas shopping.
Overdrawn
On top of being horribly overdrawn, like everyone else as New Year's Day approaches and the possibility of starting afresh with yet another mile-long list of resolutions I can't help wondering whether I've achieved as much as I should have by this stage of life.
By some more ambitious people's standards my achievements this year might be regarded as a bit of a flop.
But for someone who sees every glass as half-full – preferably wine glasses – it's really been a pretty successful year.
I've learned how to make flapjacks, developed an obsession with vampires, been horseriding and snowboarding, sailed on a luxury yacht in Ibiza, swum in a mud bath, given a reading at a friend's wedding, spent at least a quarter of the year being teetotal – then discovered the joys of amaretto sours – chopped my hair off, grown it back, lost weight, gained weight, made some amazing new friends, swooned over Kings of Leon at Leeds Festival, learned how to grow vegetables, watched some of the worst films ever made – including Bronson – seen the sunset over Cafe Mambo, almost got a tattoo, oh and let's not forget, met Bruce Parry, Erick Morillo and Sienna Miller.
OK so maybe it's not exactly "successful" – but it's definitely been eventful, wouldn't you say?
Top of the tanks
I love my little car and its many quirks.
The wonky window, the brake light that flickers and the strange smell of wet dog (and I don't even own one).
But I know it's going to be time to trade it in soon before it leaves me stranded.
Luckily I spotted a replacement the other day, courtesy of a stunt by Junction 32 shopping outlet highlighting its price war with White Rose.
A pink tank! Granted parking may be an issue, but I guarantee the inner ring road traffic at 7.45am wouldn't hold me up in the morning.
Honk Honk!
Party time...for some
I LOVE Christmas but why is it that when so many invites are flooding into my inbox, I can't seem to make it to any of the parties?
I've had a few little gems lately that I've been unable to attend and let's be honest, anything that promises a Christmas tree, mulled wine and the possibility of a festive goodie bag is seriously tempting at this time of year.
But the very fact that we're in the run up to a bit of precious time off just means we have to pack so much more into each working day, plus there's all those bloomin' pressies to shop for in any spare moment away from the office.
I'm not too bothered about missing out on treats like mince pie and parsnip canapes and I definitely don't want to end up in an embarrassing situation under any mistletoe, but I was a bit peeved at missing out on a little soire that promised to answer half of my seasonal prayers.
It was a festive hair-styling masterclass demonstrating three key looks for Winter 09 which 40 other fashionistas managed to attend – but not this one.
I was busy painting my kitchen with my slave-driver DIY-crazy husband so I couldn't attend.
Curls
This season is all about chic updos – low side partings with sleek chignons, the bigger-the better for those of us with longer locks – and finger waves and barrel curls.
So if you see me around this Christmas, don't be surprised if my hair looks like none of the above.
Still, at least our kitchen is setting some style standards, even if I'm not.
Jacob's swell
I PROMISED myself I wouldn't mention Twilight, my new obsession, in this week's column but I just couldn't keep my word.
Still, I'm sure even the Twi-haters out there won't begrudge my little slip-up when they see this picture.
Whatever your opinion on the vampire phenomenon surely you can't argue with looks like this – drop-dead gorgeous Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) from New Moon.
He's only 17 and he might play a werewolf but he's still my latest super-hot crush.
Yes I know I'm old enough to be his mother.
I figured if it's ok to be a werewolf, it's ok to be a cougar.
*(Urban dictionary definition of cougar: "An attractive woman in her 30s or 40s on the hunt for a much younger, energetic, male").
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
