I know it’s been a bit quiet from this end recently. It’s mainly because my husband, Tony, has been ill and had surgery just before Christmas. He had excellent care and he is going to make a complete recovery but will be off work and unable to do much for another 4 – 6 weeks. We are all delighted of course, but it has been a very taxing time since early summer. I’ve experienced many doctors, nurses and paramedics – most of them have been superb. It must be great when the medics realise they’ve done something to make someone really well.

Needless to say, Christmas has been a bit of a non-event in the Goodwin household. I sent some Christmas cards, but apologies to anyone I forgot – and I know I did forget quite a few. It was quite pleasant not being sucked into the mania of over-buying and over-eating food and finding useless presents for people. All social invitations have been turned down and we’ve enjoyed watching some TV, listening to the radio and music, reading books and playing games.

It was Tony’s birthday on Boxing Day so we had a family meal, which was lovely. As a present he had an iPod Touch which he is absolutley thrilled with. He deserved a nice present after the tough time he has had.

On Boxing Day afternoon I was making a trifle and realised I’d forgotten the Flake to smash up and sprinkle on the top, so I decided to have a quick walk to our local high street to see if there was anywhere open to buy one. The man in the corner shop (the place where they sell alcohol to underaged people, which is disgusting and really ought to be stopped) wanted to charge me £5 for a 55p Flake – well I suppose it was Boxing Day. As I can out of the shop (having ougt it for 55p) I noticed people coming out of Woolworths. I thought I’d have a look inside for Andy’s favourite chocolate, Milka. And yes, they had big bars for sale at a 50% discount, so I took a couple to the till. I said to the young lad who was serving that I didn’t think they’d be open to day and I commented how sad it was they were closing for ever. He told me I was the first persn who had spoken to him pleasantly that day! Most of the customers were furious prices weren’t lower. There were signs all over the store warning people tha the police would be called if the staff suffered abuse. How sad is that? Why is our society so sick and greedy? I wished him well and told him I hoped he found a new job soon. It is quite dreadful to think of all the people not having a job to return to in the New Year.

Then yesterday my faith in human nature was greatly enhanced. I received a beautifully hand written thank you letter from a young girl I’d given a small Christmas present to. I’ve got a big thing about ‘thank yous’, I think they are so important, but so few people ever say it. I hate thinking aout it really, as it does make me cross – I think we received about 5 thank yous for the last magazine and 2 thank yous for prizes. Andy and I work so very hard to produce the magazine and events and feedback is so much needed and appreciated if it ever arrives. Anyway, thank you and well done to Emma for cheering my spirirts with her letter.

The next few days will see us working flat out again. I’m working on the Barbican event, Flutewise Live!, Andy is working on the website – and I’ve got to think about the next magazine. So this will probably be the last post until 2009. Whatever you are doing, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday period and Father Christmas has been kind and that the New Year fufils all your hopes and dreams. Happy New Year!