Happy New Year everyone!

This is a picture for Son-in-Law 1, who likes to see his guinea pigs starring in the blog. As you can see, J, they're fine: trotting around, making wheeking noises and taking an interest in food and water. We've now installed them in their usual bedroom so I'm typing this from the luxury of a chair in the study rather than from my knees: one knee in their run, the other on the carpet.

We couldn't give them their bedroom at first because my nephew was in it, and while there's enough space for the run and him too, they probably wouldn't be very restful companions during the night (Wheeek! Wheek! Chomp! Chomp!). Then, for reasons too boring to recite, I decided that before we installed the piggies we should swap the two beds in one of the upstairs bedrooms for the two beds in the other. This involved Mr Life in dismantling four beds. Poor chap; he took it well. I doubt if many husbands (or indeed men) read this, but probably many chaps react as Mr Life does when they hear their beloveds say, "I was just thinking... ." This usually involves him in moving heavy things around.

So - goodbye to 2012. I'm not sorry to see it go though feel a bit wobbly at bringing the new year in without either of my parents. However, we're off to the home of friends for dinner and a bit of a party, which will be different at least. The children are scattered: Taunton, Worcester and Perth. The umbilical cord is stretched to breaking point.

Ah well, onward. All best wishes for 2013 to all my bloggy friends, lurkers and occasional commenters. May the US avoid the fiscal cliff - whatever that precisely is - may Canada remain solvent, may Britain get its sums right and stop wasting money on the things that got us in this pickle, may the Antipodes have a good time (I feel your finances are better than ours; is that right?) and may you all be happy and healthy wherever you are in Europe or further afield. Even if you don't read my blog or only stumbled upon it by mistake and immediately clicked away.

And remember: it's not Auld Lang ZZZZyne, it's Auld Lang Syne - with an s sound. It's the same word as since and can be used for then. It means old times long since. Not zince.

Happy New Year - and that includes our lovely offspring and our delicious (but alas slightly feverish) Grandson. Get well soon, N! And I'm waving to you, Volume 2. See you quite soon now.