Peoples, how are we? How was 2024? I hope its been epic or chill. Whatever its been i hope you have enjoyed it.
Yep its once again time for me to have a quick break from review writing to post my Christmas 2024 news letter to you all. Its been lots of fun this year for sure.

First of all we will start with me. I’ve had a good year. Last time i wrote to you all i had just started my new job, so ive now been there for 14 months. All is going well, getting new responsibilities & moaning at the chancellor for the new budget for next year & HMRC well every day, so yea same old stuff. Im very happy there.
Me & the girls went to Alcudia, Majorca on holiday this year for a week in September. All inclusive, sit by the pool, read books, get a tan, eat, be merry & chill. It was exactly what we all needed. Most of us next weekend are going to Wakehurst to see their light show.
Havent been to any football or tennis this year & the concerts have been little few & far between too. Posh seats for the 1975 were so good, could almost feel Maty Healy’s breath. Mum & I went to see a candlelight orchestra play the music of Hans Zimmer at the Pavilion. We did our bi annual pilgrimage to see Will Young (we think that was trip 6 if we are counting party in the park). It was just him & a piano for 100mins. I also went to see Paddington live in concert, where the London symphony orchestra played the score as you watched the movie & it was hosted by the fabulous Ali Plumb.
With no extra money to actually go to an F1 race, we went to the F1 exhibition up in london recently. We all learnt something new & had a good time up there & got to see some really cool stuff & the trophies & some of the iconic cars.
I also met for the first time on of my Pedro girls who came over from Switzerland & caught back up with one from Germany when she came over in the summer (love you all ladies).
I also took the plunge this year & agreed to let my hair dresser add grey to my hair (imagine telling 15 year old me this when she freaked out finding her first) & i also got my nose pierced.

My sister & i for ages have been talking about getting matching Tattoos, so this year we finally got them. We have a tulip & sunflower bunch as they are our favourite flowers. But thats not her big new oh no. I am going to be an aunty in the Spring. Everyone is so excited. Shes over half way now & is glowing. Their dog Lando is going to be a big brother. Sister also turned 30 at the start of the year so we have all been spoiling her. We have once again been wreath making this year too.

Parents are looking good. We have done quite a bit of gardening at my place this year, think mama just like pops being out of the house. They are looking forward to being grandparents. They had a couple of mini breaks this year, including seeing our friends down in cornwall. I was the only family member to not go down there this year. But between backing, bird watching & looking after the pup they are both fine. Might have to start reminding them soon that they are starting to get old.

Grandma is also okay too. She is now 92. Shes been given a project by my cousin, whos baby is due around christmas, to make some clothes for it. She still loves her garden, flower arranging, jigsaws & a sneaky bit of galaxy chocolate.

For those of you here for the film chat… hi! you know ive been a busy cinema girl this year. The mission of 100 trips to the cinema when i said it in January felt like a pipe dream, & yet here i am now, way above that number. I am so amazed i did it so early too by the 2nd November. Not going to lie, ive seen some fucking crap movies at the cinema this year just so i can reach my goal, but i have also seen some truly incredible works of art that will stay with me for a long time (Yes that does include our mans face taking up 40% of an IMAX screen). We also completed the AtoZ of film & the Pixar Marathon this year.

So the real reason for this post is to tell you that again this year, i’m not sending out Christmas cards. I haven’t sent Christmas Cards for about the last 18 years now(bloody hell that long), mainly because its quite expensive, especially with postage, we’re all online & i try to see most people to wish them a Merry Christmas as well & if i cant i usually text or call them.(disclaimer yes this has been entirely copied & pasted this next paragraph from last year except for the year, so well done for noticing yay next paragraph isn’t though{& i always love the fact i can get away with that}) .

I know ive done this charity before but it is going to the Alzheimer’s society. Elf day was 4th December & that raises money for Alzheimer’s & Dementia. We as a family suffered for many years when Grandpa had it & it was heart-breaking. But this year, its actually been worth the pain. I have a friend who has a family member who is suffering who mentioned it one day while we were chatting. Ive told her what to expect, that theres good days & bad, & that it will hurt but as long as her family member is safe & so are they it doesnt matter, its just about making them comfortable through this horrible disease. She says everything ive told her in the last year has been really helpful to them & our friendship which was strong has grown even stronger. So that is where the money is going this year. Heres the link if you would like it.

& that ladies & gents was it for 2024. You can go back to watching all of Gavin & Stacey or Wallace & Gromit in order before Christmas day now, put espresso or hot to go back on you spotify, & consider if you are a brat or a good girl. Unless your at the cinema like me watching Gladiator for the 1000000 time (okay maybe 3rd).

Thank you all for reading this for the last 15ish mins. I hope youve all loved it. I wish you, your friends & family a very happy holidays, christmas, end of year, whatever you want to call it. Know that i love you & that you are amazing no matter who you are. You all know im here for you no matter what peoples.

Look after yourselves, be good to one & other, & the rest will take care of itself.

Love & Hugs to you all
Emile
XxxxxX