Calm before the storm, and happy new year

I want to take this chance to wish all readers a happy new year. Let's hope that 2008 will be an interesting one, in the right sense.

We have 20 adults and 22 children descending on us tonight for a wild new year's eve party. I expect we will drink some wine, and even more beer. Catering for this many is quite a challenge - Fiona has cooked a really fantastic beef stew, into which went the balance of two decanters (these were mostly full) and a further bottle of red wine. One of the decanters had some rather good Bordeaux in it (a mistake).

I'm looking forward to next year, but I'm also a tiny bit apprehensive. There's no need to be, really, and fear can be pretty crippling if you let it affect your decision making. So, like a diver on a high board, I'm going to put those anxious thoughts behind me and take a jump into 2008...