Hope you’ve had a good week, I’ve been beavering away but, like all of us, crossing the days off until we’re allowed “Out Out” – a phrase my 90-year-old mum used the other day to prove she’s up to date with street talk!

I can’t believe how many people – including myself – have said, “lets get those decorations up a little earlier than usual” – partly because some of us have a little extra time on our hands, but also because there’s nothing like a few baubles to put that childlike smile on our little faces and lift our spirits.

During our weekly chit-chat, Editor Stuart asked me to give you a few Christmas tips. Well, I’m your girl for that task, as under my writing belt I have my book The Perfect Christmas which is awash with tips on how to survive and relish the festive season. So this week, next, and all the others until the big day, you’ll get a little nugget from me.

I have a confession to make… this weekend, wooed by discounts and offers, I pulled out my Christmas list and hit “Add To Basket”.

said last week I wouldn’t moan so I won’t, even though it’s taking my complete reserve of resolve not to as I’m a total anti- lockdowner. That on one side (she says with a high- pitched voice and pursed lips), let’s get on with Christmas preparations as best we can, to keep ourselves sane in this crazy world.

Well I had a rubbish week for two reasons. One, I had the back window of my car smashed in by thieves who then got into my boot and took a loved Mulberry holdall. Nothing in it of immediate use to them like money, laptop, iPad or phone – just personal stuff like make-up, hairdryer, brushes, notebook and a jacket. In fact the damage to fix the vandalism was more costly than the haul.

I was listening to one of my favourite breakfast shows, Chris Evans on Virgin, and the big discussion was Britain Bouncing Back. It’s a phrase I’ve been hearing a lot.

I wanted to have a quick chat about your book of life… We all have one. It’s your very own imaginary scrap book lodged in your head, into which you paste everything that’s happened in your life, good and bad. Then every so often for no apparent reason you go through it. It’s a little trip down memory lane, but here is where the problem lies.

My two favourite months are May and September. They are beautifully positioned in the calendar just 4 months apart but both in their own way celebrating change. To me they are more important than Christmas and New Year as you’re not encumbered by all the seasonal hullabaloo and you can focus your mind with greater clarity.

As I write I am wound up like the end of a mop just before you do the last wipe of the kitchen floor – although even that isn’t tight enough! I know phones get stolen every day.

How’s your week been? Mine’s been good. Mark and I celebrated our first year anniversary – which seems crazy, how can a year flash by so quickly? But they do, good ones and thankfully bad ones.

Do you ever find a photograph that pings back to you a host of wonderful memories? These come as you idly thumb through albums or via the modern way of Facebook Memories.

Let’s be honest, it’s human nature to judge. We might be too polite to say anything but we all do it, especially when we meet up with others. Women are the worst, or it could be argued, the best…

Let the sun shine in is this week’s theme… I have made my mind up this year to embrace a “Staycation” or as they say in Stoke where I hail from, I’m going to Our-Gate…

Well, it’s finally arrived! I honestly didn’t flinch over my 40th birthday, nor my 50th – but 60? Ouch! You can call 60 the new 50, but sorry it’s 60 and that’s the end of it! So how do we burst through, taking it in our stride?