I thought October might read like a healthy-eating-boring-person's guide to a long and dull life, but no, along with my annual detox, there were some fun things in there too....well, fun for me anyway!

Don't get me wrong though, the detox was completely boring, except for one night when my amazingly talented big brother made us the most tasty Carol Vorderman tea ever...spicy lentil burgers. He really is a tremendous cook and still, I am talking about these bloody burgers...a glitch in the 'boring-ness'.

I think I should stop talking the detox down though, because, in all honesty, I feel magic when I'm doing it. It was right in the middle of this that I managed to finish my Christmas song which I'd been commissioned to write for the Sirens of Titan, a Glasgow Choir.

Christmas is coming home to Glasgow...

I thought I'd write a wee quirky thing, then, when I heard the choir, I was gob-smacked and wished I hadn't written something quite so light hearted, but then, it took me bloody ages to write it and I wasn't for trying another!

The Sirens of Titan are a seriously good choir and are performing my Christmas song along with many others at Oran Mor on December 23rd, I think.

I also had a major step back in time and took my wee sis to watch The Nolans at the Clyde Auditorium.

Well, what a fab evening.

The group themselves were fully aware of their status, saying that we shouldn't worry about only knowing one of their songs because when they started the other ones, we'd soon recognise them!

And you know what? They were right...

My sister and I used to dry the dishes in our kitchen when we were in our teens, singing 'I'm in the mood for dancing' at the top of our voices...I remember one night my dad having fellow firemen round to the house and they had to stop their meeting early because we were singing so loudly!

Anyway, it must be a sister thing...all those memories came flooding back.

What a fabulous night, the stage set was fab, their dancers were pretty dodgy, they sang mostly covers but their singing was fine too – but Bernie was the best (or was that me back in the kitchen, arguing with my sis???).

I think though, that Julie and I were the only two sober people in the place and the only two non-blondes...it was like the biggest hen-night in the world...!!!


November

This year, on the 5th November, it was freezing...the coldest night of the year so far...but it was dry and so, any excuse, I lit a bonfire out the back and we ate outside and listen to Glasgow sound like a warzone...

Has anyone noticed the big rise in the amount of fire works these days? It is really crazy.

That night, out in the backgarden, full on fireworks went on all around for about six-hours...

It was fabulous though, and reminded me of bonfire nights when we were wee. Our house looked onto a big bit of grass and we used to have the father of all bonfires...

My dad, the fireman, would light the most amazing display and uncle Frank, the police man, would make sure we were all a safe distance away and my mum and auntie Maureen, the women, would make hot chocolate and give out cakes and sweeties...ah, how I love those memories of gender stereotypes being reinforced into my young impressionable mind!!!

Also, for your information - Guatemala is the biggest manufacturer of fireworks in the world! (Oh, please, PLEASE let that question come up in Trivial Pursuit, I hear you say!)

I went to see MacIntosh Ross – Mr and Mrs Deacon Blue - at Oran Mor in November. They're doing a great country thing just now, with a fantastic Scottish band so it was a great night...or was it???

Well, it was pretty busy in there, but I waited patiently at the bar; a wee, small, tiny, easy-to-miss sized person. And so, when the barman looked away from me, I lifted my hand (with my £20 in it) to attract his attention – a young, handsome, trendy looking young guy, who marched up to me and chastised... 'don't wave your money at me, it's very rude'... 'what? Pardon?' I asked, aghast. And then he said it again, 'don't wave your money at me, it's rude'... Well, I don't get it, I'm not sure how I was supposed to let him know I was there and, surely if a barman is offended by someone trying to attract his attention with a wave of a hand holding money, he's in the wrong job???!!!

However, I felt it wise not to alert him to my thinking on that one and so, I just left it...!

Someone who was not so offended by my waving money was my niece in Edinburgh. Amy, she is going on a gap-year to Honduras, and as one of her many ways to raise funds, she has enlisted the help of my fab-cook-brother, Mark.

You pay a tenner a head and he comes along and cooks your dinner for you.

Well, we had a tapas night with all of us who were in Spain in the summer and I gotta tell you, we ate like lords. I know I've said it already, but I have to say it again, my big brother Mark is the best-est cook ever.

He brought loads of food, already prepared and served us up a tapas-feast. Amy and Jules cleared up afterwards and all I had to do was sit in my kitchen and be spoiled.

It's funny though because there I was a 6pm thinking I've got ten people coming to my house for dinner and I've got nothing done, nor do I have anything to do – except eat!!!

Too bad eh?

And now, tonight, on St Andrew's day, I've just come home, having just done a pre-record for Sunny G radio.

It's a Christmas and New Year show...to go out over the festive period...it was great fun.

Family members all sitting around, playing our favourite songs and sharing stories and laughter...just the way it should be.

When I know the times etc, I'll post it on the site and on facebook and myspace...

Until then, have a lovely December. If you're anything like me, you're already excited about Christmas. I feel a wee warm glow every time I pass a shop and hear a Christmas Carol...and by-the-way, a December birthday isn't why I'm called Carol, it was after a woman my mum knew then called – you guessed it – Carol!

I hope you have a lovely time in this build up to Christmas and I will see you before I go away to a hot, sunny beach in January.

Happy Christmas, when it comes, and have a healthy, hopeful and happy 2010!

Carol