WELL, it's almost here, 'two oh oh three,' and all those things I was going to do in 'two oh oh two' will now not be done before the year ends.

Where does the time go? Where are the holidays I was going to take, but didn't? The rooms I was to decorate, but haven't. Pounds I was going to lose, but gained?

Now, this New Year it's going to be very different (the fact that I say that every year has got nothing to do with it) so I repeat this year, I am going to do these things and I shall keep you informed of my progress.

And what about wishes for the New Year. Well, I hope and pray that we won't go to war. That Church Street will prove to be a success and not just an expensive car park. That Blackburn will regain some of its former glory. That Britain will remain apart from Europe, that, that, that, oh I want such a lot of things to happen, but I know that wishing is not enough, we have to make them happen.

I went to the Cathedral carol service, it was great and it sort of started my Christmas off properly, if you know what I mean. The church was beautiful, packed, and the atmosphere lovely, the choir magic. And I made yet another promise to myself, to go more often.

Hey! Those promises are coming thick and fast now! I won't swear! Will cut down on the sugar, sweep up the leaves, will get to the bottom of that pile of ironing, sort out that wardrobe full of old clothes that might come in one day.

My goodness I feel tired just thinking about it all. But the good thing this time of year brings is the feeling that we can start again, we can right a few wrongs, say sorry, say I love you, put away the sadness, disappointment, and say, never mind, you can get me an even bigger, better present next year.

Soap, bath oils, perfume, talc; I am beginning to think people are trying to tell me something. It's not that I'm not grateful, I am. Really I am. But I suppose it's like my husband once said when he bought me a leg of lamb for my birthday present, 'I could have got you a dozen roses, like in the adverts, but you can't eat roses can you?'

If they only knew how easily pleased women are by little gestures, their lives would be a lot simpler.

Well, the twitching hour is almost with us and it's time to give each other a hug and a kiss and wish everyone a happy, loving and prosperous New Year - as I wish you. Till two oh oh three then!