My sister stayed over this weekend which led to two very late nights and feeling ropey. Last night I was determined to get to bed earlier, so quickly caught up with mail and WDC, then made a warm drink and signed out of everything. My last port of call most evenings is Facebook; I try not to spend too much time on the site and don't consider the activities on there my top priority. I like the idea of leaving simple messages for people, but am getting a little bogged down with everything else. I hadn't signed into Facebook for three nights, but was staggered when I did to find almost 100 requests for various things.

I'm someone who doesn't like to click on Ignore buttons or hurt anyone's feelings, but I found myself clicking on gifts for so many different activities and returning so many hearts, smiles, hugs, farkle chips and such I ended up staying up later than intended just to clear the backlog. So, for anyone here who uses Facebook and the applications involved, can I just make a request please. For the sake of my sleep, clicking finger, time and (in) sanity could you please only send the very occasional gift or request.

I appreciate friendship very much, but just don't have the time or energy to run virtual farms, zoos, cafes, towns or play never-ending games. I think Facebook has far too many activities going on now, most are counter-productive and I also am wary of the rumours of hackers on the site attempting to steal identities. So, please help me limit the time I spend on there and I will respect your wishes too. I realise it's my choice and I could simply not bother using Facebook, but would feel guilty if I thought you considered I was ignoring you. Even computers mess with our heads.

It was back to the humdrum today with sis back home , so of course the supermarket was first port of call. It's starting to get busier every week now, more frantic as those who can't wait start stocking up as if there's no tomorrow. The glittery, sparkly, tinselly aisles are expanding and it grows ever more difficult to ignore the Humbug hype. Every year sees the introduction of more and more frivolous, ridiculous, over-priced and unnecessary items for the great day. But this morning I noticed something that took the biscuit. Literally in a way.

Advent calendars for dogs and cats. Now, no one loves animals more than me and I believe their intelligence is much undervalued. But I have yet to meet a canine or feline who can quote the story of the Nativity, makes a list for Santa or gets excited at counting down the days before it can open its presents. I'm glad I have no pets any longer, although I do feed the birds every day. Maybe I need to produce advent calendars for starlings, sparrows, wood pigeons and robins. Then there's the squirrel, the fieldmouse and stoat who sometimes visit my garden. What about the worms I rescue? Do they all need one too?

So you can see how busy I might be, without the added pressures of Facebook. I guess some of you will conclude I'm just a grumpy old woman and you're probably quite correct. Bah Humbug. My first of the season might as well get earlier each year along with everything else.