Happy Hogmanay

Can't believe 2007 has ended so quickly.

We had a fabulous Christmas with all the kids home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Spoilt the kids again, Alan will be 21 next Christmas so he will definitely not get so much. This Christmas, his last before he really turns into an adult, he was treated extra nice with a brand new mountain bike. I suspect the sweater he will receive next year might not be so exciting, I know Elisabeth is a little disappointed with Christmas these days (on the pressie front anyway). I know I wont be so happy when we get to one present each, I love getting presents, giving as well as receiving. Ah, well I suppose, that is what growing up is about.

On Christmas eve we had our regular games night brought forward from Boxing Night as Emily and Alan were working on that day. The other change we had was having our Boxing day breakfast in the evening as Emily started work at 7am, way too early for a big breakfast. Still not used to not having Boxing Day off despite the fact Boxing Day in the UK, it is not a complete holiday as it used to be when we were young. Even when Gordon and I were 1st married, most shops were closed with only the little corner Asian shops open but now its just another mad day at the shops:(

Below are some photos taken over the hols with my new Sony dsc w55 camera, which was a complete surprise present from Gordon. Apparently it was noticed I was borrowing the kids smaller digital cameras over the last few months.

Alan

Me

My New doll (present from Elisabeth)

Emily making mince pies with us looking on.




Elisabeth getting ready for games night 2

Finishing off the mince pies


This afternoon Gordon and I are off to First Night in Austin which is a family friendly event to celebrate the New Year. Will wait and see if we actually bring in the New Year in downtown Austin or here at Home.

Anyway, here a Happy New Year 2008 to all of you and your family.

Merry Christmas

As usual Christmas day has been great and very relaxing. Everyone opened their gifts after breakfast which was as British as we could get it. Normally we have a cooked breakfast on Boxing Day but as Emily and I are working we decided to the big breakfast today and have dinner at about 6pm. After dinner we will open our stockings and play games but alas not as late as usual with me and Emily working. At least I don't start until 11am but poor Emily begins at 7am.

Hope everyone who reads this blog on a regular basis had a great Christmas.

on the 23rd day of Advent

we went grocery shopping for Christmas day. Unfortunately we were not able to get brussel sprouts or parsnips, so will have to look elsewhere tomorrow. As usual we had to compromise and buy US Bacon which in the UK is considered streaky bacon and only used for adding to other meals.

In the evening as I actually had time off, we went to see the "Good Shepherd" about the creation of the CIA. It was a very good film if a tad depressing.

Amazingly the weather has changed, to being cool and wet, very Christmassy weather. No Snow though, as the wet weather came in sooner than predicted.

All I want for Christmas is a good scottish breakfast

ont the 20th day of Advent

I had a busy day. I finished work at 9.45am, did a bit of shopping, using my associates discount card before returning home to relax a little.

At 12.40, I took Emily to work which took longer than normal because obviously the last minute shopping rush has started, include me in that. I then went off to do my own christmas shopping which was very successful and all done in just over 2 hours except for 2 small gifts. Tomorrow it will be food shopping.

On my return I retrieved my mail from the communal collection area (no letterboxes in this area) and saw that we had received 4 more Christmas cards in post. I love receiving post at this time of year because a number of our friends do the same as us and add a newsletter with the card. Its amazing how similar our lives are really, most of us have kids in uni, leaving uni or leaving school.

on the 14th day of Advent

Gordon and I went christmas shopping which was hard as only Emily had provided any clue of what she wanted. Anyway we managed to get the bulk of it done so I only need to couple more things for them and all of Gordon's presents.

I was hoping to do some of that tomorrow but as we were shopping, Alan called to say that a woman with a weird accent had called and asked to call her back. I knew immediately it was my lead at Sears and sure enough it was. So instead of working from 4pm-11pm (more like 12.30) I will be working from 4am- to whenever we are finished and back again at 4pm- to whenever we finished. I have come to the conclusion that management sucks badly at Sears as how can you not know until the day before that an ad is coming out! Its sucks because Gordon and I was actually planning to go out to the local Bar tonight, the first time in more than a year. Now I will be going to bed instead!

I was reading Judy Scotts blog and learnt about the floods that were affecting Scotland at the moment, particularly Milnathort, the village which is right next to Kinross. What is really shocking is the fact that they have only just finished the flood prevention work which the villagers had to fight for after the last near miss in the late 90's and a particularly bad flood 15 yrs ago.

Tomorrow I am determined to get a photo of a local garden with their lights, its really really over the top and very American

I might not have put up the Christmas Tree yet and I am still debating the wisdom of putting it up all but here is what it normally looks like by this time of year.

on the 12th day of Advent

jeeze, only 12 more days left.....better get on with the shopping. Today my youngest asked when we were going to put up the christmas decorations. To honest, I cannot not be bother with all that this year.

• I dont feel that christmassy
  
• Skara will no doubt ripped them to pieces and bring the tree down as she seems to be like a demon at the moment, the terrible 2's of the cat's world I suppose.
  
• Elisabeth is bringing her puppy (no longer small and cuddly) who tears around the house like a demon and will no doubt also bring the tree down

A picture from last christmas

on the 11th day of Advent

Alan came home and apparently he has done very well with his course this semester. Understandably he is very proud of his achievement.

Emily also very proud of herself as she received a confirmation letter from the University of North Texas (UNT) that she has been accepted for the Fall semester in 2007.

Haven't heard from Elisabeth although according to Emily she is still studying hard for her finals. Only one more semester and all her hard work will come fruition when she graduates in May. Then the real adventure of her life will begin.

Middle of the week already

and only one more day until December. So I thought it was about time I bought some christmas cards, so tonight I will sit and write them out. I really should wrap up the presents to Australia as well, especially as I bought most of them at the beginning of November, fully intending to send them off before December arrived. As usual my lacklustre approach to life, has meant I have yet again put it off to the last moment.

The highlight of the week as been an email from one of my favourite artist, Margaret Hunter who had come across my beaded doll which was based on one her drawings. She seemed to like it, thank goodness!

Work still sucks but the women I work with, make up for it. I must admit I really enjoy the company of other people after so many years sitting on my arse all day. I miss the Blanton but hopefully after Christmas and New Year, I might be able to fit in the odd day of volunteering.