Random as I am, I have no intention of boring you with the details of my Christmas. Suffice it to say, turkey was eaten, presents were opened, photographs taken, oh, and my darling girls awoke at precisely 05.16 on Christmas morning!!!!!
Onwards, then, towards the rapidly approaching New Year.
Phil and I aren't really ones for New Year Resolutions: we have occasionally in the past made the 'we must try and keep a tidier house' type, but this inevitably sets us up for failure. We resolve, therefore, not to make any resolutions: a far safer option. Then, if by some miracle our house is any tidier, we can congratulate ourselves on having done it without even resolving to do so. Perverse logic? Maybe: but it suits us just fine!
Much debate surrounds the making v.s not making of said promises anyway, and I particularly like Bridget Jones' take on things:
I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second. ~Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary
In preparation for not keeping our unmade resolutions, we have actually done some significant clearing out over the last few days, both literally and metaphorically. The house now looks much better for it, and we seem to have offloaded some particularly tiresome dead wood. It feels good!
So, whether you are reading this from a tidy house, or a scrumptiously post-Christmas toy-filled bombsite of a living room, I wish you all a very Happy New Year. Cheers!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Happy Christmas
It occurred to me that I ought to wish you, my dear reader, a very Happy Christmas, before I depart for distant shores( well, the south coast, at any rate).
For the first time, we are braving motorway and main road, to return to my parent's house in Dorset for Christmas. Phil is naturally delighted at the prospect of not hosting the festivities for the first time, and the girls are happy in the knowledge that Santa has been advised as to their wherebouts tomorrow night, just in case they have been good enough for him to deliver stockings.
Apart from having to be extra-organised in the buying/remembering where I hid it/ wrapping department, and making sure that everyone has packed enough clean knickers, it should be a pleasant enough time: and we will be home by Thursday night even if it isn't!
It's a funny time of year, steeped in tradition, or as P.J. O'Rourke put it:
"There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them."
I guess P.J won't be ordering the Egg Nog either then! Cheers!
For the first time, we are braving motorway and main road, to return to my parent's house in Dorset for Christmas. Phil is naturally delighted at the prospect of not hosting the festivities for the first time, and the girls are happy in the knowledge that Santa has been advised as to their wherebouts tomorrow night, just in case they have been good enough for him to deliver stockings.
Apart from having to be extra-organised in the buying/remembering where I hid it/ wrapping department, and making sure that everyone has packed enough clean knickers, it should be a pleasant enough time: and we will be home by Thursday night even if it isn't!
It's a funny time of year, steeped in tradition, or as P.J. O'Rourke put it:
"There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them."
I guess P.J won't be ordering the Egg Nog either then! Cheers!
Grounded
Well, as predicted, fog stops play! Phil was absolutely thrilled to bits with his present, and although disappointed with not being able to fly today, it does give him something very special to look forward to in the New Year.
Molly (with the help of Daddy) made some lovely mince pies last night, complete with stars on top; unfortunately Blogger doesn't want to let me upload pics this morning. I will try to get back here later, but the girls have been transfixed by THIS
so it may be much, much later!
Molly (with the help of Daddy) made some lovely mince pies last night, complete with stars on top; unfortunately Blogger doesn't want to let me upload pics this morning. I will try to get back here later, but the girls have been transfixed by THIS
so it may be much, much later!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
More wind please!
Now then, no jokes about sprouts please, this is serious!
It is Phil's birthday today: the big 4-0. I haven't really seen him, and won't do so until he comes home from work (he leaves at 04.50, and if you think I do my little wifey bit and kiss him goodbye on the doorstep in my nightie, you obviously don't know me very well. Apart from anything else, I don't wear a nightie).
Anyway, I digress. The short of it is that he always waits until he gets home from work to open his pressies and cards. That of course gives me all day to make a card, ooops!
This year the girls and I have bought him a very special present, for which I have slaved over a hot keyboard working overtime, and spent less on stash (yes really) to actually pay for it. So, when he gets home, waiting for him will be a certificate for a London Helicopter Sightseeing Trip. There are apparently only a couple of companies who are licensed to fly low over London, and this is one of them. Cue applause for thinking of such a FAB present!
So, just the small detail of the thicker-than-my-winter-knickers FOG that has descended over the South-East, grounding all flights, even big planes with instruments and navigation systems and pilots who regularly have to practise flying with blindfolds on (well sort of). It just isn't on. And it jolly well must have cleared by 12.00 on Saturday, please!!!!
It is Phil's birthday today: the big 4-0. I haven't really seen him, and won't do so until he comes home from work (he leaves at 04.50, and if you think I do my little wifey bit and kiss him goodbye on the doorstep in my nightie, you obviously don't know me very well. Apart from anything else, I don't wear a nightie).
Anyway, I digress. The short of it is that he always waits until he gets home from work to open his pressies and cards. That of course gives me all day to make a card, ooops!
This year the girls and I have bought him a very special present, for which I have slaved over a hot keyboard working overtime, and spent less on stash (yes really) to actually pay for it. So, when he gets home, waiting for him will be a certificate for a London Helicopter Sightseeing Trip. There are apparently only a couple of companies who are licensed to fly low over London, and this is one of them. Cue applause for thinking of such a FAB present!
So, just the small detail of the thicker-than-my-winter-knickers FOG that has descended over the South-East, grounding all flights, even big planes with instruments and navigation systems and pilots who regularly have to practise flying with blindfolds on (well sort of). It just isn't on. And it jolly well must have cleared by 12.00 on Saturday, please!!!!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
It's up!!
at last, our tree is up.
I think I may possibly have finished shopping (no thanks to my local High Street, and thanks to the good old www): until I remember what I have forgotten!
One week to go, and am I ready: heck no!
At least there are only three more days of work and school. Hurrah!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
TagalongaChristmas!
Christmas Tag, courtesy of Chrissie...('cos if I do it now, I might then spend the rest of the evening writing those Christmas Cards I made two weeks ago!!!!
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Never tried Egg Nog, and not sure I want to. Sounds like it might be hot runny scrambled egg? No thanks! Hot chocolate, camping style please. (With marshmallows and a flake if you don't mind).
Coloured lights on tree/house or white?
White, on the tree. We did have some oh so tasteful white lights outside, but some b***er tried to nick them last year, wrecked them, then left them draped over my car (still switched on). Quite stylish in a broken glass/skoda/statement-of-modern-values installation, but Damien Hirst said he'd already finished his Christmas piece, and Tracy Emin was washing her bedlinen.
Do you hang mistletoe?
But of course. And I have no intention of telling you where!!
When do you put your decorations up?
Soon. We try and hold out until about a week before Christmas, and keep them up until twelfth night, no later.
What is your favourite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Erm, that would be Turkey. I absolutely love Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings (except that mushy chestnut puree/stuffing thing). Would happily eat it more often, and have/will have had it at every Christmas 'do' that I attend.
Favourite Christmas memory as a child:
Father Christmas touring Caversham in a Pumpkin float (why? I have no idea). It was after bedtime, and my Dad took me out in his car just to see it. It felt very special to be out in the middle of the night (probably about 6.30!).
How and When did you learn the truth about Santa?
Sorry, what do you mean? Is he really a woman? Don't understand the question.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No. Never. (and if I'm honest, am usually still wrapping them into the wee small hours anyway).
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Firstly, it has to be a real tree. Lights first (lots), then strings of wooden beads, then big baubles, followed by little ones, and all the other stuff. We have red, green and gold decorations, and get a bit twitchy if the girls make stuff that is another colour (sad people!). It used to have to be 'perfect', but now we usually open a bottle of something, put on some Christmas music, and after half a glass I don't mind so much if things are a bit haphazard: it's much more fun with all four of us doing the thing together.
Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it: but can't remember having snow at Christmas: not properly.
Can you ice skate?
Very, very, very slowly, and only if the Bar is open. (to recover in).
Do you remember your favourite gift?
That could just possibly be the Fuji S5600 that Father Christmas dropped off a little early for this year ;)
What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Family time. Non negotiable.
My sister and I were absolutely horrified once, when some friends of our parents dropped by unannounced on Christmas Day. Apart from the fact that we thought the day was for family only, we hadn't opened our presents, and had to wait until they had left!
What is your favourite Christmas dessert?
I really don't like Christmas Pud. Sarah and I used to have Viennetta every year, and got a bit twitchy when Granny asked for some to go with her Christmas Pudding. Nowadays Phil makes me a little sticky toffee and pecan pudding, or something similar.
What is your favourite holiday tradition?
The fact that Christmas Day is a tradition. Things have always happened in the same order, from when I was a child.
Stockings opened as soon as we wake up. Sherry before dinner (at 1.00pm), getting dressed up in our nice clothes.
Queen's Speech (my Grandpa always used to stand up for the National Anthem), and only afterwards do we open the presents from under the tree. (works well now we are parents ourselves: spreads the excitement out for longer!).
Phil and I have introduced a new tradition: we did this the first Christmas we had together, and liked the idea: we always have croissants for breakfast, filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, washed down with Bucks Fizz. Decadent? You bet!
What tops your tree?
We bought a new, rather fetching Angel last year. Can't remember what she looks like, but she was rather gorgeous!
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Goodness me, who wrote this? Receiving of course! (Saint I ain't!).
What is your favourite Christmas Song?
Right, I must just point out at this time, I do not like Maria Carey. However, I am quite partial to 'All I want for Christmas is You', not to mention 'Last Christmas' by George Michael.
Carols: not sure: I like most of them!
What is your favourite Christmas story?
You mean there is more than one?
Right, i shall tag Nat, and Micayla
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Never tried Egg Nog, and not sure I want to. Sounds like it might be hot runny scrambled egg? No thanks! Hot chocolate, camping style please. (With marshmallows and a flake if you don't mind).
Coloured lights on tree/house or white?
White, on the tree. We did have some oh so tasteful white lights outside, but some b***er tried to nick them last year, wrecked them, then left them draped over my car (still switched on). Quite stylish in a broken glass/skoda/statement-of-modern-values installation, but Damien Hirst said he'd already finished his Christmas piece, and Tracy Emin was washing her bedlinen.
Do you hang mistletoe?
But of course. And I have no intention of telling you where!!
When do you put your decorations up?
Soon. We try and hold out until about a week before Christmas, and keep them up until twelfth night, no later.
What is your favourite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Erm, that would be Turkey. I absolutely love Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings (except that mushy chestnut puree/stuffing thing). Would happily eat it more often, and have/will have had it at every Christmas 'do' that I attend.
Favourite Christmas memory as a child:
Father Christmas touring Caversham in a Pumpkin float (why? I have no idea). It was after bedtime, and my Dad took me out in his car just to see it. It felt very special to be out in the middle of the night (probably about 6.30!).
How and When did you learn the truth about Santa?
Sorry, what do you mean? Is he really a woman? Don't understand the question.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No. Never. (and if I'm honest, am usually still wrapping them into the wee small hours anyway).
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Firstly, it has to be a real tree. Lights first (lots), then strings of wooden beads, then big baubles, followed by little ones, and all the other stuff. We have red, green and gold decorations, and get a bit twitchy if the girls make stuff that is another colour (sad people!). It used to have to be 'perfect', but now we usually open a bottle of something, put on some Christmas music, and after half a glass I don't mind so much if things are a bit haphazard: it's much more fun with all four of us doing the thing together.
Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it: but can't remember having snow at Christmas: not properly.
Can you ice skate?
Very, very, very slowly, and only if the Bar is open. (to recover in).
Do you remember your favourite gift?
That could just possibly be the Fuji S5600 that Father Christmas dropped off a little early for this year ;)
What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Family time. Non negotiable.
My sister and I were absolutely horrified once, when some friends of our parents dropped by unannounced on Christmas Day. Apart from the fact that we thought the day was for family only, we hadn't opened our presents, and had to wait until they had left!
What is your favourite Christmas dessert?
I really don't like Christmas Pud. Sarah and I used to have Viennetta every year, and got a bit twitchy when Granny asked for some to go with her Christmas Pudding. Nowadays Phil makes me a little sticky toffee and pecan pudding, or something similar.
What is your favourite holiday tradition?
The fact that Christmas Day is a tradition. Things have always happened in the same order, from when I was a child.
Stockings opened as soon as we wake up. Sherry before dinner (at 1.00pm), getting dressed up in our nice clothes.
Queen's Speech (my Grandpa always used to stand up for the National Anthem), and only afterwards do we open the presents from under the tree. (works well now we are parents ourselves: spreads the excitement out for longer!).
Phil and I have introduced a new tradition: we did this the first Christmas we had together, and liked the idea: we always have croissants for breakfast, filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, washed down with Bucks Fizz. Decadent? You bet!
What tops your tree?
We bought a new, rather fetching Angel last year. Can't remember what she looks like, but she was rather gorgeous!
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Goodness me, who wrote this? Receiving of course! (Saint I ain't!).
What is your favourite Christmas Song?
Right, I must just point out at this time, I do not like Maria Carey. However, I am quite partial to 'All I want for Christmas is You', not to mention 'Last Christmas' by George Michael.
Carols: not sure: I like most of them!
What is your favourite Christmas story?
You mean there is more than one?
Right, i shall tag Nat, and Micayla
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Potz of Fizzy Fun!!!!
I am so excited! I went on a day trip yesterday, to meet a rather lovely lady called Sheila. It was a lovely day for a drive, so it was a pleasant trip to Derbyshire, amid sunshine, very little traffic, and some stunning countryside.
The reason for my visit was a lunch meeting (read: informal interview), to discuss the possibility of my working for Sheila in her rather scrumptious business. The good news is that she liked me, and wants me to work for her! I must be on a roll.
So, starting in the New Year, I shall be a part-time Party Leader for Fizzpotzz. Fizzpotzz offer girly parties making bath bombs, glittery soap, lip balm, glitter body gel, bubble bath and other such yumminess. Get this: she is going to pay me to go and make this with girls for their parties! This my friends is my idea of a dream job!
They also do DIY party buckets for people who want to have a go at doing the party themselves, and lovely kits to make luscious presents for teachers/ aunties/ grannies. Rachel and Molly are keen to make lip balms for their friends for Christmas, so we can have some fun straight away.
I go back up there tomorrow to start my playing (sorry: training), a prospect which my lumbar spine is not enamoured of: the Skoda is not a comfortable car for long journeys, but it will be worth it to spend the day immersed in all that sweet smelling glittery yumminess!
The reason for my visit was a lunch meeting (read: informal interview), to discuss the possibility of my working for Sheila in her rather scrumptious business. The good news is that she liked me, and wants me to work for her! I must be on a roll.
So, starting in the New Year, I shall be a part-time Party Leader for Fizzpotzz. Fizzpotzz offer girly parties making bath bombs, glittery soap, lip balm, glitter body gel, bubble bath and other such yumminess. Get this: she is going to pay me to go and make this with girls for their parties! This my friends is my idea of a dream job!
They also do DIY party buckets for people who want to have a go at doing the party themselves, and lovely kits to make luscious presents for teachers/ aunties/ grannies. Rachel and Molly are keen to make lip balms for their friends for Christmas, so we can have some fun straight away.
I go back up there tomorrow to start my playing (sorry: training), a prospect which my lumbar spine is not enamoured of: the Skoda is not a comfortable car for long journeys, but it will be worth it to spend the day immersed in all that sweet smelling glittery yumminess!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Blowing kisses
Busy couple of days: the school that the girls go to has had the Ofsted Inspectors in, and stress levels have been a little high. The good news is that they passed with a 'satisfactory', as the new (young, enthusiaastic and not bad-looking) Head has been able to demonstrate that he is enabling significant progress in turning around what he took on as an essentially failing school in September.
Phil, in his capacity of Chair of Governors, went into school yesterday morning for a meeting, and again this afternoon.
Standing in the playground waiting for the girls, I spotted him, walking across the car park, and blew him a kiss. One of the other Mums standing with me, turned round to see who I was 'kissing', by which time Phil had rather inconveniently disappeared behind a bush, and the only other person visible was Simon, the Head.
Took a lot of explaining, I can tell you.
Phil, in his capacity of Chair of Governors, went into school yesterday morning for a meeting, and again this afternoon.
Standing in the playground waiting for the girls, I spotted him, walking across the car park, and blew him a kiss. One of the other Mums standing with me, turned round to see who I was 'kissing', by which time Phil had rather inconveniently disappeared behind a bush, and the only other person visible was Simon, the Head.
Took a lot of explaining, I can tell you.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Silent Night...
Well, all is quiet in the house of Random.
Daughters dearest both managed to pass their first swimming level, and so move up to the next group, together. Rachel in particular has made excellent progress, and so the lessons are well worth Grandma's money (she pays, as she is, I am certain, convinced that I will drown them at the lake otherwise, buoyancy aids aside)!.
The Christmas cards are made. The internet orders placed. The cake is still intact, and sans mouse-nibbles, a pleasant change from last year. The sprouts are, well, growing like sprouts do, on our allotment: and poised to make an appearance on our plates come the 25th. I think I may have forgotten to buy a present for my sister's dog: but there is still time!
So, a quiet couple of days ahead, then a few days rushing around like a lunatic. Nothing new really. And I shall aim to be as random as ever in my Blogging. Off to watch the unmissable Gordon Ramsay now.
Later peeps.
Daughters dearest both managed to pass their first swimming level, and so move up to the next group, together. Rachel in particular has made excellent progress, and so the lessons are well worth Grandma's money (she pays, as she is, I am certain, convinced that I will drown them at the lake otherwise, buoyancy aids aside)!.
The Christmas cards are made. The internet orders placed. The cake is still intact, and sans mouse-nibbles, a pleasant change from last year. The sprouts are, well, growing like sprouts do, on our allotment: and poised to make an appearance on our plates come the 25th. I think I may have forgotten to buy a present for my sister's dog: but there is still time!
So, a quiet couple of days ahead, then a few days rushing around like a lunatic. Nothing new really. And I shall aim to be as random as ever in my Blogging. Off to watch the unmissable Gordon Ramsay now.
Later peeps.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Oh Happy Day...
Well, what an emotional rollercoaster I have been on today. Affirmation that my LO was indeed not carp. Excitement indeed. Now all I have to do is live up to their expectations!
Then three hours in an interview, which was totally exhausting! I feel as though I have been through a mangle.
I find out whether they liked me enough to give me a job next week: so my plan is to try and forget about it for the weekend (some hope!).
Right now, I am off to put my feet up, and have a big hot mug of coffee!
Oh me, oh My!!!!
It appears that *someone* else liked my layout too. Liked it quite a lot actually. Aaaaargh. I'm all overcome with......
....nervousness. Performance anxiety.
I have an interview today!
Talk about tooo much going on: an important e:mail this morning, then the thought of having to eat my lunch in about half an hour (or risk getting it all down my lucky purple shirt!!).
Oh, and just for Chrissie, a bus ride. I am going to said interview on a bus ('cos I have a free ticket, and it beats stressing about parking in the town centre in December).
Later, much, much later, I may return and fill you in with the details.
Or I may not :)
....nervousness. Performance anxiety.
I have an interview today!
Talk about tooo much going on: an important e:mail this morning, then the thought of having to eat my lunch in about half an hour (or risk getting it all down my lucky purple shirt!!).
Oh, and just for Chrissie, a bus ride. I am going to said interview on a bus ('cos I have a free ticket, and it beats stressing about parking in the town centre in December).
Later, much, much later, I may return and fill you in with the details.
Or I may not :)
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