SALES!

Well, we braved the sales today.  Georgiana had some money to spend at Next and Lucas at Toys R Us, so we all went up to Junction 27 and separated to do the sales shopping in the quickest time.  We started at PC World where I treated myself to a brand new laptop and I can't wait to use it.  At the moment, Marcus is busy putting on my Word, Norton etc. so that it is all safe and secure to use, but I am itching to try it out.  Then us girls (me, Georgiana and my Mum) went to Boots (where we got some good things for others in the sales), Next (where Georgiana got some jeans, 2 tops and a jacket, Mum got some things for others and I got a coat), River Island (where Georgiana spent the rest of her money getting another pair of jeans and a top) and then Mum and I went to M&S where Mum got some things for herself and others and I got some new cups (one of which I noticed was chipped when I got it home, so that will be going back), some party food with a free bottle of cava (which won't make it through the evening probably) and some Christmas cards for next year.  I still have £40 left to spend and I also have to go to HMV to swop my two double-ups (Bridesmaids DVD and The Wanted CD).  Lucas spent all his money at Toys R Us where he bought Harry Potter and Star Wars lego.  Marcus wants to go to the M&S outlet tomorrow to spend his money where he will definitely be buying at least some jeans.  Wish us luck :)

HAPPY BOXING DAY

For those of you not being crushed in the sales, Happy Boxing Day.  We had a fabulous Christmas and got lots of our wish lists (Georgiana got her laptop and McFly concert ticket, Lucas got his Harry Potter Lego Hogwarts Express and Battle of Hogwarts and lots, lots more).  We had a delicious Christmas meal of scallops, Gammon joint soaked in mulled wine with all the trimmings and home-made Christmas pudding with brandy butter, washed down with lashings of fizz.  At tea time, when the family came over, we had a party dinner of mini steak & kidney and chicken pies, coconut chicken skewers, mini pizzas, salmon rolls, cheese & onion muffins with pickles, chutneys etc. and mini bread and butter puddings, mini melt-in-the-middle chocolate sponges, profiteroles, home-made Christmas cake, mince pies and crackers with various cheeses.  Needless to say, we have only eaten bacon sandwiches yet today because we are still full and will be going for a fab Christmas Meal at Marcus' Mum's.  Hope you all got what you wished for and had a fantastic Christmas Day (and maybe grab a bargain or three at the sales).

CHRISTMAS EVE

It's finally here: Christmas Eve.  All the manic present buying and wrapping is done, the food is bursting the cupboards and all the jobs have been completed.  It is time to relax, maybe have a glass of Christmas cheer and look forward to all the joy that tomorrow brings (let's not think about the mammoth cooking marathon or fitting so many people around a small table).  I wish you and yours the best Christmas ever, surrounded by all your loved ones.

10 PIN BOWLING

Took the kids to Hollywood Bowl and they had a really good time.  My friend Andrea is obviously a secret bowler because she got four strikes (two of them in a row on her last go) and scored 125!  We then went across to her house for the kids to play together and my son was really happy because he got to stay for tea (and it was pizza).

Marcus has gone out for a Christmas drink with his friend Kevin (and his Father-in-Law) and I am at home with the children having just had a marathon 90210 session with Georgiana and about to watch Tamara Drew.  Can't wait for the big guy to come tomorrow ;)

Happy Feet 2

Took the kids to see Happy Feet 2 at the Showcase yesterday and they really loved it.  For those of you that have seen the original, Gloria is now played by the fabulous Alicia Moore (or Pink as she is better known) and I have to say she was outstanding (though I am biased as I am a HUGE fan and have been to several of her concerts, got all her albums etc. etc.) and really added to the glorious singing.  I also thought that Brad Pitt and Matt Damon were excellent as the voices of Will and Bill two krills in a krillion and this storyline in particular brought many laughs.

Nearly all set for Christmas now, but as we have been hurriedly moving my Mum (her housemove was supposed to be in January, but it was dropped on us last minute) we are all feeling very tired and distinctly un-Christmassy.  I am sure once she is all settled and the last of the boxes are unpacked, we will be able to fully relax and welcome the full joys of the Season.

Bowling planned for the kids tomorrow and may take them to see Arthur Christmas or another festive movie on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas to all my followers :)

NEW POEM PUBLISHED

Got my advance copy of the anthology book featuring my poem 'Stasis' this week.  It is published soon, but I thought I would share my poem with my followers for free (rather than having to buy the book and finding it on page 120!).

STASIS

Endlessly waiting whilst time is in stasis
Clock ticking its way to the end
EXpanding forever instead of contracting
Keeping us prisoner within
LeArning is tested and memories pilfered
Giving up secrets like gold
TeaMs united as one in their suffering
Silent in measured rows
BailIng out is no longer an option
Pens scratching out words with relief
CommuNication eclipsed by rigid convention
Watched by minute degrees
PyschoAnalysis mixed with instinct
Have them labelled before they begin
InstrucTions imparted wilfully ignored
Thinking it only happens to him
OscillatIng constantly around the room
Eyes a beam from a lighthouse of truth
Vigilant RobOts scanning for errors
In judgement with consequence high
FrustratioN with matching regret grows tall
Whilst proud roots wither and die
FabricationS that will follow eternally
Shifting sands beneath your feet

Not sure what the poem is about, see the italics ;)

MASTER AT ARMS

My son started the Master at Arms (MaA) with his scouts this evening and I am helping out as well.  I came along to one of the previous MaA sessions as one of the leaders had mentioned that I had potential as a course instructor as my shooting was really good.  I got better whilst doing the last course (played shooting snooker and only missed the black! and got 47 out of 50 one week) and really want to do the instructor course which comes up again next year.  My son really enjoyed it and he got good groupings so he obviously takes after me :)  Really looking forward to going again next week - I might even be able to have a go at shooting next time.

Smurfs at last

Took the children to see The Smurfs movie this morning and they really loved it.  I thought the best thing in it was the cat, but hey, it's not aimed at my demographic.

Had a fabulous time yesterday evening, first I went to my friend Dawn's house for her and her husband Brendan's birthday bash and then I went out to Meze in Brighouse with the girls.  I had prawns and feta to start, briam for main and greek yoghurt and honey for dessert - delicious.  Sarah, Bev, Andrea, Aj, Lisa and I had a great evening and I got some lovely photos with my new camera.

CHRISTMAS MEAL

I went to my first Christmas lunch today with the girls (Sarah, Claire, Bev, Andrea, Aj, Jacky, Marion, my Mum and her friend Vera) and it was delicious.  We went to the Sun Inn at Lightcliffe and I had tempura prawns to start, honey-glazed ham with yorkshire pudding, pig in blanket and seasonal vegetables for main and chocolate tart with a mandarin sauce for dessert.  Yum.  This comes after going to the Flying Pizza for my birthday yesterday and having mozarella, aubergine, courgette and pepper salad with a balsamic vinegar dressing for starter, veal cooked in brandy cream and mustard sauce with potatoes cooked with bacon and onion and fried zucchini for main and pistacchio ice-cream for dessert - it is a wonder I can still fit in my clothes!  Tomorrow it's Meze for my girls birthday meal out - it's a bad job, but someones got to do it :)

Lucas sang very well in his Christmas concert last night (we could still hear him although he was trying to hide behind his hymn sheet and yawns!) and all the Grandma's and Grandad's really enjoyed the evening.  I had a lovely cadbury chocolate cake (with candles on for me to blow out) for my birthday when we got back (anyone noticed a theme here?).

Going to M&S this weekend to get my Christmas Day party food while the 3 for 2 offer is still on and going to Currys and Comet with my Mum as she is looking at appliances before her house move - I hope that the shops aren't too mad with shoppers.

And we're back ............. + HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME :)

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but if you read this post, you will see why.

More importantly, it's my birthday today and I am really looking forward to my lunch out and my son singing in his Christmas Concert this evening.  I have received lots of lovely cards and presents and feel very loved.

My computer died on me just days before NaNoWriMo finished, so unfortuately my word count was only 35,267, but this is still an excellent result for me as my personal target was 30K.  My lovely friend Jeff has cobbled us together a replacement to enable us to use the internet whilst we diagnose the problem, but he suspects it is the motherboard, which means a new computer - me thinks Marcus and I may be paying for a new computer rather than Christmas presents to each other this year :(

My friend Claire took me to the movies last night for my birthday and we saw 'In Time' which was excellent.  I really loved the premise and I thought Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried were very good.  I recommend it highly, but then, I am a HUGE fantasy fan.