Woohoo!

Last day at work before Christmas!  I haven't even begun packing and we are off at the (butt)crack of dawn tomorrow, but it's nice to know I have some time off. I have been letting myself get more and more stressed about money (or the lack of it) and call centres, and I know it's silly, but it has been getting to me.  The straw that broke the camel's back was DD's computer dying on us Tuesday. Tuesday was the day I had off and had planned to use, among other things, printing up the t-shirts I designed for the nephews and nieces. Oh well :(

Otherwise, Tuesday was fab. First, my bank paid me an indemnity for the Visa payment that I was disputing, so I was able to go and pick up the shirt DD was going to wear for her award ceremony. Then, OH, DD and I got the bus down to her old school, meeting an old friend on the way, which was nice. We sat in the hall and more friends came by. All mothers I had either met through Church, Guides or my old job.  A colleague from the hospital came and sat next to me with her 4-year old, Christopher, who is an absolute sweetheart. I suspect he is very spoilt as he has a sister of 16 and a brother of 18 and many cousins who dote on him. 

The teens all filed in in alphabetical order and took their place on the other side of the hall. After the local MP and headmaster turned up, there was a brief musical interlude. A girl with a very sweet voice sang what we think was a KT Tunstall song, with a whole band playing with her too. They are very musical in that school!  Then the kids were presented with their certificates - one by one they were called and had to go up on stage, walk across, shake hands with the MP and say thank you, and cross over to the other side. My friend was giving a loud "whoop!" for her daughter and every other kid she knew, including DD, just to embarrass them. Even her 4-year old said "I don't want to" when she tried to get him to join in.   After that there was a speech by the MP, actually quite a good one, but near the end Christopher said quite loudly "when is that man going to stop speaking?" . Out of the mouths of babes LOL   

All in all, it was a very nice ceremony and we came out at about the same time as school finished, so we got the bus back home with all the kids from school. DD banned us from going upstairs (it was a double decker) because that's where all the "cool" kids hang out (i.e. smoking and getting up to no good) - we sat downstairs with the geeks and nerds instead!

When we got home, we put a really nice chicken with pork and parsnip stuffing in the oven; I prepared new potatoes and broccoli and we got the champagne (courtesy of my work) and nibbles out. We made Bucks Fizz for DD and I felt nicely warm and fuzzy after a couple of glasses.  Dinner was delicious and we had mince pies and cream (or rum sauce in OH's case) for dessert.  DD and I tried to get some decent pics of OH but he hates having his picture taken. In fact, I don't think I know a person who hates it more!  We managed a couple though, using underhand tactics.  It was a great evening, because OH isn't coming with us to France, so it was a little celebration for us.   

And now, I just have to pack and we're off tomorrow, so no more posting till I get back :)

Have a lovely Christmas everyone!!!

Comments

[Cath]

Glad youve had such a good time Jen. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas, you deserve it!

[Jennie]

Hope the fog doesn't stop you flying. Have a fabby Christmas hun, and I'm glad your DD made you proud. things are really looking up for you at the end of this year, and I'm so pleased for you.

[Jane (Brods)]

Jen here's wishing you and your family a fantastic Christmas and a healthy and Prosperous 2007 :)

[Maria]

Hope your Christmas was a lot of fun and hope you are enjoying the whole season!