And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas Time

I don't think there is ever snow in Africa, that won't make any difference to them. Dependent upon which area of Africa you are talking about!!

On to the Business at Hand... Last Weeks Friday 5, Apologies for the delay.

What’s one really cool/useful/nice thing you purchased for yourself this year?
Mmmmm, New Car? I wanted a blue one, and I got one. I think I got that this year?? I'm sure I did. The best thing I ever bought was a Genuine 1940's Swing Coat in Cashmere. It is THE most beautiful thing I have ever owned.

What’s one area of your life you really improved this year?
My health? Ha ha ha No not really, My life is good, everything that happens is a bonus. My kids are the best, I love my husband as much today, as I ever have (and I think he does me)


Who or what was a regular source of encouragement or inspiration to you this year?
my husband is my regular source of encouragement, when I get down. My kids are my inspiration to improve myself beyond what I would aspire tooo,

What’s something nice you did for someone else this year?
Nothing.. I don't think I did anything nice for anyone this year. I'm on permanent Grin Alert, I try to smile at everyone i pass, I do good things in the car. I believe that karma comes back to get you, and in that way, I always try to be on nice behaviour - I don't actively go out of my way to do bad things. oh Oh O h - I know - I made photo albums for each of my nephews and my niece, and created partial family trees for each of them. I wanted to inspire them. I hope I did.


In what way was 2008 better than 2007?
It was an even number. Was it a Leap Year??? Yes, it was. I like even numbers. Next year, like 3 days away, it is 2009. Is this bad? No I don't think it is, because my house number is 9, and i've had nothing but good times since we moved here. 2009 will be good. There was nothing seriously wrong with 2007 either, like I say, I'm really quite satisfied with my lot!

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

Am back in work

Is no bad thing. I think you need a step away from the Christmas festivities and drinking and the like. Am exhausted from food and gifts.

Am loving my new camera. I'll upload photos later, am just coming to grips with taking the photos. Haven't got as far as plugging into the computer yet.

Tooli got a fantastic video camera. A Flip. The quality of the photographs is immense. Can't wait to maybe do a wee video blog to you all.

You Better be Good for Goodness Sake

Is 1149, and I haven't opened a pressie.

I woke with a slight sore head, took a pill, watched the kids rake their stockings.....and then went back to bed.

Boy is away to collect something for his Gran, and then present opening for moi, will commence.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

And Children Listen, to hear, Sleighbells in the Snow.....

I'm home. Work done now, essentially until 5th January, I do have to go in on 26th December, but that isn't a big deal.

I've got a sore head. I'm trying to think what gave me the sore head... I thought it was maybe the BBQ chicken we just had, but I don't think so. I think it is a relief head, from finishing up at work. This has been a messy week and a bit uneven with the sickness, the volleyball and all sorts. Hmmm.

I think I might go and lie down. I think I might.

There is Just One thing I need....

Is 22 December, I'm in work. There are a scattering of Christmas Cards, A Christmas Tree I can't actually see from my desk, and a box of Quality Street in the Kitchen (Which I provided).

This is the least Christmas I have ever felt. I wish I was going to the Bahamas or something. I think I've got all the presents. Si and I will plan a menu tonight, and shop tomorrow. Kids are still at school tomorrow, so I imagine I'll be communicating with Santa at somepoint - - just to clarify a few pointers.

I'm disillusioned, you just wouldn't know it was Christmas. Tooli has the right idea. She watches EVERY single Christmas film in the world that is on TV - I think she has already topped about 10. She has wrapped presents, and written Christmas cards. Is amazing I wish I could drum up some enthusiasm like her. I really really do. But Its just not there.

Perhaps If I wasn't feeling so barfy!

You got to feel you're on solid ground

My Boy Likes to Celebrate, here are some of his happy moments during the games.....

A Shining Star, lights Up Way Up High....

Boy Played for Scotland today.

Am So Proud of him. He plays with all his heart and soul. I wish I had that heart!

Friday 5 ... for this week

the friday 5


What’s your favorite thing about the shoes you’re wearing (or the shoes you were most recently wearing)?
They are comfy, and they have velcro fasteners. Added to which they are Tooli's so that are marginally quite trendy for an old -middle aged mother like me!

What’s your favorite thing about the people you work with (or the people you go to school with)?
There is only a few of us, and it's lovely and friendly... not big and corporate at all.

What’s your favorite thing about the climate where you live?
We can experience every type of weather available in ONE day in ONE place. Don'tyou think that other cliemates can be very boring?


What’s your favorite thing about Friday?
Is the start of the weekend and 2 days off always. I love fridays! i do i do i do. Oh and friday 5 makes it favorite too!!


What’s your favorite thing about the year coming to an end?
This has been a good year, I'll be sorry to see the end of it. My children are coming into their own, my husband and I are finding time to ourselves again. Work is fine, home is fine, everything is fine. Now, the coming year will be even better I think - we're all finding our way inthe world.... the kids are finding it faster than Si and I ever did. My kids are great.

All Is Calm, All Is Bright.......

How Cute is This Guy?? (Josh Groban, Not Simon Amstell)

Later On We'll Conspire, as We Dream By The Fire

Is Tuesday, and I'm off work still.

I did get up and go in this morning, I felt fine, but the effort of getting up and going in completely finished me. Within 2 minutes of walking in the door I was coughing my lungs up. Oh Dear. What A mess.

So I came home, went to bed, and then coughed til I was sick. I'll keep taking the pencillin and keep sooking on the inhaler, Hopefully it will leave me before Chrissymas.

From Now On Our Troubles will Be Miles Away....

I'm poopie.

I'm coughing like a 70 a day man, and If it's a sudden outburst, in need of Tenna LadyPads. Not impressed.

Had cold, it went, everyone else in house got it bad, and now I've got it back. Has to be a variant, Si said I should be immune to first batch now. That being said, I think he is getting worse, rather than better.

Enough Said That I didn't get to Guide Camp. When I dropped Tooli off on Friday night, they were all looking at me like I had the Plague. It isn't a pleasant noise when I start whooping. Probably best, because after three or four outbursts, I throw. violently. With everything that I've had.

So Now I'm up, sitting upright in the hope that this will keep the coughing away. Si has gone back to bed - he got up with Boy who was heading to Coltness today 50 miles away. He has already phoned to say he got there safe and sound. I'm thinking that was toooo fast. Considering also that he was going via a farm, on an out of the way road, and then stopping at petrol station to pick someone else up.

Last night, he and his mate went to Beanscene in Ayr, listened to the musician who was on, had a coffee, and then drove to see their mate, who isn't too well. He's so enjoying this driving thing. I hope he stays safe. It's a whole new set of worry for us both.

Friday 5

FRIDAY5.ORG

When did you last sleep in a bed outside your home?
mmm, not sure. I know that tomorrow I'm going to be sleeping in a bed outside my home. I'm going to be sleeping at the Guide Camp. How Lucky Am I! Oh My Gawd. I am dreading it. I think maybe last time, was at Novotel in Bristol, when we were down watching Boy playing in UK School Games. That was a NICE Hotel.

When did you last drive someone else’s car?
I think it would probably be my mums. No one else allows me to drive their car. Unless you count the two family cars as his and mine... in which case today, cause i am driving his, cause Boy is only insured to drive mine, and he has it! Clocking up the miles like you wouldn't believe.

When did you last cook in someone else’s kitchen?
When did I last cook in MY KITCHEN should be the question. ha ha ha ha. I am rubbish cook. If Si isn't there, we eat out!

When did you last care for children who aren’t yours?
Someone elses' children, i don't think so. It takes me all my time to make sure mine are safe. I couldn't accept the responsibility for someone elses. I'm dreading boy taking others out in the car!

When did you last do someone else’s job?
I'm doing it this week. My co-worker is off for a weeks holiday - she popped in today to pick up her car which she left after a drunken evening on Wednesday, and has only just recovered enough to come in and collect it! ha ha ha I haven't done much of her job - banking, speaking to customers, la la la that's all.

Im driving home for christmas

!!!BOY PASSED!!!

HE DESERVES A HERO PARTY!

My tears could melt the snow.....

The Dance was Exhausting, she didn't meet Prince Charming, and her Brother didn't dance with her as much as she would have liked.

But Hey - She Looks Like Angelina Jolie, so no need to look so sad.

A Beautiful Sight, We're Happy Tonight.......

My baby has her School Dance tonight.

How totally beautiful is she?

She is beside herself with happiness. I could cry

But the Very Next Day, You Gave it Away

Hmm.

I have been out of sorts.

Too much alcohol at the weekend.

Too much staying up late.

But I did Watch "Amazing Grace". A film about William Wilborforce which was very very nice. And I love Amazing Grace. Is my favourite song of all time.

I just want you for my own .....

!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!
WEE-DEVIL IS 30 TODAY!

Friday 5... COming Soon

The Friday 5........ Wee-devil............ None of your Beeswax

read and enjoy.... above...

When did you last have a mid-day nap?
On Sunday. After getting up at 7.30, I had a nap at 9.30, 11.30, and then 2.30. Again at 5.00 and then went to my bed at 9. I can't do Saturday night drinking any more! Once I had a nap in my office at work. I have the ability to shut my eyes anywhere. I tipped the door shut. and closed my eyes on my hands, and 45 minutes later, came to with a start when someone came in. Luckily they thought I had just been concentrating and had got a fright, not that I was just waking up! ha ha



When did you last have milk and cookies?
On Monday last week. I was off work, stuffed up with the cold, and the only thing to make me feel better was Toffee Apple Crumble Biscuits (cookies to you yanks), and a lovely fresh glass of milk, time 5.



When did you last have a bubble bath?

i can't remember. I'm sure it wasn't that long ago - but I do the whole hog - Candles, Wine, Bubbles. Lovely.


When did you last jump on the furniture?
Jumping on Furniture? Have you seen me? If I jumped on Furniture I'd break it. Big Time! I lounge, yes, I definitely Lounge on furniture. And as for "Ella B's Version of Jumping on Furniture".... mmm. I rubbed my husbands buttocks last night, and Boy freaked. Husband had a quick squeeze of "his" assets the other night, and Daughter caught that! We are in the naughty corner now. If I was to start Jumping on the Furniture with himi, there would be no hope for me and my husband!


When did you last play in the mud?
I'm not a Mud Lover! I'm thinking very very hard about this one! Ella is able to remember dates exactly, but she is MUCH younger than me, and not going geriatric. Mud Mud Mud...... it would probably be in Shuna, in the Summer. I don't think too much about the mud there, because we are always ready for it - Wellies and the like!

Are you Hanging Up Your Stockings on the Wall?

What a weird day at work!

It started with a 14 minute discussion about the whys and wherefores of access cards.

It was awful. I was pulling faces at everyone trying to understand why we were spending so long discussing the pointless and meaninglessness of it all. It was very distressing. It left a poor energy in the office and it was exhausting all day.

I wandered at lunchtime, to get a bit of air, and some nice energy. It worked. Well the air worked, or perhaps it was the packet of pickled onion monster munches.

There is Just One Thing I need.......

Heavens, first post of December, it scares me how time is running away with itself.

It is the count down to Christmas, and Si and I have started panick buying. Gone are the days when the Sprogs had a list ready to hand for us. Truth be told they have everything they need, they are well provided for kids, I don't like to think Spoilt, they don't have things that aren't necessary I don't think.....That's probably not true, they don't need Wiis' or Gameboys, or DS's but That is what Christmas is about, and that's when they appeared.

Oaft. It makes writing difficult now, because I want to say what I've been buying / doing but I can't.

On another note, there are changes afoot at work, which I'm not overly excited about. However this is my first Quarter End all on my own with out the Lovely Accountant over seeing me. I'm very excited about that, and feel satisfied with my first attempts!