Hogmany on the Horizon

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of the year already. We are planning to go to the Stake annual hogmany do along with Rosemary and Billy, [weather permitting] Should be fun, Gordon will be sporting his kilt. We have had a wonderful few days with our family, all ten of them. Chaotic but fun, I'm a happy Grannie.

Cherrry blossoms in Bucksburn

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Bucksburn, one of my many happy memories of visits with the Dempseys. The weather here is freezing tonight and I have four of my wee ones tucked up in my bed, so it's blanket and sofa for me. Goodnight, Grannie's knackered.

Christmas Morning 2009

Well it's here at last Christmas morning and it's snowing. The bad weather has prevented Gordon and I travelling down to Yorkshire as is usual to spend Christmas day with the Haimes. Am really disappointed but we have to be sensible. the weather forecast is freezing fog on the A 66 which is a killer road at the best of times. We lost over a £100 which we forked out for a slap up meal at the Golden Lion. I would have rather have given the money to charity, but thems the breaks. However this is our first Christmas Dinner together in our wee hoose in Shotts. I've enjoyed preparing our hasty Christmas Dinner in my new kitchen, curtesy of my brother John and my darling husband. Recived some lovely gifts from friends and really enjoyed the Ward Christmas Carol Service last night, even though I was running around like a headless chicken trying to heat 72 Christmas Pies in a tiny oven. My long lost brother Andy turned up so that fair warmed my heart. We left and went down to see Bishop Paterson and his family. Billy lit his woodburning stove for us in the front room and we had a lovely chill out chat for a couple of hours. Nice! Am really looking forward to our annual Boxing Day Bash with the Dempseys and friends. I hope they have a good journey down from Aberdeen. gotta go now and check on the Roast. Yum smells good!

Had a real busy day today. Piano Lesson at eleven then down to the Church Building to set up for the Relief Society Activity, back up to Shotts for Three to do my shift, back in at six, back out at six fifteen. The Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Extravaganza was a huge success. We had 29 sisters attend, thats pretty amazing as we only have 30 active sisters in our Ward. The live Nativity was lovely, Jane was amazing as the jolly Ghost. The feast was fabulous, it makes it all so worthwhile when you get the support, I must say we are a good team. I missed Isobel. She is totally exhausted with running to the hospital twice a day but the Good news is that her hubby is on the mend and should be home soon. Am off to sleepy land now as I'm shattered. But content.

Just had the missionaries for their regular Friday Fry Up, Delicious ,but heart attack on a plate. Bobby called me from hospital last night, it was so good to hear his voice, so glad that he is on the mend, didn't realise how much I missed him at work. It's a frosty day outside but the sun is shining, Dean Martin on the radio singing a christmas carol. Nice. Looking forward to Christmas and spending time with my family especially the kids.

Liberace

Cant get my head around this playing a different melody wiyh my left hand while playing a melody with my right. Don't know if it's the coordination thats crap or the brain is fried. and just to truly piss me off I'm struggling with the puzzles on my new DS game Curious Village that my eleven year old grand daughter April has probably mastered. Brains fried am off to bed. grr! grr!

Went to Bathgate today and did some Christmas shopping, I can't beliebe how quickly it has crept up on us, Just spent the last two hours wrapping up gifts for family and friends. Am Hank Marvin [starving] now, so I'm off to raid the fridge and to hell with calories.

Had a lovely lunch with Dorothy and Hugh yesterday. We went to the Pink Turban again, Indian buffet, all you can eat for £4.95. Got my money's worth, and have probably put on a half stone. We were celebrating Dorothy's sixtieth Birthday, we are all senior citizens together, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we are going to make it a monthly occasion. Have got a few Relief Society assignments to be getting on with this week and the usual alterations going on. I got some festive music today at my piano lesson [Jingle Bells] with both hands playing a melody, this should be fun, my coordination is crap and it frys my brain, but the world loves a tryer. Gordon had both his toenails removed last week and the poor soul is still hobbling around in his sandals and it is absolutely baltic weather, it'll be frostbite next.

Boy it's been a quick week. Had the missionaries over for their Friday Fry Up. Those guys can sure eat. Just got back from Glasgow with Denise, Marion and Elizabeth. We attended the Stake Prelude to Christmas, it was really good, there were at least a hundred sisters there, which was very good but only us four from Motherwell which was a bit disappointing. But Fear Not, their loss. Gordon had both his big toenails removed on Monday morning so he has been incapacitated all week. Stir crazy, even, I need to change the dressings on Sunday, and I aint looking forward to that. Hazel is the nurse in this family. am off now to catch up with my Corrie, how pathetic is that.

Took the Missionaries and wee George to lunch today at the Pink Turban Indian resturant. The boys certainly got their money's worth. Had to go to work at 3 O'clock but I got some stuff sorted out that had been annoying and niggling away at me all week. Took the bull by the horns and called my manager. Am feeling much better about it now. Thank goodness it's Friday, the weather forecast isn't looking too good but it is November after all. Think I'll just chill out. Spoke to both my girls tonight, I just like to hear their voice sometimes. All the family are well and that's what's important.

One of the few sunshiny days in Shotts.

Got the house to myself tonight, [thats a rarety] Gordon is off to a bishopric training meeting in Glasgow. It's stil a bit weird for me, that he is so focused on the church and his calling. Anyhow it gave me some time to catch up on some Relief Society stuff. Haircut tomorrow morning, don't quite know what I want, probably a bit shorter. Going on a hospital visit at 1 o'clock with Elaine then onto the usual shift. I think Rosemary and Linda are coming up later to VT. with me, I enjoy the chin wag. Need to look for a gift for Dorothy, she will be 60 on the 1st of December. She was 28 when I met her, so she's officially my oldest friend. Got my slip yesterday to collect my £15 Christmas gift from the council. I tell you this senior citizen thing is ok. got my free bus pass to and use it for work.. I'm off now for a hot chocolate and my jammies on.

Tuesdays are always busy for me. Went swimming at 9 am. had the pool to myself, did 22 lengths, but it's not much fun on your own. Back home and did two garment alterations then down to Wishaw for my piano lesson. Thought I was doing ok but the teacher wants me to change some of the chords on my piece, she wants me to play the new chords with my left hand while playing the melody with my right, and read the music sheet and listen to the rythm and sing along all at the same time, I think she is trying to fry my brain. Anyhow went out and did my shift, am not amused with my boss, she is giving me the run around [ Peeed off] However went up to Carstairs to Bronwens for our RS. Knit n Natter night. Poor turnout but it was a dirty night and it's kinda out in the sticks. Good news though; Ishbel's Mum has got some good results from the hospital. She has undergone surgery twice in two weeks and the Cancer seems to be under control. She came to the Knit n Natter and seemed to enjoy the company. Am tired now, so I'm off to my scratcher, going to Bathgate in the morning, weather permitting. Its raining outside now.

Sunday Evening

Had a bad day at church today, and bit the head of poor Gordon. he's having a nap at the moment, bless him, you know he makes a better Latterday Saint than me, he' s kinder and more tolerant than I am. Being Relieg Society President aint all it's cracked up to be. Never mind I just need to repent a little. Fear Not.

Mother

Hi folks, this is new fangled stuff for me, but I will give it a try. Have had a busy day, started off with a visit to the dentist. Friday the thirteenth not too clever. Busy with garment alterations and did my usual shift, am kinda tired now so I'll call it a day.