Davies Express

I worked from 10-4, finishing getting ready for the Sale which starts on 9am 2nd January.
Bob had the day off, he went to Mums to collect some logs for the fire and he went to the tip.
Then this evening we went round Jen's and had tea, played some games and saw the New Year in.
Kevin is a lot better today and joined us, and Kiras Mum came and delivered Kira to us to join in the festivities.

I have just finished reading
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie
This was a collection of short stories, I don't usually read short stories as I prefer something I can get my teeth into, it was OK, a good easy read.
All the stories were Hercule Poirot, except the last one which was Miss Marple.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The Under Dog
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
The Dream
Greenshaw's Folly

Jenny and Andy live in a Housing Association house, and on the 6th December, they had workmen come in to modernise the house, as the styling was very 60's, the whole house was completely rewired and they had a new bathroom and a new kitchen fitted, which also included replastering and decorating, it was  eventually finished on the 20th December, just in time for Christmas.  It looks really nice now.

I worked today, I couldn't find a shoe for a customer anywhere, I found one of the shoes, but couldn't find the other, as a last resort i checked all the boxes of that style, and found would you believe 3 shoes in a box, problem solved.

Kevin is still not well, so Bob had to go work on his own and i was quite worried about Kevin this morning.  But when i got home this evening, the antibiotics seem to have hit in, although he was still quite deaf, he was a lot better and felt an improvement.

Steven took Jude and Charlotte upto Wigan for a few days, to spend New Year.

A Tale of Christmas

Gather around,
There's a tale to be told,
About one Christmas Eve,
Which was ever so cold.

It was still early evening,
But the kids were in bed,
Dreaming of Santa,
His reindeer and sled.

My wife and myself,
Warmed ourselves by the fire,
And somewhere outside,
We could hear a church choir.

The presents were wrapped,
And stacked by the tree,
So we switched on the telly,
To find something to see.

When we found nothing on,
A thought came to our head,
So we climbed up the stairs,
And slipped into bed.

We had just gone to sleep,
When I awoke to a sound,
It was rather as if something,
Had just hit the ground.

So I rushed down the stairs,
And out the back door,
To find an old man,
Lying down on the floor.

His eyes were all glazed,
As he lay on his back,
His legs covered over,
By a very large sack.

As I looked a bit closer,
Just in case he was dead,
I noticed his suit,
Was a bright shade of red.

Then all of a sudden,
His eyes opened wide,
The sheer look of terror,
Made me want to go hide.

“That last step was awful”
He said, “and not very nice”
“Your roof, it is covered”
“In a thick layer of ice.”

“Now help me get up”
“I am feeling quite cold”
“Though I don’t do so bad”
“At over two thousand years old”

So I helped him inside,
And gave him a drink,
And he washed both his hands,
In my kitchen sink.

Then he said “Time to go”
And he went back outside,
And jumped onto my roof,
“Time to catch me a ride”

Then, as if out of nowhere,
There appeared a red sleigh,
And he hopped up on board,
And flew right away.

And, as he passed through a cloud,
His shouted message was clear,
“Have a very merry Christmas”
“And a happy new year”

Bob Wrote this for the Grandchildren

My Granddaughter Kira is 9, for Christmas she decided she wanted money to go shopping with me and Jenny, I prefer not to give money or vouchers for presents, unless they are for a specific purpose, I do not do shopping, i hate it, but i decided to give her what she wanted so on Christmas day i gave her some stocking fillers and a voucher entitling her to spend £30 on a spending spree.

Well today was the big day, me, Kira and Jenny hit the sales in Kings Lynn.

It wasn't so bad, she bought two tops, some white jeans, a necklace, a hat, a pair of shoes and a bag, not too bad for a days shopping., We had lunch out as well.

Kevin is still not well, and when i got home, Spot had pulled the remainder of the Turkey down and broke my best meat plate i was none too pleased, so she spent the next hour outside, she didn't go on her walk, and as she ate all that Turkey she didn't get any dinner, although she didn't see too bothered missing her walk and meal.

Today I finished reading
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Another wonderful journey with Hercule Poirot

First time i have logged on since Christmas.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, I planned taking Kevin to the Doctors, but he seemed to be improving and he didn't think it was necessary, however, typically he deteriorated during the day.  I worked until 2pm.

Christmas Day

Kevin really isn't well, he slept off and on nearly all day.
In the Morning we went to the Christmas Swim, this was the Christmas Swims 50th Anniversary, and i believe was one of the First if not the first in the Country.  We met Jude and Charlotte down there, and i took Spot and Charlotte on to the beach, while Bob disappeared taking photos.

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Record-breakers-.3623739.jp

Steven was working today and Kira was at her Mums, so Jude and Charlotte came to ours for dinner, Micheal went to a friends for the day, so there were 5 of us at Christmas dinner, although Kevin was not upto much.
I watched the Queens Speech and shortly after Jenny, Andy, Sophie and Dylan came round with Andys Mum and Dad Sandra and Terry, Steven came after work and Kiras mum dropped her in, so all in all there was 13 round  mine at Tea time, Me and Jude did a buffet tea, Jude made a nice Fruit Salad and Fruit Platter.   We later watched Dr Who Christmas Special.  I think me and Jen would have rather played silly games, but we daren't suggest it, maybe next year!!!

Boxing Day

Kevin is still not well.
Well me and Bob drew the short straw and worked in the Calendar Club today, we were putting on the half price sale, as well as serving, we were ever so busy, who chooses to shop on boxing day, i don't know.
This evening me, Bob and Kevin went to Mum and Dads for Tea, we had a lovely Roast Beef Dinner, again Kevin was not upto much,  Gary popped in while we were there, it was nice to have a relaxing evening and a chat, we don't seem to do that enough.

Today

I took Kevin to the Doctors who put him on Antibiotics Amoxicillin and was told he was to go back in 2 weeks.
Then went to work with Debbie in Jacksons.
Unfortunately, Kevin had to look after Charlotte and Kira as everyone was working, however, Steven was sent home early, as he sliced his thumb, and he lost a lot of blood, because he is on warfarin, and he went quite white, after filling in the accident book, and Steven persuaded them he didn't need an ambulance, he came home.
So all in all i got one day off and spent the day working domestically, so not a very relaxing christmas, especially as i am still not well.

Yesterday, we attended the Christmas Family Festival at Sandringham, it is the first time they have held this.

There was Ice Skating, Husky Rides, Christmas Market, Animal Farm, with a Circus, Cinderella Goes to the Circus, it was a lovely circus with horses and zebras, and acrobats.

Kevin has been really poorly over the weekend with Ear infection, but he is slightly better today.

Today I worked with Susanne untill 2pm.
  

Yesterday, was my 50th birthday, and Jude, Steven, Kira and Charlotte took us out for a meal at Frankie and Benny's, i had never been before and we had a nice time.

This evening we went to see the Pantomine at the Princess Theatre, Sleeping Beauty, there was me, Jude and Charlotte, Kira with her friend Jasmine, Kevin and his girlfriend Louren, it was OK.

I have still felt pretty groggy.

I really hate having to give up on a book.
But i have tried reading
HogFather by Terry Pratchett
This is the 20th Discworld book.
It is not the first Terry Pratchett book i have tried reading and didn't get on with, i just cant seem to relate to the storyline, characters or the style of writing, so i struggled through 1/4 of the book then had to give up and admit defeat, I read for enjoyment and wasn't enjoying it.

What a week it started on Wednesday 12th December.
Symptoms are, Chest pains, violent headaches, serious aches and pains all over soaring temperatures, lethargy and exhaustion, Shortness of breath, eventually turning into a cough and then a cold.

Started with Micheal, on the Wednesday, then Kira on the Thursday, Followed by Bob on the Friday, who got it really seriously because of his Asthma, he slept the clock round on saturday and saw the Doctor on Monday.
On Sunday it was Kevins and my turn, Tuesday it was Jenny, Today Steven and Dylan.

Yesterday, i still wasn't too good, i kept having coughing fits, and every move was exhausting, i ended up cancelling my appointment with Michelle, it would have been just too embarassing to go into a coughing fit.

I finished reading
Cover her Face by P D James
An Adam Dalgleish Novel

I felt a bit better today, Today is my 50th Birthday.
Bob bought me Dragonology book, Jen a Handbag and Sagitarrian Book Mark, Mum a heat gun for card making, the book When I am old I shall wear purple with a red hat and purple hat and scarf, Kevin bought me a hip flask, Susanne a lovely pendant which i wore today and Debbie bought me a Guardian Angel Teddy Bear, Vanessa bought me a lovely jumper, Diana popped in with a helium balloon with 50 on.

At work Debbie had put up some banners and bought me some chocolate cake and mulled wine to share with Susanne at elevenses.   Mum took me out to a cafe at lunch for a jacket potato.

Friday

I worked at Calendar Club with Jenny today, Jenny was late as she had a Christmas Assembly at school.    When Bob joined us he wasn't well at all. Me and Jen went looking for a Bag for her to buy me for my Birthday.  We went in Accessorise and Jen was fascinated by some Dog clothes, she is going to buy Spot for Christmas a sheep skin coat, oh my,i hope if fits.

Saturday.

Bob is still not well, i ended up organising Steven to take Kevin to work, while i looked after girls, as Jen and Andy has a Rainbow coffee morning, poor Kevin was on his own, till lunchtime when Jen and Andy joined him.  When he came home he wasn't well.
This evening Jacksons had their Christmas Party at Manor Park, we had a meal, followed by a duo, followed by a Disco, it was a good evening, it was great to do some dancing for a change.

Sunday

Bob was still not well, and now Kevin has gone down with it, so Jen and Andy worked while i looked after children, i did some neglected housework, and made some cards with the girls in the afternoon.
Then about 4pm i started coughing, had a vicious head ache and ached all over, oh god, i haven't time to be ill, what am i to do,   Bob and Kevin are able to take time off thanks to my efforts, i am not though, being self employed, it causes so many problems.

Woke up to a Heavy Frost this morning, so heavy it looked like snow.   This is unusual for Hunstanton as the sea air, warms the air up, however, we have very cold winds.

This evening at Brownies as it is our last meeting till next term, we had a Christmas Party, with Christmas Music, dancing, games and of course food.

Weather is very cold, rainy and windy.

Charlotte slept ever so well, got up and was fine just a little tired, i made her packed lunch and sent her to school.

At 5 past nine the school rang, Charlotte wasn't well could i collect her, problem, why, she seemed fine half hour ago, also i was at work on my own until 10am so couldn't collect her straight away, then i got her home and sent her to bed, about an hour later Steven and Jude came home.

Jude had a guiding ALQ meeting, so i persuaded Kevin to babysit as Steven was working.

I finished reading
Waterproof by Chris Crowther
A Murder Mystery set in the Norfolk Broads, it was brilliant, it just made the Broads come alive.

On Sat 8th Dec Jude and Steven celebrate their 1st Wedding Anniversary, and are going away for the weekend, to Norwich.

I worked at Calendar Club till about 2pm, then i went home did some jobs and collected Charlotte from school.

This weekend i am taking my 4 oldest Brownies to the Santas Biggest Brownie Adventure at Hautbois House, Coltishall, which is a Guiding Activity and Training Centre. www.greathauboishouse.org.uk  coincidentally, 2 of the oldest Brownies happen to be Kira and Charlotte.  We left about 5pm and arrived about 6.15pm, there were 28 Brownies from all over the East of the Country, the furthest to travel were from Wolverhampton.  After we settled down we did some crafts and had Hot Chocolate and home made cookies, they went to bed, but sleep didn't seem to come into the equation.
On Saturday, we went on the Bure Valley Railway www.bvrw.co.uk to Aylsham to visit Santas Grotto, then back on the train for lunch, then in the afternoon we did Crafts, then for tea we had a Christmas Party, and later played games and sang song,.
On Sunday, we went a walk in the grounds, then did some more crafts, had a Christmas dinner, then left for home.
It was an exhausting weekend (for me), but fun and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. we got home about 3.30pm, It mad my day when one of the parents gave me a Poinsettia as a Thank You.

Steven and Jude don't get home till tomorrow, so Kira has gone to Shirleys and Charlotte is staying the night with us.

I finished reading
Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
an Hercule Poirot Book

Penny is well and truly Kevins cat, always waits for him, and sleeps on his pillow, yesterday when he came home from 6th Form, Penny was sitting on the bannister waiting for him as she usually does, he walks into his bedroom and sitting in the middle of the room was a strange cat, obviously came through the cat flap.

I had a book delivered today from www.readitswapit.co.uk, it was a book i swapped with Bob in mind, it was entitled Alternative answers to Asthmas and Allergies , I told him about it at lunchtime, he sounded doubtful, so I said, I am serious you know, his response,' that is what I am afraid of.'

I just got home at lunchtime, and Anita from Redgate rang, they couldn't get hold of Jenny and Sophie wasn't well, i said i would try to track her down or i would collect her, i couldn't get hold of her but managed to get hold of Andy, who was talking to her on his mobile, so she collected Sophie, then Sophie was having temper tandrums because she wanted TV on and her mum wouldn't let her, so Sophie decided she wanted to go back to school.

Jude has chosen to become my Assistant Brownie Guider, so she is doing her ALQ (Adult Leadership Qualification) to earn her warrant, one thing she has to do is be observed running a Brownie Meeting, so tonight she ran the meeting, last week she took Photos of all the Brownies, and this week they decorated Christmas Photo Frames using Glass pens, and made Snowman Calendars.
We will not have enough money to pay the census this year which is £21 per person and due in February, so i am organising a sponsored Kims Game (Memory Game) for January, to try and aid our funds and keep us solvent.

I finished reading
Snow Blind by PJ Tracy
There aren't many baby entrepeneurs these days, most kids are parked in front of the TV or Playstation, hands out for allowances earned by their mere existance.

I have always been an avid reader, since I learnt to read at my Grandads knee, before i went to school i was a proficient reader.

I cut my teeth on the likes of Famous Five, Secret Seven and Narnia, later moving on to books like Anne of Green Gables and the Hobbit.

My favourite types of books are who done its, thrillers, mystery and adventures with some fantasy and sci fi thrown in occasionally. I do prefer British Authors, although there are some good international authors.

About two years ago i joined an online book swap it group, where you list books you have read, then you do a search by author, title, genre or newly added books for a book you want to read, when you find a book, you request to swap it, then the person looks at your book list, if they find a book they like, you agree a swap, the only thing this costs you is posting the book.   They have recently introduced a wishlist, so you can add books you are looking for, and then if someone adds that book, you can ask for a swap.  It is a great fun and cheap way of finding new books, and also it is great for experimenting on books you wouldn't previously choose as it costs so little.  There is a wonderful selection of Fiction and Non Fiction Books there

The site is www.readitswapit.co.uk.

Recently on Readit Swapit, i spotted a book, The story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting, as I felt i had a badly deprived childhood, never having read this book, i swapped it, and i have just finished reading it, it was very easy and fun, but nothing to get my teeth into, which is hardly surprising i suppose.

Today we met up for a County PR Meal, not only to celebrate Christmas but to wish our County PR advisor Chris all the best for the future, ready for me and Louise to take over on the 1st January 2008.
We went to Hill House Hotel in East Dereham, being central to the County.  Also joining us was the Norfolk County President Carol Bundock, who is a TV and Radio Presenter for BBC East.
We had a Carvery followed by a White Chocolate and Raspberry Tartlet with Fresh Cream, it was delicious but i found it a little sweet for my taste, we also shared a bottle of wine and finished in the Lounge with coffee.  It was a lovely relaxing meal, we presented Chris with a photo book of her term in office and a card.

Chris in turn presented me and Louise with a card entiitled

Key Messages for Norfolk County PR Advisors

PR Advisors don't get a salary - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!

If you achieve 50% of what you set out to do - you're doing a lot better than the last PR Advisor

Set your DEFAULT font to trebuchet at the outset to avoid confusion

Info from CHQ is there to be read only when you have a free minute or two! Keep a pile by the bed to ward off insomnia.

PR Advisors have the biggest team within Girlguiding Norfolk - 8500 members - so a volunteer is never far away!

PR is fun - enjoy

I thought that was rather nice.