My Thoughts

Well Christmas has been and gone, we had the best Christmas ever. Having Dylan with us made the whole day even more enjoyable. It was really great to see all our friends and family over the festive period.

I spent the majority of Christmas day morning getting the dinner ready for the 10 of us who were eating in our new Kitchen diner. There was a 20lb turkey to wrestle into the tray, lots of veg, pigs in blankets, bread pudding, and so on, you get the idea, a traditional Christmas dinner.

I have had enough practice over the past few years cooking up the Christmas dinner, and thankfully like the ones before this one went without a hitch. Everyone had a lovely meal together and after dinner we all went through to the lounge and opened up our presents together. It was a really great afternoon, one I shall remember forever.

Needless to say Dylan got the majority of presents, including a spinning top, an activity walker and a baby Liverpool FC football kit. Watching him play with his toys is great fun, I spent hours watching him shake his head to music, and bang cups together.

Christmas evening was spent in front of the tele watching the Christmas programmes, including Ricky Gervais' Politics which I still find hilarious every time I watch it.

Can't wait for next Christmas to come round now!!

Posted by Dean at 09:53 AM | Permalink

On Saturday morning I went over to France and Belgium to get some bits for the festive season. We had a fantastic crossing, a bit choppy as you may expect at this time of year but not the kind of crossing to turn you green.

Whilst over in Belgium I bought a selection of beers, a case of the most bizarre and potent beers the country has to offer. There is nothing under 5.6% and there is at least one that is 10%. I have already had a few bottles, they helped numb the brain on Saturday evening as Jo was watching an audience with Take That. Although I would sooner pull my own fingernails out with pliers and then proceed to put the exposed tips into industrial bleach than have watched this programme, there was no way I could have stolen the remote from Jo to watch any other channel. It was firmly clasped in her hand. One thing I must say is fair play to the fella out of the group who must be pushing 40 now, and was break dancing like a teenager. Not sure I will be body popping and doing windmills when I am his age.

Whilst I was out enjoying the local brews in Belgium, Jo was at home grouting the kitchen. I tell you what she has done a good job too, she is much better than me with a grout float and a sealing gun. I end up making wobbly lines, hers are dead straight with crisp edges. If she gets bored of her current employment she can always become a tiler!

The kitchen has come on leaps and bounds, as I have already mentioned all the tiles are now up and grouted. The peninsular unit is finished, all the doors are on and most of the painting is done. The only things now are little jobs like cutting a bit of kickboard, adding a handle to one of the draws and getting Dan the blind man to come in and fit the roller blind.

Dylan had some trouble with his guts over the weekend, and his poor old butt was red raw with nappy rash. Not sure if it is because of his teething or if he had a bug. He wasn't sick, just had violent eruptions in his nappies. My mum told me that I was the same with my teeth when I was a nipper. So sorry son it sounds like it may be hereditary. The good news is today his rash has all gone and his morning toffee is back to the consistency and aroma it should be! Let's hope his teeth will be here soon, I wouldn't like him to be going through that every time a tooth is on the way.

Posted by Dean at 12:46 PM | Permalink

Well as far as I am concerned the first day of December signifies the first day of getting ready for Christmas. Over the next few days I will be putting up the tree, writing out my cards and stocking up on the festive cheer. I am off to France and Belgium tomorrow to get a few ingredients for our New Year James Bond party. Plenty of vodka and martini, plus a whole heap of other bits for the cocktail bar! I will no doubt get Jo some Belgian chocolates, and if I have to help her eat it… so be it :0)

I love Christmas time, and this year will be even better because Dylan will be having his first Christmas. Not that I expect him to do much more than rip up the wrapping paper and then try to devour it, but it will make the whole holiday even more enjoyable.

Happy Christmas to all!

Posted by Dean at 01:49 PM | Permalink