Good-ish Tidings We Bring...

A recap of sorts before I do my year end posts.

Much of this month has been made up of:

•  not-so-nice days at work, I'm pretty much drowning in paperwork :-(
 
• a well-earned 4 day break to take advantage of the release of the World of Warcraft expansion, Cataclysm 

• our departmental Christmas lunch (since we couldn't get a night out sorted, the guys are just rubbish!) which was a good laugh, great Thai food too

• the Courteeners gig (- pictured - good music, drunken idiots throwing beer though)

• getting my tattoo touched up - apparently this is quite common on black tattoos once the skin has settled but I wasn't expecting another half hour of pain! Yowch! 

• my bad cold resulting in my taking a day off work and cancelling the girlie Christmas outing!  :-(

• cold weather and snow, though not enough to stop me from going into work (unfortunately) but cold enough to freeze my pipes so that on two occasions, I had no water, having to go to the gym to shower in the morning. After that first time, I stocked up on water just in case (need for kettle and loo!) but have recently been putting the central heating on full blast - not looking forward to the bill. 

• a lovely Christmas dinner with the glamorous C and her kids - very relaxing, good food, great company. Christmas morning, I Skyped the family - was fab to see them all, bar Sis #3 who was in Singapore with her family.

Caught up with Boom a couple of times - was supposed to meet him on Boxing Day but he couldn't get nurse cover for his mum and when I did see him the other day, he'd come straight from the hospital so hadn't brought my present with him.... Have to say that as he'd given me a pc monitor last month, I wasn't expecting anything from him.

Other presents-wise, I got a mixture of daft gifts including a WoW calendar, photo frames, CD, gig ticket, lots of alcohol, a 'Hit Girl' t-shirt but my main present is my Amazon Kindle - it's well cool, very easy on the eye, is kinda like a book when it's in its leather cover but to tie in with my usual new year resolution, I need to make sure I don't go mad with buying and downloading books for it (unless they're free books).

BTW, blog likely to change - at some point, need to sort out template, hate the standard widgets I have at the moment.

All I Want For Christmas Is...

Well I dunno about anyone else but I had a most pleasant Christmas - stress-free, relaxing, lots of drink, too much food (maybe the other way round...).

I was given my own Christmas stocking (a blingy snow white one!) as the glamorous C's son still 'believes'. It was filled with goodies - I must have been a good girl!

So Christmas morning, after a heavy night of champagne and wine, we were woken up early to shouts of "IT'S CHRISSSSSTMAS!" to open presents. Although not technically a gift as it was an unwanted upgrade of the glamorous C, I still see my new Nokia mobile phone as such - it's so dinky and cool!

Long distance calls to speak to members of my family - it was good to hear what they did, albeit without me and when I heard my little niece on the phone say my name, I tried not to get too emotional. Shame I didn't catch my Gran though.

The glamorous C cooked a lovely Christmas dinner - I did my share of peeling vegetables, and slicing/serving the meat, and also kept the kids amused so she was able to cook with little distraction. We ate non-stop, drank gin and a load of Baileys and watched Top Of The Pops. The kids' dad came to pick them up so me and the glamorous C carried on into the night, catching a whole manner of festive tv, it was really relaxing.

We didn't get many chances to chat but the glamorous C is in a happy place right now - she mentioned that her new bloke had asked her to move in with him, that her next wedding would be a very small affair...wow! Maybe it's just me but things are like going way too fast for my mind to comprehend (they met on 1st Nov...) but if she's happy and comfortable with it, it's no business of mine to say anything, I mean what do I know?

Boxing Day, we stayed in our pyjamas until late afternoon, watched St Trinians on DVD (the recent adaptation), nursed a sore head.

Later, the glamorous C was off to see her sugar daddy and me...? Well, I went out too and after watching Pride & Glory, had a fab and fun (but very late) night.

The next couple of days are a blur of sleeping, eating (turkey sandwiches or cheese and crackers) and watching episode after excellent episode of Lost: Season 3.

Sportwise, the festive period hasn't been a good one for Ebbsfleet United, but has been excellent for Liverpool, who after beating Bolton 3-0 on Boxing Day, went on to thrash Newcastle 5-1, netting me a nice crisp tenner (my usual wager with the Geordie at work) and keeping the Reds on top of the league into the new year and on track to win their first ever Premier League title....

Today, I thought I'd brave the sales. Decided against going to the Trafford Centre so I went into a very chilly Manchester. When I saw the hoardes there, I developed a headache but after a coupla hours, I came away with a few bits and pieces, including some incredibly high heels (why? Because they were on sale...) and being organised for once, picked up Christmas cards for next year too!

Back to work tomorrow before another long weekend - I need to motivate myself for aerobics too, start as I mean to go on, etc.

So did Santa bring me what I wanted? Perhaps - only hope that it's not just for Christmas! ;-)

Secret Satan

I haven't laughed so much in ages at work - it's not been that kind of atmosphere recently what with the merger (and soon yet another merger...), threat of the axe and general low morale.

But yesterday, we did our Secret Satan (Secret Santa with a twist!) at work and I can't believe we haven't done this before cos it was bloody funny!

Let me explain how Secret Satan works - people taking part each buy a unisex present to the value of £10 and wrap it up. Then everyone picks a number out of a hat.

Whoever picks number 1 gets to choose any present off the table and unwraps it in front of everyone.

Next, the person with ticket no 2 can choose to either unwrap a new present from the table, or STEAL the present from person 1!!

If they choose to steal from person 1, then person 1 can go back to the table and pick another gift. The new present is then again unwrapped in front of everyone.

And so it goes on! Person 3 can then either choose to steal one of the opened gifts, or open one from the table.

Whoever that person steals from, gets to open a fresh present.

Then person 4, person 5 and so on! The last person has a whole load of presents to choose from, or can ultimately take a chance with the last unwrapped present!

Anyway, it was bloody hilarious, expecially when people unwrapped presents which they clearly liked, only to have them whipped away by someone else!

I ended up with a bingo game (including alcoholic drinks - cool!), after the Jaws DVD trilogy I unwrapped got stolen by someone else!

There were a couple of dud presents, including some Ann Summers chocolate body paint, which just happened to go to the person in the department least likely to make any use out of it - as I said bloody funny - we must do it again next year!

I had a sore throat from all the laughing and later, went to the gym with the glamorous C (needed to work off the Xmas buffet excesses). We did our last Body Attack aerobics class for the year and then more laughing afterwards, resulting in me losing my voice!

Most people at work are winding down for the festive period but I have a 3 day week next week...

Designs On You

As stated previously, the company has been getting into the festive spirit by organising little competitions for the employees.

I found out this morning there was a Christmas card design competition, so during my lunch, I cobbled together a card that had moving parts - basically a guy in a window stood under some mistletoe and when you pull the tag, a girl appears to kiss him. Just simple cartoon stuff.

Thought it was ok, if a bit rushed so I was rather surprised to see the 'elf' volunteers surrounding my desk in the afternoon to present me with the winning prize - lol, a bit of Pritt stick, Sellotape and stuff from the company recycle bin can produce a masterpiece if you try!

Speaking of recycling, those prizes are going to get wrapped up and given away as presents... ;-)

EDIT - I found out that I didn't actually get first prize - first and second prize went to two of the 'elf' volunteers - what a fix!!

Hearts and stuff

Valentine's Day - hope everyone had a good one.

The day started off quite well, made a lot of progress at work and then at lunchtime, I was teaching J some basic origami as she was thinking of using little paper flowers and stuff to brighten things up at her forthcoming wedding. It was like being back at junior school again...ie learning fun stuff with coloured bits of paper!

Then the rest of the afternoon descended into one of those nightmare days - I kept my cool as someone ranted at me down the phone and when he realised I wasn't going to back down and do as he said, he got his boss to call me. Good job his boss was more understanding and actually listened to what I said but the damage was done and my brain and temper was fried.

Got home to find a card and Forever Friends teddy/photoframe from the bf - I treated him to McDonalds and to the 'Hannibal Rising' movie - this must have all measured like minus something on the Romantic Richter Scale but it was better than staying in and being miserable.

What's next on the calendar? Must be Easter...

Goodbye 2006...

Well, Christmas was a quiet affair but I got some nice presents:

Toiletries
Pamper kit
Liverpool - Champions Of Europe 2005 DVD
Oasis - Stop The Clocks CD
Kylie - Ultimate Kylie CD
Kylie concert ticket at the MEN arena
iPod nano - 8GB
Lipstick + holder
Designer leather handbag
Speakers for Ipod
George Michael - Twenty Five CD
John Lennon Covers CD
Yoga Book
Chocolates
Cash
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride DVD
Note holder
Fridge magnet

Another good haul - "Oh I wish it could be Christmas every daaaaay...!"

Ok, maybe not, but hope everyone had a good one!

Bless Me!

Well I hope everyone is having a wonderfully festive time!

Me, I can't stop sneezing, my nose keeps running and I need to keep warm or I start feeling ill. My cold which has been on and off over the past month or so has come back with a vengeance, threatening to spoil my holiday. I won't let it...

Anyway, whilst I'm here, thought I'd list the major presents I got:

24: DVD Series 1
24: DVD Series 2
24: DVD Series 3 (so this is 72 hours of my life I've accounted for already next year...)
Lord of the Rings Tactics PSP game
Handbag
Paul Smith perfume
Cracking the Da Vinci Code calendar
A set of beers from the world (namely, Spain, Italy, Belgium and India)
Hot water bottle (has come in handy already!)
2 x sporty cardigans
1 x work cardigan
1 x sporty top
1 x smart top for work

Determined not to let my cold spoil things, me and little sis braved the Boxing Day sales today - we were in Manchester city centre before 10am and it was a successful trip: came away with a new coat (to replace the one stolen), a pair of smart boots, a filofax and a t-shirt. Oh and a Darth Vader money box.

Had a nice little lunch in Chinatown but when I got home, went straight to bed for a kip.

Belated Present

Belated Present
Originally uploaded by weenie.

I came home last night to a belated Christmas present from the boyfriend - Green Day's 'American Idiot' CD album. He'd forgotten to buy it for me, so thought it was better late than never! Sweet and WOOHOO - the album is well cool!

Went to the gym - it was packed with people making the most of their NY resolutions... like me! My new gym gear looks good, fitted enough so I can see where I need to lose the belly and "love handles" (EEEK!) that have started to manifest themselves. I had a good workout of aerobic, abdominal and stretching. Will do more aerobic stuff tomorrow, combined with some light weights, ie my usual routine.

Don't know what my waistline measurement is...dread to think at the moment, esp as all my work skirts are kinda tight!

Another Festive Time Over and Done With...

Who'd have thought that we would have a white Christmas? Certainly the days leading up to the 25th showed no signs of snow, the constant rain led everyone to believe that it would just be a wet Christmas. But miraculously, over night on Christmas Eve, snow fell so the morning of Christmas day was beautiful and white!

Me and the boyfriend started opening our presents as soon as the clock struck midnight - it's a tradition now! Here's a list of my presents:

3 Books - James Barclay 'Raven' trilogy
Star Wars DVD trilogy
Shrek 2 DVD
Fahrenheit 911 DVD
Robbie the Reindeer DVD
Walking jacket (one of those you can zip a fleece into)
Knitted scarf
Maroon 5 CD
Bootee 'feet warmers' (you put them in the microwave...)
Aromatherapy bath/shower/radio kit
Minnie Mouse mug
Diary & address book
Toiletry set
Socks
Fitted casual jacket

Not a bad haul really - I'm pretty pleased with all the above.

Christmas dinner was great and delicious - my little sis is a great cook, unlike me! Who was there? Me, big sis, little sis, Grandma and the bf. We had a lovely chicken dinner, rounded off with Christmas pudding.

After eating, we settled down to watch some festive TV, namely Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone! Dropped Grandma off back home as she didn't want to stay too late and then picked up my sister's mate and her boyfriend.

Played The Really Nasty Horse Racing game, which last two hours but it was great fun, although at the start, no one was really enthusiastic as they didn't know how to play. Once they got the hang of the rules, it was a real laugh! Interestingly enough, us three sisters came 1st, 2nd and 3rd...not that we're competitive or anything!

Me and the bf left at 11.45am. Started reading one of the James Barclay books - looks promising.

Hope anyone who stops to read this had a fabulous Christmas! :)

Eve

Christmas Eve and I'm here at work - the phone has rung just three times and I'm bored out of my mind. The good thing was that it only took me half an hour to drive into work - if only the traffic were this good every day!

The director says we can leave after lunch but not en masse... so how will we decide who goes first? Can see a stampede taking place at noon...

Been wasting time on Speedy Santa - my best time is 8.315, Global Ranking 20146. Addictive and infuriating!

Still got some presents to wrap up and yippee! My item from Play.com finally arrived today! Phew! I've always had great service from them but this was pushing it a bit!

Secret Santa and Buffet

Secret Santa and Buffet Day today at work! I hit Tesco's at 7.45am to buy all the food...and the place was heaving with people! Some kind of madness must take over some people, I mean what was one woman going to do with 24 cartons of long-life milk... the supermarket is only going to be closed for 2 days and her offspring will hardly starve if they don't have milk with their cornflakes!

Anyway, instead of being able to nip in and out, I had to battle my way round the store, cut my finger on someone's wayward trolley and an hour later, had spent £52 on french bread, various pate, sausage rolls, pork pies, crisps, Pringles, a bottle of red and white wine, lemonade, orange juice, samosas, spring rolls, cheese and pickle.

Secret Santa - 20 people taking part, minimum spend £10. People opted to buy for either a Girl or a Boy. Somebody couldn't be bothered and went to the corner shop and bought a box of chocolates for £1.50. The same person also tried to hustle in on our buffet until I pointed out that he hadn't paid, even though I chased him for the money yesterday so he didn't come round when we laid the spread out... Cheeky tight-fisted git still walks away with a present worth a tenner, knowing he's spent crap all on someone else.

What did I get? An aromatherapy shower/bath set with bathroom radio - cool! :)