Christmas Turkeys

We had a great Christmas, and I hope everyone else did! The gifts were all a hit, the day was chilled, the food (by me!) turned out great!! Geoff even complimented the moistness of the turkey; he is usually quite reticent to eat turkey so it was a real tour de force, if a dead turkey wrapped in bacon can be one of those.

Another Christmas turkey is Mae's latest haircut, which she loves. I am not so sure, although I paid the hairdresser (does this look like an asymetrical bob or two haircuts on the same person? I mean, really, for jeepers in hecks' sake!) Thank god for knowing kindly hairdressers; we are booked in on January 4th and that is one appointment we are not going to miss!

One of the best parts about this Christmas has been the snow-loads!!! A perfect beginning in our new home- even though we continue to struggle with the downdraft from the woodstove and are probably slowly poisoning ourselves, the scene outside still warms the heart. I think it's also done me good for about a week taking Mae everywhere in her sled. Good workout!

Then on Boxing Day went to the relatives' house to hang out and continue to fall in love with our new nephew, who looks alot like Bonhomme! He is jolly and happy and quick to smile, but the one thing about him is that he HAS to know what is going on, and his head is on a swivel checking everyone out all the time!

Even more snow outside their back window! We couldn't get the girls outside, little misses.

Here they are playing with the present of the year, from Nana and Papa. Its a cool dino world with maniac cars speeding around. Mae loves it, Rumpole loves is and it was the perfect gift until we saw the disadvantages....

And yes, I managed to get a picture. Mae wasn't crying, the only thing was that I was laughing too hard!! A couple more of these run-ins and her hair will be all one length!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Request

I don't usually do requests, particularly for that after dinner cup of tea for Geoff, but here you go mom, pics of Mae in recent weeks, including a close-up of a now gone to the tooth fairy tooth on the verge of falling out. I would like everyone to reflect on the fact that if we were still using film, this is one thing that wouldn't be caught on it.

Wind, Woodstoves and 'What?!'


Well, we are finally in and sorting ourselves out. It rained and rained when we moved in, and the wind was howling for days. So much so that Geoff (who has slept through a gas explosion) lost sleep. Rumpole was even hiding under the covers looking fearfully at the window! But he has settled in really well; we didn't really think the cat would survive the move but he's like a new, chilled out version of himself and I am slowly beginning to love him again (holy crap, eh?). We even had a fence panel blow down and some kind soul put it back up- no idea who it was!!!

Then we had a leak in our living room on the chimney breast, which was recently painted. Although having said that, the leak started when the woodstove was being put in, so we need to repaint anyway. We are getting to grips with said woodstove; we have had a few smokeouts and the cost of fuel is a surprise but it gives out a nice heat when it's lit. One thing I learned whilst decorating for Christmas however, is that pewter melts at fairly low temperatures. Here's a hint: don't hang pewter ornaments over your woodstove.

And the reference to 'what?!': unlike our last place, the walls here are actually made of something more substantial than eggshell and not open plan, so lately most of our communication has sounded like this:

Jen, Geoff or Mae: 'Mumble! mumble, mumble mumble mumble?'

Jen, Geoff or Mae: 'What?'

Jen, Geoff or Mae: ' Mumble mumble mumble MUMBLE!'

Jen, Geoff or Mae: 'Hunh?!'

Jen, Geoff or Mae: 'MUMBLE MUMBLE MUMBLE!!!!'

Jen, Geoff or Mae: 'You're going to have to come in here, I can't hear you!!!'

Jen Geoff or Mae: 'Just wondering what time is it?/Do you know where my keys are?/Do you know where my dinosaur is?/etc etc'

But after all that I have to say we all love it. Really, really love it.

Halfway House

Hopefully we are now past this stage. Will get more photos soon, the floors are back in and most of the electrics are done, although it has been stressful. Thank god for Ross, who has camped out with us this week and helped with flooring, cooker, radiators, electrics and more!!

Another first

We've had first steps, first word (was it daddy?), first dry night and first day at nursery, childminder and school. We've even had first curse (about two weeks ago) Jesus Heck. But Mae READ her first word tonight, no help from anyone.

Plop.

Thanks, Dr. Seuss.

During

I couldn't do many 'before' pictures as we were so quick off the mark: day one get rid of all the carpets, complete with NAILS at all the edges, and day two strip Mae's wallpaper. Today? Woodworm treatment starting and me taking polystyrene tiles (what jackass invented those....) off the kitchen ceiling.

Cute outside covered area for those rainy days....

My next project; do you believe they left this there...!

Flowers flowers everywhere..

My favourite bit of the whole house!

Scary steep narrow stairs.

Crazy upstairs toilet looks like an airplane loo.

Another great bit- the closet with extra space at the back!!

Reasons

The reason why I love this area: today I was out in the back garden on the phone, when I looked up and saw two herons flying overhead, having fun and circling around. They have obviously eaten today and had time to play. Lovely.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

It's about a few weeks till your birthday and probably about 2 years until you get to sit in this, but we saw it at a little second hand shop in Annan and thought you would love it!!!

Happy Birthday Heather!!!

Have a fabulous day!!!!

on her own terms

You couldn't accuse Mae of being a Barbie girl. Not at all. bit if she WAS a Barbie girl, this is the kind of Barbie girl she would be.