Greetings, reader.
I feel surprisingly calm today, considering that in 7 little days time, I shall be running round our kitchen like a loon. Changed plans on the meat front - as I'm going to be popping my Christmas cooking cherry, decided to go for just one meat - Turkey. Bought just shy of £20's worth of it yesterday and it's currently in my freezer. I just hope we don't end up like the Royle Family, trying to defrost the turkey with a hair dryer!
I think we've just about got it all sorted, anyway. A nice smoked salmon starter, with cheese and crackers, Full works main course to include roast potato's, roast parsnips, carrots, sprouts, etc. And for desert... I can't remember. A cake, I think.
It snowed last night. I think most parts of the country saw some, but, as ususal, the South-East had the lions share. I feel incredible resentment towards the South-East of England. Any extremes of weather that are thrown at this country - they get it. It actually angers me. It's ridiculous.
Luke and I ventured out to ASDA this morning to get a few bits off a list that has been floating round for a few days. I approached a parent and child spot that was about to be vacated when I was stopped by a parking attendant who was stood in the middle of the road. She was a lady who spoke with a Caribbean accent, who told me that I couldn't park there because it is for parents and "childs" only. I told her I was aware of that, and pointed at Luke who was sat in the back of the car. She apologised, saying she didn't think I had a child with me. She hadn't even looked! Bizarre.
Tomorrow is the 70th birthday of my dad. Stephen James Francis. I was going to get all nostalgic again about how special Christmas would have been if he were still around. It would, of course, but he would want absolutely nothing to do with it. To the best of my recollection, he didn't enjoy a celebration, my dad. He would attend parties and functions, but he'd sit at the back, on his own - and he was happy with that. All my memories of him sat in his local, The Almond Tree, are of him sat on his own. People would often come and sit with him, and he would happily engage in conversation, but after a few minutes, they would return to their own seats.
I think I get my conversational ability from him. I am crap at phone calls. Ring me with a purpose and we can explore and ultimately achieve that, but don't expect small talk from me because I can't do it. Is that a Steve Francis thing, or just a bloke thing? I don't know.
It's going to be a "funny" old Christmas this one, but I know that we can get through it together, and embrace whatever 2010 has to throw at us.
I replaced the bulbs in the lights that shine over our driveway today. I've been wanting to put some of them energy saving fella's in them for ages, and today was the day. I look forward to seeing how they compare to regular bulbs tonight, when it becomes dark.
My lovely wife has had two evenings out this week, attending various Christmas "do's". She's a lucky thing, although, by her own admission, she was a little delicate after one of them. That's what a good do is all about, though - enjoying yourself!
Did I mention in my last post that we have a mouse living with us at the moment? Well here's an update - he's been here for over a week now. He's a cocky little bugger and often walks through the room when we're sat in it. I was SO close to ending his sorry life earlier this week, when I cornered him in the dining room. I attacked him with the Thompson Local, but missed. He ran past me and I chased him down the kitchen. We currently have four traps baited and waiting for him to show an interest. If he's not gone by sunday, I'm going to get some glue strips to put down near to where I think he's coming in and out. They're cruel - I know they're cruel, but he's not playing ball by letting me chop his head off the conventional way. Bastard thing.
I now have two hospital appointments in January. One for my umbilical hernia, and another for my dizzy spells. I'm a wreck.
My phone - oh god my phone - is driving me properly mad. Twice today it has decided to switch itself off. It's completely getting on my tits. I can take out an upgrade with 3 from the 26th December, or wait until my 18months are up on the 26th April, if I want to leave them. I've done a bit of digging (surprised?), and have decided that if I'm not having an iPhone (which just isn't feasible, due to costings), then I want a Samsung Jet. 3 will do one for me for £25 with unlimited internet. I want to pay less than that, so I'll see if they'll do me some sort of deal when I call them after Christmas.
Last week, Luke and I spent a lovely afternoon in Wigan, feeding ducks on the canal. I feel really lucky to be able to do that with him. Photo's are here. He is being very "huggy" today. He's also showing signs of tiredness which isn't good as we're off to Rhyl in half an hour or so. Looks like I might have to take the hit of him having a wee snooze. Ah well.
Finally, today is the end of a broadcasting era. Sir Terry Wogan hung up his breakfast show headphones for the last time, and bowed out in the most gracious manner you could imagine. I doubt his like will ever be heard again. Watch here, for the last couple of minutes of his show.
I will do my best to squeeze another blog-ette in before Christmas. I have 36 hours in work to do before the big day, finishing at 7am on the morning of the 24th.
Now - go and do some panic shopping and buy shitty stuff for people you love simply because you think you need to buy them more than you already have!
Yours, walking in the air.....
