The Burns night dinner was was great fun, a young piper played his bagpipes as people entered the building and again when the haggis was ceremoniously paraded in. A very smart kilted gentleman in his wonderful Scottish lilt greeted the haggis. The words of Robbie Burns that he spoke sounded romantic, but were quite comical in their content. The food was good, but I couldn't drink the Whisky or was it Whiskey! We ended the evening at friends, who are neighbours, the party was still going on when we left at 1.00am, conscious that I have to leave later in the morning to drive Matt to Bedfordshire!

Another weekend again and were just waiting for Matt to arrive. Trying to juggle picking him up at the ferry with waiting in for a parcel and an appointment I have at the beauty therapist! I'm having a facial this afternoon, Steve bought me two vouchers for Christmas and I'm using one this afternoon. A facial involves a back and shoulder massage and is wonderfully relaxing. I will use the other voucher in a few weeks, which is for a full body massage. I'm working hard to try and loose a bit of weight, so when I have lost a stone I will reward myself!

The parcel I'm waiting for is from Marks & Sparks! I was delighted to see on their website that they now are selling bras in my size. I usually buy mine from company called Bravissimo, but they are hellishly expensive. I took my Mother with me to Hedge End where M&S have a large out of town store. I spent ages looking through thousand of bras and in the end had to find an assistant to show me where to look! Huh, well would you believe this particular line are only sold online as there isn't much call for these sizes. Well I was a bit miffed especially as I had to pay an increased delivery service to have them delivered today! Were going out to night to a dinner for Burns night and I want my new bra to go under a new dress!
I bought the dress in Monsoon, its gorgeous and I'm delighted with it. It was originally priced at £2oo, I certainly would never have paid that, but it was down to £60 and once again my friend Elaine talked me into it. It has a little detail in sequins, as I noticed a few missing I asked the assistant if they would reduce it anymore and they knocked another £10.00 off. As the garment came with a little bag of sequins and thread, I was able to sew on some replacements.
I rang Rebecca earlier, she sounds really happy and is delighted with her new son. We have arranged to go up next weekend to see them and to to meet Vince.
Steve has just gone out to the station to pick up Matt, can't wait to see him.

Congratulations to Rebecca & Simon on the birth today of Vincent James Varney, who was born at home today weighing 8lb.

Another week over and what an awful one its been. My half sister felt insulted by My Mother's phone call to her over a week ago and wrote a letter to my Mother which has upset her immensely! It had quite an accusational tone to it and My Mum thinks I should defend her. Once again I find myself trying to placate everyone.
Once again the weather here becomes a topic of conversation. Steve usually rides his bike to work, but this week it has rained torrentially most days and the wind has blown heavily or described by Steve in sailors terms of forces, sometimes as high as force 10! Fortunately Steve works locally, so I have been able to drop him off to work and most afternoon the weather has abated and he has walked the three miles home. Today were off to Gunwarfe to the 'pictures' to see the Golden Compass, probably not I would choose to see, but Its Steve's choice and were going with friends. Although its no longer raining, the wind is still howling, not sure if I really want to go on the Gosport ferry!
One of my colleagues at work is being moved to another area which is very short staffed, it will leave our team a little short, so I am 'probably' going to be offered some more hours, I say probably, because wheels always turn slowly in the NHS and although my manager has approached me, she has it have it approved higher up! I have said I will do five more hours as I still want to be able to have Mondays off and Friday afternoons!
My sister in law hasn't yet produced her second baby, she hasn't told us the exact date, all we know is January, so it can't be too long now!
Matthew seems happy in Bedford. next weekend he will be home to sort his stuff out and on Sunday I will I will drive him back with his belongings. As I don't work on Mondays I will spend Sunday night with My friend Linda.

Yesterday was a glorious morning and I went for a long walk along the seafront with my friend Sandy. It had been a very windy few days so we collected a couple of large pieces of drift wood for my front garden and hauled them back between us. At the moment they are sitting on the pea shingle, where they were dumped. I need to arrange them so they give the right affect, that is harder than it seems as I am most probably one of the least artistic people ever!

The weekend started well, on Friday evening we were with friends. It was a late night or should I say early morning as we didn't get in until 1.30am on Saturday. There were eight of us at Elaine & Brian's home. We had a great evening, it was a really sociable night, eating food cooked on a raclette and drinking rather a lot of Champagne. There was lots of laughter and lots of debate. I still can't believe how fortunate we are to have such lovely friends and all unknown to us until our move back to Hampshire.

It's Sunday morning, the weekend has whizzed by, not in a hive of activity as I spent another day yesterday on the sofa, nursing my head! Today we have an invitation for lunch at some friends. Steve desperately wants to go as there will be a bunch of guys with whom he feels comfortable and they can talk boats. I'd really prefer another day being quiet as my head is still throbbing. I will probably take some painkillers an hour beforehand and see then if I feel up to it.
Yesterday I actually had two e mails from my twin sister. The first communication from her in a year. She had received a communication from our other sister and had sent me her reply which told Annie that she didn't consider her any part of her family and that she & her children didn't want anything to do with her! Later in the day came the second message in response to a reply that Annie had sent to her. (do you follow, so far?). Twin sister wanting me to pass on a message to Annie! Oh dear I feel I'm 'piggy in the middle'. Sister's would probably have never been destined to get along as they both are very opinionated, but then who do they take after!!!
Matthew moved permenantly back to Bedford after Christmas, he has moved in with a friend. He successfully applied for and got a job with a small manufaturing company. He will be be working in customer services, dealing with people, mainly on the phone and via e mail. He starts tomorrow, so Good Luck Matt & when are you coming home to clear all your stuff out of the garage, so I can put the car away and not have to scrape the ice on icy mornings?

It was back to work yesterday, I came home absolutely shattered and with a raging headache. I didn't feel any better after dinner, so I went to bed at 7.00pm. I dozed all evening, slept all night and woke up feeling awful. I work a half day on Friday's and as my head was still thumping I decided not to go into work. I have spent the day in my pj's on the sofa, sleeping and watching a little bit of television. No energy left to write anymore & I think it will be another very early night.

A Happy New year to everyone. The arrival of 2008 was quite a quiet affair, a small party at the home of Tim & Jane. It was a sober little party, but enjoyed by all, particularly 10 year old Anthony who tasted Champagne for the first time. This afternoon we will host another quiet little party, Tea & Cake at 4.00 pm for half a dozen friends. I'm particularly aware that we haven't done any entertaining, so decided to do something really low key, although I'm sure Steve will find a couple of bottles of Fizz and he will probably concoct some mulled wine.

I wonder what 2008 will bring? I'm certain that most people will be wishing for health & happiness for their closest friends & family as am I. Ian is planning to submit his work for his phd this year and talked briefly about his future plans which seem to be around the world of academia. Matt has a job interview on Thursday, he, I'm sure will soon get a job to pay his way and perhaps 2008 will be the year where he may find out where he is going in life!!!
Were looking forward to the arrival of Rebecca & Simon's second child in the early part of January