…but a whimper.
Still slowly bringing home bits and pieces of food and drink left over from the party. I over-catered on a massive scale and the whole thing was a bit of a disappointment. In the end, more or less only the people who said they were coming actually turned up - which came to about a dozen or so during the afternoon. Worth doing, but I know next time to rein in the shopping a bit.
Looking on the bright side though, we have plenty of stuff now that will do for our Open House this Saturday afternoon.
It didn't start well for me and I guess this affected my whole mood. D flatly refused to bring his car into town so that we could pick up Claire from JGI. He suggested that 'she didn't have to come' and it was a complete waste of effort, which I'm afriad really pissed me off. We got on so well as neighbours at the old office and I drop by regularly. Since her hip operation she's unable to walk far and can't do stairs.
So once we got back to the office at 1pm from our meeting in Lym, I cycled home to get my car and picked her up en route back.
Ironically, by 4pm JO was struggling with her second blinding migraine in three weeks and had to be taken home. Weird driving her little Polo (just the same as the car we had until about three years ago) and then knackering cycling home against the wind for six miles! She's better now, but we need to watch her stress levels next year I think, She's not great at coping.
It really seems, forgive my cynicism, that for D these days the only 'relationships' he pursues with people are those that have some return value in a business, or financial sense. The three guests at the party most notably ignored we Claire as mentioned, Alldays who drove in from Wooville to catch up and a couple from one of the guest houses in Eastleigh.
It's really shallow and irritating, but was ever thus.
Challenge him on it, and of course you get "well yes of course. There's got to be something in it for us."
But there is, if only you could see it.
Next week's Planning Meeting for 2007 could be interesting.
And converstaion crashing is his latest trick.
What's that quote?
"If you aren't talking about an Alpha male, they are not listening"...

Christmas tree is up and looks great. Mum and Dad helped during their visit on Saturday - the annual exchange of presents. Thankfully there is less for the kids this year - probably only two or three things each, including those from my sister. As usual we got told off for spending too much on them (two presents each - less than £50??) but it feels good to be able to give a bit more generously this year than in the past.
I picked up Trx's coat this afternoon in Debenhams and so spend the last £40 of our pot, which was on a bargain that was, for no obvious reason, reduced from £75? As a surprise I got her a lovely brass bell for the front door, with bell rope and a clapper and everything. We gave up looking for one a year or two ago, so moving into the Bargate has opened up several new shops we don't usually visit. And we can play the 'tenants' card and get up to 20% off.

Trx read a passage from the front during the evening carol Service on Sunday, which I think she enjoyed. First time, and she was really nervous. But vicar obviously chose her on purpose, because the five other readers were also 'virgins' picked at the last minute. He only came round at 5pm (another 'glass-of-wine-and-a-mince-pie' moment) with the notes, claiming that someone else had dropped out at the last minute. Easy enough piece, Luke 2, but I'm glad she's started it.
Thursday night at cell I'm putting together a "Pass the Prayer Parcel" as my contribution to the games. This is after I shat on the idea someone else had of all dressing up as characters from the Nativity!!!

Just fed and put Norag to bed. Two 'meals' a day now, but she doesn't like nar-ners.
She's quite easy to put down, especially compared with Elsi who I remember was a bugger at this age and screamed for ages. Miss Baggins settles herself within five minutes usually. Shame she only sleeps for three hours at a time.
Phone - Tx's sister.
We have to arrange another visit to someone else next week.