Christmas Pud

Christmas Day at Home
Like most other families, my Christmas wouldn't be complete without assembling toys with wordless instructions, drinking a fair amount of South African wine and Jack Daniels, and yelling. It felt like home.  Natalie enjoyed everything about the abundance of elfin charity...he really was a jollyold elf for the kiddo.Three story dollhouse, complete with dolls and furniture, coloring books, playdough and clay, Sylvanian cow family and caravan and My Little Pony etc and puzzles ad nauseum. I'm really hoping that she remembers this Christmas because this would be a great first Christmas to remember. My thanks to everyone who helped make this a great Christmas for the kiddo. Really. She's really happy and using her imagination in ways I hadn't seen yet.

I woke up first and was the ONLY one awake. Nat SLEPT IN!  It was nice having an hour to have coffee and read before the kid(s) woke up. When she did finally make it downstairs, immediately made a beeline for the house and she ignored all the lovely and might I say, gorgeously wrapped presents. Someone spent a lot of time wrapping those. I keed. Yeah, she ignored everything (read: us) for about twenty minutes and then eventually got around to opening a present. And then she wanted us to open them for her. This is so not my kid.

By the time it was time to get ready to leave for Brian and Ruth's house for Christmas dinner (1 pm) she still had several presents unopened. It wasn't like there was a bazillion presents... she just took her time with each one. Like I said, not my kid. No, I shouldn't say that... I've got the c-section scar and it's the holidays and all. She played with each toy before moving on to the next. The toy that got the most giggles out of her was the Toy Story Woody doll... the one with the removable hat. This Woody knows when his hat's missing  and when he's wearing it. She quite enjoyed tormenting Woody by giving the hat to him and then snatching it away. Tons of giggles. So I guess she really is my kid.

Christmas at Ruth's
Who wouldn't want to spend part of Christmas Day at the Hostess with the Mostest's house? Ruth is awesome! She put on the traditional English Christmas dinner: turkey, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips,  roast parsnips, cranberry sauce, steamed carrots, steamed Brussels sprouts with minty peas, Yorkshire pudding, GRAVY. And Christmas crackers. Yes, we wore the dinky, embarrassing, fun paper crowns after pulling the crackers... all through dinner. And I tried sherry! And I hate it!

I ate everything. Almost. But so worth it. I took the placename cards for our seats at the table. Have to have tangible momentoes, people.

Ruth's mother, Sue, and her mother's 'partner' Dave were there along with Dave's mother, Elsie who will be 100 in May...Lord willing. Elsie was really alert and with it the entire time. A little deaf but to be expected when we get that old.

I had a hard time keeping it together when Sue spoke. She's a very sweet, warm lady...used to be a Home Economics teacher. She just happens to talk like Terry Jones when he impersonates a woman. And given that Brian's name is Brian... well, I was a very good girl. I may have snorted enough once that I got a look from Sue and Dave but Dan says he didn't see or hear me be inappropriate.

And then there was Harvey. Ah, Harvey. I wanted to take him home... a big gentle yellow tub of a mixed-breed dog. When Harvey left to go home, Brian was all sad like. Me too. Harvey treated my feet like a well appreciated pillow. He was a great dog, only farted once.

And then there was Christmas pud. Pudding is not pudding like you, my fellow Americans, know pudding. This is not Bill Cosby pudding. It's pud, or dessert.

Sue: "Brian..." {I struggle to keep from quoting Monty Python} "...requested an Amaretto cheesecake for his Christmas pud."

Me: "Oh, what an interesting combination."

Sue: "Yes, since there's no recipe for Amaretto cheesecake, I've had to make it up."

I almost vomited in my mouth a bit but again, I'm on my best behavior.

Me: "Is that so?"

Sue: "Mmm, yes. So I asked him before I started baking it if he wanted it in the base or in the cheesecake part. You know, the amaretto? And he said yes. So it's a very rich cheesecake, lots of alcohol. Would Natalie like some jelly? I think you call it Jello?"

Me: "Sure. She likes jello."

It wasn't jello. Because Ruth and Sue are vegetarians, they don't keep gelatin around. So the jello wasn't jello, and the cheesecake wasn't your normal cheesecake.

But that cheesecake was the best cheesecake I've ever had and I really don't like cheesecake. And the traditional Christmas Pudding was pretty good too, and I don't like fruitcake either. It had brandy custard to drown it with. Aaaaaaah.

As we're eating, the Queen's Christmas Day Message comes on and since we're in the middle of eating, no one stops to go to the telly. Instead we turn on the radio to listen to it. You can read it for yourself. I was amused by the link that was created between King James VI of Scotland and the recent Paralympics...

And because Ruth is class, she had pressies ready for us after dinner. A Peppa Pig book and color pencils for Natalie and an assortment of tea for us. And because Sue is class, as she is Ruth's mum, she had a pressie for us too! A nice bottle of a French red. Wine is her thing and she remembered that we liked wine from the first time we met.

I'm so happy that I got to spend the day with these people.


Boxing Day at Low's
It has been a long (but not really long) time since we've been able to spend time with Paul and Sonia. Paul's been traveling for work and Sonia's time is taken up by her job's extra duties (Form Tutor) as well as being mom to Melissa. So it was a lovely surprise when Dan asked if I wanted to spend Boxing Day with  the Lows. Paul picked us up because, lovely of lovlies, the damn buses don't run on Christmas Day OR the day after, Boxing Day.

There was another couple there who have a son the same age as Melissa, @ 18 months. Natalie didn't really play with the two, but she entertained herself just fine as usual.

The Lows made salad and mini-baked potatoes for lunch. Now, Sonia's French and Paul's Australian, so this lunch seemed to be a really interesting combination of the two cultures... They set up an indoor electric raclette in the middle of the table. There was sliced onions and peppers, deli sliced ham, prosciutto, and salami, and a soft cheese to melt and put on the potatoes. The organization and activity of this meal was the best part of the meal. Until the pud came out. It was a Christmas Log, which is this chocolate cake with vanilla cream and chocolate frosting that's rolled up. Looks like a Swiss roll.

I WANT A RACLETTE! Seriously... I haven't had that much fun eating since I ate a deep fried Oreo at the Texas State Fair in 2003 or 2004.

The Lows also had a present for us and one for Natalie.   I feel like a schmuck, because I didn't have anything for R&B and I didn't have anything for S&P. Yeah, yeah... I know that I don't have to get people presents just because they get me presents. But I also know that I have to get people presents who give me presents and I because happen to like those people. I just wasn't thinking clearly.

So, summary:
Good Christmas? Yesh.
Want to come home? Yesh.
Hate it here? Sometimesh. And having increase in the frequency of black episodes.
Miss people? Shure.
Bored? Oh dear God, yes.
Hungry? Yup. Imma go see if there's pud.

I have to share this... it's just too dang good.

I follow a blog called Sisters authored by this amazing photographer. He did this for his girls.

It's a bit late for me to do this this year, but I've bookmarked it and I think I'll get it going next year. You can do one for any age group and it's really personalized. No, I'm not getting any money for talking about it.

Another blog I follow, Calling People Names is also amazing; she's not a photographer, but she's really really funny. She did Elf on the Shelf with her daughter. Again, too late for me this year, but when I find the Elf on the Shelf, I'll probably do that with Natalie too.

Combining the best of both worlds, technology and paper. Whatever reaches kids, I guess, lets us say that the ends justify the means.

Alan is recognized

Met Alan today. He's the proud owner of two Westies. He lives around the corner from us, with his wife Jan. Natalie absolutely loves those dogs. They hang out in their windows and if we have the trolley (hand cart for groceries) they will bark their fool heads off. They won't bark if we don't have the trolley! They also are quite fierce to anyone wearing red... which means they go after the Post man as he walks by.

How did I meet Alan? Formally? On the bus. I think that one day, while Natalie was throwing a fit on the sidewalk, he walked by and asked if she was okay. This was back in August.

He was very funny and sadly, because I didn't have a thing to write with or on, I can't remember what he said so that I can share with you. We did talk about his Westies (Flora and Bella) are handling the weather and lack of outdoor exercise. We talked about how convenient Langley Moor is as far as its location and amenities. We got off the bus at the same stop and he walked with me as far as the Tesco. It was there that I introduced myself finally.

The bus today was of middling size, so for the Durham to Brandon loop, which Langley Moor is on, it's a bit small. I was one of the first people on, so I got prime real estate location; up front, with leg room. The bus filled up and of course I was going to have to share my seat. No objections there...except that your seat partner may smell or be offensive in some other way. One of the last passengers to get on the bus, second to last even, was this gentleman who looked vaguely familiar. He had kind eyes. I would rather have him sit with me with his three small bags than the harried tight-eyed woman with the mean mouth and the overstuffed, over large bag containing her Christmas shopping. He was surprised that I moved over and called me "duck".

So I started to talk to him. Thank God I'm not too far gone in my head that I can still reach out and make the small connections. After asking if those were his dogs, I told him that Natalie loves looking to see if the 'puppies' (they're full grown but small dogs) are in the window. He chuckled of course. Everyone laughs at my three year old, but in a good way. He seemed pleased to be recognized.  I think we're all pleased when we're recognized by others...Not in the creepy stalker way, just in the fact that there's something that about me that you remembered as you observed me passing through a corner of your life

***

I had a pre-Christmas drinky in the pub today with Ruth. Originally we thought to meet for coffee at Joannie's Cafe, but why kid ourselves? As I was leaving to go run my errands, the two gentlemen two tables over wished us a Happy Christmas. Then one of them asked me if I was Canadian since I sounded Canadian. That's a first. Usually, I get Australian. Go figure. Anyways, I said no, that I was from Oklahoma. And he'd never heard of it. This is a first too. Sometimes I get people who don't know where it is, but they immediately begin belching out the glorious state song, "Oklahoma". So I do what I normally do when the person doesn't know where it is...I ask them, 'do you know where Texas is?' He didn't know that either. So I asked, 'you know the Gulf of Mexico?' A vague apprehensive look, but eventually affirmative.

Me: "Okay {gestures to the side} Here's the Gulf. {raise hand} Here's Texas. {raise hand further} Here's Oklahoma."

The Guy's Friend who's been very quiet: "He knew where it is, pet. I know where it is too. Happy Christmas, ladies."

I LOVE GEORDIES AND THEIR NICKNAMES FOR WOMEN!

Also, I think that Ruth may have had a slight fear/intimidation issue with Peter from the pub which is why I never saw her there before. But now, since I've basically explained about Peter to her (and Brian), we may have more meet-ups in the pub, her and me.

Blueberries, More Snow, and a Day Trip to Newcastle

8:45 am:
Hopefully, in what has amounted to be an epically frustrating half year, today will be the last step I am required to complete in becoming a teacher here. We're off to Newcastle to take in ONE piece of paper that MUST be seen IN PERSON by the minions of the supply agency.

As the Mad Hatter said to Alice, I've lost much of my muchness. Where the hell is my Vorpal Sword? All these Jabberwockys are crushing. Frabjous Day is coming.


EDIT (8:15 pm):
Received phone call not too much longer after I originally posted the above. Due to snow, no one would be in the office, so... I didn't need to bring the paper, I can just mail it.  It was really nice of the girl to call me. We ended up going anyways still. Dan wanted to go to the IKEA store.  Still looking for a couch. I hate IKEA.

Still feel like this is Wonderland... things are ever so slightly different here and also ever so slightly different from town to town. TIL that the Metro in Newcastle does not really go to the MetroCentre. And that the Metro is not the same as the MetroCentre. That the MetroCentre is so big, that there's a special bus to transport people from one store to another.

If you prefer my Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows type of posts, then quit reading. I don't care.

Since you're still reading, then I'm happy to answer your question of "how are you?" You know, if we talked on the phone? Instead of lying and saying, "fine, thanks," this is what I'd say to you. Still feel like I'm fighting imaginary but metaphorical monsters with inadequate weapons. Or that I'm encased in jello; I don't get as much done in a day as I used to. And when I do it, it takes an inappropriately long time to get done.  And maybe I'll get distracted and my tasks aren't even accomplished. So it builds up and ultimately, right now, here sucks.

We saw Peppa Pig!

It really was a spur of the moment, sign catching the corner of my eye kind of thing. No pomp and circumstance, just queue up and take a picture when it's your turn. 

And did I get a picture of Natalie hugging Peppa? No, because the throng of waiting little girls intimidated me. So instead, we get to cherish a picture of Peppa smashing Natalie's head down. C'est la vie.

Banned from Wetherspoon's.

More so here than back home, is the following: Christmas work party. I've been to at least one work party of Monroney's faculty and staff and I may have attended others. Usually they're held at the home of a faculty member and it can be surreal visiting the home of someone you see everyday but don't know that well. I don't remember many of these parties very well, mainly I guess because nothing much happened that was memorable. And the people were people I saw nearly every day. Nearly, because some days, you don't always see each faculty member that you work with. I'd like to think that I connected with everyone I worked with at least once, just so that I cannot be accused of ignoring some individuals. I think I've gotten off track already.

On Saturday, I met up with the crazies from the charity shop for our Christmas work party. Based on the adverts I've seen around , I suppose it's more common to have the work party at a restaurant/bar/pub. There are all sorts of incentives; lower prices if you book early, special menu, SPACE. Ours wasn't tame. Originally, the plan was to go to Wetherspoon's, the pub/restaurant next door to the shop. Easy to get to, everybody knows where it is, blah blah blah. And it's very reasonably priced and comfortable. Has a fireplace. I'm looking forward to it actually.

I text Laura to let her know I'm on my way. She replies that she'll be waiting for me at the station. I text back, pragmatic and all, "Nah, go on and get a table {smiley face}." because I know that being the Saturday before Christmas, things are likely to be busy. I arrive at the bus station, and there's Laura with her new boyfriend, and Lauren and John. This ticks me off. I want to yell at her, "For crying out loud, this is going to be a busy night and I'd like to be able to sit at a table and not stand because I'm wearing a pair of 3 inch stiletto boots and I'm not going to want to stand the entire night because these damn boots are already killing my knees!"

But what I said instead was, "Are we waiting for somebody?" Oh no, just me. Well, what are we waiting for, let's go across the street! Apparently, Wetherspoon's is off. Lee's been banned.

What? How does one go about getting banned from a chain pub? I'm not surprised, Lee's a bit of a meth-head to my mind. He's nice, but he's a spaz. They're all spazzes.  Here's how it happens that I don't get to go to Wetherspoon's and instead, have to go to Yates. Lee and Shelley get drunk at Wetherspoon's. They're kicked out for what must be inappropriate or anti-social behavior. They snuck back in, got kicked back out again. Lee then became mouthy with the manager.

To be fair, Yates has good deals too. And the road to hell is paved with them. And when one goes out to drink in the UK, one must think ahead. For instance, the press of bodies at the bar is unsavoury. I hate it. Every pub seems to be the same. People, mainly men, order their pints, receive them and then proceed to stay put. They don't leave. So it gets very crowded there and that's why you've got to think ahead. Otherwise, each time you're out of beverage, you've got to brave the throng of aging chavs. You could be in danger of spilling their pint if you keep going back and forth and no one wants to see that. It isn't pretty.

So, my version of thinking ahead is to get the big glass of wine, 250 mL. I leave with a glass... and the bottle. Well, why not? It was only £5.95. Not a bad deal. Especially if it prevents me from dealing with belligerent baldies. Seriously. They could see I was wanting to get to the till, but did they move even a shoulder? NO.

Really, I'm making this sound as if I had a ghastly time. I didn't. I had a lovely time.

Front row: Lauren and Lee
Back: Me, Shelley, Laura, and Laura's new beau, Matt
Not pictured: John, Chris, and Chris

Even if there was trauma drama going on between Lauren, Lee and Shelley, I still had a fun time out. How could I not?

But, because I'm the old lady of the club, I left at around 8:45. Mainly, because of my damn boots. I'm never wearing those again. And also because the youngins' wanted to go to Studio. Not my scene, really.

What do we miss if we never look up?

Upper Right Corner: Vengeful Dove! Puffin in lower left.

Recently I noticed two wooden birds above the windows of Bimbi's, the fish and chips restaurant in the market square.

Upper Left Corner: It's a puffin!

And then I saw this little guy above the entrance of the posh tea shoppe.

So, this made me wonder if there were others located around the square. Yes, there are.

I really can't tell what it is. Maybe a bird on its back?

A parrot and something else.

A Barclay's lemur. He likes to move it, move it.

The other Barclay's lemur.

Finding these, just discovering that they exist, made me disproportionately happy that day. And I also noticed that there were many empty brackets that are not specifically assigned to hanging baskets (which are evident in the spring). This makes me wonder if there were more of these fun gargoyles in the past, but for some reason, were taken down and never replaced. And I also wondered about the choices... Puffins are found on/around Lindisfarne so that makes sense and doves are ubiquitous representatives... but a parrot? A chameleon? Lemurs? What's their significance? Why were these animals chosen to observe the bustle of the marketplace?

I did go into the tea shoppe to ask about the chameleon. The manager said she'd never noticed he was there until she began to work in the shop and that she'd shopped in Durham for all her life. I've even mentioned the critters to a couple of people in the shop and was met with a few blank stares and raised eyebrows. So I'm going to go into the tourist center tomorrow and see if they have any info.

What else have I been missing? It has been @ 6.5 months here and I've just recently noticed these objets d'folk art? At least I have some company; there are others who've lived here their entire lives and don't know these wooden animals are watching them as they walk by.

Christmas Trad.

Your originally scheduled program will begin shortly. Please click on the links from today's sponsors. Please feel free to purchase any item with all major forms of laughter.

Christmas in the UK
I have found this group and this group shall be mine, and it'll be my group. Also, look for Gap Yah .Yah, do it... before I CHUNDER EVERYWHERE!  Oh mi gobdolly rocks! I had to clean my laptop... it is not wise to drink coffee whilst viewing this vid.

Newport State of Mind
You're really only going to get this if you know about Empire State of Mind. Or Newport. Or both.


Dan's off to LONDON this morning. After watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I don't think I can ever pronounce LONDON like I used to.

Working on my own version of Christmas activities here. We don't have cable, so we don't watch television and therefore will not be able to watch the Queen's Speech this year. (Okay, if you didn't click on the first link above, then you have no idea what I'm talking about...so stop now, go back, and click the damn link, Jabroni!)

Thank you.

So here's some Christmas trad for you. That's traditions, mate. Sorted.

Combine this with syrup and now you know why their turkeys always look so damn beautiful. 

Thanks to mom for sending me to Brownies. That's where I derived this activity.

My quarter. Done just to show Natalie what the point is.

So fierce is Natalie.

But cloves hurt tiny little fingers, so I ended up finishing it.

Happy National Lemon Cupcake Day.