The rat pack

These are Sam's new pets - four rather elderly rats that we have adopted and given a new home to. They seem to be settling in and all have different characters. They are called Boris, Alby,Clive and Harry.

Christmas

Before

After - both taken at Mum & Dads house on Boxing Day.

Is this my seat then?

Sam using her present.

Well that's Christmas over for another year - great fun was had by all. Pip and Liam spent their first Christmas as husband and wife with us. Lots of food, drink and merriment.
Boxing day was the traditional family get together at Mum & Dads, with everyone except Robin who is in Jersey. Jayne had been very organised with the games and prepared a great quiz - I still think the best team were robbed!!

We both had some lovely gifts including a silk scarf hand painted by Vickie, a new game for Sam to play on the xbox and several books which we are looking forward to reading. I have some lovely new kitchen scales from Charlotte and Ian which will take the guess work out of my baking lol.

Off to the sales later today as we have some Christmas money from Grandma Gray!

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Charlotte looking very relaxed and happy

Christmas Holiday 2010

Well I have finished work for five days and am looking forward to Christmas. Sam has been off work today and has braved the crowds to do the food shopping. She has also done some other jobs - a real domestic goddess !
Pip and Liam are joining us tomorrow for the big day but still some tidying to do or there won't be room for their bed in the spare room.
I still have Sam's gifts to wrap - but I can do that in the morning. Then it's time to relax and celebrate the festive season.

Details from Reception

All the Reception Photos

The Reception

Although the weather was very snowy a good time was had by all. The groom was somewhat late arriving - I thought that was meant to be the bride's prerogative lol.
The setting was like a winter wonderland and it make a great background to some of the photos. The afternoon tea was great, especially the little Pingu's and the delicious cupcakes.

Vickie and Jerry joined us from Oz with a specially recorded message and some help from Sam!!

Setting up the hall

It was great seeing the hall change from an empty room to a lovely setting for Pip and Liam's special day. It looked lovely when we had all finished. Sam set up her projector so people could see the wedding photos, which every one enjoyed looking at.

Flowers Finished

Well it has been a long day as predicted - but the flowers are all finished and packed ready to transport to the venue tomorrow.I am pleased with them - I hope Pip and Liam like them too.
Everything I think we will need for decorating the hall is also ready to go as we are leaving at 8.30. I hope there is no more snow overnight in Luton and Bedford - so far Rushden has missed it all.

Santa Boodle

Boodle is ready for christmas and looking very cute!

Preparations continued

Sam and I have been out and bought the flowers for the arrangements - choice somewhat limited due to the bad weather, but we got a good selection.They are all prepared and in a bucket now to condition before I arrange them tomorrow.
I have finished the raffia bows -- hard on the hands and give you paper cuts if you are not careful!
Pip and Liam are on their way back to their flat and should be in Bedford this evening.
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day!!!

Philippa & Liams Reception Preparations

I have been busy, busy, busy today doing the prep for Pip & Liam's flowers. They want topiary trees, table decorations and some garlands for the buffet table.
I have taken some stage by stage pictures to show how I constructed them.
I will take more once I have finished all the arranging - and when they are in place in the hall.

Redundancy

Well my first consultation meeting is on Wednesday - so will find out more details then. Before that we have the excitement of Pip and Liam's reception - and I have all the flowers to prepare too.
Lets hope the weather doesn't get too bad as much snow is forecast over the weekend.So far we have escaped anything more than a dusting.

End of an Era

Well it is now official - 30 day redundancy process starts today, so by the 16th of January I will be out of a job. All emotions raw at the moment but I guess this is a good time to start reassessing life and a fresh start in the New Year will be a positive move.
The end of an era at Yarl's Wood and my lovely Nursery!

Cats rule

Its time to stop reading now and give me some attention.

Mounted

The projector has been mounted after much tribulation! This is a view of it on the ceiling Vickie - not the wall. If you look carefully you can see edge of ceiling rose on the left.