MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A very Merry Christmas to everyone who stops by my blog! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful and happy 2008!

NEVER AGAIN - I'VE LEARNT MY LESSON!

This year I decided to buy James an MP4 player as part of his Christmas gift. Today I have went to download some videos and songs etc only to find it isn't working!

I ordered it online and to be honest am really regretting doing so now. I don't buy very much online but this is a disaster!

Firstly the installation cd wasn't working (you need it to convert the videos to a certain format to view them) - I had a brainwave and downloaded a converter and converted some videos to put on the player. When the player was fully charged I connected it only to find that an egg timer has appeared on the screen that won't go off.

I think the MP4 is from China or somewhere as the book is in very bad English and doesn't contain any information on this egg timer that I have got on the screen that won't go off. Even if I switch the player off and disconnect the battery when I connect it all up again the egg timer is still appearing - how annoying!

When you buy something in good faith you expect it to be working. I know I have had it hidden at Mum's for a month or so but when I initially switched it on it did work. I have emailed a couple of times but have not had any response and doubt whether I will have to be honest as I first emailed this morning at 8.00am and I still haven't had a response and it is 2.00pm but I will live in hope.

It is so frustrating though! As you know I had no idea what to get James this year and this was going to be one of the tiny gifts I have for him! I just hope he won't be disappointed!

One thing is for sure I won't be ordering anything electronic over the internet on a dodgy website again - I have learned my lesson!

DELIVERING OUR PRESSIES

Last night we delivered all our gifts to my relations in Limavady. Unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time to spend at each of the houses but it was nice just to drop of the presents and see the family even if it was short and sweet.

Everyone was glad to see us although my Aunty May was out but I hope to see her at some stage around Christmas. Christmas wouldn't be the same without visiting my Aunty May and Uncle Sammy as it is tradition. My Aunty May and Uncle Sammy have been married for over 60 years - don't they look happy together? I love them to bits!

My Aunty May and Uncle Sammy at my wedding two years ago.

We also went to visit my Great Uncle Robert who we hadn't seen in a while - again it was a brief visit but hopefully he will be going to Mum's house with the rest of the family on Boxing Day so I will have longer with him then.

Every year I used to buy my Uncle Robert a car cleaning set as he doesn't really have any hobbies so I find him hard to buy for. Last year I went to a charity sale at the Sheltered Accommodation he lives in and there on the table were all the car cleaning sets from over the years un-used! Guess who is getting a scarf and gloves this year for Christmas?

My Uncle Robert with my Mum on wedding day 2 years ago.

We didn't get home until late - I just had time to show James what the electrician had done. The electrician is supposed to be back today to finish the outside lights but so far hasn't appeared and it will be getting dark soon! Typical when I wanted them up for Christmas!

We head to Belfast tomorrow afternoon to collect James parents from the airport. I hope to fit in a quick last minute shopping trip at Junction One near the airport. I also might be babysitting my two nephews Luke and Ben as my brother and sister-in-law are looking to go out for the night. All in all I am going to be busy busy busy tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTERS!

My two sisters have celebrated their birthdays - Julie on the 14th December and Melanie on the 16th December.

I just wanted to wish them both a Happy Birthday!

My sister Julie with her husband John.

My sister Melanie with her daughter Ellie May.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Love is when you look into someone's eyes and go all the way inside, to their soul and you both know... instantly."

Angela Chase "My So Called Life"

THE BEE MOVIE REVIEW

Yes I know I don't have any children but James and I went and seen the "Bee Movie" while we were at the Trafford Centre last week.

I have watched the trailers and thought it looked like and fun film so thought why not!

I would give the movie 7 out of 10. I loved the animation and the colours were lovely and bright. I love innocent films and still watch Disney films even though I am 35!

I would recommend anyone take their kiddies to see this movie - it is fast moving and fun though they may not understand some of the aspects of the film but still think they would be intrigued.

All the children seemed to enjoy the movie that were in the cinema and it seemed to keep them entertained until the end. I think James and I were the only ones there without children - ooooppss!

BUSY WEEK AHEAD!

I am trying to get organised for Christmas and don't seem to be getting very far.

Yesterday James and I headed out with a full list of things we had to do and get but came back with the list only half done.

I am hoping to get everything organised before my Mother and Father in-law arrive on Friday.

To be honest Christmas has crept up on me, I guess going away for 5 days last week didn't help.

Don't get me wrong I have most of the presents bought but still need to a few things for James and I need to get my Christmas outfit. I also need a few bits and bobs but didn't fancy hitting the shops yesterday as I knew they would be absolutely crazy! I did manage to get to the post office yesterday to post my cards - I didn't realise I had missed the international posting date so apologies to all my American and Dubai friends if their cards are a few days late!

So I am going to go shopping tomorrow and try to come back all sorted.

Then on Tuesday I have the electrician coming to install my outside lights for me (Yippeeee)!

On Wednesday I would need to go to Limavady as I have to sort out James Christmas Present as I need to do something to it before I wrap it and haven't got a clue how to do it!

That only leaves me Thursday to stay at home and spring clean for my guests who arrive on Friday.

On top of all this I have to deliver all my presents and visit my relations - I want James to come with me while I drop off my gifts to the family as they are from both of us.

I guess everyone is busy, busy this time of year and I shouldn't grumble!

James finishes work on Friday until the new year which will be great! It will be lovely to have him at home right through the holidays.

AND THE WINNER IS ... ...

LEON

Yes Leon was the X Factor winner last night. Joining him in the final was "Same Difference" and Rhydian.

I have to admit I didn't really like Rhydian all the way along the competition but last night he didn't put a foot wrong so I did vote for him because he was so professional and looked like a superstar on the stage.

Here is Rhydian ... ...

To be honest I liked Leon too and loved the style of music he performed (he is like a young Michael Buble). It was a tough call which one I should vote for so was pleased to see Leon winning it. I would have been annoyed if the cheesy, tacky "Same Difference" had won.

Well Done Leon!

Here he is in action ... ...

SONG OF THE DAY ...

I am a big fan of Michael Buble and also have a soft spot for Westlife (after all what girl doesn't).

I have always loved Michael Buble's song "Home" but now I have got double the pleasure from this song as Westlife have realeased it too.

I'll let you decide which one you prefer.

Michael Buble's "Home"

Westlife's "Home"

Tough call isn't it? Leave your comment to let me know which one you prefer.

MOVING DAY!

Yesterday my sister finally moved to her new house.

Nothing went smooth when she was trying to sell the house with a drop in the market and buyers pulling out so I was relieved that everything went well yesterday.

I went to help on Wednesday night as they had hired a van and wanted to get it loaded up so they would have a head start in the morning. I then went down again to help yesterday (Thursday) and am happy to report that she has now moved.

My sister and her family were so excited to be moving to a new house and are looking forward to having all that extra room.

James and I would like to wish them every happiness in their new home, I know they will be very happy there.

James hasn't seen the new house yet so we will call in over the weekend at some stage.

It is lovely that they will be settled for Christmas!

WE'RE BACK HOME

We got back on Monday night just in time for bed from Liverpool. The apartment looks great and is nicer than I thought to be honest. The kitchen and bathroom suites turned really nice considering I picked them from faxed pages!

The Kitchen

The View from our Apartment over the Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey

Obviously we had no furniture so we slept in blow up camping beds that I borrowed from my sister. I have to say I was so glad to see my own bed on Monday night - each night our bed seemed to just get lower and lower to the ground making it more and more uncomfortable. I can now confirm that camping is definitely not for me and never will be.

Thankfully I packed 4 camping chairs which we used to admire the view out the window and to play boggle. I bought boggle just before we left for Liverpool as we used to play it for hours when I was younger. We had to teach James as he had never played it, he is a natural.

So anyway here is what we got up to while we were away:-

Thursday - We travelled all day. It was an early start for James and I as we left here about 5.30am (which mean't getting up at 4.30am - not good when you are not a morning person). We collected Mum and Dad in Limavady before making our way to Larne to catch the ferry across to Scotland and then made our way down to through Scotland to Liverpool which took us around 4 and a half hours. Boy was I glad to see the journey over.

Friday - We got up and went to see about getting some carpets laid and some blinds before heading out for the day. First we went to a discount retail centre called Fleetwood before heading to Blackpool. It was really windy (I guess it is because it is a seaside resort) but sometimes I couldn't get my breath for the strong winds. I thought I would be blown away at times. It was lovely to see all the lights and do a bit of shopping before heading for dinner. We had a Harry Ramsdens which was delicious - cod and chips by the seaside is hard to beat. I hadn't had one in a long time and really enjoyed it. James challenges Dad to a Drumming Game in Blackpool.

Saturday - As a surprise everyone had chipped in and got Dad two tickets for the Manchester United game but he knew nothing about it. They were playing Derby so we hoped he would see plenty of goals. We told my Dad that he was going to the Trafford Centre to do some shopping - he was dreading it bless him! My Dad hates shopping. When we got closer to Manchester I handed him a parcel wrapped up. When he opened it inside we had a Manchester United scarf and his Manchester United football top with the tickets. He was surprise and relieved he wasn't hitting the shops bless him. Part of the surprise was that Mum was going with him - you have to know my Mum to know what a surprise this was for him. She absolutely hates football so I thought it was lovely that she wanted to go with him. We dropped them off at Old Trafford after eventually finding it and then James and I went 3 miles up the road to do some shopping at the Trafford Centre. To be honest I didn't buy very much there simply were too many people to look at everything in the shops. I did get two pairs of trousers (in the sale) and jumper but didn't get anything for James for Christmas - I am still at a loss as to what to get him. We collected Mum and Dad after the game and went and met James sister Liz with her two children Thomas and Emily. It is a shame we don't get to see them as often as we like as they are adorable and I am hoping they will visit in the summer.

Thomas and Emily

We had a delicious meal at Tobys Carvery before heading back to Liz's as Thomas had challenged Dad and James to pool and we had to see their Christmas Tree they had decorated in the afternoon. We managed to see the X Factor and was absolutely gutted that Nikki was voted out! What are the British public thinking voting her out? Come on people lets not see the cheesey "Same Difference" actually winning! I will be voting for either Rhydian or Leon for sure even before I see their performance at the final on Saturday night.

Mum & Dad at Old Trafford!

Anyway back to the weekend ... ...

Sunday - Boy what an emotional day though I knew it would be. One of the reasons for bringing Mum and Dad with us is so she could go home to her home town which is only about 40 minutes away. Mum hadn't been back in a very long time so it was something that I wanted to do for her and had been thinking about it for some time. As I say I knew it was going to be an emotional day but I never excepted the roller coaster of emotions that we had that day. Firstly Mum wanted to go to the grave of my grandparents at St. Thomas's Church and pay her respects. I hate seeing anyone cry and it hit me hard when I saw Mum at the graveside crying even though I was expecting it. I guess the memories all came flooding back. While we were at the grave trying to clean it up my Mum's Aunty Freda came to visit the grave as she does every Sunday.

After driving around the town with my Mum pointing out buildings of interest and reliving the memories of when she was growing up there we called round to visit Freda. She lives alone and Mum caught up with how the families are getting on before heading to Mum's cousin Roy & his wife Sandra'a house. Next we headed to Mum's Aunty Hilda and Uncle Jimmy's followed by her Uncle Norman and friends May & Derek, Jimmy and her Uncle Fred and Eileen.

I am glad we left her Uncle Fred to last as she got very very emotional and upset. Mum's Uncle Fred had deteriorated a lot since she last saw him and he didn't know who she was and had very little hearing. I think his mind has gone and the memories he once had have gone which is so sad. Fred lives with Eileen who I am afraid to say had deteriorated health wise too. She seems to repeat herself a lot and doesn't talk much sense. I felt sorry for them and how they have ended up but was really worried that they freely opened the door and let us into their home without knowing who we are. We could have been anyone - we could have been there to rob them or anything - it really doesn't bear thinking about.

Mum remained upset understandably for the rest of the trip.

Monday - We headed off just before lunchtime to get to Scotland to catch the ferry home. It was quite tense in the car as I could tell Mum was still upset and had a lot on her mind bless her. We stopped for dinner in a lovely pub near the port. We didn't get home until around midnight - it can be quite exhausting travelling.

All in all we had a good time. I was so glad I took my Mum to see everyone as they are all getting older and you just don't know what the future holds. I took photos of everyone which I am sure will be very very precious some day.

HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

Do you know how they do this?

Amazing to watch!

SONG OF THE DAY ... ...

This is one of my favourite tunes at the minute, I have always been a fan of Alisha Keys, enjoy:-

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... ...

"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better."

William Shakespeare

EEEEKKKKKK!

I am trying to be environmentally friendly and in the summer purchased a compost bin and have been filling it with peelings, old fruit and veg, cardboard, grass-cuttings and paper shreddings.

Up until now we have had no problems, we simply turn it over every now and again and basically it takes care of itself. I was hoping to use the compost in the garden in the spring/summer when we are landscaping the garden.

Yesterday I went out to put the potato peelings in the compost bin and found a little mouse looking up at me. When he saw me he scurried down below the compost. Unsure what to do I simply came back in - I wasn't going to tackle the mouse.

Today I went out to see if there was any sign of him but after banging the compost bin and taking the hose out to flush him out there still was no sign. I understand why we would want to make it his home - the compost decomposing will be generating heat and he has a supply of food so I really don't blame him.

The compost bin is way down at the bottom of the garden thank goodness and behind it is a field of heather so I am assuming now that he was just visiting our compost bin and hasn't taken up residency!

I don't know what else I can do - I am going to get James to churn the compost over to see if he sees him but I am sure that he would have appeared when I was banging on the bin and drenched it with water.

As long as it remains outside I will be happy!

LIGHTS WITH NO SPARKLE!

Would you believe it?

When out and about in Buncrana I have noticed collection tins with "Buncrana Christmas Lights" on them. I wondered if Buncrana were looking to get more lights for the town or maybe update the ones that they have but I was wrong.

The collection is so you can donate for the upkeep of the Christmas Lights in the town ie. electricity.

I have never known a town to do this as it is always the local council who takes care of the lights in the town and pay for the lights as part of their services to the community.

Don't get me wrong I don't mind contributing a few euros to enable our town to sparkle like all other towns do at this time of year but shouldn't the council and local business be responsible for making sure the town sparkles and attracts people to shop here.

The lights have been put up but aren't on - maybe there hasn't been enough collected yet to power them! I think I should become Mayor of Buncrana and get sponsorship so the town has a sparkling Christmas feel.

UPDATE ON MADELEINE McCANN (1ST DECEMBER '08)

I know a few people have been looking at my blog when doing searches for updates on the Madeleine McCann case so am going to post any news that I hear.

This is the latest news this morning:-

Police 'want to quiz Tapas 7'

Portuguese police are reportedly set to make a formal request to re-interview the friends of Kate and Gerry McCann over daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

Sources told the SIC Portuguese news channel that a team of detectives and the prosecutor would fly to Britain next week for interviews.

According to reports, they will deliver letters of appeal to British police, asking them to interrogate the friends, known as the Tapas Seven, again with Portuguese officers present.

The McCanns were dining with friends when Madeleine went missing shortly before her fourth birthday in the resort of Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3.

It was also reported police wanted to re-interview the McCanns but were refused permission without offering more evidence against the couple.
The Daily Mail reported that public prosecutor Jose Magalhaese Meneses refused to grant permission for the McCanns to be reinterviewed without seeing stronger evidence against them first.

It said police and the prosecutor met for more than three hours to discuss the results of DNA tests carried out by the UK's Forensic Science Service.

Saturday's reports come a day after four members of the Portuguese investigation team flew home from the UK following a meeting with British forensic experts to discuss DNA samples collected for the inquiry.

The tests are said to have been carried out on blood samples, bodily fluids and hair found in the McCanns' holiday apartment and the vehicle they hired 25 days after the child disappeared.

Both Leicestershire Police, who are helping their Portuguese counterparts, and the Birmingham-based Forensic Science Service have described the meeting as "routine".

--ooOOoo--

Will we ever find out what has happened to poor Madeleine? Is she still alive? All we can do is hope.

WRONGS PUT RIGHT

I have been without a washing machine for 5 weeks now! It broke down and the engineer came out and ordered new parts for it and when the parts were fitted it blew another part. Eventually they took it to the workshop to be fixed but it kept blowing another part when the replacement part was fitted (hope you know what I mean). The machine is still under warranty thank goodness as we have only had it since moving 5 months ago!

After lots of phone calls and hassling them they agreed to give me a new machine. I was fed up waiting and had no faith in the machine now even they did get it repaired eventually. So on Thursday I got a phone call to say the machine was being dropped off by a courier company. Great I thought I will have a washing machine up and running again (you have no idea how much you depend on your machine). Anyway I asked the courier if he fitted it too but he just delivers the machine. I had to call the service centre and arrange for an engineer to come out and install it. Whilst out shopping yesterday he called to say he would be with me in half an hour - we had to cut our trip short to dash back home to meet him. He was waiting when we arrived as we got stuck in traffic and were 15 mins late, he was about to leave! So he installed the new machine and it is working like a dream.

I have been taking my laundry up to my Mum's when I go to visit. My machine is a washer dryer and it is so handy just to click it on and set it to dry and when you get back it is washed and dried for you. With the wet weather we are having here I need a dryer!

The other thing that has gone wrong is my wooden floor in the sunroom. It has warped worst luck. I have been trying for 5 weeks to get this sorted too with the company that sold the flooring to me and the fitter. After lots of calls he is eventually coming this morning to look at it - I am hoping he can sort it too today. I am sitting here waiting for him to arrive. It would be nice to have it fixed for Christmas as I haven't been using that room as I am afraid of making it worse but I have my real fire in there and think it would be nice to have a roaring fire at this time of year. I will let you know how I get on.

The last thing I had to sort this week were some lights outside. After the incident with the 3am caller I thought we needed some kind of lighting outside.

I had seen the lights that I liked but they were quite expensive so I was shopping around a bit but decided to take the plunge and get the ones that I liked (they are really lovely)! So I have been speaking to electricians and meeting with him to show him what I want. In involves a lot more than I thought and they have to put on cement but he has promised to do it for me before Christmas - Hooray! He is also going to put a light outside for security and put some dimmer switches inside.

Haven't I been a busy bee?

Hopefully in two weeks everything will be sorted.

SHOP SHOP SHOP

Yesterday James had the day off. He has lots of holidays to use up so thought he would take a few Friday's off in the run up to Christmas. Of course he will be using some holidays when we go to England and over Christmas. It was a BIG bonus having him here yesterday.

We got up early but didn't know what to do. James has been saying that he needs to go and get my Christmas present so he wanted to hit the shops. We had thought about Coleraine as I think it has a nice atmosphere especially around Christmas time but it was so wet and the forecast said it wouldn't ease all day. We decided to go to Derry/Londonderry as at least there are shopping centres there and we would be undercover.

I had a list of things we needed to sort - a tree topper being one and James Mum's birthday present being another. James wanted to sort my present out.

As we were wondering around the shops I kept thinking to myself "I really don't see ANYTHING that I want", James kept asking me if I would like this or that but honestly I didn't. I would have only been picking something for the sake of it. I cannot honestly think of one single thing big or small that I would like. I felt bad as I thought about all the people in the world that would love some of the lovely things in the shops and here I am turning them down. I simply don't need anything at all.

I have everything I could ever want. I really don't need a single thing! James doesn't want me to disappointed with not having a gift on Christmas morning to open so I promised I would tell him if I saw something I wanted but I know I will just be picking something for the sake of it. Do you think I am ungrateful? I just don't see the point in buying something that I don't want - I would rather wait and get something I really desired even if it is after Christmas.

I have the same problem with James - he needs absolutely nothing! I have bought a few bits and bob (I can't list them here because he drops by my blog from time to time) but nothing significant and to be honest I bought them for the sake of having something for him to open on Christmas morning.

For a Friday the shops were really, really busy! I dread to think what they will be like today (Sat) or tomorrow, I really can't be bothered with the crowds of people shopping and there is no pleasure in getting pushed and prodded about.

Hopefully we are going to put up our Christmas trees today. I have told James it would nice for us to do it together in our new house for the first time. I don't know how the tree will cone out but will take pictures and post them when we have it sorted - wish me luck!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

My good friend Cory has tagged me! Basically I have to list 5 things about myself and list the following rules. I also have to tag 5 other bloggers, so here goes:-

Rules: Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.

1 - My favourite place to be is in bed. I just love stretching out and being nice and cosy.

2. I am not a great cook but I love trying. I think I am improving and continue to try lots of different dishes.

3. I love the magic of Christmas but hate the commercial side of it and all they hype.

4. I absolutely hate ironing, always have and always will.

5. I am ALWAYS on time. I am NEVER late. The only time I was late was to my wedding as all the schools were getting out and there was a lot of traffic but you are allowed to be fashionably late on your wedding day. I think James was worrying though as he was waiting at the alter and knew I am never late!

I am tagging:-

Cameo - http://thefamilytiesthatbind.blogspot.com/

Keri - http://keriskorner.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://www.livingtofeelgood.blogspot.com/

Gypsy Girl - http://www.adventuresindubai.blogspot.com/

Marty - http://justmarty.blogspot.com/