Christmas! … As I get older the days fly by so fast – I think that I have missed the last posting date for cards.  I am never sure which is [...]]]>

Another year has past! Christmas is the time for catching up with old friends and sharing our family news.

Christmas! … As I get older the days fly by so fast – I think that I have missed the last posting date for cards.  I am never sure which is worse, sending none or having them arrive around the new year.

The boys, well young men really are happily settled into their own busy, creative and rewarding lives.

The boys, well I don’t see them as much as I would like too, but then who wants to schlep up the motorway for 5 hours to look at rain? I feel a bit guilty that I don’t go and visit them, but I love it here so much its hard to leave – even for a weekend.

Handsome and intelligent No 1 Son and his equally intelligent and beautiful wife have had an interesting year.  No 1 Son bravely decided on a complete career change and moved from his chosen profession in the financial sector to teaching, where he is currently doing extremely well.  No 1 Daughter in Law continues to do stunningly well in her veterinary practice and she has a new addition to the family in the form of a puppy called “Timo” We are looking forward to meeting him at tomorrow.

No 1 Son worked for a finance company that went to the wall – I do hope that he enjoys teaching – it is something that he has wanted to do for a long time. But you hear so much about teachers and stress these days and of course the salary is somewhat lower.

Fingers crossed the puppy does not demolish everything in sight.  No 1 Daughter in Law says it chews everything, chair legs, carpets, fingers, shoes.

Creative and amusing No 2 Son continues to dazzle, designing and maintaining the web site for a well known online wedding portal.  He now has a team of people under him.  Adorable and gorgeous No 2 Daughter in Law multi -tasks, holding down her job, as well as getting further  accounts qualifications.  The thrilling news is that they are expecting a baby in March.  To say we are all over the moon with happiness is an understatement.

No 2 Son works very hard and I can not believe he is going to be a Dad.  When did he and No 2 Daughter in Law get to become old enough to do such grown up things.   Eeeeek … I am going to be a Granny!

Charming and individual No 3 Son is no longer with nice girl friend, but leads a fabulous and social bachelor life in London, when he is not at work helping designers and architects make the right choice for the marble and rock they require for their projects.  He is also keeping in contact with the American side of the family.  I am so happy that he is spending quality time with his cousins when they visit London.

I worry about No 3 Son and hope that he is not to sad after his split with “nice girlfriend”.  Men with menaces keep coming up to him and demand that he hands over his phone.  He doesn’t of course, thank goodness he is a fast runner.

The boys are all coming up here for Christmas, so it will be glorious to have a good old family get to-gether and spend time catching up and sharing our holiday time.

It will be great to see all the kids again, lets hope that the Trivial Pursuits, Monopoly, and Charades don’t come out this year – it always ends in tears, usually mine.

It is a shame that our heating has died, why do these things always happen just before Christmas – anyway I have told the kids to bring hats, scarves, gloves and boots and that’s just to wear inside the house.

On the job front, I now have several stunning gardens that I tend. The owners are delightful. I am thinking of cutting  back a few hours next year to spend time developing my own garden and of course spend more time in the studio, which has been sadly neglected this year.

These old bones are struggling with kneeling in other peoples gardens 24/7  and I think I am going rusty.  My ladies keep plying me with lunch, cakes and chocolate – it’s no wonder my toes seem hard to reach these days.

Wales continues to delight and amaze us with the glorious scenery that surrounds us all the time.  It now feels as if we have never lived anywhere else.

It also continues to amaze me that there is no decent supermarket within an hours drive (or shops).  This year the scenery has been covered with rain clouds – but perhaps next year will be better. Most of the folk around here knew me, or the family when I was a child – and I don’t think they realise that I have lived away for the past 30 years.

Although the work on the house has not gone as speedily as we originally envisaged, we do have to remember that these old houses are prone to a spot of damp.  The builders, however, will endeavor to find out where it is coming from in the New Year.  This has not stopped us from starting on the internal decorating and I have had a jolly month making curtains.

If the builders don’t get things sorted out soon – I shall go mad.  At least the damp patches are very interesting and our guests can squint at them to make a map of the world and then pick out all the countries and oceans.

Here is wishing you all a lovely festive period

With Warm regards and Seasons Greetings

from

Mrs Grumpy and Shedman

Shedman retired to his Shed at the weekend – I expect to see him again about mid January!

I do hope that you have a fabulous time – whatever you are doing over the holiday period

Love

K

xx