Theringtone Family Christmas preparations

We've decided to go with the flow and acknowledge that Christmas is coming - well Elaine actually started preparing in June I think, but I did most of my Christmas shopping on line the day before the busiest on line shopping day of the year.

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This week we went to the last nativity play to which will be invited at St Francis. Joe was very nearly a pig but managed to wangle a role as a shepherd which was a very wise move.

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Today we had the traditional tramp out to Gates Nursery for the tree and then the traditional climb all over the window sills in the conservatory to put up lights, decorating the tree and singing along to Christmas tunes.

Elaine's Christmas Tree

This is Elaine's entry for this year's Christmas Trees in the church - the Holly-istic tree. Yes, that is Prince Charles as portrayed by a Christmas tree!

And now in action...

Our friend, Noel, took some pictures on his snazzy camera. So here they are.

The Judo Champ

Luke went for a grading last week whilst full of cold and managed to go up two grades. So he now has a yellow belt with two tags. Today he had another tournament (this time at his home dojo in Oakham). He won a bronze medal again after winning one out of the three bouts.

Well done Luke!

Even Better News

It's all been good today - lots of lovely pressies this morning, the Skoda taken away to be beautified, the new Volvo delivered and gorgeous, lunch with Elaine at the Italian cafe (with one of Anita's cupcakes to finish off), and off to the Thai restaurant with friends this evening. It's almost worth getting older for!

Good News and Bad News

I got a call from the Volvo dealer yesterday to tell me my car would be delivered on Friday (my birthday). So I called the insurance company and arranged to change it over and to cover the Skoda for a couple more weeks while I try to sell it. I then had to go and visit one my clients based in the sticks, so jumped in the car and headed off down the country lane that takes me there. Halfway there I was nearly hit by a tipper truck coming way too fast the other way round a bend, and some of his load landed with an almighty crash on top of my car! By the time I had finished taking evasive action he was a dot in my rearview mirror disappearing round another bend.

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My car, which was looking quite clean and lovely having been tarted up for its appearance on the Autotrader website is now covered in hundred of very noticeable scratches and the windscreen is cracked and chipped in 3 places (I got two chips repaired about 4 weeks ago). Have a look.

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Update - Around £1400 plus VAT to repair it (including slight damage to sunroof, headlamp, radiator grill and mouldings). Bang goes my no claims bonus!

Hook Bonfire Party

We had a very damp but enjoyable weekend in Hook for Halloween/Guy Fawkes. Mike had loads of guests around on Saturday night for a bonfire party but it rained pretty much all day and we were worried that the party would literally turn out to be a damp squib! But much to everyone's amazement the fire lit first time and the fireworks were fab.

More pics.