6 sleeps 'till christmas

It's six sleeps until christmas and I've been soooo busy.  I have been working on gifts for the family mainly - I'll post photos and details after christmas so my family doesn't know what they are getting.   

Rory finished school for the year on Wednesday last week, and so on Thursday we went away down to Burleigh on the Gold Coast for a little holiday.   It was good.  We went for swims at the beach and in the lovely pool, looked around Pacific Fair a couple of times, went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, and went to Christmas carols in the park on Sunday night which Rory thoroughly enjoyed.  Ricky-Lee was the "guest" performer - even though she only sung about 4 songs right at the end before the fireworks.   The performer that sung before her was a surprise.  it was a guy called Christopher Thomas and it wasn't until he actually got up on stage that I realised it was the same Chris Thomas that was a really good friend of my brothers in High School and whose own brother Adam was in my class as well.   I didn't even know that Chris was a singer!   So now I must try to find him on the net and send him a message.  

The trip home on Monday was an adventure.  We left Burleigh at 10:20 am and I did not get home until 6:30 pm.  (for those of you who may not know - Burleigh is really only about one and a half hours drive from my area of Brissy)  To cut a long story short, the water pump and a radiator hose basically stuffed up and Rory &  I spent at least 4 and a half hours by the side of the road on a highway exit in the middle of bloody nowhere with a steaming engine.  We were finally towed to the nearest RACQ mechanics shop where they just put in new radiator hoses and sent me home with the instructions to get a new water pump in within the next couple of days.  NOT the kind of expenses we needed just before christmas, but hey - what can you do?  I need a car.  The water pump was put in yesterday and so now hopefully all is good.  

Last night was the Night Owls Christmas party on Helen's new deck.  OMG did I need that! and no, this time i am not being sarcastic.  I really did need to just get away from the family and chill with my crafty friends - It was so good.  Pam from next door drove herself and me to the party, so I was able to have a few drinks (no not too many!).  We had chinese takeaway for dinner (very good stuff!) and lovely things people brought for desert.    The people were wonderful company (as always!) and the setting was lovely too.  I had a nice relaxing time and so Thank You Helen & Karen!! 

Anyway - got lots to do before christmas.  I'm still working on a present for my mother in law and I really need to finish it before Monday night.  

Love peace and joy!