With this in mind, I was somewhat surprised this morning to find that my local Tesco store was closed. I wouldn't normally dream of venturing out on Boxing Day but they are holding a Birthday present for my son. It's his Birthday tomorrow and I'd like to give it to him in the morning. I see that they open at 8am tomorrow so I will pop down there early.
Yesterday was very pleasant. We were on our own as a family of three (well four if you count the dog). My in-laws did call round briefly in the morning to be shown by my son all the presents Santa had brought him in the night. My parents opted to spend Christmas Day at my Sister's.
Gift-wise, we all seemed to receive practical gifts rather than stocking-fillers. For the first time ever, I didn't receive a single sock or 'smelly'. I did receive some nice clothing as did my wife, and a copious amount of ground coffee and diabetic chocolate. By far the most useful gift I received was a self-stirring mug. I accept it has a certain amount of novelty value, but I'm very pleased at how useful it really is. In fact, I haven't stopped using it since yesterday favouring it over all the mugs I have (I have a large number).
I'm surprised this year at the amount I haven't eaten. I normally over-do it every Christmas and end up being unable to move for a day after. Yesterday I was quite reserved. We had our Christmas lunch, wonderfully cooked by my very clever wife and very little afterwards save a snack or two in the evening. I really didn't feel like eating though I expect I'll make up for it today as I'm actually feeling a little peckish.
I did half expect to fall asleep in the afternoon, but I surprised myself by staying awake and alert enough to build a couple of my son's Lego kits he'd received from Santa. One is a police motorcycle and the other a police car complete with criminal and a border crossing. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of Lego these days. I know it can be a little expensive, but considering it will last many years and be repeatedly broken up and rebuilt, it seems to me money well spent. I still have a fishing boat to build which I've promised I will do this afternoon. Tomorrow will also be spent building Lego as my son is to receive another couple of large kits for his Birthday. It's a good job I enjoy it!
Talking about my son, the poor mite woke this morning with a few spots and it appears he has Chicken Pox. It's not come as any great surprise given he's spent the last couple of weeks playing with his cousins, both of which have had it also. Hopefully it won't aggravate him too much, it certainly doesn't seem to be bothering him so far.
It was so sad and upsetting to hear the news of yet another tragedy yesterday. This time it was a car accident on the M6 in Staffordshire claiming the lives of two brothers, 4 and 10 and a woman. Words cannot describe how tragic this is for all involved and the impact is all the greater for occurring on Christmas Day.
As I drive about locally, I am struck by how full the dykes are that separate the fields all around here. It really seems as if another torrential downpour is all that is needed for many of them to overflow onto the roads. The fields too are covered in mini lakes indicating that the soil below if completely saturated. Apart from the risk of flooding, I fear for what this will mean for the farmers and their ability to grow crops in the coming months.
Finally, for now, I have decided to join the Mass Observation Project. It has been running since 1937 capturing the memories of everyday folk up and down the land.
An item on Radio 4's Today this morning prompted me to visit their website where you can apply to write for them. Seeing as I enjoy writing, especially about things that go on around me, it seems the natural thing to do.
Right, time to tackle my son's Lego fishing boat. I'll post photos of all the models I've built this Christmas tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment