Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day dawned hot and sunny over here, so we cranked up the air con early. We were eating outside, but needed to keep the seafood cool, not to mention ourselves! After a posh breakfast of smoked salmon and avocado eggs benedict, we hit the presents.

In preparation for the big day, we first had to teach Debs how to peel prawns, so she could keep up. We did this the day before. She learns fast! She didn't mind them either, Yet to love them like us though. It will happen! After the pressies, some group shots. You may see this pictuire on next years cards! I was embarrassed that the only family shot for last year was taken while we were all in track suits! KISA and I enjoy a quiet moment with a Long Island Iced Tea and a Dorothy's Special before lunch. This is a little glimpse of our Australian Christmas Dinner. My Dad went crabbing and hit the jackpot this year. Son 18 declared them the best crabs of his life. Son 24 was in food heaven. They named one of the crabs Harrison. They like to name their crabs! Debs gets acquainted with the claw of a Queensland Mud Crab. She had one of the smaller ones. She had an oyster kilpatrick too. And didn't gag, did she Miss R!! After lunch was a water fight with the pool guns Santa dropped off. Around 4pm, Jdubya and son arrived to continue the party.What a handsome pair! Time flows so fast, I have known this boy since he was in nappies!

Two of my favouritest people in the whole wide world. Another one of my favouritest people in the whole wide world. KISA (a very special favourite of mine) had a play with the night settings on the camera and the tripod once the sun went down and came up with a spectacular set of pictures. Have I mentioned what a clever man he his?

I got up from the lunch table and went to bed around 11.30pm. KISA stayed on for another hour. Son 24's mate Adam rocked up about 11pm. No idea when the kids went to bed. We had a fantastic day. We hope you did too.

A very Merry Christmas to all. We hope you have a joyful relaxed day and a new year that brings Peace in your hearts.

My car is in hospital..

But Son 18 and his mates are not. And for that I am grateful.
Last night we had a storm after a long time with no rain. The roads were greasy and very wet. He aquaplaned going around a roundabout and ended up smashing the front wheel against the kerb. It took the tyre off the rim and dented up the rim. He called the RACQ and us and we went to them. The tow truck came quickly and delivered the car to our home. This morning KISA changed the tyre but when we went to drive it it was obvious that the steering was whacked. So we rang again and they towed it to the garage. Rang the insurance, but as Son 18 is under 25 there will be an $1800 excess. Ouch. What's the bet that's about what the bill we be. Merry Christmas. Sigh.

At our place...

Jdubya arrived on Thursday to stay a while. We have been having the Great Summer Handstand Competition. Debs judged. Tash was declared the winner.

But Jdubya did ok too. Not bad for an old geezer of 48....

On Saturday evening we took Debs to to the marina for a cooling drink. It had been a very hot day.

We walked past all the boats and apartments and restuarants. Took a nice shot of Debs but had to get her to crouch down as I kept chopping off the top of her head in shot!

Looking back along the promenade from our waterside table.

A band was playing nearby and as it got dark all the fairy lights started to twinkle. Some of the boats had fairy lights in the rigging.

The breeze was cooling and we watched a crane lift a car out of the harbour where some idiot had driven it in earlier. Very entertaining!

We have a visitor

On our way to the Big Flash Christmas Bash, we went to the airport to collect Debs, the daughter of my good friend Davina from the Island Far Far Away. Debs is doing a gap year and travelling around Australia. She has already seen more of it than I have in the last 50 years! On Sunday we took her for a little drive to help her get her bearings, to the sea and to the Eimeo pub. It was her 19th birthday on Monday so we took her to Sorbellos for dinner.

Hoping that the craziness of preparing for Christmas and the move will let up soon and we can take her on a decent sight see.

Big Flash Christmas Bash

Saturday night saw us attend the Inagural Christmas Bash for KISA's work. It was held in our local brand new Convention Centre. It was a very impressive affair and we had quite a spectacular time. The organisers did a great job, and I think everyone enjoyed getting frocked up and dancing. The food was lovely and the entertainment was excellent. It was a very late night..

Starting to look like Christmas..

We had a bit of a Christmassy weekend here. KISA and I did some Christmas shopping on Saturday morning. We are mostly done now, only two left to get, though these days the list isn't that long anymore. It is starting to get frantic at the shops now. Spent the afternoon cooking and wrapping up gifts.
As A&P and Godzilla are going to India for Christmas, we had our get together for that side of the family on Saturday night at D&M's place. Took the camera, took no pictures.
We all brought a course to share and ended with about 6 courses counting cheese. We started with dips and crackers, a smoked salmon and prawn avocado salsa dish, garlic and calamari stir fried, gnocchi with sundried tomato pesto and spinach, and a Tamil Chicken and rice, followed by plum pudding and custard, fruit and cheese - phew!- which was all delicious. It was a great evening and we stayed over. We do a Secret Santa, which of course is no secret at all and everyone seemed to enjoy their gifts.
After an early breakfast we headed home as KISA was expecting work to call - which they did - lots- till I ripped off my thumb nail mowing the lawn. Now I know why fingernail removal is such a popular method of torture.
After I recovered from that, with lots of water, a big band aid, lots of sympathy and a long rest, we fixed some of the issues with the pool for the pool inspector,( long story) and finished off the yard.
Then it was time for the tree raising! This may be the last year with the big tree, it will be looking for a new home in the new year. Come the evening, it looks like Christmas though. We put the littler fibre optic tree up on the deck.

And swapped out the harsh LED deck lights for softer incandescent ones. We are nearly ready, and apart from the food shopping, can mostly stay away from the lunacy that is December in the shopping centres!

Movember is over!

The chopper moustache was shaved off this morning. So we now have a clean slate to grow back the beard of choice! Wonder which one he will go with?? Doesn't he look so young without any beard or mo??