Well it's been a while since I last posted an entry. Christmas has come and gone and it is almost time for me to go back to work.

The Christmas period was extremely busy. Scott and I, for one reason or another, ended up staying with his parents the 3 nights before Christmas. We did drive home and do things during the day but ended up back there. It was good though, I mean so much of our relationship was spent living at their house, it still feels more like 'home' than our new house and we are relaxed there.

On the Sunday before Christmas, we took the long drive down to Wonthaggi, where Scotty's grandparents live for their Christmas celebrations. We caught a lift up with Scotty's parents (part of the reason we stayed at their place) and stopped in Grantville for coffee on the way. Let's just say it was the worst coffee (not including International Roast or Blend 43) I have ever had in my life and the worst service. The girl asked our order maybe 5 times and still got it wrong.

Around 11 we finally arrived at our desination, a quaint little residentual caravan park, complete with its own murder scene. We were the first to arrive, shortly followed by all the others. We did present opening and I lucked out this year. I received a lovely display bowl and carved ball things from Scott's Pop. For an 80 year old man, he did rather well. Scott got a garden shovell, I think from his mum. There were some more unfortunate presents given, such as a plastic cat money box, to Scott's 27 year old cousin. It was truely hideous. We then ate a long lunch, the food was quite good.

Driving home, Scott's dad decided to take the senic route. I kept my mouth shut about suffering motion sickness until almost the end. I had the road been 2 minutes longer on the windy part, I surely would have been ill.

We were all so tired so had a quiet night, althought the dog managed to find his one present among all the presents under the tree. He ate the paper open, so we gave him one part of his present and confiscated the rest.

Chistmas Eve, we spent preparing our house for our Christmas Dinner celebrations. We cleaned, and shopped, set up the trestle tables (big family) and I roasted the Turkey for the first time in my life. This wasn't with out half a dozen calls to my mum to make sure I was doing it right and near disaster when I left the elastic that held it all together on and nearly put it in the oven.

 At night we headed back to the country to Scotty's parents and other grandparents who had arrived from further north. We had initially decided on staying at my parent's that night, but Scott got an attack of the guilts about his parent's not having any of their kid's their on Christmas morning that I gave in. It was a typical Chistmas Eve, watching the Carols at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at Scott's Pa's request and then having both him and Scott's dad sit there and say how bad it is this year and how much the event had deteriorated. This happens each year and was quite amusing.

In the morning, we got up early as Scott and I had other places to be. We were hoping to open presents first, grab a quick piece of toast and head out. Didn't quite go according to plan with the grandparents not getting up till after 8 and Scott's parents being so hungry that breakfast was cooked and we felt obliged to stay. I think we finally got out of there around 9.15.  

We exchanged gifts, I gave Scott new aftershave, a belt and a cookbook on pasta. Nothing overly exciting but things he needed. He gave me the new 'Cheap Eats Guide' for our city. Its a book with a whole lot of reviews on cheap but good restaurants. He also gave me a small coffee plunger and 2 mugs. This was a really big hint that he wants me to stop buying morning coffee, always a point of contention at $3 per day. His final gift was the best one, a new beach towel. Its white with aqua, red and mocha stripes. Inside was an envelope containing a 'voucher' for a weekend away at the location of my choice before the summer ends. This was his way of agreeing to my endless nagging for him to take time off and spend time with me.

It was off to my parents, who had kindly agreed to wait to do their morning present open. We gave each of my sisters music store vouchers, my sisters boyfriend a book she said he had been wanting and went in with my sister on my parents present, a new Knife block for their new kitchen. Scott received a power saw (boys toy) and I received a lovely new handbag from my parents to go with the lamps they gave us when we moved into the house. We also got a box of chocolate (even though I say each year I don' t want one) and they gave me some money for the after Chistmas sales.

My sisters gave us a joint present of a wedding planning album, the exact same one I already have. This made me a little frustrated as it is not really something for Scotty. After all these years they don't really seem to recognise him for birthdays and Christmas and this anoys me. I suspect the present was just for me and when I rang my sister a couple of days before to ask what her boyfriend would like, she tacked Scott's name on the gift card.

It was then off to my Aunt and Uncle's a couple of suburbs away for the Christmas lunch. I always enjoy lunch with my mum's family. It's always so laid back and casual and the food is always good. Normally it would be held at my parents but with my mum out of action, it was held elsewhere. My Uncle cooked the turkey on the webber bbq with hickory chips and it was just delicious. There was the usual spread of veggies, salads and roast potatoes. Unfortunately my grandpa's bread rolls he usually makes did not turn out so they were missing from the amazing spread of food. We finished off with the pudding, always a highlight. The oldest coin this year was 1910, I only got 1 and it was 1925.

We did our Kris Kringle. I got soap and a back massager? And Scott got a wooden box?!? Moving on.....

At home we prepared the house for all our guests, getting the cold foods ready and putting the final touches to the table. Luckily Scott's brother and the Bridesmole rocked up early and were able to help out some, which was great. Everyone else showed up and it was clear we had far too much food. Nibbly things, tempura prawns, then the Christmas Dinner spread, of turkey, chicken and ham,  seafood, salads, roast potatoes, breads etc.

I was so pleased how things were turning out for my first Christmas event. People commented on how good the turkey was. Just as we sat down to the meal, Scott's cousin and her husband told us they had an announcement to make. And what a BIG one, they are pregant again with their 3rd baby, due next August! This is fantastic news as they already have 2 adorable twins, who were born through fertility treatment. This baby was totally natural and an unexpected surprise as they had given up hope of a 3rd.

We did presents after dinner. I was so proud on the kids for waiting that long. Everyone received lovely gifts. I received a lovely pink leather travel wallet amoung other things! We also had a surprise, a belated engagement present from Bridemole's parents, a $100 voucher to the store where we intend to purchase a newTV when we have the money.

Boxing Day (December 26th) was very laid back, we cleaned up, did a touch of post-Christmas shopping. A little bit of lazing around on the deck reading my new book - Vroom by the Sea by Peter Moore, and a quiet left-over dinner and board games at our friends, let's call them C.U.B and Miss B from now on. It was boys against girls and us girls lost. C.U.B also announced he is planning on buying a new Lexus in the comming year. This is a BIG upgrade from his old Ford. Can you understand why I have nick-named him C.U.B?

Scotty had a trip to the cricket the following day. He was relatively well behaved as far as drinking was concerned, which meant not too bad sun stroke. He also won $150 playing poker at the Casino afterward. I get 1/3 when he wins so I turned that into a nice new pair of linen 3/4 pants.

I have made a new years resolution. To stop buying so many cheap nasty ill-fitting clothes I only wear once and focus on nice classic pieces I will wear over and over again. I will also loose weight so the clothes I currently have will fit me again.

We have New Years Eve celebrations tomorrow and I think the weather is going to 41Degrees Celcius. I think thats around 110 Farenheit. I'm basing this on double it and add 32. Correct me if I am wrong. There is a party at C.U.B and Miss D's. I think there will be about 20-30 people. Should be a good night.

Hope everyone has a wonderful NYE.

Emi