The Christmas Period

We've had a few diy free weeks filled with lovely Christmassyness.
Work's been manic, as usual, but the time off for Christmas and New Year was just great! We saw Al's parents and nan the sunday before Christmas then drove to my parents for Christmas day. Al drove us and we spent a really nice day mainly filled with opening presents and eating. The subject of presents is a sore one. I thought we had left all presents at my parents house in advance so Al drove us there only to realise that in fact they were under the tree at home. God love him Al volunteered to drive back to Birmingham to collect the presents and drive back! While that didn't exactly mean the big day started brilliantly it was quite humorous and hubby didn't seem to mind!
We opened presents and wolfed down appetisers like octopus, squid, crisps and cheese - there can't be many in England who started their Christmas with tapas!
Mum cooked enough to feed a substatially sized army. I suggested a radical new carving procedure seeing as every year without fail dad has a fight with the turkey leaves the turkey looking only slightly the worse for wear. This year he carved in the kitchen then heated the turkey in the cooker for a few minutes before the monumental platter of meat was brought out to the table. Food was delish.
We never quite managed to leave the table. The Richards eat at their own pace, with plenty of time for conversation, and that's how it's always been. Following the main course was of course several puddings including the Christmas pudding which my mum lavishes with many hours of steamy attention. Then there was coffee. Then we had more wine. Then Shelagh David (or should I say father christmas) and Graham turned up and out came the "little bits and pieces" mum had prepared; otherwise known as the buffet. She covered the table once more with food after everyone had said they couldn't possible eat any more and then refused any nibbles herself! After the savoury buffet came the Christmas cake, trifle etc and finally me and Al prized ourselves away from the food to drive home to Birmingham. Getting home was lovely, being able to open each other's presents and (believe it or not) nibbling some more...
New Year was another matter entirely. We were at Nathan and Laura's with our friend Claire and the whole night we played Guitar Hero band game! It was great!
In between we caught up everyone thanks to a fun night out with Hez and Becky, Milly and Rob, Will, Dave, Phil Blakey and Jo, Pete and Vicky god who else? Nathan and Laura, Lucy, I think that was it. It was fab! I love these huge get togethers! I loved our wedding, it was the ultimate get together!
Another brill part of the holiday was Danielle's birthday on Jan 2nd. Me, Danielle, Lisa and Teresa went to see the panto at the Hippodrome with John Barrowman. It was Robin Hood and it was fantastic! Truly hilarious, and except for some strange robot character that they tried to work in the whole thing was marvellous. It was Teresa's first panto and she seemed to enjoy it too. I don't think she'd seen anything like it in New Zealand! Rather excitingly mum's bought tickets for my birthday to see West Side Story!!!
And for the millionth time in my life I thought... "I wish I had tried acting as a career" and for the millionth time it depressed me. So after a conversation with Danielle and the thousandth promise to myself to actually do something about it I looked up some am dram theatre groups in Birmingham. A lovely chap called Ian answered the Billesley Players phone no and on thursday I went along. It was great to meet them all and next thursday I find out if I actually get a part... fingers crossed!