My OH has just found details of another bungalow to rent, and it has more things we need. A garage, sheds (for storage) Four rooms (2/3 bed) And........ it is just at the end of the road! So fingers crossed.

It's nice to change my underwear once a year

{See what I did there}

and this is what I had hoped for myself at the beginning of the year

1) Get fitter.
2) Enjoy my work more. I hope now that the first term is over, it might get a bit easier. I just don't want to worry about it as much as I did last term.
3) Do a few new things. Continue to learn a little bit of Latin or perhaps another language (German maybe) and maybe even join that choir! Who knows.

1) as for getting fitter, I believe I weigh less than I did at the beginning f the year. I know I dropped a suit size since the beginning of last September. The Dancing helped of course
2) Enjoy work more. I don't think that happened. Most of you know that work has been a lonely place for me. It never got better throughout the year. This year (from September) started a little bit better, but it is still lonely there. I don't get it. But I don't think I worry about it so much though
3) DO a few new things. I did join the choir, I learned to dance, a performed in the choir on stage. Saw lots of shows. So there were some new things/ experiences to enjoy. I never did learn a new language.

It's Sunday night and all I keep thinking about is 'Back to Work on Wednesday' Yes! Our school goes back on the 2nd of January! Only three days away and it's not even New Years Eve yet! I was hoping that my cold would have gone by then but it seems to have stayed for aaaaaageeeees!

Last night I had a bizarre dream. I dreamt that the drummer from McFly was ill and they asked me to take over and be the drummer for them at a sell out arena gig. Only it wasn't a real drum set, but one of those toy ones. I gave it a very good go, especially seeing that I can't play the drums. Still I did gave a wonderful rendition on the Maracas. McFly did a great gig, singing the hits of Busted! Apparently the gig sold more seats than the SPice Girls did.

Tonight we will be having Spaghetti Bolognese and watching the big fat quiz of the year.

I normally do a post to discuss my favourite things that I have seen over christmas, and this year will be no different.
Shrek the Halls: great to see the animated favourites doing a little bit extra on Christmas day.
Doctor Who of course. But why did they have to kill Kylie off.... or have they? Seeing as she is now zooming around as lots of stardust, I am sure there will be a possible way of getting her particles to reform.
The Extras special' fantastic viewing. And more doctor who- loved the whole Celebrity Big Brother thing.
And today there was the double bill ending of Robin Hood. What is it with the BBC and killing off the female leads? Poor Marian. How are they gonne bring her back now- they've buried her! And they said there will be another series next year! How?
Anyone else with any favourites?

SO I went to view that bungalow.... Man it was small. we would have to downsize a LOT to go there. Plus they are asking for loads more per month for it. Oh dear, I suppose we had better keep looking. If ti comes to the end of January and we haven't found anywhere- then it's panic time!

Well it does when I play the game oblivion. I spend ages on it and the time just seeps away. I did very little today, apart from playing Oblivion. I also arranged to see a new property tomorrow- seeing as we have been given notice and have to find a new place to live PDQ! I hope it's nice.
I haven't really relaxed much this holiday- and my sore throat has got no better, it's been bd for weeks- like someone ripping it open
Still I should count my blessing- I could live in Albert Square.....

Boxing day- For those of you that read my blog regularly, you may be familiar with the CJ tradition that Boxing day is spent with family. And yesterday was no exception. Seeing as my mum has moved it meant that the journey was longer- which also led to the decision to stay overnight (and then we could have a drink) We left at 9 and get there at about midday. We started of at my sisters for drinkies (a theme which continued through the evening) and headed off to mums for dinner. As like last year each family group had a course to prepare and this year we did the starters (When I say we I must admit I was more of a hindrance than a help) The dinner was prawn/salmon starter, followed by roast lamb dinner and then by a chocolate trifle- bizarrely this was exactly what we had on Christmas day. Spooky! The entertainment comprised mostly of the board-game Articulate- which my team won thanks to a rather fortunately drawn peacock- followed by more Karaoke, in which the kids enjoyed murdering Jingle Bell Rock and for some reason when YMCA came on, the mic got passed my way!!! The kids continued to entertain with a piece of improvised drama which totally re-wrote the Nativity when the virgin Mary Ann gave birth to the King of the Munchkins as foretold by an oddly Welsh Angel Gabriel!

After a less than comfortable night on a put up bed- we left the family and headed home, making a detour via the sales at Lakeside. Man they were busy- especially NEXT, which had a queue that snaked for ever around the store.
When we got back I decided to look up last years Christmas write up... and here is something that I wrote....

We went sales shopping yesterday, but we weren't that impressed with the sales. NExt was packed though. The queue snaked all around the store- it kind of puts me off buying anything

Some things never change

It's just gone 5pm and we have had dinner (roast lamb with trimmings) and opened our pressies. And now we are sitting on the sofa in a lovely warm room. My OH is watching fit men in Uniform on tv and I am patiently waiting for Doctor Who.

Brussell Sprout anyone?

My OH and I went to the Christingle service at church this afternoon. It was very pleasant {Even if it was full of kids} but I was surprised that the vicar had to start the service off with Health and Safety regulations about what to do in case of a fire and a quick tour of where the emergency exits are. Good grief! It looks like every aspect of life is worried about the compensation culture. I suppose with all those naked flames around you can't be too careful.

Have a wonderful time one and all

... and all through the house.
CJ and OH were as quiet as Mouse (mice)
Their voices had gone and their throatsies were sore
"WE're ill over chrismtas"
"Again"
"It's the law"

I was hoping that the colds would be gone by Christmas but they are still there- we both have them!
Still on a positive note- I have checked my bank account and the bank have refunded my money!!! Yahoo! I am not out of pocket

Has anyone got any exciting looking presents under the tree?

Here's a faaaanatastic birthday message to a faaaantastic person that I miss Faaaantastically as a blog buddy

If you are reading this Mr CM, I hope you have a great day.

Great result from Strictly come dancing.

I have just washed my hair..... in HOT WATER! and am now sitting by a warm radiator. Looking at the presents I have wrapped under the tree... presents that I have bought using my new bank card!

Now if only they would give me back my stolen £1300 then everything will be back to equilibrium

"Tis The Friday before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a thing was stirring
Not even the central heating" But hopefully that will change...
Because I am at home and the workmen are next door trying to untangle the mess the Landlady's partner has left the boiler in. Who knows, by this evening, there may be hot water and I won't have to wash out of a kettle!

Last night my OH and I went out again. Back to the Brighton Centre. Apparently the Chances of anything going to the Brighton Centre is a million to one, they say... but still they came! Guess what we saw....... The War of the Worlds. We went with some of Stephs friends as they had a couple of spare tickets. IT was an amazing show, with a great big alien ship on stage which flashed and groaned. I think I killed it though, because it was harmful bacteria that killed the martians and I have a cold- so perhaps they caught my cold!

But before the show, we went for a meal in a Veggie Restaurant. I was gearing myself up for a Thai Green Curry, but it wasnt on the menu. Instead I had a sweet potato and turtle bean couscous thing with prunes, spinach and cheese. It was very nice! Although I must admit I dont think I would choose a Veggie restaurant to eat in. No Raw meat!

As I was browsing through your blog, I wanted to give you something Chrismtassy and related to something about you. So for someone who confesses that they personally impregnated over 100 cows, what could be more fitting than some Cows singing Christmas Cowals.... unfortunately I couldn't find any but I did find this. Now in this web site you will see the following keyboard. If you imagine that the keys are labelled ABC.... in order (see diagram) and play the following tunes, you may be able to recognise some Christmas Cowals!

1) Dddeddababcdd

2) Ddadeafefgfe

3) Adddefefgh fgfdeed

4) DedbDedbhhfggd

Have fun and Merry Christmas

Love your Secret Santa

This it to remind anyone that hasnt yet entered a photo for the photo competition, that the deadline is the end of tomorrow
Details here

IT is coming up..... that time of th year when the family comes together with the sole purpose of getting on each others nerves enjoying each others company.
Normally we play games or sing karaoke. This year I am thinking of getting a game. 'Articulate' or 'Balderdash' catch my eye. Can anyone recommend either of these? Good for family play?

SO we managed to find a number for the landlady in Spain- but it was wrong (Deliberately perhaps?) SO we tracked down a correct one and I phoned her. So we managed to get a keyholder and she gave us permission to get it sorted. However, everyone we tried to call tonight couldnt make a visit until after Christmas! I cant believe we will have to wait until after christmas to get heat.! But a friend of a friend knew someone and they popped over today to take a look at the boiler- however she is in Spain {Chortles at own joke}
But it seems the boiler wasnt the problem. It seems that there is some problem with the electrics (Due to a dodgy job doe by the Landlady's partner before they went away). So parts are needed and may not be fixed until Friday- if at all.

Grrrrr and Brrrrrrrrr

Last night my OH and I went to see the Kaiser Chiefs live in Brighton for their final night of their tour! They were ace, even if some of the crowd were a bit reserved. My favourite tunes, Ruby, I predict a riot and Angry mob! Cool stuff! They picked on a young lad called Ben to get up on stage and dance with them. Mad! And at one point Ricky Wilson ran through the crowd in the auditorium and song on a pole on the sound desk at the back!

And Fat boy slim was there too

Blog seems to be slow and playing up a bit. Perhaps it is this guy's fault.....

Still, good to see that he is in work now. Move over Bob the Builder, here comes Blog the Builder

I am watching Robin Hood in glorious HD. The picture is so clear that you can se every speck of dirt on the rags of the merry men...... Hold on, There is no dirt on their fashinably designed set of costumes rags.
Perhaps it is clear enough to see the specks of claret on the blood stained swords... hold on, there is not a single drop of blood on any of their weapons after that bloody fight?

Okay... I can see every speck of OXO gravy from the queen mothers gravy pot? Good old Linda Bellingham

Oh and Strictly come dancing was also in HD

So last night I phoned the bank and got my card cancelled. The woman also gave me a phone number to call to claim the money taken is actually fraud. I said that I would be going into the bank tomorrow and she said that the person in the bank will make the call for me and help sort it out.

So this morning, first thing, I went into town to go to the bank. The guy was very helpful, he made the phone call for me... unfortunately, there was no-one there at the fraud claims department. So he left a message for someone to call home in two hours. So I rushed back home and waited. Four hours later, no one called. So I ended up calling them myself. SO it was really a waste of time going to the bank and asking for someone to help me sort it all out.

Anyway I called the number and they had to pass me to another person, in another office, who is now going to send me a form for me to sign. When I sign the form and return it then they can start investigating to see if the money was taken fraudulently from my account.

IN the meantime I am now into my overdraft (as it was over £1200 that was taken) and I am now without a cash card in the days leading up to christmas. YAY

I don't normally swear, but....
IN an evening where I needed to relax after a long tiring week... I have just checked my bank account online and someone has taken over £1000 of my money from my account. It has been paid to someone called Quinn Insurance. I have NO dealings with them at all (They're in Ireland??) SO I have been frauded. Fuckers!

It only went out today so I hope I can get it sorted out.

Am I gonna have to pay it?

... that the sky HD has been installed. I know we've only got a couple of months here, but I didnt want to not have something we want just because of that!

And the picture quality is great. (But the sky man has unplugged the DVD so I may have to go in round the back to sort out the leads again)

I am so glad the weekend is here now. I have already had a couple of hours sleep on the sofa when I got in. This week has been so busy (More blogs later), everyone said I was looking tired this morning.

And a restful weekend ahead? Nah! We're going to see the Kaiser Chiefs this weekend

Good News: The rent isn't going up

Bad News: That's because we have been given notice to leave.

I am regular kinda guy. Very regular in fact. Because every morning at about 7:30am my body clock turns to 'evacuation mode' and I need a dump!
Unfortunately I leave for work at 7am and I don't get there until about 8am, so the last half hour is a rush for the finishing post. So I drive like the Stig from Top Gear to make sure the hare does get there before the turtle

Which officially make me Stig of the Dump

Back home after my trip to visit my mum and sister. I got up early as its a 3 hour drive. I had a lovely lunch, delivered my presents and had some given to me. Now I have pressies under my tree

I am at the moment catching up with Strictly come dancing. So don't tell me what happened

Our electronic barometer has been beeping madly all day- flashing up a storm warning! Normally that means that Sky will go off at some point. I hope that it doesn't play up this week as I am getting Sky HD installed. It cost loads of money- which I was satisfied to pay..... until I overheard something in a cafe this afternoon. There was a guy chatting to another guy telling him that he phoned sky up to cancel his subscription so he could change to another supplier. Apparently Sky offered him the SKy HD system for £99. And when he refused and tried to close down the account- they gave him the box for free - with free installation! Bastards! Here is us, loyal customers getting financially penalised for supporting them- when someone tries to break away- they give em freebies. My OH says we should phone up and complain!
Tomorrow I visit family. I have managed to all the presents and wrap them. And we put our Christmas tree up! I'm starting to feel Christmasy. Shame I still have to work.

Oh and our bitch of a landlady put the rent up again. She told my OH yesterday. She won't talk to me- she's scared of me Apparently she wants the rent to go up immediately- but she has to give a months notice, doesn't she?