Merry Christmas to Everyone

I've got about 40 minutes left at work so thought I'd use the time wisely and write an update :)

Things are still hectic here, it really does seem like we get one thing finished and off the "to do" list and then another thing (or usually 2) pops up. We finally got our living room walls and ceiling patched and repainted after having speakers and recessed lights added about 9 months ago, we got our carpets cleaned (I shudder to think what colour the water was), I wrote and posted my Christmas cards, did the majority of my shopping and we even found time to buy the Christmas tree.

Some stuff just wont disappear from the list, no matter how hard we try - like our new dishwasher. Our old one broke at the beginning of November and we decided to replace it as it was pretty crappy anyway. We found one we liked, went to Sears, ordered it and found out that it was back ordered. Not to worry it would only be a couple of weeks. Finally the day arrives for the installation, the technician goes to get the dishwasher and promptly comes back and says some catch on it is broken and he'll have to take it back oh and by the way in his years of experience the make we chose is known for breaking down so maybe we should reconsider. My poor hands by now are complaining loudly that they weren't made for this washing dishes lark. So we call Sears back, explain the situation, cancel the first order and place a new order, sorted! surely it will be here soon. We keep calling to see what's going on, they reassure us that it will be here soon and definitely by Christmas. My phone calls become more and more frequent as the days start counting down and having to listen to pipped Christmas Musik every time I'm put on hold is driving me batty, even though I always get the name of the person I speak to they never seem to be there when I call again and I have to go through the whole story of who said what on what day a million and one times. Sigh, we still haven't got our dishwasher and I'm contemplating paper plates for Christmas dinner.

The other big thing that got dropper on our laps was that day care suddenly announced, in the car park while trying to strap both kids into their car seats, that they thought Callum needed a full time shadow/aide at school because he keeps running off and they are afraid that he'll get hurt. Oh and by the way can we have someone there by January 3rd! I don't mind the request for an aid, but how it was done and giving us a grand total of 10 days over the Christmas holiday without even mentioning before that this might be a possibility had me very pissed off. They had backtracked a little and said as long as they know we're working on it then that's OK. We have had one person contact us about the job, she's doing her masters has a younger sister with Down syndrome, has experience as a nanny and as a day care teacher and really wants to work with a child with special needs, keep your fingers crossed that it works out.

We are just about prepared for Christmas, Mark's mum and her boyfriend arrive tonight and my youngest brother Jack and his mate Jack arrive on Christmas Eve. Jack is like me and loves Christmas so I'll have someone joining me in the wearing of reindeer antlers and singing Christmas carols all day.

Merry Christmas to everyone.