Almost two weeks since the last post, and so I thought I’d better write something to confirm that www.Oakstump is still active. Its been two busy weeks – the Rainbows concert, the subject of the last post, is always a timely reminder that its time I thought about Christmas. Of course Chantal was already organised – by the time of the Rainbows concert she had already started food and present shopping.
I don’t mind Christmas shopping. It’s quite pain free, subject to certain rules – folk tell me exactly what they would like, and I do the shopping with mug of tea in one hand and keyboard in the other. I know, I know – we should be supporting the local High Street, but visiting half a dozen stores to find exactly what I want at the best price takes a week of lunch times or 30 minutes online. I am a fan of the hybrid version though – click and collect. Argos beat Amazon hollow when it came to radios.
Then there are the dinners. A few years ago these came thick and fast: Environmental Health dinner, Noise Team dinner, Scraggies dinner, Dog Club dinner. I remember having six Christmas meals one year, including Christnas day,when I worked in both Noise and Housing Teams. This year it was just Environmental Health and Dog Club, the former starting shortly after noon, and in my case continuing until I caught the 9.15pm train to Narborough.
Its not all commerce though – my church still has a traditional nativity play, involving young people from 5-15 (I guess). Last Sunday we were treated to a slightly non-traditional version, written by our Minister (which is what we Methodists call our “Vicar”). Two youngsters played with Dad’s new smart phone, found a time travel app, and ended up in Bethlehem 2012 years ago. After escaping from a Roman soldier, meeting bewildered shepherds, and being evicted from the pub at closing time (by a fierce female inn-keeper) they found the baby Jesus, which was just as well – since the soldier had destroyed the phone, it was only their faith in Christ that got them home… And yes, tea-towels and dressing gown chords are still a vital part of the shepherds wardrobe.
Chantal has not been well. She joined us for the office meal last week, but not the after dinner “socialising” (oh, alright, boozing – but these days in moderation). This is just as well – she got home just in time to be very poorly on the doorstep. I was shocked – I haven’t been in this state after a works do for many years. We think that she joined 779999 other people with the Novovirus, with the symptoms remaining until Tuesday, eventually combining with a cough and cold, to keep her at home all week.
BUT she should be fine for Christmas. Tomorrow morning, at first light, I will be joining Chantal for our next annual Christmas traditional activity. Sainsbury’s.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
