Katy’s rambles about life

Becca was with mum and dad today (well, this morning really) so I took the oportunity to leg it into town and do some high speed shopping! By lunch time I had got all the kiddie pressies (except Ceri’s which Merry has given me a good idea for!) as well as my pressie from Tim - he’s buying me a nice skirt which I shall wrap for him later

So that only leaves the adults….. I know what I’m getting for Tim (cheap MP3 player for him to take to work), Mum and Dad will get some nice food/drinks, Tim’s mum I’ve got a scone cutter from Lakeland (she asked for it!) and some rubber stamps, Tims’ bro is for Tim to buy for and his sis I’ll get smellies for. Her grown up daughters all get biscuits or sweeties in big tins, we’ve done it for years and I said one year I was going to do something else and got shouted at!!!!! They rely on us to provide the snax it seems

I caught up with Becca at the swimming pool and she did another really good swim, she really has no fear as long has she doesn’t get water in her eyes (goggles are good!!) and can swim almost the length of the pool now (about 15m I think) I have started to suggest swimming lessons to her now that she’s got her confidence… she wasn’t sure until dad casually mentioned badges, certificates and grandparents who buy treets for little girls who get awards….. sigh, she really does need to understand that rewards aren’t good for her future self-esteem/sense of whatever and so on (can you tell I’ve never really read “punishment by reward”!!!!)

We did the Jesse Tree again, a bit more from Grandma’s Attic and a chapter from Last Battle. Actually I’m beginning to think we may ahve to finish Last Battle another time, Tash the nasty daemon-type thing has entered the picture and I’m wondering how much longer it will be before we get to bits taht are too scary. I know the ending is bitter/sweet cos all the kids have died in a train crash but go to Aslan’s country so it’s okay but it’s if we can get through to that point really.

Waht’s a Jesse Tree? it’s like an Advent callender really except you add things every day rather than opening windows. The name comes from the first day’s reading which is about a branch from the stump of the tree of Jesse (King David’s father) You can either draw stuff yourself or you can “cheat” like we do and print all the symbols off from here along with the Bible readings and so on. I know there are some other places on the web that have different pictures but as long as it ties in with the day’s story I don’t think it really matters. Our tree is green paper in the shape of a Christmas tree stuck up on the wall - nothing fancy! Next year we may use something more 3D and make hanging ornaments but colour and cut out is just perfect for this time!

As for starting “late”, don’t see what the problem would be really. There is some “give” in the system as Advent can be a few days shorter or longer depending on what day Christmas day is (Advent starts 4 Sundays before hand) You really need to do the first 3 days and the last full week but you can edit out a couple in the middle or just do more than 1 a few days to “catch up”.

It’s Christmas Shopping Time (arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!) adn I have most people sorted for what I will buy but I’m stuck with Ceri. She’s nearly 6, absolutely the most beutiful little girl ever (well, except Becca and maybe 1 or 2 other Puddler children!!!) but blind and with severe CP. So what to get her? Last year I think I think I got her big bibs which she goes through at a fair pace as she nibbles them inbetween mouthfuls of food but I would really like to get her something a bit less practical and a bit more fun. Any suggestions gratefully accepted!