Flat pack

Decided to attempt to assemble a flat pack set of three tables. Total time taken to assemble one hour twenty minutes. Not bad I thought, also no parts missing and no pieces damaged, surely another record.

Boxing day traditions

Made the pilgrimage to this traditional boxing day football match. I have been doing this for almost 42 years, firstly with the 26th BB Company, then with the Campaigners and now as a father. For the last number of years I have been a spectator only! Today's event was as usual packed with action - here are a few of the more dramatic pics.

Boxing day

So Christmas day is over and so is all the fervour at least for another 365 days-only the sales now to contend with. I was up at 5.45am to run my eldest son into work as he started at 7 am and the first train from Carrick to Belfast was at 9. It reminded me of the fact that last boxing day I was down at the harbour at 6 am. This was for the dive into the harbour for the Peru trip.

I ran my Mum up to see my Dad in the nursing home just after lunch that day, not knowing that by tea time I would get a phone call to say my Dad was gravely ill and wouldn't survive for long. It is strange thinking back, in one sense it seems long ago and yet the memories of it are like yesterday!

But for today-annual boxing day football match at 10.30am so I have to go and wake other son up and drive him down to the match. Pictures of Christmas and football match to follow.

The Christmas shopping duty

Today I took my unofficial official half day to do Christmas shopping. I decided to go into Belfast - bad idea. Don't arrive in Belfast in the middle of lunch hour and five days before Christmas. Absolutely bunged, crowded, packed and any other adjective you can think off. Walked about for a while and then went home without spending a penny. One redeeming feature was this four piece jazz band playing Christmas carols.
They where really good, a trombone player, a trumpeter, sax player and the drummer who played with such enthusiasm that he reminded me of Animal in the Muppet show. Excellent group, even I gave them a donation!

The wonder of Christmas

Isaiah 9 (New American Standard Bible)
6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

None of the snowy landscapes or Santa's stuck in chimneys here. no cooing over a new baby in this narrative about the Christmas birth. For this child is no ordinary child. He is the mighty God. How? Why? That we poor mortals can know communion with the great creator God and call Him Father. Now that's the wonder of Christmas.

Film night

At the same time as the youth fellowship dinner the Sunday school where holding a film night. The very long but very good film "Cars" was shown.

Because of the length of this film the arrival of that special visitor was a bit delayed, hope this doesn't happen on the big day.

Food again

Today seems to have been the day for talking about food. Tonight was the young peoples Christmas dinner. A great effort was made by the youth in dressing up and decorating the hall. Some of the older young people cooked the dinner and served the meal.

Prayer breakfast

David, Jim and myself met at 8.15am for our prayer triplet. We prayed together for approximately an hour and then we moved on to our prayer breakfast. We thought of splashing out for Christmas and maybe going to the Point but instead returned to Springsteen's. The staff have come to know us over the years and as usual we got abuse from the manageress prior to ordering. However we placed our orders and received the following dishes. Can you guess who ordered what?

Saturday morning

It's early Saturday morning and Heather has been up since 6.20am! After sitting for all of 5 minutes the question "can we make some muffins?". Hence I found myself mixing chocolate chips and cranberries into muffin mix at 6.45am.(two bowls not together-chocolate and cranberry might be nice). Anyway they will be nice warm with a mug of freshly brewed coffee before I head out to my prayer triplet at 8.15am and then off for a good Ulster fry-ah the joys of healthy eating

Christmas market

The Christmas continental market is in Belfast so Ken,Tim Heather and myself headed down to have a look. Most of the stalls are to be found in St Georges market but it did give a certain chrismasy feel to the city Hall. Maybe I'm getting into a Christmas mood after all. Heather had to buy loads of sweets and a chocolate crepe.

Christmas spirit.

Having a nine year old daughter helps you remember that soon it will be Christmas. For the last few weeks there has been this build up of lunacy and excitement that only a nine year old girl can display, non stop talking and acting up. It has reached the point at the moment where it is impossible to keep her in bed in the morning and generally she has been getting up at 6.30am. The excitement of Christmas is still very much alive for her and long may it last. I think that I have lost that, I attended the first "Christmas " do on Saturday but to me it was just another event. None of that "Christmas spirit" was present. I don't think as adults it is ever possible to have the outlook of a child. Our experiences harden us and our materialism makes the receiving of gifts sometimes very mundane. I remember as a child being fascinated by the gift of a hamper from my uncle in Birmingham and I can still remember the wonder of the tins of delicacies which today I take for granted. However the tree is now up and the house is decorated Christmas is a coming.

Cliffs concert

As an early Christmas present May and I where given tickets to Cliff Richards concert in the Odyssey arena on Monday night. Now I must admit I was not filled with joy with this gift, I consider there is only one song of Cliffs that is of value -"Miss you nights" -although May has been to a number of his concerts and loosely could be called a fan.
However after it I must admit he has some voice for a pensioner and some of his productions on stage where phenomenal. He sang for 1 hour 15 mins had a break for 30 mins and then came back and performed for over another hour. Not a bad night after all.

It's December

According to the widget I have on my PC there are 21 days 5 hours and 41 minutes to Christmas, and so all the hustle and bustle is getting into full steam. On the first day of the month I went with a few others to Lillian and Lindsay home to make gingerbread houses. May and I are the only ones at present who have a young child so I don't know what the reasons for the others being there were. Jackie and Lindsay gave stirling support to thier wives while Nev and Rick just had to do as they were told. May and I had to do what Heather told us. The results can be seen and an outside adjudicator awarded Nev and Alison the prize. Jugde for yourself.