Don't know if you're tuning in Linda but I hope you're enjoying Christmas with your lovely new kitchen and you've worked out how to use all the appliances

Merry Christmas, Pen and Merry Christmas to all Chi members!

Turkey is roasting, so oven must be working!  Did most of the prep work yesterday so am feeling fairly relaxed this morning.  Still not quite got to grips with the all singing, all dancing microwave but it can't be rocket science, surely! 

Have a wonderful day! 

He was my heart-throb before Swooney with Clooney

Quelle surprise!  Mine too, Pen.  One of many heart-throbs over the years but Clooney is not one of them - handsome enough but not my type.  Too clean and tidy looking for my taste and looks like he has manicured fingernails!   

Back to work this afternoon after a two week break so bracing myself for a head pecking from slightly annoying but well meaning colleague! 

Off to Oxford in the morning

Lucky you, Pen.  I absolutely love Oxford.  Enjoy your day amongst the creme de la creme of British youth.   

PS  Hope loo seat is now stable! 

Thanks for the encouraging words, Jack.  Believe me, I have tried but without any great success.  Have recently heard about oil paint crayon type things and think these would suit my heavy handedness far better than delicate watercolours.  Anyway, for the moment, splashing silk emulsion on walls is about as artistic as I am getting!

So excited because new carpet is arriving next Friday, Pen!  Have to say that the Shark will get a good workout then but from its performance so far I feel it is not quite up to the Dyson we used to have.

Off to buy some Mint Cake later this morning, Jack!!  Not really; it's vile! 

Your hubby's a diamond - I'm sure he'll sort your streaky bits

Is sorting out as we speak but not without a fair bit of moaning!! 

I'd hardly say I was artistic, Pen, but I like to dabble a bit and do love art.  So jealous of most of the painters on Portrait Artist of the Year - what a fantastic talent to have. 

Off to exercise my fantastic talent of touch typing later today! 

Linda will get this in a flash!

Indeed I did, Pen!  Watched it just recently.

I assume, because you mentioned Linda, that you were watching your favourite TV series and not the NETFLIX adaptation of the C.S. Lewis book.

How well you know us, Jack!    

Grey and drizzly here today so looks a day to get on with some painting - walls and woodwork that is, not oils and watercolours! 

There's plenty of reasonably priced pinks to be had!

I know!  The Zinfadel at the book club can be bought in Morrisons for around £7.50 a bottle!  I was pleasantly surprised when I had to fork out £16.50 last night.  They have charged as much as £18 for the flaming stuff.  Don't even like it that much.  Too sweet for my taste but the white they serve is similar and dearer. 

Lovely crisp, bright day here today, Pen, so hope your weather is similar and that you make the most of your time away from work.  We are hanging pictures and generally tidying this today.  Just been informed that the electrician is coming over later this morning to do something mysterious with cables and install an outside light so we're still not entirely workmen free.  At least he's not venturing bathroomwards! 

How's things and how are the kitchen and bathroom coming along?

Hi Pen, I've been a bit busy lately and haven't managed to keep you updated but the kitchen is now habitable and looking lovely.  So pleased with it.  The small things please me most - the pretty things - like my new biscuit barrel which is yellow and looks like something Winnie the Pooh would have in his house!  Still some tweaking to do but we are pretty much there.  Need some tiles for above the hob and some electrics still to finish off but at least no dust any more.  Bathroom just needs some skirting board and the odd paint touch up.  It's so nice not to have workmen lumbering all over the house and appearing in places you least expect them to be.  New carpet next!  Went with local firm who are going to fit it before Christmas.  Not cheap though - why is everything so expensive now?!

Hope you're well and taking it easy, if you can.