This evening was fun despite the freezing weather, the suffering of an air conditioning system blowing cold air over our table and the smoke that is now clinging to clothes!

No offence intended to smokers out there, but an hour in the pub, and I reek of cigarette smoke, my eyes are stinging and a rash is appearing nicely on my arm - lovely!

It is cold outside. -1 it said on the temperature guage on the way home, the fog so thick it took me 5 minutes to find the switch for my fog lights. The roads are icy as well, I only hope Nigel gets home from football safely but god help him if he comes down with a cold over Christmas, think that would be the icing on the cake.

Only had two glasses of Lemon and Lime as well, which was nice. couldn't drink as I was driving but now I am home I am going to make myself some mulled wine and sip it in bed to get warm.

Oh damm just remembered got to print a photo for my mum to take down with me tomorrow. Yes day spent visiting mother and Sister and swapping presents tomorrow, Friday is panto day and then I can rest a while until Christmas.

yippeee!

" Are you coming out with us tonight Sam" came the cry from a colleague in the staffroom.

"yes" I replied " but only for a couple of hours, and I am driving. Don't want to leave the kids too long.

Why am I going?

It is freezing outside. The fog is settling in. The temp in the car hasn't gone past -0.5 yet. brrrrrrrrr.

Simon begged and pleaded with me to go out for once promising me faithfully that he and the terror will be ok. I know they will be, after all at 15 he is more like 21, he is more sensible than most kids his age, he is like a nagging wife with the other child so he won't be able to sneeze without Simon being on top of him for doing it too loudly! So I have agreed to go, but why it is cold!!!!!!!

Oh well better get off and find something warm to wrap up in.

Oh and been very good and done my secret santa, could go on for hours about my secret Santa, but then no one would read it, you would just get bored, so kept it short and sweet!

Have fun!!

He introduces himself as being here because his ‘parents shared a night of passion.’ Reading his profile, he comes across as a man who doesn’t take life seriously or himself for that matter, which I find refreshing in this day and age. A Welshman who isn’t passionate about it, a lover of the countryside who is fond of a good wine and a good beer, by the look of one of his photos.

This man has a wonderful sense of sense of humour. A man who was once in the Navy and who now teaches IT at the University of Wales in order to pay his mortgage.

He is a keen supporter of Newport RFC, first and foremost though he will support Wales if they play

A man who enjoys cooking, fast cars, enjoys reading and poetry.

A keen photographer, a visit to his site to see some of his work is a must.

He lives in a small village called Undy, which he claims no one has heard of, (I have), where a Roman coffin was unearthed, a village that has its own Warden and can be found in the beautiful countryside of Monmouthshire.

A visit to his site is very entertaining. A mixture of family life, poetry, his photography and historical information, all done in a light hearted way, never failing to make me chuckle or inspired.

Most importantly, having this man on your ‘friends’ list, you will find that he will make you laugh when you are down, and be supportive when you need it.

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Usksider http://www.blog.co.uk/user/usksider/

Wednesday morning and the end of term has arrived. I have rearranged my hours so I finish at 12 today, so my holiday starts here. Good job as well as the last couple of days have been hectic. Ok not done an awful lot, marked maths papers, done displays, been to church, but it has been mentally exhausting. Two parties yesterday as well, so very, very noisy!

Today it is cold. yesterday was cold, ice on the car when I went out - note to self get the garage door mended - and when I got home Nig said he had already scrapped the ice off for me when he went to work. An hour later I was scraping more ice off the car. Looks like more scraping today as well and Nig has already done it once for me. Ho hum.

Also very slippery out there.

My secret santa from work kindly got me a bottle of wine and chocolates - how well they know me - buffet lunch at work, lots left over for today, not that I will be there, as soon as the bell goes I will be out that door

Oh well better go and get ready for work, need to get Simon out of bed, he has finished school and is looking forward to having the house to himself for the day!

Have a good one blogland.