Friends & Family

How grateful I am to have firstly my family and the most amazing friends as being Xmas is a special time to celebrate together. Well it is the first year that I really put planning on the back seat, firstly I worked right up to 24th with serious senior management strategies for 2009 I did not really have time to think of much more!

Woke up at my leisure on Wednesday 24th December, all I HAD to do was go to the bank as I had £100 in "bankspace" as I had deposited it via the ATM on the 15th and the money was still not showing. As a part of me was dreading the hectic last minute shoppers I was rather surprised as I felt rather calm driving into town and being blessed by the parking fairies to escort me to a bay right outside the front door of the bank and an extra bonus was I parked in the pink zone, which is 25p a hour so got my Xmas discount bonus from the fairies to.

I approached the "enquires" desk and smiled and explained my situation and handed over my deposit slip the assistant ran off to the "accounts" department to confirm they had in fact found my money. With other banks one normally gets a receipt from the ATM to pop into the envelope with your deposit but this one prints your details on the envelope. Thinking back now I think I slid the envelope into the slot "up side down" perhaps that could be the reason it did not print? I thanked the assistant and pointed out to her my concern that it was in fact a bank error and what was I to expect with the charges for going over my limit which is the reason I had attempted a deposit in the first place. She looked up at me chewing what appeared to be a quick bite she grabbed while running off to the accounts dept of her lunch which whiffed of "beakcorn bites" how unprofessional. She tried assuring me that it will be taken care of however only head office deal with queries. Her hand disappeared under desk and out it came with a compliment slip which she started scribbling on trying to repeat the whole story I had just explained, I asked why she could not just put a note on my account, she replied yes I will. I thought well I better shut up as I am clearly not dealing with someone who uses common sense. What do you think will happen with a compliment slip on Christmas eve? Oh she said one last thing just keep an eye out on your account in case they charge you!! I thought what is the point. Sometimes I think I should write a idiot's guide of customer service!

Lets get back to Xmas shopping well I went over to the local centre near where I lived and was able to go to Tescos, Boots and Clinton's and get a few things and leave with more bags than excepted but spend very little! Got home to do the wrapping on 1 bottle of bubble bath at time etc.......

We had Xmas at Lee's house, my brothers wife and Mom was there as she had to pick Donny my bro up as his car was kapoot! Alec, my nephew was bathing Jojo the playful kings Charles cavalier, the joy of our lives always happy to see you what ever the weather is doing! We were all clock watching and anxiously waiting for midnight to open our gifts.........we filled our tummies with pork sausages, home made peanut sauce and chicken and all sorts of little breads and cheeses and then huddled around the television to watch Narnia what a great movie then the clock struck twelve and Jojo suddenly knew then was excitement in the air and was overwhelmed by all the enthusiasm in the room as her name was called and began scratching and chewing and battling her way thought the wrapping. It was really great the moment of just watching the expression on everyone faces with appreciation and enjoyment of just being together. The sounds of laughter and banter amongst all is so homely.