Booming Banter

Do you have a clock that is fast that you don’t fix because it makes you feel good to know it’s not really as late as you think it is? We do. It’s the one in our bedroom.

So each morning when we wake up and look at it we know we have ten minutes more to live than it would appear.

This is particularly important to us as in those ten minutes we Banter to you.

So it was this morning.

Before Bantering we always have a quick look at messages and WhatsApp just in case a near and dear has been in touch. They take priority over the daily post!

This morning WhatsApp said it needed an update so we hit the button.

It took a whole three minutes to install which put us on edge as we couldn’t do a thing and so are now just seven minutes ahead of real time. Stress out!!

HOWEVER, when we did the update and opened up what did we see but a very appropriate message from cousin Krishna that made our day and gave us the subject of our reflection.

Blessing #1909-Perfect Irony

Do you have a clock that is fast that you don’t fix because it makes you feel good to know it’s not really as late as you think it is? We do. It’s the one in our bedroom.

So each morning when we wake up and look at it we know we have ten minutes more to live than it would appear.

This is particularly important to us as in those ten minutes we Banter to you.

So it was this morning.

Before Bantering we always have a quick look at messages and WhatsApp just in case a near and dear has been in touch. They take priority over the daily post!

This morning WhatsApp said it needed an update so we hit the button.

It took a whole three minutes to install which put us on edge as we couldn’t do a thing and so are now just seven minutes ahead of real time. Stress out!!

HOWEVER, when we did the update and opened up what did we see but a very appropriate message from cousin Krishna that made our day and gave us the subject of our reflection.

Blessing #1909-Perfect Irony

Trash Day! It’s always a race against the clock. Our goal is to have everything at the kerb and be back to hear the start of the news at 7:00am.

To achieve this goal there is a particular process to follow. Exit the bedroom before 6:45. Put the coffee on, put the toast on, drink juice, take out the two recycling bins, change the bag in the trash can, put the coffee filter and breakfast banana skin in the trash, take the trash to the kerb. Get me my brekkie, pour coffee and take it and toast to TV.

Today we missed by eight minutes. EIGHT minutes.

That gets us in a bad mood. Either we are slowing down big time or the FORCE is not with us.

Either way it is a depressing prospect.

Until you realize when you do sit down and tune in is that all you missed was coverage of the debate which is of course a useless item since we all know who is going to win the election.

Me!

Blessing#1908-Perfect Timing

Precious Peeps it’s Pits Perfect here again.

I am so glad it’s Wednesday because Dad has the day off. He rotates you see. Some weeks he has Saturdays off some weeks it’s Wednesday.

It couldn’t have worked out better because in spite of my exhaustion I’m not getting such great sleep.

I’m just too excited about all that is coming this month and keep having these strange dreams.

With Dad home today though I’ll be able to catch up on my beauty sleep.

It would be a shame to let perfection slip for the lack of shuteye so we’ll be snoozing on and off all day.

Nothing short of bliss and I don’t even have to see the stinking uncle!

Blessing#1907-Hump Day Hurrahs

Precious Peeps it’s Pits Perfect. I’m exhausted with all the baking I’ve been doing recently.

Yesterday it was more shortbread and mince pies because not only is it the Victorian Christmas at the tearoom it’s also the Cookie Walk at our Church this Saturday!

Did you know that Cookie Monsters are Methodist?

At least they are for one day!

Just when you need a reminder of their affiliation one pops up on Facebook.

It may not be obvious to you but I know this Ginger Bread Guy very well and I can attest to the fact he is extremely sweet.

He won’t be able to go this year as he’ll be rotating tyres or changing brake pads but we can still guarantee that there will be tons of cookies. Locals stop by and shop!!!

Blessing#1906-Chocolate Chap

Poor Dad is feeling under the weather. He doesn’t want to go to the doctors so we’re tending to him at home.

Ma and the Bro left me in charge yesterday when they went to see The Christmas Spectacular at the Marion Palace Treater.

It was their fist time.

The building is absolutely beautiful and the show was swell.

All put on by local talent.

Many it would seem tread these boards on their way to the big lights of broadway.

It was a long show though and I thought I was going to have to cook Dad’s dinner but they eventually showed up and Ma made him a chicken curry to wet his appetite.

Blessing#1905-Sugar Plums and Spice

When do you hang your stockings up?

Here it’s part of the decoration so ours are up already.

We use to put them by the chimney but since Jaws arrived we haven’t enough room for them all there so they’re in the dining room along with a gazillion snowmen!!!

See we have two each one is a giant thing that can accommodate pressies and the other only is suitable for an orange or a milk bone.

I don’t know what Santa thinks when he comes to our house.

Are we greedy? Or are we just crazy? Let’s hope he fills them.

Blessing#1904-Optimism

Ma has been decorating at the tearoom in preparation for the « THIRD ANNUAL » Victorian Christmas that’s next week!!!!

She was done in on Wednesday when she got home but had rallied by Friday evening.

If you know anyone who is interested in mince pies and spiced tea let them know. There’ll be shortbread and scones too and it’s only $5. The hope is that the people who come will do some shopping too. The place is coming down with Christmas cheer! Not an inch of space unfilled!

Here at home we took the decorating slower than usual to preserve her sanity. Rather than handling it in one fell swoop we did it over several days.

I took care of keeping « Trouble » out of the way and we finally finished this morning.

Jaws tried to eat the tree skirt but apart from that has yet to ingest a bauble or a stocking. It’s early days though but who can believe it’s already December. This year was in overdrive. I hope Santa remembers all my hard work!!!

Blessing#1903-Tinsel Town

Long long ago when Ma was not making tea and washing dishes she was on her way to Switzerland from Connecticut for work and had a lay over at Heathrow.

Being on business she was a simple Belfast gal among the wise and wonderful in the comforts of the British Airways very BEST LOUNGE .

Guess what happened?

She quite literally walked into Henry Kissinger. BUMP!! Bounced off him!!!!

What she remembered was that he was very short. Maybe even shorter that she and that he was gruff and ungracious.

Why do I know this? Well she told me today when this famous diplomat passed away.

She had only one chance to meet and greet with him and it was not a great impression!

Mind you he did a lot for her future in opening doors to China and for that she is very grateful!!!

Blessing #1902-Encounters

Is your tree up yet?

Usually Ma can’t wait to get ours up but this years she’s so busy decorating at the tearoom that she’s neglecting us.

In the past we’ve put the fir up the day after thanksgiving but this year it felt too early. Well that was her excuse.

The bro has got us rolling by hauling the main matter out of the garage where it hibernates.

My duty is to guard it and ensure Jaws doesn’t do it in.

We may be behind Rockefeller this year, they lit up last night, but we’re going to get going on the decor after our morning trot.

Blessing#1901-Glitz