Our Festive Season

Keep Calm!  Christmas is just about over!  I thought this was brilliant to see on someone's shirt on Christmas Day. The weather was warmer then predicted. It was more warmer on Boxing Day!!

I am glad Christmas is now over because it's never been the same for the past few years.  Any single parent with custody issues would understand how it feels not to see your kids on Christmas Day. It's the second year I didn't get to spend time with Rachel as she prefers to spend time with her father's side of the family instead. Monique wanted to spend some time with her father on Christmas Day but he was more interested in seeing his own mummy instead.  I only got to see Monique on Boxing Day for about four hours as she had previous plans over Christmas with her own bf.

But I did manage to have my family time with my girls and my parents on Tuesday.  After watching a news story about Christmas food shopping on TV I did managed to spend just under $50 for the food for us. I baked some Garlic Chicken Mignon and made fresh potato salad.  Since none of us aren't large meal consumers we didn't have any dessert. 

While waiting for the chicken to cook, the girls and I played monopoly on Rachel's iPad.  You can get a free app from the app store. This app only suits users with iPhone, iPod and iPad which I am sure most of you would have some device.

I spent five nights at my bf's house to spent time with his family on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  I am pretty sure this family would of spent a lot more then $50 as my bf came from a family of 8 children. We had the same lunch and dinner for two days which I was getting sick of by the last night. We had roast chicken pieces, ham and some other meat roll made.  It was yummy through as I never had it before. Similar made like a meat loaf but wrapped in bread crumbs. We had various home made salads. My favourite salad would have to a pasta one with added walnuts. For desserts we had a choice of trifle, a fruity ice cream pie, ice cream with jelly and fruit salad or plum pudding with custard. Take a guess what I had!! The first year I had some alcohol (mostly wine) consumed since I wasn't driving!!

My bf only lives a short walking distance to his parent's house. Actually four of his siblings live in the same suburb.  Only one of his brothers didn't attend to any Christmas gatherings as he is currently working in Western Australia.

On Christmas Eve I went to the local shops to buy the last of presents for Pete's siblings. I made that simple I purchase a handful of scratch its as I didn't know what they really wanted.  They had their family opening presents at 9am on Christmas Day.  The main focus was more on the baby as a new addition was welcomed about three months ago. I wasn't expecting much from his family but I did get a nice gift from his parents and two of his sisters (they are twins!!). From my bf I did get a hello kitty oven matt and a lovely necklace. Monique did get me two colour in books. Afew scratch its and a fuel voucher from my parents.

In the evening we went to Midnight Mass with one of the twins. She came to pick us up.  We arrived half an hour early to listen to the Christmas Carols sang by a choir. A lot of religious songs I haven't heard for years.  Return back after 1am and consumed supper of Christmas nibbles with two drinks. I think I only had about 3-4 hours sleep as we had to be up early.

Would you believe me one of the cinemas was open on Christmas Day?  My bf and I watched the late session of Star Wars 7 (The Force Awakens) as it was released at the cinemas a week before Xmas. I am not really a big fan to science fiction movies but I did enjoy this action pack movie. BB-8 would be my favourite character!!

Avoid the shopping centres on Boxing Day but my bf and I did go yesterday afternoon as I knew it would of been abit quieter to attend.  It was more clothes shopping for me this time! Another Xmas present from him.  I only got a nice shirt, a cotton vest and a new watch.  There were other clothes I like but none in my size.

All the best for a safe and happy New Year! Best of luck with your ambitions in 2016!