My homeward trains were fine

And, forum, the above quoted forumite makes excellent fudge

My computer is mended and so is my car and the new addition to our cat family has tested FELV and FIV free.

What is FELV and FIV?

I think it's the feline equivalent of HIV. If so, Aquarelle's had a previous puss die from it.

Lovely evening with a very good friend I was at school with over 20 years ago.

Also being ambushed by her 7 year old as soon as I walked through the door who wanted to play his violin to me! He performed a very tuneful version of Jingle Bells accompanied by his 4 year old sister who sang along enthusiastically (and also tunefully). He has only been learning for one term and told me that he really, really likes playing the violin. Lovely to see.

FIV is indeed feline immunodeficiency virus. FeLV is feline leukaemia virus - what it says on the tin, a transmissable leukaemia for pussy cats. Neither are good, testing clear for both is Very Good Indeed

There is a vaccine for FeLV, but in the UK it is not one of the routine ones, you only give it to 'at-risk' cats. My current cat had such bad teeth at the age of three that the cat shelter we got her from had tested her for FIV and FeLV, because they thought perhaps she had something significant to have such bad teeth. Nope, just bad teeth

The shelter did have a selection of FIV cats available for adoption - they come with the warning that you won't be able to get insurance for them, and they should be indoor cats who live alone or with other FIV cats, i.e. so they don't get to meet healthy cats and pass on the FIV

I have a colleague who really really really wanted a cat but lives in a flat with no garden - I told him about this, I hope it works out for him because he really loves cats but could only have an indoor one.

Oh, that would be lovely! Here are a couple of useful links to pass on
http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/v...s/VET03-FIV.pdf
http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fiv/info.html

The tuna sweetcorn, tomato and cucumber baguette I had made for me in the canteen.

Plus being on the forum at the same time as eating said baguette.

Well, it hasn't happenend yet, but I hope it will make me happy by the end of the day! Sons are due home on the ferry tonight - with girlfriends in tow. So Christmas officially begins in this house "when t' boat comes in"!

Made an impromptu Chrismas Dinner for my family tonight. They didn't know until I was serving up. Roast chicken with sausage, stuffing and cranberry. Followed by Christmas pud and custard....and a present each. Dad flies to UK tomorrow so I thought it was fitting!!

This made me happy:

Funny Christmas Song

Staying in my pyjamas ALL day.

Slob-Bag x

Thanks, both of you.

My girls playing duets on and off all day.... purely for pleasure and enjoying it- a first!

Singing is always one of the best bits of Christmas. Much of the year music does feel like an optional extra for much of the general population, but around this time of year it seems to come into its own. Many people genuinely seem to enjoy hearing carols and seasonal music.

Landing a solo that I've always regarded as one-for-a-proper-soloist-and-not-just-a-member-of-the-chorus, and not making an utter !##${#?$! of it was the icing on the cake.

Slept through to 8:45 must have needed it...

Well done maggiemay

Landing a solo that I've always regarded as one-for-a-proper-soloist-and-not-just-a-member-of-the-chorus, and not making an utter !##${#?$! of it was the icing on the cake.
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Wonderful stuff maggie, well done - now tying to see which words fit the number of bleeps.

(You might get another one next year. )

Knowing that everything I've cooked (maybe save the brussels sprouts, and that is due to the people who do not want to eat brussels sprouts rather than the way they have been cooked) has gone down well and been yummy.

I personally like sprouts and only serve them at Christmas, the two non-sprout eaters in the household are oly given token amounts.

Today's glazed gammon was a triumph. Goose fat for the roasted veg made the really sweet and tasty. There is plenty of stuff for Boxing Day Tea, and the prospect of more Christmas Cake!

I get waited on hand and foot whilst mum is over (tries not to feel guilty )

The Hoover fairy came.

Great when they visit! I liked the empty plate fairies too. After lunch I had a visit from the dishwasher and washing up fairy.

Washing up is not my job anyway.

Had a really good day with my extended family! Lots of laughing teenagers in the house! I have a really crazy niece! She makes everyone cheerful!

Aw, thanks Clari Nicki and Mel - no, I don't think the number of characters was indicative!

This 'happy' was from a couple of days ago - but it was having another article published in 'Music Teacher' (on conducting this time).

Ooh , well done! Great stuff C.

Thanks Maggie!

I've got to start writing another one soon (rhythm and pulse this time!)..

Well done C!

You're getting quite a reputation as a writer!

Just after 12, I realised there was corned beef and leftover cooked potato in the fridge.

Could not resist making corned beef hash. Yum.

watching the cat enjoying the insides of the Christmas goose

Getting some great bargains in winter clothing in the Manchester sales.

The magic catering/washing-up fairy seem to have left

I've never eaten goose...

We've had it for Christmas for the last few years - Yum!

W

I can still remember how to put a flute together

and get a nice sound out of it

And I can remember how to put together a clarinet......

Us too - we tried goose one year, and it was so good that we never went back to turkey.

and get a very nice sound out of it

Not exactly.
I'll accept reasonable.

I think I need to check if it's me as I feel that I'm working harder than should be necessary to play at the moment.

I love my family to bits...

...but I'm very happy to be back home.

My favourite moment of the day was a conversation with my thirteen year old niece while cooking.

We used Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and she asked what that meant.
Question two, so what does the Virgin Mary mean? Um ... pure.

I could feel Mum grinning behind me.

going to Amsterdam soon with my boyfriend! the not so happy bit was the 3hours of sleep for a 4:45 am wake up currently chilling in Gatwick

Is your reed/mouthpiece in good shape?

My MiL gave me a generous Christmas present to treat myself... so I'm off to surf musicroom.com.... I may be some time!!!

Have fun

We have a radiator for the mini!!!

Took me 6 hours on/waiting for buses to get it, but it means that tomorrow we should be able to go somewhere!! YIPPEEEEEEEE! Hubs is fitting it now, broken ankle and all!!