Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

Last week was hectic as hell at work. In between assorted Christmas meals, I shifted a metric ton of paperwork off my desk without recourse to fire, flood or creative binning.

To follow up on the office Christmas meal on the 8th, we had the School Funding/Financial Service for Schools Away Day at a very nice hotel in Ware. In between the serious stuff about formulas, Year End and regulations (I dozed during those) there were fun party games, like match the baby picture to the grown person, and Little Known Facts About Your Colleagues. Great fun. Then there was a splendiferous lunch, one of the best I've had. I had a starter of "Chicken Liver Parfait" (pate to you and me) which was not only gorgeous, it was extremely plentiful. Then my main course was the most delicious Baron of Lamb. *drooools* So tender and tasty! This was accompanied by the usual veggies that were, miracle of miracles, not overcooked but Just Right. Dessert was scrumptious chocolate profiteroles with chocolate sauce. Mmm-MMMM!

The following day, we had our Office Christmas lunch in the Staff Canteen. I was still so full from the previous feasting, that I only had the main course. Just for the heck of it, I had the turkey - I knew it would be the only time I would have a turkey dinner this Christmas, so I figured I may as well. Pretty good value and pretty edible, but suffered in comparison to previous meals :)

PartyGirl finished work on the Thursday, so we were very busy trying to clear the last of the adjustment forms for the Nursery Grant for the Autumn Term. Did I mention I worked the previous Saturday for five hours shifting paperwork? Well it took us most of the following week to finish up but we got it done, hurrah!

Saturday I went over to see Aunty Eve. As you may recall, I had been going to see her on the 11th, but there was this nasty bang over Hemel Hempstead way and I voted not to risk the roads. So I went on Saturday and had a lovely time with Aunty Eve. We went to lunch at the pub/hotel place called The Honourable Pilot (WIll Adams was born in Gillingham, just up the road from Rainham) and had good food. I had such a good time that I told Aunty Eve I'd visit her next week too, probably the Wednesday when folks are back at work. She's probably going to have Christmas lunch with her next door neighbours. I was welcome to visit her Christmas Day, but I declined. Not because she's not lovely, but because I feared what the stress would do to her. She really looks her age (94) now and she scared me with her talk too. "You'd best take those videos of your Mum's back with you, I don't want you not to get them if ....." That's the first time she's really done that, admitted that she might not be around much longer, which is far worse than seeing it. I get the sense though that she's made her peace and is kind of ready to go, so I'll not begrudge her her rest. But dammit, I'd still like to keep her around as long as possible, I'll miss her so much.