Tuesday 21 December 2010
SANTA FOR A DAY
A couple of weeks ago I agreed to be Santa for a couple of hours during the afternoon at a Christmas fayre at the local school. I was paid for it.
The event was shambolic. I was told to walk around with a sack of sweets, handing them out to children who were seen to be participating in events. As expected, a gaggle of ill-mannered oafs followed me, surrounded me, and generally demanded sweets, why wouldn't they?
After an hour I was frought and exhausted, so I gave the last of my sweets away and went home, vowing never to repeat the exercise.
Today I was Santa again.
Same school, different setup.
I had a grotto.
Children from Early Years up to Year 4 were brought along to be given a small present. I sat in a rather cramped "sleigh" in an even more cramped tent in a very hot santa suit, from 10am to 3pm. (I did get a lunch break, but most of this was spent hastily wrapping colouring books as we'd run out!)
Some early years children were scared by this strange bloke in a false beard, why wouldn't they?
I asked them all their names, every single one. (There were over 200 of them).
Most of them went away feeling they'd met the "real" Santa. I felt like I'd done a "real" job.
I didn't get paid, it was a school fundraising exercise, but I did get a box of maltesers and three miniature malt whiskies! Cheers!
The event was shambolic. I was told to walk around with a sack of sweets, handing them out to children who were seen to be participating in events. As expected, a gaggle of ill-mannered oafs followed me, surrounded me, and generally demanded sweets, why wouldn't they?
After an hour I was frought and exhausted, so I gave the last of my sweets away and went home, vowing never to repeat the exercise.
Today I was Santa again.
Same school, different setup.
I had a grotto.
Children from Early Years up to Year 4 were brought along to be given a small present. I sat in a rather cramped "sleigh" in an even more cramped tent in a very hot santa suit, from 10am to 3pm. (I did get a lunch break, but most of this was spent hastily wrapping colouring books as we'd run out!)
Some early years children were scared by this strange bloke in a false beard, why wouldn't they?
I asked them all their names, every single one. (There were over 200 of them).
Most of them went away feeling they'd met the "real" Santa. I felt like I'd done a "real" job.
I didn't get paid, it was a school fundraising exercise, but I did get a box of maltesers and three miniature malt whiskies! Cheers!
Sunday 12 December 2010
THE END OF A YEAR
It is hard to believe my last post was back in July.
So much has happened since.
My daughter did indeed take her bike when we went camping - we were there for almost three weeks, and we cycled out to Stack Rocks and back (around 9 miles), as well as shorter rides around the campsite.
Over the past few months things have changed dramatically. Due to a sudden increase in our horrible neighbour's bass playing, we were prompted into looking for a mutual exchange, and found one almost instantly! We have only moved to the next street! All quite incredible, all God driven, of that I am absolutely certain.
Our new house is a semi-detached house with two brick-built sheds in the back garden, which will be great for cycle storage when they're clear of the rubbish which currently occupies them. Both front and back gardens are flat and much more user friendly than the old garden/yard we had. Rooms inside are bigger, with the notable exception of the kitchen, which is tiny in comparison, though still serviceable.
We have been resident here a couple of weeks and things are still chaotic, but we have settled in quickly. The plan is to get fairly straight then have a house-blessing party with a few Christian friends, and pray blessings on the rooms, the walls, the gardens, everything, and "set things straight".
Then we "open" as a "HOUSE OF PRAYER".
Much else has happened too, far too much to recall just now.
I'm VERY tired. There is much to do in the new house and at the end of each day I am exhausted. I will endeavour to look back over the past six months and give regular updates where possible.
So much has happened since.
My daughter did indeed take her bike when we went camping - we were there for almost three weeks, and we cycled out to Stack Rocks and back (around 9 miles), as well as shorter rides around the campsite.
Over the past few months things have changed dramatically. Due to a sudden increase in our horrible neighbour's bass playing, we were prompted into looking for a mutual exchange, and found one almost instantly! We have only moved to the next street! All quite incredible, all God driven, of that I am absolutely certain.
Our new house is a semi-detached house with two brick-built sheds in the back garden, which will be great for cycle storage when they're clear of the rubbish which currently occupies them. Both front and back gardens are flat and much more user friendly than the old garden/yard we had. Rooms inside are bigger, with the notable exception of the kitchen, which is tiny in comparison, though still serviceable.
We have been resident here a couple of weeks and things are still chaotic, but we have settled in quickly. The plan is to get fairly straight then have a house-blessing party with a few Christian friends, and pray blessings on the rooms, the walls, the gardens, everything, and "set things straight".
Then we "open" as a "HOUSE OF PRAYER".
Much else has happened too, far too much to recall just now.
I'm VERY tired. There is much to do in the new house and at the end of each day I am exhausted. I will endeavour to look back over the past six months and give regular updates where possible.
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