Dear One and All,
Not a lot to report this week, as just as in the States, most people are broke after the holidays, and therefore not going out much. We've been busy at work, and the weather has been warming. Seems instead of receiving the weather from the US, as usual, a few days later, that weather has been being pushed up and over the UK. Therefore, it has been warming up of late. Granted, that means in the 50s during the days, and sometimes in the high 40s, but there have been days with some sunshine, and people were so happy. One person remarked how it looked like a summer's day, it was so bright.

Wednesday I did pop round to the Red Lion to meet up with a group of friends, mostly from work but not from my department, whom I'd not seen since well before Christmas. Just there for a bit and then back home. It was good to catch up with them.

On Thursday, I was just about ready to leave work when Bruce rang. He wanted to know if I'd like to have a couple of drinks. We decided to meet at the Red Lion. Well, he came in and had my Christmas present. He'd found it on the Internet, and Sally and he had said that it would not be here for Christmas. It had arrived that day. It is a beautiful solid ebony walking stick with a 24k gold nob, embellished and inscribed. On the top the inscription reads, "Presented 1892 in grateful appreciation by his employees to HJ DENNY". Well, Bruce said when he saw that he called Sally in, and she agreed I had to have it. So now I do! How nice!! We moved on to The Last Drop Pub, and then we shared a taxi home. At least I got to use it walking up the street! After all, it will be saved for SPECIAL occasions!!

Friday I was out with Mike and Sarah from work, and as we were walking into Wetherspoons, I was hailed from a table. Who should be there but Lawton, my hairdresser, and Louise, my nailperson! We sat with them and had a few and had a great time chatting and catching up. They leave this Monday for Gran Canaria; so I won't be having my nails done or hair cut for at least another week!

Saturday I got things sorted here and picked up and straightened up, then went to Warner Village Cinema to see "Cold Mountain". Excellent, and if you can, go see it. Afterwards I met Mike Shaw for dinner at the Red Lion. I had a delicious onion soup and steak and ale pie. He had a 10 oz. sirlion steak Diane. The sauce was out of this world! It was an early night, and then home for television and bed.

Sunday I was up and getting things ready to pick up Paula Downing and Liz Kirby to go looking at bathrooms. We visited about 5 places, and we think we have seen one we agree on. Bruce wants to redo the bathroom here in the flat, and I'm in charge. Can't go without my "giggling redheaded carpentresses", now can I? We came back, and they had decided that they were going to rearrange my furniture. I was sent to the kitchen, since I'd told them I'd fix dinner. Well, they moved things from one room to another, and I must say it is a VAST improvement! They're good, and I'm glad I don't have to pay their wages! They just left a bit ago, after we had a good meal and enjoyed some red wine.

That's about it from the UK. I must say, though, that, like my British friends, I am most distressed at the imposement on British subjects by our government that they now have to go to London or Belfast (where the only consulate is) for interviews, fingerprints, etc. to obtain visas to come the US, after years of not having to have visas at all. Granted, it's not the first time (and certainly won't be the last) when I have been upset by our government's actions. Oh well, hopefully it will be of some benefit.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,