Tali - your potato thing cracks me up!!! I told my SIL last week and she was thinking of using it. Hopefully there are more pressies than potatoes this year. Poor DH must be getting stressed out with all this. Not knowing from one day to the next would be very frustrating. I will have everything crossed that it works out, whichever way he decides to go. Bummer about the carols, our local paper reported that lots of the acts cancelled at the last minute so there wasn't much to see. They had Jells Park ones last Sunday and it was an awful night too. Here's hoping Christmas Eve is better (so far says 26, but who knows with Melb weather).

Rory - so sorry to hear about your job - that sucks!!! But I am sure you are talented enough to snap up another job quick smart (after xmas that is). I'm sure the family time will ease the pain, but I will be sending positive vibes your way when its time to start looking. A meet up would be wonderful, haven't seen most of you in over a year! Instead of Borders, how about a park?? Containing Marley in a store could be a recipe for disaster LOL!!! I can't remember where the last BB meet was, but Tali went so she could tell us?

Bath - late christmas shopping can be so painful, are you almost done? I'm sure DH will be fine in his new job but it must be a very worrying time for that sector. Congrats to Verity on coming 5th, great achievement. Freak out about the cost of the calculator!!! I hate to see what the rest of the book list is. I have done a few First Aid courses but unless you keep doing refresher courses, you tend to forget. Sometimes if you get enough people together, they will come to you. Have replied to your vent, its so funny to read (not really funny for you though!). Bummer about the dentist appointment!! Maybe program it in to your mobile phone so it beeps an hour before you appointment.

Nic - poor Tyron. Second child syndrome - they are all daredevils!!! Love teppanyaki, enjoy tonight and tomorrow night.

Thankfully DH is in an area that is not affected by the GFC. There is no such thing as retrenchment so we are lucky there. My job is pretty secure, my student numbers are up for 2009 and education doesn't seem to be as affected as other industries.

Chelsea finishes school tomorrow and got the teacher she wanted for next year. She came home so excited. Marley has a new saying, if I forget something she calls me a "silly goose'! She is such a dag. Christmas presents just about sorted, just need to buy for DH and then I am done. Went to the movies last week and saw Twilight. It was fantastic, aimed at the teen market but I loved it. There are 4 books in the series and each one is going to be made into a movie. Go see it! Work xmas lunch tomorrow and Friday night my Dames Dinner group have our end of year dinner, we are going to a restaurant in Hawthorn called The Undertaker. Amazing history surrounding the building so really looking forward to that. Only 3 more days of work then nearly 1 month off - YIPPEE!!!!

Keep the christmas spirit going and hope you have nearly finished your christmas shopping.