Christmas in England

Well, here it is, my post about Christmas . . . over a month late. But as most of you now know, I have started in a new school where a permanent position is available, so therefore I have been working my little tush off to show my best as a teacher. I apologize for the delay, but I am sure you will understand.

Christmas in England . . . . . is everything it is in movies, books, and TV . . . . except without the snow. Mince pies that remind me of Mom's empanadas, mulled wine with a dash of cinnamon, sherry and port, the Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, people singing Christmas Carols, Christmas pudding everything.

I was very sick this Christmas so forgive my lapses in memory. The one thing I can tell you for sure is, it is a VERY big deal in schools. I came in from playground duty one day and there was the head, with some governors of the school, offering me a sherry and a mince pie. . . . THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORK DAY PEOPLE! It wasn't any big deal, as long as none of the teachers indulged, which of course none of us did. We made Christmas biscuits (cookies) as a class, handed out Christmas cards to everyone in class like students do in America for Valentine's, and had a nativity play for the parents! It was a WHOLE new experience working during Christmas! A little stressful because of the shopping and Christmas cards. The post office insists on weighing EVERY card I send internationally . . .individually, so yes, it took some time. And remember, I am use to having Christmas off! I am use to taking my time and enjoying the entire month of December as my vacation!

Well, after Edinburgh, John and I headed to John's parents house again. We arrived Christmas Eve, in the afternoon, just in time for lunch. I then headed upstairs to take a nap, ( I was still very sick at this point), while everyone prepared for the Rivers' traditional neighborhood Christmas party. It was amazing. Everyone from the neighborhood came over and they sang Christmas Carols while people took turns playing the piano. There was wine, appetizers, and music everywhere. I was taken on a whirlwind tour by John's parents who couldn't wait to introduce me to everyone! I am sorry to say, me being in my feverish state at the time, I don't remember many of the people. I do remember sitting and talking to John's Nan for a long time. She just lost her husband in mid-October and I could tell she was sort of sad. I sat with her and we talked for a while of John, her family, the parties of the past. I brought her food and drinks when she wanted them, then Jackie, John's aunt came to sit with her. Suddenly John's dad dragged me into the room where the piano was. We sang "If I Loved You" from the musical Carousel, which he knows is one of my favourites, and "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
It was a lot of fun and John's dad is a riot, I adore him.

Then John and I crashed and woke up the next morning. Actually, correction, I woke up, threw a pillow down at John who was sleeping on one of those fold away beds that turns into a chair, remember those from like 1985, and woke HIM up, then wished him Happy Christmas! He said Merry Christmas! back to me and went back to sleep. I threw another one and finally he went over to open our door. Our stockings were waiting outside the door as John said they would be. We opened them and then went downstairs for coffee and toast.

Finally, in the early afternoon, Jackie and her two young children Stan and Imogen came over, along with Nan and Jackie's boyfriend Mike. Imogen had reindeer antlers on and was parading around, bells ringing from the ends. Seeing this, Janet brought out a bunch of different silly hats, including two more pairs of reindeer antlers. We all put them on and had them on the rest of the afternoon. I think, knowing me as you all do, you now will believe I am with the right family. Oh, and I still have both my crazy santa hats, including the one that lights up! :-) For Christmas lunch we ate a dinner of turkey, stuffing, and roast vegetables and potatoes. Then we opened up the Christmas Crackers! These are a lot of fun and I got another crown, which I put on over my antlers! I think I also got nail clippers and a joke. You always get a hat, a prize, and a joke. Very cool!

Next but not last, Janet brought out the Christmas pudding. Now, upon first seeing this I thought, fruitcake! Then, John Sr. poured Courvoisier over it and lit it up. My first reaction to seeing this was, "What would Jenny say about lighting up Courvoisier like that?", and my section reaction was, " Wow, pretty!" It was really neat to see! I tried the pudding and was immediately overcome with the amount of liquor in that thing! I think my eyes watered. A few more bites though and I was good to go . . . . I think I actually did have a second piece. Now, whether it was the alcohol or my fever . . . I guess we will never know. ;-)

After Christmas lunch we opened presents. John's parents and family took a lot of time and effort to get me the gifts that they did. They were all very well thought out, and I am so grateful. I also got to open my gifts from my family, thank you all if I haven't already. I got to call my dad and Jacquie and speak to them. I can't wait to see them next Christmas and John can't wait to see Montana! Next we played a trivia game, two teams of five, along with an A-Team bottle opener that played the show's theme every time you pressed a button, which Imogen proceeded to do every time, whether we got a question right or not. (Jimmie, you might like one of those, except you don't like beer!) Our team lost, but not by much, I'll take the loss . . this time!

We then proceeded to watch Meet Me in St. Louis and Dr. Who's Christmas Special, which I thought was lousy this year. Then I went off to bed until midnight when I planned on calling my mom and family. John's parents keep a projector in the room we were staying in so I could fall asleep watching a movie every night. They have a wide variety of the classics and musicals, Mom you would be jealous. I fell asleep watching Singing in the Rain. It was a wonderful Christmas, despite being away from my family. I have to say it wouldn't have been so without the kindness and generosity of the Rivers family. Thank you with all my heart.