'Are you Mr Sharon?', 'Do you belong to Sharon?'. Just a couple of questions that I've been asked recently. If I wasn't so damn proud of it, I could begin to get a complex !!! 
It's now Christmas Eve, and as Sharon said in 'Christmas' below, I am working tonight and tomorrow night ....... oh the joys of being a shiftworker !!! So I thought that I would bring y'all up to date with what we've been doing before we received the extremely sad news about Sharon's mom.
On November 5th, 1605 Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Although this was unsuccessful, 'Guy Fawkes night' is celebrated annually on November 5th (obviously !!!), with fireworks and bonfires. This year we had a fun evening at the Sticklepath Fireshow. (Sticklepath is a small village near Okehampton).
November 13th was our grandson Alfie's first birthday, and a party was held at his home for family and friends. Another example of 'Hasn't time flown' !!!!
Later in November we spent a few enjoyable days in Glastonbury, a small town in Somerset renowned for it's history, including the Abbey (the legendary burial place of King Arthur), Glastonbury Tor, and the Chalice Well.
Although officially closed for the winter, we were also lucky to attend a special open day at Finch Foundry, and to actually see the foundry in use.
Early December we spent a night in Plymouth, and attended my works 'Section' Christmas Dinner at the Grecian Taverna ....... the 'section' are approximately nineteen people, most of whom I've worked with for over ten years, but due to recent changes at work I only work with them for about two months each year now. Some of us even worked together in our 'past lives', and go back more years than I care to remember!!!
Possibly surprisingly for someone who designs websites (and is also a personal 24/7 IT department for the 'other half'), and a VERY PC competent wife, we have both had a long-held aversion to social-networking websites. However, so many of Sharon's friends are on FaceBook that she has finally taken the plunge .... for now, I'm gonna remain in the dark-ages !!!!We've recently found out that Sharon has to pass a 'Life in UK' test before her visa expires (2011) - 24 questions,which, in my opinion (for what that's worth !!!) bear no relation whatsoever to anything useful !!! Of course you can take this test as often as you need to - of course you can, it costs £32 a shot !!! There are 'practice' exams online ..... 75% is required to pass - I got 6 questions right !!!
As some of you will already know, plans are made, and flights booked, for our visit to Tulsa next year. There are still things to organise ... motels, transport, etc; but plenty of time for those.
As 2009 hurtles to an end I can only sum the year up by saying that we are both extremely happy .... sure, we have had some sadness, but together our combined strength will help us through the sad times.
To everyone reading this ... have a very happy CHRISTmas, and I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.
Tulsa Oklahoma
Okehampton Devon
  
  
  
