That’s what my new job involves, lol, I’m now working for Menzies Distribution, I started there at the beginning of the week and it’s been marvellous so far. No worries about what I’m doing, the job seems straightforward enough, the people are great and the commute to and from work is a joy compared to previously. I just wonder why I put up with it for so long, I wish I’d done this years ago but isn’t hindsight a great thing.

The Sprog was on stage this week too (yeah, it’s all happening, lifestyles of the rich and famous don’t compare, lol), she had a little part in the school play and was great, didn’t fluff her lines or forget her prompts but most importantly she had a great time doing it. All the family were invited and everyone made it. Caitlyn loved being centre of attention (as ever, but what little girl doesn’t)

And before you get any dubious ideas, I’ve changed jobs. I’ve left Chivas after almost 10 years and I’m starting with Menzies Distribution at the beginning of May. It’s been fun at Chivas (most of the time) but I’ve really had enough of driving over the Kingston Bridge every day (for those of you that don’t know, it’s more like a car park than a motorway during rush hour!). There’ll be a few people and a few things about Chivas that I’ll miss- the product allowance, the half days on a Friday and the people I talked too.
Anyway, it’s not quite so bad getting to Edinburgh from my place so travelling shouldn’t be near as frustrating as it’s been for the past couple of years. I’m looking forward to it, been a while since I started a new job and I’m quite excited about it too!

Tis the season to be jolly? I guess it is, party season is here, though I’m not the most frequent party go-er in the world. It’s different if you’re a kid, christmas time is the best, Santa’s visit to look forward too and lots of Christmas parties! My daughter was at her first chrimbo party yesterday (and I was there too, making sure she beheved herself, well, not really, if I’d had went home by the time I’d got there it’d have been time to go back and pick her up). Anyway, off on a tangent there, the main event was held in Glasgow Science Centre and she had a blast. Firstly, we arrived and registered (it was organised by my work, Chivas Brothers, and was really well done, so a big thanks to them!), after that Caitlyn started writing a letter to Santa and doing some “making n doing” workshops - she made Christmas cards and bead bracelets before seeing a 3D screening of “Santa vs. the Snowman” (that was a laugh, I’d recommend it to kids of any age), the 3D effects were great, and all in all it was a pretty funny story. Then it was back to the workshop area for more fun - a handful of cards and tags (and lots of glitter n glue) later and it was time for face painting, one of Caitlyn’s favourite things (until bath time!). This took us up to Lunch time and the kids dived into a little lunch, so that kept them quiet(er) for a bit before a visit to the planetarium where we learned a little about the stars and some of the stories associated with them (Atlas’s daughters - the seven sisters and how Zeus saved them from Orion the hunter). Next was the main event - an audience the the main man himself, Santa Claus. Caitlyn had a quick word with him, reassuring him she’d been good and asking if he could find some Bratz stuff for her Christmas present. She tells us he said it’s sorted so I hope she’s not disappointed! After that, we had a chance to look round the Science centre - it was great fun, there were lots of “hands on” demonstrations, covering lots of topics such as the human body, wave motion, magnetic fields and a host of other topics! Eventually, we left though Caitlyn would have happily spent the rest of the day there, she had a great time and didn’t want to go.

Hi everyone, who’d have thought it’s almost Christmas, seems like last Christmas is only just over, though according to Caitlyn, it feels like 3 million billion years since last Christmas (I’ve told her a million times to stop exaggerating!). Seems like I’ve not done a great deal this year, no major DIY projects come to mind and the garden is still a bit rough here and there! Caitlyn on the other hand has been keeping herself (and us) very busy indeed, she’s now in Primary 4 at Forth Primary School and seems to be enjoying it (most of the time - there’s been some incidents where she’s been given a hard time by some of the boys in her class but it’s been sorted out with a minimum of fuss and Caitlyn’s happy). All in all though, the Sprog’s doing well at school, a glowing report card came home in October and her teacher confirmed she was working dilligently in class and performing well, so that was good news for us all. A little treat for Caitlyn involved Dad going to “toys r us” for some “real” clay and returning with the complete potters wheel along with the clay, Caitlyn was over the moon, she loves to make stuff (not too sure what she makes but she hhas fun making it!). So School’s a breeze for the sprog, I’m happy to say she’s enjoying it, lets hope that continues! In an attempt to give Mum and Dad some uality time together, Caitlyn’s been going out more this year, she’s joined the Badminton club, Active Kidz club and Trampolining classes all at our local sports centre, she attends Tap and Ballet classes on a Tuesday and has recently started Drama Club at school. Her latest is a junior youth club on a Friday evening and she’s enjoying that too. Personally, I’m happy to see her out enjoying herself, it gives her a chance to get to know the kids who aren’t in her class at school and that can’t be a bad thing. Seems a shame she doesn’t have the freedoms bioth Marlyn and I enjoyed when we were her age but it appears the workld’s got a lot more dangerous place recently and you just can’t be too careful! (then again, I was never in as many clubs as a child so we’re trying to make up for it!)