Day 34 LA

I woke at 6:30 and spent time on the computer, before getting up for breakfast. Everyone was on their computers. I took Churro for a walk. What a glorious day. The trees were just starting to turn lovely autumn colours. When I came home, I continued with my sewing outside. In the outside light I found a few clam shells that I must have done in poor light, so a little bit of unpicking was required.

Susan and I went down to the shops to try to get her tablets in preparation for her trip to England and a few other items including “ugly” Christmas sweaters.

We had fun searching through shops to find just the “right” ones for the family, at a realistic price.  It began as an idea to outdo each other in having the worst sweater you could find. One like your mum/ auntie would give you, which was so loud and so bright you might only wear when they were coming for celebrations. Now there is a huge range, from the very awful to the nice. Mine will be useful if we have a cold snap at Christmas.

We missed lunch, so upon our return we both had a late sandwich. Teagan was still at scouts, Troy was playing a computer game with a friend and Oscar on his computer.

We all put on our new jumpers and took photos under the Christmas tree, before going out to dinner.

The knife was big enough to cut down a tree

We were the best dressed! After a lovely family dinner Oscar drove us the long way home to look at some of the local Christmas decorations. Not as many as in previous years and more houses projecting light displays onto the house rather than putting up lights. Home to watch TV and bed. Susan has an early morning flight to San Francisco with an overseas one on Thursday.

Two more sleeps until the wretched plane home. While I am enjoying time with my family, my brain is starting to overload on everything that has to be done upon my return. The list at this time of the year is extensive. If I was at home I would be baking non stop in preparation, the decorations would be up, the cards done, the gifts wrapped and under the tree, the house would be ready. This year I will have to rely on jet lag to get a start in catching up and just enjoy a special time with family.