Quick Note: I finished my Otter Shifter story! Whoo hoo! And have moved on to the Cassia and Jonathan, Needing You story. *grin* I'm so excited. Okay, on to my trip.

Christmas December 25th

Woke up and started opening pressies. Wow, is all I can say, I didn't expect so many things and I loved them all. I'm not going to name anything I got, but all I can say is I'm really happy. Only downside, I forgot Shar's Christmas pressie and instead brought her birthday pressies. It was still all good as she loved her pressies, so I was happy. (I'm now happy I found her Christmas pressie, lol), We then went to visit their neighbors who were lovely. I asked Shar if I could come back next year. Christmas at the Cooper household is wonderful.

We returned to a lovely breakfast of orange juice with wine in it, rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs. It was yummy! I can't remember the name of the brand of orange juice and wine, once I do I'll post it. Can I just say I adore Marks and Spencer rolls, they were soooo yummy, although since I love bread in general I don't think that's saying much. LOL. We spend the rest of the day watching TV. I saw Mythbusters with the British voice over, the original version of Deal or No Deal and got drawn in. I also so A Christmas Carol, the Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean Luc Picard) version, not as good as the original black and white version. Scrrooooooogggggeee. LOL. Then it was on to dinner, where we had wine, duck, buttered turnips and carrots, long stemmed broccoli (I think that's what it's called) and so much more. We pulled Christmas Crackers, they look like large candies, the kind that have the candy in the middle and foil is twisted and fans out at the ends. One person holds one end and another pulls the other end and it pops and you have things in it. I got a picture wallet, a gold crown and a joke about elves, eating and goblins.

After dinner we called Eve, Ro and Jan and tried to watch the Dr. Who Christmas special with Kyle Minogue. Didn't really watch it. We did watch The Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing With the Stars) Christmas Dance off. I also fell in love with a British show called Q.I. hosted by the fabulous Stephan Fry. Oh lord, I miss Q.I..I not only learned so much but laughed so hard.

December 26 Boxing Day

I love Boxing Day shopping! Oh the sales. We went to Debenhams, a large mall nearby that is both indoor and outdoor. We wandered around the store and found some really good deals, we also spotted some shirts like the ones that Simply Simone does, had to take piccies to show Ro that she's on the right track, had to stop cause we were being followed. LOL. For taking pictures of shirts to give our friend some encouragement about her business. LOL. Geesh.

We went to La Senza, a cute lingerie shop that has the cutest stuff. I got some eyemasks for the trunks and Shar got a cute manicure set and some bath salts. We got a really good deal. One mask is about six bucks, but after that all the other masks were about two, nice! We hit Monsoon and found the cutest dress for Shar, unfortunately there were holes at the bottom and the people would only take off 10%. 10%, uh no, don't think so, it has holes in it and a seamstresses repairing the damage would cost too much, so we didn't get it. *sigh* We hit another cute clothing store, saw a really cute plaid skirt, but there wasn't one in my size! Damnit! In British sizes I'm 10-12, sizes and the store started at 14. NOOOOOOO! I had an outfit all made up in my head too. *sigh*

We stopped for a bite to eat at a place called Scoops. Ooooh, lord, I had the Irish Cream Ice Cream, Shar ordered me a hot chocy and chocolate chip, macadamia cookie. Soooooo goooood! Shar, can we go back there when I visit it again? lol. We hit New Look a cute cloth store. I found the cutest corset top for eight quid (16 bucks) it was originally sixteen quid. I also found the cutest red plaid purse. I was standing in line to pay when I spotted it, 1 pound 50 (3 bucks). I had to get it. There was this woman standing behind me, she saw me with the purse and asked me where I got it. I pointed at the place, we believe someone left it there after deciding not to get it. Anyway, the woman said it was something she was looking for. Luckily Shar's mum was there, cause we believed that woman my have tried to strong arm the cuteness from me. LOL.

We left the store, but not before Shar tried to tempt me with the cutest black plaid shoes. I didn't get them, they weren't on sale, but damn it, I now want them, no idea what I'd wear them with but who cares, cuteness is cuteness right? Shar would agree with me. *sigh* We so enable each other. LOL. We hit a few more stores. Oh, I almost forgot Boots, soooo cute, I don't know how to describe it, all I can tell you is that we got some cute stuff for contests there. I'd show you but the contest for the items aren't going on. LOL.

We did brainstorm themes for contest for The Pink Chair Diaries, came up with some excellent ideas. Anyway, we hit a few more stores, including a bookstore where I picked up two encyclopedias (one for world mythology and the other for magic and witchcraft all for research), for about five quid. Nice! We ended off the trip back at Debenhams where I got Christina Aguilera's perfume, it smells sooooo gooood!

On the way back we hit Borders, where I was insulted by the erotica section. When the hell did Letters to Penthouse become Erotica? They barely had any Aphrodisia or EC books. We were lucky to find the three books we got. Sasha, Shar got The Cop! *grin* Love that anthology. Anyway, I did good, I found Shar two sexy calenders *sigh* so much yumminess all year around. LOL. And no she won't share the piccies with anyone. LOL. We made another stop at McDonalds and headed home. We went through our purchases and marveled at the good deals we got. Watched more TV and ate some more yummy food. I'm in love with the Christmas pudding (cake to us Yanks), sooooo rich and with heavy cream superb! LOL. Damn, now I want more. LOL.

We watched the Graham Norton Christmas Show where I was introduce to Russell Brand (very funny). After more laughter. We had chesse and crackers and watched Casino Royale. Had to go to bed because I had to get back to Kent the next day.

December 27th

Going up to Kent was not going to happen. The traffic was just obscene and there was no explanation. It was raining lightly but as far as we could see, both ways, there was just traffic. It was start stop gridlock. No construction, no accidents (as far as we could see) and it wasn't raining badly. We had to turn around, stopped off a some rest stops (very nice ones) fed some ducks, took piccies of duckies, got some sweets and magazine and headed back up North. A quick note, on the way down to Kent , before we turned around, we cut through Cheshire where I did get to see the place where Posh and Becks had Brooklyn christened.

Anyway, stopped at McDonalds again, a long line, got some food and headed back to Shar's house. We ended up watching Australia' s Next Top Model. We had some yummy chicken pie and sweet corn. Tomorrow I had to go to Kent.

December 28th

Finally got to Kent after wandering the streets looking for the one I was headed too. Found it and had to say bye to Shar. After settling back in and organizing my stuff to include some of my pressies and things I was all packed and ready for tomorrow, when I go home. After eating, I fell asleep. Feeling sad, I was going to miss Shar and her mom and all the fun. I did however finally finish Locked Rooms and started on Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning.

December 29th

Going back home, the plane left on time, with little wait time. Some turbulence, but the flight staff was great. I got bumped up to premium economy, nice! When I got home, I was tired and happy to return but also missing England. My poor cat was meowing when I walked through the door. I started to unpack while talking to Ro and Tasha. After that, I put as much as I could away and checked my email.

Well that's my trip. I'm sure later on I'll smack my head and groan about how I didn't add that or Shar will remind me of something. I'll post some of the pics I managed to take, later. Hugs all around.

Selena