Christmas - how we spent it

What a day, it was huge. We drove to Geelong with Lucky in tow. He slept from the moment we left home till the first traffic lights 2 hours later! And the same on the way back again, what a great little traveller.

We visited the cemetary to see Mike's mum's grave. Then over to my mum's house, having Lucky with us stemmed a lot of the tears she was feeling on the day, funny little cone head he is. She loved the book. No ... wait ... she adored the book. She was speechless, and since Christmas Day it's been round the neighbourhood too!

A bit overwhelmed as she opened it.

I don't know whether this was laughter or tears, because there was certainly both.

I made peace with mum's wish to be alone this Christmas as long as I could see her in the morning on the way through to Ocean Grove and again on the way back. She spent the day and the first anniversary of dad's death how she wanted it. The book helped. I hope it cleansed. I hope it made her laugh. I hope it offered a salve to her wounds.

Then onto Ocean Grove to lunch with Mike's sister. The kids adored Lucky and gave him quite the work out. Here's us at the Christmas table. What a feast - turkey, ham, all the trimmings, followed by the most delicious plum pudding, brandy custard and cream. Oh and for overseas people the funny paper hats we are wearing are from the bon bons (crackers). Don't know if you have them there.

Then late afternoon headed to see my brother and family. More presents to unwrap. More playing with Lucky, until in all the excitement he pee'd on Matthew's new boogie board. Lucky then became known as "Pisser" !!

Then back to mum's to chill out for a few hours which was nice. We just sat, opened some more presents and had coffee and enjoyed the peace and quiet. I know Christmas is about the kids, but lots of high pitched squealing and giggling and the incessant "Auntie Carol Auntie Carol Auntie Carol" chant nearly did me in.

Then Home James with us and we got home about 10pm. HUGE DAY!

We've just vegged out the last couple now. I haven't even gone into the sales, although I'm heading down to Geelong in an hour to spend a couple of nights with mum, we'll be going to the sales down there and may even make a trip to Highpoint.

And finally as for the menagerie. We are going okay (I think). Mainly the "I think" because I don't have anything to rate it against. Molly and Bo have always maintained a calm distance, I have seen Molly lick Bo a few times and she's not moved away, so that's kind of the arm's length relationship they have.

With Lucky in the mix, oh boy. Molly has done a bit of growling I must admit, but I've been told to step back and let them sort it out. It's all about the top dog status apparently. Lucky then takes a few steps back, lays down until Molly stops with the growling and then comes back for more, sheesh!

Bo has made some of the scary hissing sounds and Lucky does the same, steps back and lays down and lets Bo go off on her merry sweet way. Although yesterday he decided to see what happened if he chased her. Heck! All hell broke loose. I ended up with a scratch from just below my right ear across my neck and down my chest. My own silly fault I got in the way and I know she didn't mean it. Now it's game on.

We've provided a safe room that Bo can get in and out of, but Lucky can't. Likewise with Bo's food. She has been coming back in each afternoon so that's a good sign. After all the hellaballoo we were watching a movie last night. Mike and I on the couch, Molly laying at our feet, Lucky on the arm rest side of Mike. Bo came in the back door, hopped up onto my arm rest, walked along the back of the couch and then came to sit on Mike's arm rest, within half a foot of Lucky, all very calm. Then hopped off and walked up the passageway. Not a peep out of Lucky.

So that's a good sign right? Please people placate me. I have no benchmarks. I feel like with Lucky and the cat it's a step forward and a step backwards. And of course my main focus is on the cat right now, I don't want her stressed. But she keeps coming back so I think that is positive.

Anyway cone head no more, the stitches came out yesterday and so did the cone come off. Here's the sweet little face that's worked it's way into our hearts.