DH's birthday

My DH celebrated (is that the right word to use? Read on and you'll see why I wonder) his birthday today. The reason I query the use of the word 'celebrated' is that as a result of the continued winter weather, visitors have found it difficult to get to us. Our DD and her children did eventually brave the freezing temperatures and the slippery hill, leaving the car parked in a local car park (and paying for the priviledge!)and spent an hour with us. They brought cards and a present, and it cheered the afternoon up.

But that visit brought its own 'problem'. The cat is now out of the bag that we have taken delivery of a brand new car!

We were booked to pick it up on Tuesday, and it was with some trepidation that we watched the weather as the afternoon advanced. At the time we had to go to the dealer's it was quite clear, but as we signed the documentation, then had the 'handover' procedure, the weather closed in and it became a little nervewracking. By the time we got the car to our house, sufficient fresh snow was on the road and our drive to make negotiating through parked vehicles a white knuckle ride. We couldn't turn into our drive because there were vehicles parked too close to our entrance. Ultimately, DH just reversed into the space at the top of the drive and abandoned it! Needless to say, in the subsequent days it has been stressful, wondering if anyone might lose control of their vehicle while negotiating the narrow space left between our car and the ones on the opposite side of the road.

We hadn't said anything to the offspring about the new Galaxy,so it became the subject of many questions, and DD discussed with us her own ideas about leasing a vehicle. However, private leasing can be quite expensive, judging by the few websites we looked at.

Although the weather had stayed bright today, with no snow showers, it has started again this evening. I'm worried about my Christmas shopping, not to mention the depleting fruit and vegetables!