GAMESMANSHIP and ... OH YES ... BREXIT

The UK withdrew from the EU at 11 p.m. GMT on 31 January 2020, beginning a transition period that is set to end on 31 December 2020.

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Meanwhile life goes on ....   I liked this article below and simply want to make a note of it while I am noting this historic event today, well, actually last night.

This article by Graham Chainey in TLS December 6, 2019:

 https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/lifemanship-ctd/

His series of humorous books on how to secure an unfair advantage began in 1947 with Gamesmanship, purporting to show how poor players can beat better ones by subtle psychological ploys. This sold prodigiously and led to a series of sequels covering other aspects of life.

This led to other 'ships' for ploys or manoeuvres in social situations, namely, 

Lifemanship. and Oneupmanship

INDY GOES ON A CRUISE 2019 (THE YELLOW BOOK)

This week we were delighted to receive a book in the form of a photo-journal from Indy's American relations.  They put together their photos of a Caribbean cruise from last summer and made up a book for us all to enjoy.

Indy is 8 years old and getting to be a long, leggy lad!

It arrived on a day when Ellie was with us starting early in the morning (until midday) as she was off school.

She is now getting the idea of sounding out the words ... and is enjoying this wonderful world which is opening up! She also enjoys rhymes, such as Auntie Dandi ! (She's a real mimmic and quickly picks up, and remembers with ease rhyming words or sentences.)

We now have 2 of these books!

It was a real treat to spend a wet morning having a prolonged breakfast interspersed with the book... so thanks to one and all for the effort!

NEW YEAR'S DAY 2020

All quiet...

Mairi's red roses

New Year's Day Concert - 2 hours of elegance and Strauss music on  afternoon TV from Vienna

Bob and Kate's yellow roses

Ellie and Harriet playing 'Hospitals' ... hours of play using the pulley as a hospital bed.

Nurse Harriet who has lost her 2 front teeth this week.

CHRISTMAS NO. 7 2019 - IT'S NEW YEAR'S EVE 2019

And so we say goodbye to 2019. 

Christmas is over.

Our Christmas tree angel is now a Squinty Angel.

We remember past New Year's Eve.  Here are Sandy and I exactly 13 years ago.  Peter K had all the neighbours for dinner.  We all awaited the arrival of Mairi and John's first baby. 

who is now 13 years old...          and celebrating with her friends today at our local pizzeria.


Brian and Maggie came for dinner this evening.  Iain made soup and also a lamb casserole.  Delicious!

We brought in the New Year together after a very pleasant evening chatting - they have a new grandchild - and enjoying some fun with pub quiz questions.

Maggie and I enjoy a good red wine which I bought at Hillfoot garage this evening. Gin ... I don't really drink it but I just love this label! (I took the photo recently in a local coffee shop.