Did I mention that I have great kids????

I love surprises. The nice kind. Mind you, the word "surprise" doesn't really apply to the other type, does it. "Shock" is more apt. But back to surprises.

Yesterday morning, I was minding my own business, pottering about the house before I went to do the food shop, and the doorbell rang. Tesco home delivery man stood there, and I thought, oh, someone must be out next door. And then he said...."I know you are not expecting a delivery, but this is a present from Diana", and I stood there looking rather dumb. I am a little slow early on a Saturday morning, people. The words "Diana" and "surprise" have started to go together round here.

"But she is in New Zealand" I said in a helpful manner. "Is she really?" he said. "Anyway, she has ordered you a delivery". So I reached out to take the 2 parcels, and he said, "Wait.... there is more" and brought in another 4 bags of groceries. I nearly forgot that my mother was on the phone as I stood there amongst things like Belgian chocolate cheesecake, Lindt chocolates, rhubarb yoghurt, butternut squash and the like. I was speechless. My daughter on the other side of the world did my food shopping. There is NO WAY my guilt re the size of the hips would have let me buy the fancy bits, but oh, how we are loving it all!!

I tried to call her, but the line was engaged, and we exchanged some text messages, and she "just felt like sending a surprise!" When I called my son to tell him, he immediately said.."She is not here!" which made me laugh. I did suggest he check though.

So how is that for a lovely way to wake up on a Saturday morning?? My kids are really amazing. I am biased, of course, but they are indeed. And it made me smile all day. David smiled too when he saw the chocolate mousse in the fridge. I am a mean mother.... I don't buy these things!

The internet is a wonderful place. Isn't it amazing to think that you can sit in your home anywhere in the world, and order things in another place which will be delivered the next day or so? It still boggles my mind.

So instead of food shopping, I went to the Traidcraft coffee morning in the village, and then friends popped in to visit. I hacked back some of those dead-looking bushy things in the garden, and watched some 6 nations rugby. And ate the chocolates. I am going to have to declare a state of emergency re the hips any minute now. I keep thinking that I can walk it off in the Alps next week. Hah. I would have to stay for a couple of months at this rate. And that would not be a bad thing at all. Staying for a couple of months. Pity about having that little thing called work to consider.

It is a beautiful winter day. Blue skies, frost on the ground, and bright sun. And I just spoke to the food shopper on the other side of the world. I am still smiling.