What can you do with Mums eh?
In the run-up to Christmas, Mary and I each told our mums: "Look, please, don't get us a Christmas cake this year. We're on a health drive. No sweet stuff. No cake. We always appreciate the cake and it is always delicious but, this year, please, we'll give it a miss. No cake. Ta."
Both maters appeared to take this message on board. But, just in case, we reinforced it a couple of times as Chrimbo approached. "Please...no cake...health drive...no cake...that is...cake not...no cake. "Righty-ho," they both said.
Both gave us a Christmas cake. What can you do?
Comments (22)
Ask for an Action Man deserter?
Posted by Paul | December 30, 2007 12:58 PM
Posted on December 30, 2007 12:58
Let them eat cake.
Posted by M.Antoinette. | December 30, 2007 7:36 PM
Posted on December 30, 2007 19:36
Happy New Year, Brian. How's the health drive going, are you out of first gear yet?
Bet you're not as fit as Alan Evans yet!!
Posted by John Flavell | December 31, 2007 3:36 PM
Posted on December 31, 2007 15:36
Mr Flavell, how y' doin? Did you get a new green suit for Christmas? The 1994 model must be getting a bit frayed by now.
A very Happy New Year to you mate. Health drive going well. Aim to be down below 25 stone by March.
And may I wish a very Happy New Year to all Bears followers especially those groovy enough to get involved with the cricket blog last summer, notably Jane, Kim, Paul, Paul D., Emma, Balsall Heathen, Alan Evans, Pat Murphy, John Howes, Offside Frank, Tall Bear, Bear with a Sore Head, Oliver, O.Timer, Warley B., Derek, Mrs Trellis, Alan from the Village, Eddie from the End House and all you other excellent people.
Posted by brian | December 31, 2007 7:38 PM
Posted on December 31, 2007 19:38
Do they still make lardy cakes? I haven't seen any around for ages.
Posted by H.Weeks. | January 1, 2008 7:00 PM
Posted on January 1, 2008 19:00
Hi Bri, Happy Christmas and new year. Did you receive a card from that nice Mr Greatbatch? No nor me. The post really is most unreliable, isn't it? Well here's a funny thing that had me thinking of you on Christmas day. My son was given an action man. Only when he opened the box he found it contained only a catalogue. Apparently it was the last one in the shop and had been used only for display purposes. I tried the deserter gag but it didn’t seem to amuse him particularly. Never mind, I’ll heed your example and keep retelling it. Hope all well.
Posted by Alan from the village | January 1, 2008 10:18 PM
Posted on January 1, 2008 22:18
Hi Alan. Nice to hear from you. Bet the village looks lovely this time of year.
No, sadly, I didn't receive a Chrimbo card from Mr Greatbatch. I wish him well though. I hope he won't find spending the large pay-off he received from Warwickshire for all his excellent work there too taxing.
Happily, I understand that, during December, Mark was able to top up his bank balance by operating sucessfully as a freelance Santa Claus in stores, schools, shopping centres and the like. His warm, gregarious and generous-spirited personality is, of course, ideally-suited to the role of Santa.
Posted by brian | January 2, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 11:55
"His warm, gregarious and generous-spirited personality is, of course, ideally-suited to the role of Santa."
Santa Claws?
Posted by Kim | January 2, 2008 5:43 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 17:43
“The skills levels of the reindeer are a worry but we're asking the elves to show some character. I’ve got my eye on some young South African reindeer for next season, so you can’t blame me for anything.” Actually I hear he’s been playing beach cricket in Aus. Can’t think of anything more likely to make children flee from the sea...
Posted by Alan from the village | January 2, 2008 6:01 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 18:01
Greatbatch has apparently been in panto this last month in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Apparently one of the roles fits him like a glove. Can't think which one...
Posted by The Green Bean | January 2, 2008 7:41 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 19:41
"And, come December 26th, how do you see your position in the Christmas organisation, Mr Claws?" - Jounalistic Elf.
*Santa stomps out of Grotto*
Posted by Kim | January 3, 2008 10:33 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 10:33
Don't think Batch is Santa material. He'd be struggling to get down yer average chimney.
Posted by Eddie from the End House | January 3, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 12:34
Enough of Mark Greatbatch. He did his best and for whatever reason it wasnt good enough. Let's look forward under Ashley and A.D.
Posted by The Voice of Reason | January 3, 2008 7:03 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 19:03
Brian Alan and I will do our best to knock you off the health kick at lunch soon. Although I too am on the healthly life style trip. Unfornutaly Peters choc fudge is great and his triffles are even better. (i am told)
Posted by Jane Hyatt | January 3, 2008 8:57 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 20:57
The Voice of Reason, you are just far too boring.
Forget looking forward to promise and potential.
You should be raking over the past and having a good old moan.
Any of that cake going spare Brian?
Posted by The Voice of Criticism (most of it justified) | January 3, 2008 10:11 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 22:11
How wonderful to see Alan Richardson called up for the England A tour to India. One of the nicest sportsmen - no, make that nicest people - in the world and a really good cricketer. Warwickshire's decision to discard Richardson a few years ago was barmy. Nick Knight made many good decision during his time with the Bears - that wasn't one of them!
Go, Richo, Go. Now all it needs is an injury or two among the paceman when England tour New Zealand and A.Richardson esq. could well find himself in the Test match arena.
Now that would be brilliant!
Sorry Mr V.O.C (M.O.I.J). We left the cake out in the rain (isn't that a song?) and it has been polished off by the greenfinches.
Posted by brian | January 4, 2008 3:31 PM
Posted on January 4, 2008 15:31
Yes its a song I think it was Richard Harris as King Arthur maybe in Camelot cant be sure. We had a cake made for us too we still have it,it is so full of brandy so I wont eat it.
Posted by Jane Hyatt | January 6, 2008 3:05 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 15:05
Wsn't it Mcarthur Park. Glen Campbell. One of the dreariest records ever.
Posted by Kev R. | January 7, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 07:50
There's no rime or reason to it.
Posted by Chun Ja | January 9, 2008 8:31 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 20:31
Meanwhile, where's Brian gone?? Happy New Year, Bri... Helllooooooo?
Posted by Smithy | January 16, 2008 9:52 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 21:52
Still here - though seriously contemplating a switch of career. To something relatively edifying and rewarding. Like maybe arms-dealing or international parrot-smuggling.
Posted by brian | January 17, 2008 10:27 PM
Posted on January 17, 2008 22:27
Or piranha dental surgery.
Posted by Chun Ja | January 31, 2008 5:31 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 17:31