Olde Smith's Almanac 2008 -2009

 

This year's Christmas Greeting and Smith family newsletter will be brief as it was written in early January, following last year's seasonal rush and a New Year resolution to do everything in good time. Read on and see how we correctly predicted the significant events listed below. If you want a traditional round robin you will find one (who lives on Greg's allotment) by clicking on this link http://picasaweb.google.com/gregmaistersmith/CoolPlacesOnTheWeb#5274502428228556754

 

And if you want to see some more of the places and situations where Greg's camera has been, browse through the galleries on http://picasaweb.google.com/gregmaistersmith

 

Prediction 1:  Greg to continue working for The Salvation Army in Preston generally enjoying it and feeling our work makes a difference to the lives of many people in need in our city. He will find it hard to live without doing any research and will concentrate on the theme of Homelessness in Preston

 

Prediction 2:  Jane to continue working in the Probation Service back in Lancashire and delivering group work programmes with sex offenders and domestic violence perpetrators. Although it's serious stuff and involves some crazy hours at times she will find it worthwhile most of the time.

 

Prediction 3: Marcus will become a barrister (actually he's working as a part time barista for Costa coffee!), pass his driving test first time, but remain unable to afford insurance and get any driving experience. In 2009 he will pass some A levels go on a gap year with Soul Survivor and prepare to study Religion, Philosophy and Ethics at Kings College London or some other university.

 

Prediction 4: Martha will lead an amazingly full and expensive social life at school, church, Christian youth groups, online and in Starbucks while occasionally doing some work for GCSEs and being creative in textiles, art drama and photography.

 

Prediction 5: Animals will have mixed fortunes as ancient feline Jessica finally casts of her mortal coil, second cat Oscar becomes a bit more human friendly while canine monster Pawz constantly demands attention, exercise, food, meals and more food. By the end of the year THAT DOG will have cost the family and Tesco Insurance over £400 as a contribution to the Vets' Enrichment Fund, but will have recovered from a painful front leg and a slight limp.

 

Prediction 5: Foul weather throughout the year will make slugs and snails flourish and will favour the less interesting allotment crops like marrows and kidney beans, while tomatoes and asparagus struggle.

 

Prediction 6: Anglican politics will make life in our local church somewhat uncomfortable for convinced non conformists.   But with a sense that God is still at work, good fellowship with others and nothing much better on offer, the Smiths will hang on in St. Stephens for the foreseeable future.

 

Prediction 7: By the end of  2008 Gordon Brown will have been returned to power with a hugely increased majority after saving the world from economic disaster, a woman will be elected President of the USA, peace justice and prosperity will sweep through Africa and the Middle East, West Ham will be top of the Premier League and Santa Claus will bring us everything we ever wanted but could not afford. (Well you can't expect all our predictions to come true every year, can you?)

 

Have a wonderful Christmas and a positively unpredictable New Year