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Hi, Rusty!
You will have to tell Lidls that you put their pieces of coal to good use!
I wonder if branches down here gave out lumps of coal?
I think it an excellent idea, though!
I was impressed with our granddaughter's care of her young (half) brother!
The baby is two and a half months old and she will be seven years old this month....but she is really adept at looking after him, bless her.
It is good to see.
I finally finished watching "The Blind Side" this evening.
I think I said that this film , too, is based on a true story? although I haven't read the book and, to be honest, chose to watch the film because I like Sandra Bullock and find that films in which she stars tend to be good.
She played a compassionate, strong - minded American mum.
My daughter wants us to hit the Sales tomorrow...... I suspect I blanched at the thought!
Instead, she is coming over here lunchtime with the children, leaving her husband in peace to do some marking before school recommences on Wednesday!
(And anyway, I promised the dog a long walk in the morning to make up for today!)

Hello, Elle!
Yes, "84" was very good, I thought.
Very good of your granddaughter looking after her wee brother!
I would avoid the sales!
Good to spend time with your daughter, though.
The temperature is dropping here.
A cold night outside.
I do not think our schools go back as soon as Wednesday.
I hope not.
I have an invite for Wed morning and presumed my youngest granddaughter would be there!
Your wet weather will be a good test of your welly repair?

Hi, Rusty!
I have been talking to my cousin!
It was her turn to ring and she didn't do so until 9 o'clock as she had only just returned home from her daughter's.
They are all well and have had a good Christmas and New Year.
How old is your youngest granddaughter now? I find it hard to keep track.
Yes, it would be nice if she were there when you visit on Wednesday.
I think there is quite often a variation between our school term dates and yours, so she may well be.
It is still raining here!
I most probably will need wellies tomorrow - the fields will be a morass!
( Touch wood! the welly repair seems to be holding out!)

Hello, Elle!
Good you heard from your cousin!
And she and hers are fine! Excellent!
My youngest granddaughter is 10, I think.
I am not good with ages!
It was her Mum who invited me so I imagine the young one will be there too.
That's good your welly repair is holding out!
Much cheaper than new ones!

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely, extremely cold and frosty day!
Somewhat treacherous under foot!
I had an enjoyable walk, but am glad to be home and drinking piping hot coffee.
If Miss O'Hara is 10, and your school system is like ours , then she will have been considering the choice of secondary schools?
My cousin's two grandchildren have been doing this.
I am not sure how it works in Scotland?
I now have a morning in which to relax!
And then, after lunch, my daughter and BB and YB are coming!
What are you up to today?

Good morning, Elle,
We have the same weather!
Hard frost and blue skies...very pleasant.
I think, up here, the young ones go to the nearest suitable school.
I could be wrong, but that appears to be the way of it.
Your system seems to be the same as in Norn Iron.
I know they have to apply for schools over there.
I was out driving earlier and had the roads to myself, almost!
Looking for a paper but many shops not opening until later, if at all, today.
Anyway , I found a wee shop that sold me milk and my paper, so all is well in my world!

Hi, Rusty!
I am glad that you have a lovely day, too!
Great to be out and about!
I have received five(!) crosswords from John today....and the printer is doing fine!
I decided for a change to do the 15x15 first.
It must be easier today as I have finished it!
Excepting parsing for 7d?
A Hebrew beer and where to get it? (5)
I've got "aleph" as this is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet.
ale- beer
but the "ph"?
Have you done yours yet?
There is also a Jumbo GK today - it must be a special for the Bank holiday?
Maybe more coffee is needed for brain stimulation........

Elle, PH is just the sign on OS maps for Public House. It's been used a few times in crosswords.

Happy New Year, Malone!
Thank you for that. I had no idea!
I hadn't got beyond litmus paper...........

Elle, happy 2017 to you too (and to everyone else on this thread, on this site).

I thought of you when I was doing today's crossword, when I filled in 20 Across...
General hitch dogs woman of the night (3,5).

I also thought of Rusty at 11 Across...
Playwright born an American Indian (7).