So much can happen in a day x

So much can happen in a day x

Hi there!
Thanks for joining us.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
We have had the most splendid Christmas Ding Dong today!
What a great turnout at the Spa.
It started out so calm and civilised.
You will recognise many of the team here –
Dee, Tina, Mel, Paul, Rosie to name but a few…

This was definitely the more raucous table!
See Jayne here? The one next to little Dotty, who’s sitting next to her mum Annie, who designs so many of our super stencils?
Well, Jayne is not only in charge of all TV Dispatch – She is also our Party Planner. She who organises Secret Santa and games…
.. and she also supervises dress code!
Below we see our Family Business at its absolute best.
We have mums and sons, and mums and daughters both working together, you see.
So here you can see Jim and his Mammy Clare at the front ,
then Laurent and his Mum Jeannine,
Then Tomaz and Georgina (who jumped in for Jayne who is really Tom’s Mum, but was also shouting the instructions).
And at the back there was Anna and her Mum Sharon.
The object of the exercise was for the parent to make a snowman out of their child in one minute.
You should have heard them having a go !! It was hilarious.
And here we see more frolicking.
The male partners had to stand behind their women, slip their hands through to the front, close their eyes and wrap a box.
Linda and Rob Williams won hands down.
Dave and I were pathetic!!
The food was superb, the wine and beer was flowing, the laughter and banter was magic.
Even our lovely Bank Manager joined in.
He thinks we are very special too!
Hahahaha!
What a wonderful way to end the year.
Sometimes words aren’t adequate. They cannot describe the sense of team and camaraderie and friendship in the lovely room this afternoon.
But now it’s time to call it a day.
It’s been a long one actually.
We went a funeral this morning in West London.
My darling Uncle Kevin passed away, and the funeral fell on the same day as the party. That’s always the way, isn’t it.
Which is why we moved our lunch to the late afternoon, 
to give the Grays enough time to pay our respects and get back to Tunbridge Wells.
It’s a funny old life, isn’t it. 
One of the saddest events of the year, 
closely followed by one of the happiest events of the year.
Cried at both.
But to be honest, I sandwiched myself between Dave, my brother Steve, and Mum and Dad – and it felt ok and safe. 
In both places. 
It is what it is.
Love & Hugs,
Barb
xxx

22 thoughts on “So much can happen in a day x

  1. What a wonderful party you all must have had. It looked so much fun and well deserved by everyone, as you have all worked so hard throughout the year.
    Condolences on the loss of your uncle to you and your family. It always seems more poignant when you lose someone so close to Christmas.
    I get goosebumps when I think of how excited you will be when your kids are due to arrive. At least you should sleep tonight, after a couple of drinks today! Annette x

  2. I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. It always seems worse so close to Christmas. However, to be able to get together with such a fantastic group of people to celebrate such an incredible year for Clarity must be wonderful. I just wonder if we should all get our bank managers to talk to yours? I am sure I am just one of thousands who think that everyone at Clarity are wonderful and would like to wish them all a great Christmas and New Year holiday and say thank you to each and every one of them. xxx Maggie

  3. Sadness and happiness always seem to be so closely bound together but I am sure your Uncle would have been having a ball watching all your antics. Wishing the whole Clarity family a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Xx

  4. The death of a loved one is always difficult but somehow particularly hard at this time of year. It was my second year of teaching when my grandfather died and the funeral on 22nd December, two hundred miles away; so I made a decision – it was my infant class party on that day, so a ‘no-brainer.’ -I stayed at home . . . And I’m so pleased I did; one of my little girls arrived at school in uniform, no party dress. Despite trying to contact Mum – no house phone – I set off back home during lunch – an hour could just accommodate both journeys- picked up a rather special velvet frock of my sister’s that my mum couldn’t bear to part with and duly dressed a very upset little one in it; slightly too big but a scarlet ribbon around the waist and matching bow in her hair, the tears subsided. She was only too happy to stand up and sing from beginning to end -and word perfect – Mull of Kintyre – and guess what, that’s 40 years ago tomorrow!
    Wishing you all at Clarity a merry Christmas and another glorious year – 2018. Thanks to you all. ;~}

    1. Shelagh, what a beautiful thing you did for that little girl, I'd have done the same in your position, such a lovely memory. I also bet the little girl back then still remembers your act of kindness, bet she felt special that day. Happy Christmas & all the best for New Year xx

  5. Good evening Barbara!
    So sorry to hear about your uncle Kevin. Always a sad time but somehow worse around Christmas!
    But from the sad to the joyful! And lots to celebrate with such an amazing team that you have! It looks like you had lots of fun!
    And now you'll be all excited about having Grace and Mark coming home!
    Have a wonderful weekend and Christmas! Xxx

  6. So sorry to hear about your uncle, never a good time to lose someone but it does make it harder this time of year. Standing together with family and having such close support that you can laugh with too is so important. It all looks like you had a great time. Wishing you all a good cnaxcsnd all the very best wishes for 2018! Wxx

  7. Hi Barb,
    So sorry to hear about your uncle. As others have said, it is always sad to lose someone you care about, but somehow so much worse at this time of year. Dave and I were at a Year 10/11 Xmas party in my second year of teaching and someone came to say his dad had had a heart attack at his Schools Carol service ( he was a deputy head in Durham). Unfortunately he passed away that night, so Christmas is always tinged with sadness for us. However, you have been surrounded with people who care for you and it sounds as though you've all had a fantastic time at the Clarity Christmas Get together – probably just what you needed. You've got lots to look forward to as well with your babies coming home this weekend. Have a brilliant time, love and hugs Alison xxx

  8. Special memories you have made for so many been together through the sad times and the happier ones makes it what you do best barbara
    Sending Christmas hugs and all the very best crafting wishes for 2018 xxx

  9. Thanks for sharing your day with us, both sad & happy occasions. The snowman game looks hilarious !! Thank you to the whole Clarity team for another fantastic year & I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us in 2018. Merry Christmas xx

  10. Sorry to hear the news about your uncle, seems so much harder at this time of year I lost my Dad on 23rd Dec 23 years ago. So glad you had your party with all your team of workers and friends to support you and help you not to dwell on it. Sounds like you had lots of fun, its lovely to see you all enjoying yourselves and not working, now you have Grace and Mark's visit to look forward to as well. Wishing you, Dave your family and all Clarity Workers and Design Team a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. A huge thank you too to all involved in bringing us your fantastic products and sending them out to us.xxx

  11. It looks like everybody thoroughly enjoyed the party Barbara and time to kick back after a busy and successful year for you all. So sorry to hear about your Uncle and it seems to stick in the mind more in years to come when something bad happens near to Christmas. One of my cousin lost her husband 3 or 4 weeks ago and a lovely lady in a choir I belong to died this week, but it is right to carry on with the good stuff too. x

  12. Sorry to hear about your uncle. Your day sure was a mix but sounds like ended in a high what a wonderful team family clarity is always think of it as a family cause the spreads out to us all lots love hugs to you all have Avery special Christmas all of you and a really blessed new year and to all the blog family to lots lots be hugs to you dabve and family safe travelling for Grace and Mark xxx

  13. Hello Barb, so sorry to hear about your Uncle. It is very hard to lose anyone at this time of year, I know because I lost my Mom on December 15th. So my thoughts are with anyone that has to go through it. However, it does seem that you and all the Clarity Team, family and Bank Manager had a superb Christmas party, looks like there was much fun and laughter. So to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and an inspiring and successful 2018. Take care everyone. Bx

  14. So sorry to hear about your uncle – I am sure he would be pleased you had such fun at your party! He would be joining in, in spirit I am sure! So cool you are such a close team, bank manager too! xxx

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