Boxing Day

 Mary is more rested, her nesting hopefully no more than a hormone surge. I picked up a new carpet cleaner this morning ( the old one collapsed exhausted due to over use ) so my Boxing Day , I’m cleaning and nesting like Mary had done. 

It’s usually a day for walks and chat, but I’ve no one to walk and chat with which is shame but at least I can breathe new life in the living room carpet and half watch Casablanca and The Magnificent Seven which dominate BB2 this afternoon.

Had a lovely Christmas lunch yesterday with family , and there was much hilarity when my nephew gave me this very tragic vase

Luckily my sisters gave me this Barcelona print, which I’ve just hung

And this croc key ring( very me)

Mary’s with Child?

 At 8 pm last night Polish Monika called around with some Polish food all wrapped neatly . I was touched by her kindness. At 10pm there was a knock on the front window, it was Mrs Trellis gayly waving a chocolate Santa, ever one to make a final entrance, her joviality moved me. 

I made a Sherry trifle and spent the evening watching tv and messaging friends not caught up with before Christmas 

Mary has ripped the cushion back out of the kitchen reading chair, she is also suddenly restless and moody

( well more moody that normal) it took me ages to realise that she’s nesting.

I’m presuming it’s a phantom pregnancy given her age 

Which means I have my own Virgin Mary 

But I’m not at all sure, 

Eve

 I’m sat at Sainsburys cafe with a liberal amount of avocado and poached egg down my front.

I’m not surprised only mildly disgusted with myself 

My second best navy jumped splattered 

The woman at the next table gives me that benign bless him look, as if she spied someone with learning difficulties out alone. ( I remembered I was wearing sweatpants that were bleached on the arse- from a distance they looked as though my left cheek was hanging out) 

I can’t wait to get home .

I dropped off Animal Helper Pat a gift . She was busy cooking and baking and  now Bluebell is empty and devoid of cards and gifts. 

I’m watching a gay couple too, they are dressed in matching Santa hats , and they bicker lightly over what to order and I feel a little envious 

But the weather is mild and the sun is shining albeit in a watery way so I wish you all ( including anon troll) a happy Christmas Eve 

I hope you are all ok xx

Gifts

 I slept in until 11 am and felt a bit better for it. 

Today I’ve delivered the village Christmas Cards and gifts for friends that will be alone this holiday.

I bought Christmas Angels for Hattie’s daughter Freyer and Polish Monika’s daughter Sophia and Christmas decorations for the Randa girls. 

I dropped a gift off at Mrs Trellis’ and it was nice to see a few presents and flowers already left for her on her doorstep .She was out with Jo and her three whippets ( with 11 legs) braving the light rain at dusk.

I was wet and tired by the time it was dark. 

Pizza for tea 

Supper

A lovely supper 

Velvet voiced Linda, Nick and Chic Eleanor

 

Nige

Me and Nige when I had brown not gray hair 

 It's Saturday morning and I'm posting minutes after leavingLiverpool for home.

I'm meeting Nigel a gay best friend of 35 years who lives in Manchester

We gossiped and laughed and was ourselves for a few hours 

We camped it up in John Lewis 

And we drink lots of tea

He is my constant and is a person I will always go to if I want an honest reaction 

There is no bullshit with Nigel 

I love him dearly

Before I left, I sorted out gifts with the neighbors.

Mandy & John brought a bottle of gin around, Animal helper Pat left a homemade barabrith with a pot of homemade lemon curd, and someone unnamed left a garland of holly on the kitchen wall, with a note saying “mind the pricks”

Islwyn was touched I gave him a gift when he was sorting out my bins and online I sent flowers to the managers at the hospice, for Monday …..all managers need some positive feedback at this time of year

The lights are still on the Hall's Christmas tree

Hey ho

Dog & Cat Snot Removal

 

I’m tired this morning

Very……

But it’s a nice feeling to know I’m not back until well after Christmas.

Today is the only day I’m nothing planned except sleep and clean cottage.

It will be no small challenge as the two Nazi kittens will be making Roger’s life a challenge as tail will be boxed and nose will be twatted as he follows them to every room in the cottage , ears pricked and natural nanny feelings invoked.

I am meeting Nigel in Liverpool tomorrow and the supper party is on Sunday, so operation animal snot removal is today

But only after a deep, wonderfully warm and long sleep

Christmas Past

 This was a blog from sixteen years ago

“ The cold crisp weather has lifted my spirits and galvanised my Christmasjuices. I received some pressies from Nia in Australia and from Nu this morning and the first "plop" of Christmas cards on the mat has meant that I can now start to hang the cards on their strings in the living room.

The fairy lights have been set up (much to the surprise of George) and Nigewould be proud of my now re decorated pile of gifts (in the Laura Ashley style) sat carefully next to the fire.
The scene is set!

I am very lucky, as I have only experienced one awful Christmas in my 47 years on the planet.
That was many years ago and I was working just before and just after Christmas day in Sheffield. I had just split up from a former and rather abusive boyfriend and had to face Christmas day on my own with a Marks & Spencer dinner for one and a great deal of self pity!
The day was more tragic than anything Anton Chekov could pen!
The other Christmas days have been lovely, and I recall that I have paid tribute to my mother on his blog before, for all the great times we experienced as children.
my mother pushed the boat out from December the 20th onwards. Tirelessly, she slaved over home made cakes and sweets, organised gifts, cards (with an almost computer precise special Christmas card "book") and of course over cooked the dinner for the entire family within an inch of its life. (The table was set out in the dining room the DAY before Christmas Eve)
She loved the season and it showed in the care and preparation she gave things, and that legacy has been handed down to me and I am sure to both of my sisters who prepare their houses like photo shoots from Home & Antiques!
Christmas time for some families can be a traumatic and unhappy time. My experiences have only been positive and warm.....”

And I stand by that notion I think, even though 2018 Chrustmas was a bust

I have been lucky when Christmases have been concerned

Have you???