The days after Christmas and before New Year when the house is full of toys and the kids are playing.
We had a great Christmas, the kids were happy, the adults were happy and the house was a mess!
Next it’s New Year, we will be carrying out our tradition of doing ‘not very much at all!’
What are you doing for New Year?
In loving memory of my Mum who passed away ten years ago on December 25th 2008.
One particular icy day, a week before Christmas 1983, my mum fell and fractured her arm. It didn’t stop her getting everything done for Christmas though. It was her favourite time of year. Together with my Nan they would cook up a gorgeous Christmas dinner and we would have loads of treats. Nan’s mince pies where to die for.
We didn’t have a dining room and the kitchen was small, but we did have a big round table that Mum used to put in the middle of the living room on Christmas day for us all to sit together for Christmas dinner. I would help lay the table while watching Top of the Pops on the Television. The after the Queen’s speech we would all pull a cracker and settle down to eat.
There would be various other family members visit throughout the day with extra presents for us all. It was always fun, even the washing up wasn’t so bad with us all chipping in. Everyone was in good spirits, and even though my Nan has a bottle in her hand here, I didn’t see her or Mum drink more than one glass of wine with dinner.
Boxing day all the family would visit for a party. Mum and I would move the furniture around to make more room, and we’d blow up balloons and give everyone party poppers. We’d play music on our Stereo gram, usually albums that I’d had as Christmas presents, and after a few drinks there would be some dancing in the middle of the room.
Then we’d rest for a while until it was time to get ready for New Years Eve. For this the whole family would save a little money each week in a Post Office account and it was all pooled together. We’d hire a hall, a dj and all my aunties would chip in preparing a huge buffet. We would have a huge table of drinks for the adults to help themselves. There would be loads of decorations, Mum and her sisters would work all day making it look totally amazing. Then we would party all night.
Thank you Mum for giving me these happy memories. They keep me going through the sad ones, like sitting with you in the hospice back in 2008 watching you slip away from me forever.
For anyone missing someone this Christmas, I know how difficult it is, but eventually the happy memories are what you grab in those sad moments. It’s okay to be happy without them, even though it’s hard.
Merry Christmas to all My Readers, Peace and love to all,
Anne xx
I have been feeling like something is missing so have been searching for some Christmas Spirit.
We had hoped to go to Bletchley Park this Christmas to see what it would be like to celebrate a 1940s Christmas. But sadly we had to put off our plans so I have been looking for something else to do. Star suggested going to the Christmas Markets in the City Centre and I ran with that idea. I’ve not been for a few years.
Getting out of the house was easy for a change. There were no meltdowns or grumpiness, no lost shoes or coats and everyone was in good spirits. But, it was raining and cold. Sitting in the car we almost changed our minds to go somewhere indoors instead, but it’s hard to deal with changes of plans so we set off for the markets. If it was too awful to stay outside we always had the Bull Ring shopping centre to hide in.
We left the car park and it was raining hard, we were all wrapped up but it was still freezing cold. My wheelchair is not supposed to get too wet so shelter had to be sought. So we went into the Bull Ring and was greeted straight away by a live band. It was too loud for Star and the Little Man so we quickly made our way through the crowds until the music lowered in decibels enough to hear each other.
The kids went into Smiggles to spend their pocket money and left 10 mins later with books, pencil cases, squishies and slime. Then we decided to see what it was like outside and whether we could actually make it to the markets.
It was still wet and cold and the kids just wanted to go home. We took a look at the Christmas tree outside St Martin’s Church and I felt happy that this year they had gone for a real looking tree rather than some artistic interpretation of a tree like they had last time I came. Next to the tree was a bench with a reindeer and some fixed antlers, perfect for a photo opportunity. The girls were not keen on going up but the Little Man and his Dad did.
The Little Man did not understand he was supposed to fit in the antlers and Dad got frustrated trying to get him in the right place. This caused the Little Man to become upset and by the time I took the photo they both looked miserable. The girls were miserable waiting around. The weather was miserable and I was cold and wet.
Christmas spirit – Bah Humbug.
We found the car and went home.
There is still a whole week to feel the Christmas Spirit, but I’m 99% sure it will be found at home, not anywhere cold and wet.
Is it too soon for more photos of Ash?
Ash is now 7 months old and the time has just flown by. He has changed from this cute little kitten that needed to be carried down the stairs to a big blundering kitten that can bound up the stairs in seconds. He’s often been up and down three times in the morning while waiting for me to descend.
He goes from running around like crazy to curled up and asleep in a matter of seconds. He gets into some of the most ridiculous positions, but he does prefer to stretch out rather than curl up.
He’s started going out now, he bounds around the garden like, well, an over excited kitten. He loves jumping on the trampoline and playing on the slide. He follows his big sister around everywhere, it’s a shame, she can’t even escape him outside now.
It’s hard to tell whether they actually get on or not. Sometimes, not often, they will curl up and sleep together. Mostly, Sabrina is avoiding Ash as much as she can. But, a lot of the time they are chasing each other around the house and pouncing on each other. It’s hilarious to watch Sabrina following Ash’s every move by peaking out from behind the curtain. Then, when he gets close enough, she pounces on him and the chase begins. Then the process will continue with Ash hiding and pouncing on Sabrina. Honestly, they are like a couple of young children playing hide and seek!
This weeks selection of photos are a celebration of Autumn. The trees at the bottom of my garden are fading fast, the once green leaves have been through stages of orange and red and are no a pale brown and yellow. Apart from the ones that just refuse to change, even leaves can be stubborn sometimes. I took this photo because I could see a reflection of the moon. But it’s hard to see now. Isn’t it strange how a blue sky like this a couple of months ago, set behind a row of bright green trees would paint a much warmer picture.
This year we went back to Pokemon stencils for our pumpkins. I’ve already shown lots of pics of them but I thought Salandit deserved a second showing, maybe because it’s the photo that came out the best. The others looked just as impressive on our front doorstep on Halloween.
Finally, Autumn would not be complete without bonfire night and fireworks. We went to a friend’s house for a garden display last night and although we had a lovely evening I think the decision is made that we won’t be doing this again. I have never really been a fan of garden fireworks although I like big displays. Last night the cold was too much for me and the noises set of my startle reflex. The Little Man and Boo lasted for a couple of fireworks but really didn’t like the noise and ended up going inside. Star, surprised me by lasting a little longer but she was with a good friend so I guess that helped.
One thing all the kids really enjoyed though was the sparklers. I think we would have been better off buying a hundred packs of these and letting the kids run around with them. It probably would have been cheaper too!