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  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi Bracken, so lovely to see your mail. Definitely worth sitting down with a lovely cup of tea to read. Your little village sound so lovely, and exactly what I feel is the "real" Christmas. Very interested to read of your family journals. That will be an amazing thing to accomplish if you can put all your families histories into one journal. Well worth the time and effort it will take you. My Grandparents who passed away last year, (Married over 70 years and left us within a week of each other) were deeply religious and kept the family Bible. That has since passed to my father who has said it will be mine. Very fortunately I don't have to wait for him to leave us to inherit it! He is keeping it safe for me until I have my own home. It is so heavy and thick and has many generations of our family in it. I will add our branch when I get a chance. I am sure your journal will bring comfort and knowledge to all who are fortunate enough to read it.

    I have finally been out today. The first time in almost a month. I went to church and even though I don't go to an actual service it is still a joy to sit there quietly. The ladies were preparing the flowers ready for the weekend services and all seemed so happy chatting away. I have been debating to volunteer after Christmas to assist them with the flowers or help out in some way. The language barrier is somewhat of a hindrance and I am not too sure if they would accept me. It's still something to ponder over though!

    I have a haircut tomorrow, my roots are visible from outer space! I am way overdue for my cut and am somewhat bemused to see how white and not even grey my natural colour now is. It is inherited off my Father, he went white at 19. My Mother still has dark brown hair at 72. My brother follows her and is still has no grey at 48. Just my luck to follow my Dad:-)


    I will say bye for now and Goodnight, it is almost 1am here. Have a lovely weekend, I loved your choice of Christmas films. Quite weirdly one of my favourites is the muppets Christmas carol! I have no idea why as I am not really a fan of the muppets, but it always makes me smile and feel Christmassy!

    Wishing all the Crackers a lovely weekend, stay safe and warm
    BM x x x
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers.
    BM, good to hear you have finally got out. Your health problems have been quite a trial. I think you should volunteer. At worst they can say they do not require more help but my experience is that most organizations including churches really need volunteers and the problem can be that you are needed for more time than you can commit to. I have just started doing my annual Christmas Kettle volunteering for the Salvation Army here. I did my first 3 hour shift on Wednesday and will do my next tomorrow. I'm not good at doing nothing for the time but standing ( there isn't even a bell to ring as 'someone' complained the bells were too noisy!) so started knitting an infinity scarf. Now I'd like to finish it for my sister for Christmas but that may be unrealistic as I'm fairly amateur. It also works as a bit of a conversation gambit and sometimes a person will stop and comment on it.
    Your comments on hair are interesting. I always thought those who had black hair turned grey earlier and would have imagined your Mother would turn grey early with dark brown hair. I have not dyed my hair, largely because of the root issue as it seemed just one more thing to have to worry about so years ago I thought I'll just go grey whenever. However, a friend of mine pointed out at that time that with my colour I might not go grey early. My natural colour was a true auburn and the older I get the more I appreciate what I had. Recently a niece had a baby girl with lots of auburn hair, exactly as I remember mine. My hair however is now largely a colour I would call ginger- with lighter streaks. I have had some comments about how nice my streak job is so really do not mind how my hair is.
    This morning as I was making my bed I thought about the duvet on it. I bought this duvet about 40 years ago (who could have imagined!) and it was one of the first items I purchased when I started teaching. It is goose down and has a very fine, almost silky cotton shell. At the time it was a major expense and now it seems sort of funny to think that at that young age, one of my first priorities to buy was a goose down duvet. But it has held up so well and looks to have many more years in it. I used to have it dry cleaned but at some point tried putting it in the washing machine and had no problems. I like to hang it on the outdoor clothes line for a couple of sunny days in the summer. So it made me consider asking a QOTW (which we have not had for a while)- Do you have an ordinary item which you have had for a long time and which you really value? (Husbands not included!)
    MITM, your seasonal outfit you described sounds very smart and is surely giving you satisfaction for good work in the diet/exercise realm.
    BM, I also wanted to say I admire the methodical and sensible way you are organizing your diet. I find it interesting how you are upping the calories but still maintaining weight.
    Today has been marginally milder so Nellie and I got out for a nice walk.
    Regards.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    I did my second shift with the Kettles today and by the time I was home, it was dark. It`s rather cold but did manage to take Nellie for a mile walk. Many of the houses have lovely light displays so that helped defeat the cold. When I walk I often have an old Sony Walkman with me as I like to listen to the CBC FM station. However, recently it finally gave up the ghost- probably too many drops as the headphone connection seems broken. I know Walkman`s are considered to be obsolete but I didn`t realize how much out of date I am. It is not possible to buy a new Walkman anywhere in my area; I`ve checked all the stores. The only place they are available is on Amazon but are very pricey and have very high shipping charges. I suppose I am strange in that I do not have an MP3 player but I prefer to listen to the radio. My sister tells me they can have a radio so I may have to resort to buying one. Oh dear, I do feel like a luddite.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Oh Dear Bracken. Such a shame you are without your Walkman. My Dad has recently had to make the switch to an ipod and he is not too happy about it! I am a complete technophobe and seem to dislike change and progress. OH does his best to keep me up to date, but I do not go willingly :-) I will say I too love the radio, but not Singapore radio which is absolutely full of inane chattering, with only a few English speaking channels. I listen to BBCiplayer. They have excellent afternoon drama's and plays. I have just finished 8x30 minute daily episodes of Paul Temple, an amateur detective. It was first aired in the 1960's and does make me smile with all the "golly's!" and "by Timothys". Anyhow I have digressed. I meant to say I have an ipod, but far prefer to use the radio on my phone, I always have my phone with me, and then carry small earphones in my purse. I find this much easier than having to remember to charge and take my ipod with me. Just a small idea for you to maybe think about.....Also well done on the Kettle shift. It can't be easy standing in the cold for all those hours but I am certain people like you who give their time are well appreciated by the people who's lives you are helping. We never know when we might need help ourselves.
    Glad you had a lovely walk with Nellie, I am not up to it yet but OH has just taken Harry out for his lunchtime walk. It is 35c here but getting darker by the minute so probably another afternoon of monsoon rains ahead.
    Hope all the crackers are having a lovely weekend and staying warm wherever you are,
    BM x x
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Oh Dear Bracken. Such a shame you are without your Walkman. My Dad has recently had to make the switch to an ipod and he is not too happy about it! I am a complete technophobe and seem to dislike change and progress. OH does his best to keep me up to date, but I do not go willingly :-) I will say I too love the radio, but not Singapore radio which is absolutely full of inane chattering, with only a few English speaking channels. I listen to BBCiplayer. They have excellent afternoon drama's and plays. I have just finished 8x30 minute daily episodes of Paul Temple, an amateur detective. It was first aired in the 1960's and does make me smile with all the "golly's!" and "by Timothys". Anyhow I have digressed. I meant to say I have an ipod, but far prefer to use the radio on my phone, I always have my phone with me, and then carry small earphones in my purse. I find this much easier than having to remember to charge and take my ipod with me. Just a small idea for you to maybe think about.....Also well done on the Kettle shift. It can't be easy standing in the cold for all those hours but I am certain people like you who give their time are well appreciated by the people who's lives you are helping. We never know when we might need help ourselves.
    Glad you had a lovely walk with Nellie, I am not up to it yet but OH has just taken Harry out for his lunchtime walk. It is 35c here but getting darker by the minute so probably another afternoon of monsoon rains ahead.
    Hope all the crackers are having a lovely weekend and staying warm wherever you are,
    BM x x
  • Good Morning Crackers!

    I just can't sleep, the whole night I've been tossing and turning... so I decided to give up and to get up! I'm the only one up so quite 'alone' and then I suddenly thought, oh I know what I can do with a moment to myself! I have been popping in as always (like BM I check in daily whatever the weather) but with work and guests staying, I've had no time of late to respond so firstly, I must say my faith in the Crackers has been fully restored! I've had several lovely cups of tea!

    I too burst out laughing over the Christmas decorations BM and then again concerning your roots! Fortunately for me my 'walking friend' is a trained hairdresser (her father is quite famous in hairdressing circles in Vienna) and she will come up, highlight and cut my hair at anytime. I might just add although she does a wonderful job I never ask her to blow dry my hair (don't want you to think I'm completely spoilt) as she just hasn't the knack of controlling curly, wild hair! But that I can do! I'm currently holding out until the week before Christmas before my next 'make-over'! Bracken auburn hair I have always thought gets even better with age and I'm quite envious!

    Concerning the QOTW, my ordinary item would have to be the washing machine in this house. It's a miele and was purchased 28 years ago and is still going strong (touch wood) and is the best machine, I've ever used for getting clean my husband's chef whites! My late mother-in-law's sister who also lives in the village, would bring her washing over weekly. She is a spinster and still lives in the family farmhouse (as is custom here) but her brother had 9 children and his wife would never let her use their washing machine, so she bought her sister this then very super duper one on condition she could use it! I'm now the only one using it as all the children have flown the nest long ago and their live in help is now in charge of laundry!

    Because we were 'entertaining' last night I left my mobile phone in my kitchen and spent the evening downstairs with our guests. I might just add at this point I had palpitations quite early on, as sitting at the table in my late mother-in-law's now revamped kitchen (everyone has been very approving of my update at least to my face!) I watched as my 4 year old godson/nephew ate our schlipfkrapfen, dripping in butter and cheese with his fingers and then dare to reach out and grab my new curtains with his messing fingers, as his mother calmly informed me his latest therapist has told her, to let him just eat as he wants. Fine but please leave my new curtains alone! Which of course I didn't say just thought! And then as I turned my head away I catch sight of my 13 year old nephew walking along the sofa in the kitchen and 'family' wonder why no one is allowed in 'my' private sitting room?!!! Anyway I digress coming back up stairs as everyone retired for the night, I discover 28 messages on my mobile from my very homesick daughter, which is why I have had a sleepless night. I just don't have any answers I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. She has several valid points but In many ways she is being totally unreasonable and ungrateful (as teenagers quite naturally are!) but I don't want to point this out to her just yet, as she is over sensitive and feeling very vulnerable and alone as she has her mock exams this week and next, so now is not the time to upset her further. I will have to sleep properly on this problem and tread firmly but carefully. It is weird but just sharing my problem has somehow made it seem less so! How is your niece getting on in England Bracken is she enjoying the experience and is she coming home for Christmas?

    Well I can hear people stirring! I have to wake my husband (who had no trouble sleeping!) as he is on Sunday lunch.

    Be good Crackers!


  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. It is rather late on this Sunday evening now but I wanted to at least make the appearance I have planned. BM, nice to know I'm not the only technophobe but you are clearly ahead of me phone-wise as I am still using a rather outdated flip phone- at least no one would want to steal it. But it does limit my options for the radio. Also, before I garner too much sympathy I'll say that my kettles shifts are all inside, usually near the exit doors. It can be rather chilly but I'm not standing in the freezing cold. MITM, your distress and loss of sleep has become our gain. I'm very sorry that you are having such an upsetting time with your daughter's problems. How hard it must be when you are far away and worse when there is no easy answer for you to give her. Teenage years seem even more difficult today for parents than I remember from my time as one. There are no doubt very intense pressures on students in terms of exams. You may well be right that she is being unreasonable and ungrateful at the moment but this problem is not the time you can address it- so, as you say, a rock and a hard place. As for the nephews, the behaviour
    of both seems completely out of line, especially the thirteen year old. The therapist excuse by the youngster's mother sounded like a scene out of a bad movie- it actually made me laugh it was so outrageous. But I certainly would not have been laughing had it been at my house! here's wishing you a better night's sleep tomorrow.
    As a last note tonight, I watched Elf on tv tonight; it's one of my favourite as I always liked Bob Newhart who plays the father elf who brought him up. I knitted through the show and am leased to have almost half the scarf finished- with any luck I might just have it ready for Christmas.
  • Afternoon Crackers!

    A quick update as I've just popped in to post my 1/2 pound loss on my 'Christmas challenge', I should add that it is the most noticeable loss to my eye! And then of course I came on here, so pleased you mentioned BM in your post Bracken as I had completely missed that one... It's so strange how we are all very similar as I too am totally technophobe! I dread the day when you can only board a plane by mobile check in!! I won't be able to get on!

    My daughter has fortunately seen the light and apologised for her unacceptable behaviour (I'll still 'slap' her later!!!) and in an attempt to do something 'good' feeling sorry, for a poor student in her class she has lent her, her revision book for an exam coming up which she couldn't afford to purchase. How dreadful what an unfair system... Bracken the very fact you give up your time for your kettles shift you deserve a huge pat on the back! This weekend my sister-in-law took back with her 2 large black sacks of still sealed new towels and blankets, which were my mother-in-laws but were so dated we will never use, and I have enough decorating rags from all the towels and sheets that were in actual use during her lifetime so I have no need of them, so they are off to the homeless shelter in Innsbruck.

    I am pleased and happy to report I have caught up on all my lost sleep and my home is once more child and sticky finger free! BM how old are your grandchildren?

    Be good Crackers!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello. MITM, glad that you have regained your home, so to speak, and that your daughter has, as you say, seen the light. I'm sure she is a very good person at heart. I hate having my sleep disrupted as it seems to affect me so much the next day, or even the following too. So here is to good sleep for you. And here also to us technophobes- at least we are not likely to be so obnoxious as those who have to have the latest device that I was reading about today. Apparently, there is a new device called a selfie stick which allows users to attach their cell phones to this pole type device (about a metre long) and then by some remote control take the 'ideal selfie.' The device is said to be becoming ubiquitous at tourist sites as it seems no longer acceptable to take a snap of the place one visits but one must insert oneself into the picture. Of course, people have always wanted to have a picture of themselves on holiday but the thought of hordes of people with these boom camera devices posing among the ruins of Rome or in front of a work of art makes me wonder what next. And whatever happened to just asking a fellow tourist if he or she might take your snap- you might even find yourself talking to someone interesting. Am I the only one who has just heard of this and am I a dinosaur to not want to immediately embrace this new technology?
    On the home front, I did end by purchasing a new store. I really didn't have much choice as waiting for the part to come in was going to take 2 to 3 weeks. I also considered that while the stove had worked well, it was 6 years old (apparently old by today's standard unlike your 28 year old Miele washer, MITM). I was able to get a good price as the stove was on special and has a convection oven, unlike the previous. It has a glass top like the old one, a feature I like though I will admit it requires more care. I mentioned that it is now impossible to buy here any appliance in bisque/ivory colour so I have stainless steel. I already had a stainless steel dishwasher (had forgotten I couldn't get the coloured one when I had the cupboards done and needed a new one) and a stainless steel over the stove microwave. So I do still have a bisque refrigerator but will hope to replace it in the next year. It doesn't stand out too badly with the other pieces because the kitchen is a galley style and all the stainless is on one side and the frig sort of blends in with the cupboards. However, if any appliance had to go, I would have chosen the frig as I've never been wholly pleased with it from the start- it seems to have more condensation than it should always and to me, runs rather frequently and noisily.
    I have mentioned I have on-going digestive issues and have found that I do somewhat better with cutting out gluten (I hate to mention it here as it seems so like getting on the bandwagon!) I have tried to make some gluten free muffins; they were edible but not really appetizing. I buy a very good gf bread but really wanted something else. Most of the store bought products are very high in sugar, not to mention all sorts of additives. So I went on the internet and found a recipe for gf no sugar oatmeal raisin cookies. I'm really pleased with how they turned out. I did make a couple of changes to the recipe. The batter seemed rather runny to me so I added another 1/2 cup of oatmeal. They are sweetened with a cup of applesauce but seemed a tad bitter so I added only 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and it made a lot of difference and 1 tablespoon of sugar among 24 cookies is really very little.
    Take care of yourselves. Regards.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Good Morning to you both,

    Well MITM, I read in horror the appalling behaviour of your little guests. What was even worse was that the parents chose to ignore this. I wondered are they allowed to disrespect their own home or is just other peoples, hmmm. As for Mum saying the Therapist stated "let him eat whatever he wants", I seriously doubt any therapist worth his salt would issue a ridiculous statement such as that. I fear it was said by Mum as she may be aware of her lack of parenting skills and used as a "cover". As you can probably tell my blood really boiled for you at your visitors lack of respect both for you and your beautiful home.
    Oh your poor daughter (and poor you!), bless her. I think it shows you have a great relationship that she can apologise to you and also that she was aware of the fact her behaviour was maybe not what it should have been speaks reams of the lovely way she was brought up and her sense of values is wonderful. I have a brilliant relationship with my Daughter (also with my 2 boys, but girls are just different! lol x). We can chatter away about anything and even though we have this distance between us I still feel really close to her. In answer to your question, my Grandchildren are aged between 7 and 4, in fact My Granddaughter is 7 and the other three (2 more girls and a boy) are all 4. Each of my 3 children and their husband/partners had a child in 2010!

    Bracken, I laughed out loud at your very accurate description of these idiots with a camera on the end of a stick. They have been used here for a couple of years and I think they should be banned and are quite ridiculous! It is dangerous to walk here as I have never seen anything like the way the Asians love themselves and their "selfies", they really are totally insular people. They will stop anywhere to take a picture of themselves with complete disregard for whomever is around them. I have even seen them use those sticks in a restaurant to take a shot of themselves with their food! Even worse are the "ladies" who exit a toilet cubicle (No pulling of flushes for them.....automatic I have been told when I have asked someone to clean up after themselves!!!!) They then proceed to apply even more make up (who washes their hands here???) and then irrespective of who is around proceed to pout and pose taking selfies of themselves using the mirror as a backdrop! It really does take allsorts. Fortunately I am still frequently asked to take pictures of visiting families/couples both when I am walking the dog and out and about. Thankfully the sticks are not seeming to appeal to the Western/European visitors. I mean all this with no disrespect to Asians but having lived in many places I really have never seen any other Nationality so in love with themselves and their cameras!

    Anyhow, I am so glad you have your stove sorted out, it would have been dreadful over the holidays to be without it. I quite like the look of stainless steel, I think it looks very professional! however I do find it more time consuming to keep looking good. Can I just ask what products you use? At the moment only our cooker is stainless, the rest are integrated but I have been gently rubbing olive oil on it and polishing off with a soft cloth! I don't know if its OK to do this but it seems to work! As to Miele and the aged washing machine (amazing MITM), all our appliance here are Miele and even though I had to sit down when I discovered the cost of them I have to admit they are very good appliances. Our washing has, I am sure paid for itself in that it uses so little detergent. It somehow weighs and decides what wash the laundry inside requires then tells me how much detergent and softener to use. If I get it wrong or the clothes are too heavy the machines tells me to stop! quite ingenious really but a little bit scary lol x

    I am off to tackle the ironing now, I try to do it daily as I still get breathless quite quickly, so if it mounted up I don't think I would be able to cope with it. Its quite difficult to dry the laundry at this time of year because of the humidity, I have not used the tumble dryer for over 3 years so it is a bit of a trial sometimes.

    Hope you both have a great day,
    BM x
    Ps Just wondered if you think we should maybe try to find out if LMV is OK? I am sure PB is just very busy with her new job, but it's been a long time now to hear off LMV.


  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. BM, most interesting your comments about the selfie sticks having invaded your part of the world. I didn't know whether to laugh or shake my head.
    It has been rather a mild day here for this time of the year with just a little rain. I managed to both go to the stable and take Nellie for a mile and a half walk. As I mentioned before I love seeing the houses lit up this time of the year; it really helps to overcome the general dreariness. People also put some very lovely decorations outdoors, some very imaginative. My elderly neighbours across the street whose house is somewhat similar to mine in style always have their eaves and entranceway outlined in red lights which are very nice to see when I look out my kitchen window ( for the past couple of years their son has come to put up the lights). There are also window boxes, two large and one small and my neighbour always fills them with what look like presents, all wrapped in various bright reds, greens, golds, etc. tinfoil. The presents are actually various sizes of pieces of wood the husband cut up for her that she covers. They look ever so cheery, even in the daytime. On a less cheery note, to me at least, are the now very popular lawn blow up characters that are lit by night- usually they are Santas, snowmen, often cartoon characters but I have even seen a blow up nativity. They are rather garish, often very large, and all cartoonish. In the daytime, when they are not lit and plugged in, they lie deflated on the lawns- not a pretty sight!
    BM, I too often think of LMV and have greatly enjoyed her participation here. She has always been one who gives excellent advice and adds much with her sense of humour and compassion. For the past while she does seem to have been extremely busy between travelling and taking care of her father in-law plus the many courses she takes. It was lovely to hear from her the last time when she reported that she only put on a pound on the Italy trip. Who goes to Italy and only puts on a pound!! She seems to have had a very good but busy year and I'm wondering if perhaps at the present, she has not been able to fit us in. Perhaps we will have to do with her spirit at the moment as she is after all the original Cracker.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. Well after my previous couple of posts, I may have to set myself up as a trend spotter- just kidding . But two items I have mentioned have just come to my attention . Last night on the late news, there was an item about a neighbourhood in Toronto (and by the looks of the large, new houses not a poor one) where almost everyone one on the street has one of the inflatable Santas- they are at least 8 feet tall too. Still tacky to me. Then today, I was at a food market with a lunch area after a medical appointment (another story) when I saw a table with five women using a selfie stick - the first I've seen and only reading of them a couple of days ago. They really are as ridiculous as I imagined. These woman were not teenagers either as I might have predicted but a group of (I presume Muslim women as the older one had on a hijab and seemed not to take part) women definitely in their mid-twenties. Two appeared to have just had their hair done (very nice actually- the long curled style) and were the most active in posing and moving the stick all around. As an outsider, it looked truly comic. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to see a group of people armed with these devices.
    I was pleased today to have a two pound drop in weight as I've had a difficult time with it lately ( yet another story). I think it inspired me to do a mile and a half walk with Nellie as it was bitterly cold because of the very high winds today. I think snow is predicted again for tomorrow. This a rather short post but I want to watch the final episode of a Canadian
    detective drama to night. The funny thing is that it has been on for 6 years, highly regarded but I only started watching this fall but have become quite hooked. It takes place in Newfoundland and is very specific to the culture of that part of Canada, very different from where I live. Good night all.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. A cold and very windy day today but my area managed to avoid the heavy snowstorm that Toronto got. I did some Christmas shopping today. I saw a very pretty sweater that I wanted to buy for one of my sisters. The store only had one and the size was wrong but they were good enough to phone the other two stores in the area, but neither had it. The saleswoman pointed out that it was on a large poster I hadn't seen and said that since the poster came out the sweater had sold very quickly. When I came home I checked on-line but it was sold out there too. It was quite disappointing because it had a was lovely collar and was in a very pretty blue (they called it 'eyeshadow'- who makes up these names! In tone it was like a powder blue but I would call it an icy blue) which would look very nice on my sister. I find if I have seen something I really like anything else will seem second best. In the afternoon I had a nice visit with a couple of former teaching colleagues. They will spend Christmas in Fort McMurray (site of all the oil drilling and very far north) where one of their daughters is about to have her first child. Her daughter has told her to expect typically -23C so I definitely do not envy them. My den where I am has a west facing window, and when I look out at the moment of course all the trees are bare but it does give me a view of the sky which is very pink and dusty blue, really pretty as the sun sets.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Greetings. I solved the shopping problem for my sister since I couldn't decide what to buy and then became uncertain about sizes. I phoned her and asked if she could meet me for an hour at the mall. When she got there, I told her that I was taking her shopping and that she was to pick out a couple of nice pieces and that would be my gift to her. She was really thrilled. The other thing was that this store was having 50% of everything in the store for Thursday and Friday only. She was not aware of this so it added more to the experience as she was keen particularly to get some pants. It worked out very well as I the sizes varied in different items. She is basically an enviable size 8-10 and has to get the slim fit or pants are too baggy in the hips. I bought her a pair of grey cord casual pants and a teal blue fleece jacket that is a brilliant colour on her. She ended up buying three more pairs of pants and a lovely top that could be worn as a light jacket. It was really nice to see her enjoy herself so much as she seldom indulges herself.
    On a distressing note, when we left she checked her texts and found that my sister-in-law has gone into hospital again (this is the one with colon cancer), according to the text because of an infection. I will phone my brother tonight. He himself has just got out of hospital Tuesday after some surgery for a urinary problem.
    I had a lovely call from the Reverend who formerly ministered at my mother's church. She has moved to Stratford, about an hour away. I had sent her a Christmas card and really enjoyed our long chat. She began her career studying English Literature and comes from the same area of England as my mother did. We both enjoy theatre and always have a lot to share about that in particular.
    because I was out with my sister I missed today's Coronation Street so shall now confess that I'm leaving here to catch it up on-line. Goodnight all.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Bracken, excellent idea shop to with your sister, it sound like you both had a great time. I am so sorry your sister-in-law is going through it again, also I expect your brother is not completely over his surgery yet so a sad and difficult time for all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family x x
    On a lighter note I hope you enjoyed your "Coronation Street!". Can I ask if you watch it on You Tube? I must admit I don't watch soaps but I would like to see a British Christmas even if it is fictitious. A friend of mine is a huge fan of the Archers on BBC radio 4. I have tried a few times to catch up with it, I may just try again with the omnibus tomorrow.
    We have just got back in after a pleasant hour sitting by the river eating Italian food (I love pasta, sometimes wish I didn't!). I had porcini ravioli in a white wine sauce. I normally wouldn't have anything that rich as I don't have a gallbladder now and rich foods upset me. Also pasta that is cooked al dente gives me terrible stomach pains (I still eat it though!!). I risked it tonight as it has been over a month since I have ventured out at night. So we had a taxi door to door and were only out an hour and a quarter but it was lovely to be out. I also drank full calorie ginger ale, so I would not like to think how many calories I have consumed with it all, but it was worth it.
    Whilst we were on the way out I saw two young people ringing their bells and collecting for the Salvation Army. It was the first time I have seen that here, I wish I could have given them money but we were just driving past. I immediately thought of you and was telling my OH about you doing the same in Canada, (minus the bells!). I also have to agree with you, I so dislike the tacky inflatable Santa's etc. I don't know that I am a fan of the hard plastic ones either. I do like to see the lights twinkling on trees and hedges though.
    Well I have jabbered on enough for now, I am going to make a cup of tea and take it to bed with me and a good book (Kindle book!).
    MITM, I expect you are busy too with Christmas shopping and baking etc. Hope all is well with you and your family.
    Take care both, BM x x
  • Good Evening Crackers!

    Finally a moment to myself! I have had a lovely cup of tea and caught up on todays posts. Thank you Bracken for taking the time to post your 12 days of Christmas it's my daily treat! I always pop in but unfortunately of late I have had to pop out again promptly after reading. However tonight I am alone and I have completed my chores...

    I've been so busy of late and I thought I was ahead of myself ho, ho, ho! The rug has been pulled out from under my feet not once but twice this week. First the sister-in-law who stayed and takes our schlipfkrapfen back in bulk to sell in Innsbruck changed her original order and increased the size (we make different colours/flavours) so I borrowed those already prepared for my brother-in-law's supermarket... And then my husband who I need to make them with, we can't do this without each other although we prep individually and I do all the counting and packing, suddenly informed me he would be working over the weekend day and night when we normally work. So this past week we've had to work every evening... Never work with family I think may be the moral to this story! However I'm getting back on my feet again slowly but we need to work next week too...

    I realised afterwards (as I was ironed 4 sets of bedding) that last weekend was like a mini dress rehearsal for Christmas, only for the real thing it will be a combination of both families (although mine don't walk on the furniture!) staying over a 2 week period!! However I have learnt several valuable lessons 1) I need my sleep to stay on my toes and remained good humoured and 2) I must make sure I get out and take some fresh air to vent my frustrations! I'm not going to do as I did last year and just shovel down the chocolate it didn't work and was very stubborn to shift in the new year! I have been even more selective (bought everyone's favourites) than I was last year, I have not succumbed to the entire Christmas range of treats in the supermarkets as I don't want to be left with anything still hanging around once the Christmas period is over.

    BM we take our trees down here on the 7th. The 6th is a bank holiday when the 3 Kings visit. Children dress up as the kings and accompanying angels and knock on every house, get invited in and sing for a donation. This is done all over Austria, for the church and the money goes to Africa. They chalk up the date over the front door for good luck which remains there all year and shows we paid! I have bought our tree, a fine specimen which is in the garden until the 24th. I have also finished decorating the house, I just have my sitting room to complete which is my favourite room. I walked up to the church this evening to light the candles on our graves and the upper village is a delight of white fairy lights on all the fir trees. There is also a lovely custom in the village where 25 houses have an advent window and they open their traditional shutters to reveal an old fashioned scene. I despair when I read recently in the UK a third of all children between the ages of 10 and 13 didn't know why we celebrate Christmas and who Jesus was? But is it surprising my nephew who is 8 has enough advent calendars to open that it takes him 1/2 an hour to complete the task including a Lego one... but not one is religious they are cartoon or chocolate.

    I did chuckle over the mobile 'stick' it wouldn't surprise me if my English sister-in-law has one! Apparently my daughter spotted a group using one in our local town in the summer here - Asian! And I agree with your comments BM - some years ago before selfies were the norm, we were in Vienna and my mother and I couldn't get over, how gaggles of young Asian girls could get the perfect pose together in seconds literally, like professional models at the sight of a camera! It was amazing. My mother and I have not one decent photo of us!!

    Well sadly although I too miss LMV lots I agree with Bracken I think she is just too busy. In the past 6 months she has only posted 5 times in total on this thread. No doubt she and her choir will be holding their Christmas concert and I hope she will be wearing her slim fitting black trousers! Right I'm going to have another cup of tea and add a few decorations to my sitting room!

    Be good Crackers!

    P.S. I have a stainless steel beast of a hob in our kitchen measures 140cm in length with a massive industrial size stainless steel extractor fan (husband is a chef!) and the splash back is entirely stainless steel so I'm quite an expert after 16 years of cleaning up after him. I have tried everything on the market over the years but currently I'm using good old fashioned fairy washing up liquid which is brilliant at removing the grease and fat with lots of water afterwards to rinse, I almost hose the entire wall, mop up the excess water with a normal cloth and then immediately after I just go over the whole surface with a cloth for stainless steel which removes any smears. Mine gleams! And it only takes me minutes now. Hope that helps!
  • P.P.S. I forgot to say Bracken well done one your 2lb loss excellent at this time of year and I'm so sorry to hear your sister-in-law is back in hospital again, I hope she will be well enough to come out for Christmas.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. A delightful read here today. MITM, you are clearly so very busy at this time of the year that you do not even need to think of posting after you have had a read here. I am just tickled that you would find a minute to pop-in and read and if you have a few minutes of relaxation and enjoyment from the posts so much the better. That said whenever you do post as today, it is always so very interesting to read. I love to hear about the customs of Christmas in Austria and they are not generally known, at least not here. I love the idea of the advent windows. You are so right though about the woeful lack of knowledge of the Christmas story. Even if parents are not traditionally religious, it confounds me that they would neglect to educate their children about the true meaning of Christmas. Your anecdote about the nephew's many advent calendars would be funny if it weren't also so sad and true. In fact it has reminded me that when I was shopping I saw a Homer Simpson (I believe that cartoon show would be known abroad?) advent calendar. Also MITM, your two strategies for dealing with the Christmas stresses are worth noting. I really agree too that sleep is crucial- if my sleeping pattern becomes very disrupted, it inevitably leads to poor eating. I'm not sure why but I know it is so.
    BM, I watch Coronation Street on our CBC national television but if I miss an episode the CBC posts it on their CBC website immediately after it has been broadcast. I like the way the show is basically in real time- the only difference is that Canada is usually about a week behind the U.K. broadcasts. At the moment, characters are starting to talk about Christmas and one character got his first card this week. My youngest sister and I were on the phone this evening and she mentioned how much she enjoys the Child's Christmas in Wales film as do I. Another seasonal film I saw on CBC recently was the excellent 2005 version of the classic story Lassie Come Home. I know it is a so-called children's story but this version was very true to the book, filmed in Scotland with British/Scottish actors. The young child who plays the boy who loves Lassie is achingly touching and I will admit that there were a few tears in my eyes during the film. I believe Peter O'Toole has a major role; I did not know the other actors but they were very fine.
    I did my kettle stint today at a different location. This was at the Liquor store in my village; my other location is in a large city retail store. (Just as a point of information, Ontario is considered by many to have rather antiquated alcohol services as the liquor and wine stores are all run by the provincial government; the upside of this though is that it does generate huge revenues for the running of the province). In any case, it was a particularly pleasant day as when I entered the store the woman in charge actually welcomed me, made sure I had a comfortable chair and let me know I was welcome to use their staff washroom. Later in the shift another employee came on and he had brought in some of his homemade date squares. He promptly offered me one along with the regular staff. Of course, I didn't need it but couldn't refuse his kindness. The square was different than the usual (again, I'm not sure if date squares are common so I'll say they are made with a date filling between an oatmeal/ flour/ sugar/ butter base and top) in that the oatmeal part also had some cocoa and a touch of maple syrup which made them especially delicious.At the other location, I often feel invisible; no one says anything to me at all and I feel like a bit of an intruder. As well, many people donated and even had a word or two to say. One of the shoppers was a fellow I used to teach with and we had a very nice chat. I really do think people are friendlier in a smaller area, closer to the rural environs.
    As a last point today, PM, I think MITM has given a good account of dealing with stainless steel. I just use a little dish soap of a cloth and wipe dry with a paper towel. The stove and microwave look gear with this but the dishwasher always looks a little dull, never gleaming but I've thought perhaps it is the way the product is finished.
    Regards.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    I must be brief tonight as I need to be up early tomorrow as a workman will be here early. Also last night I had a terrible time falling asleep and wondered if I were given a cup of regular coffee rather than decaf as I am very sensitive to caffeine. Today there was a lot of Christmas singing on the radio and it has led me to ask a very short QOTW (longer responses not disallowed however): What is your favourite Christmas carol? I love a lot of carols and probably change from year to year but at the moment I would say Once in royal
    David's city (I'm not sure if that is the title or just the first line.)
    Regards.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi Bracken, Hope you have a better time sleeping tonight! My favourite carol is "Oh Holy Night", but I really like so many I may change my mind in 5 minutes! Thanks also to both you and MITM for the stainless steel advice x x
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello. I had a good day with the kettles today- good response and a couple of people actually stopped and chatted for a couple of minutes. It does make for a busy day though as the shift is 3 hours and then there is the coming and going. Apparently they are having trouble getting enough volunteers so I have added at least one more and maybe two more shifts. Saturday will be especially busy as I am doing a double shift now. However it is at the nice liquor store where I was last Saturday and everyone was very friendly so it should be ok. Also I have made good progress with my scarf which I have knitted while at the kettles mainly and now have only about two more inches to knit. My workman came today to finish the tiles in front of the fireplace. He is the same person who originally did the tiles for the backsplash in the kitchen and then has laid the wood laminate flooring through the main level of the house and also did the wooden ties for my front garden bed. Everything he does is very meticulous and fairly priced. He will return this week to grout the tiles and then another nice job will be done. With all these jobs, we have become quite friendly and he tells me about his 7 year old daughter of whom he is immensely proud. She will be the only child as apparently his wife is a couple of years older than he and they are both into their mid forties. When he finished the flooring just before last Christmas, I gave him a book for his daughter which was well appreciated so decided today to get her a book. I went in with several ideas but was not able to get any of the books I asked about. There are virtually no small independent book stores in my area now just one dominant mega store. The ironic thing is, the selection is often quite poor and they keep few books which have not been recently printed. I was hoping to get a James Herriot illustrated children's story as I have often in the past as this child likes animals. You would think I was asking for the moon. Also several often books that I have given before were not available so I settled for one that is quite nice but not spectacular. I am very fond of lovely illustrations in children's books, for example the classic E.H. Shepherd illustrations of The Wind and the Willows.
    Must off for now. Regards.
  • Afternoon Crackers!

    Oh I did chuckle this morning when I read 'the mobile selfie stick' is flying off the shelves as this year's must-have Christmas present for selfie-obsessed Britons! However I then read elsewhere next years trend - ANTI-TECH. We're not just trend spotters but leaders!! Apparently 2015 to be the year people forsake gadgets and social networks for the simple life! We are entering the era of the 'neo-luddite'.....

    QOTW: well for me 'Silent Night' or 'Stille Nacht' I'm very fond of as it's traditional here to sing it, around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve before opening the gifts. My late mother-in-law had the most beautiful voice and she would sing all 3 verses in German of by heart in the highest key ever! My family could just sing the chorus like a cats choir, I dread to think what she privately thought! Since her death we no longer sing I just put on a CD of the song. It was written by an Austrian Joseph Mohr and was first performed Christmas Eve 1818 in Oberndorf 196 years ago! I know all this because the music teacher who held the Jane Austen evening was complaining bitterly how schools no longer teach the traditional carols and parents would rather their children learnt 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' on the piano than for example Silent Night! Plus they want to sing in English and not in German which as the carol is Austrian she cannot get her head around!

    My daughter attended a children's carol service last night in England and she was appalled at the low standard of singing, totally out of tune, and the behaviour but then as I told her, she is probably one of the last to have been drilled in church etiquette in Austria and had singing lessons which were compulsory up until 14 years of age twice a week. But as the music teacher has pointed out even here it is changing. However in my village there are no hymn books in the church as everyone knows the words (except me!) and there is never a pew free, people are standing in the aisles. For Christmas Eve mass the brass band will play and they do a fantastic 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' from my house you can hear the choir singing and it really is magical.

    I have a quick QOTW what is your favourite classic Christmas song. For me I love two 'Silver Bells' and of course 'Winter Wonderland'. Right I must dash I have potatoes cooling that need attending to!

    Be good Crackers!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    MITM, well I certainly had my chuckle for the day from learning about selfie- obsessed Britains followed by the neo-luddites. And then to add to the madness, I read in the paper today that a University student in a media course in Toronto (they get credit for this?) has started a project by which people give a slice of pizza to a homeless person and then take a selfie with them which of course is then shared. Apparently it is going viral, as they say. Worse, it isn't totally original as there are other such projects based on giving the poor some other type of food, a kebab or some such. When will this self-absorption end? I find it hard to see the dignity in doing this though apparently the selfie is meant to inspire others.
    MITM, the story of the origin of Silent Night is well known here, at least in some circles; it is such a beautiful carol it almost deserves to be off the list, and just given its own special place among the world's great works of art. I too like 'Silver Bells', also 'I'll be home for Christmas' though it can be so sad to hear if one has an absent family member; when my sister from the West came home on alternate Christmas it seemed particularly poignant.
    I also like "Oh Tannenbaum" which my Mother could sing in German.
    Your daughter is very lucky to have had singing lessons when young. Though young people often complain about taking some kind of musical training, you never seem to hear someone say they regret it when they older- more often they wish they had pursued it further or more diligently.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi Both, a quick pop in as I am just in from shopping, and still have a few things to get on with before bed. I didn't actually do any shopping though! I just sat and waited in a coffee shop whilst OH ran around purchasing what we needed. It was still nice to get out. I like so many Christmas songs I don't think I could ever narrow it down to a particular favourite. This week I have watched 'Its a Wonderful Life" and White Christmas. Both of which had me in floods of tears. I get terribly homesick at this time of year, although I try never to show OH. So in a way it's like a release to watch those films, and "blub" at them instead of it being pent up and then maybe released when I am on the phone to the children! I also love "Meet me in St Louis". Judy Garland singing "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" gets me every time. I went to Welsh Chapel as a child, and sang all the hymns in Welsh, so when I sing the Hymns in Church now I alternate between the English and Welsh languages without even realising. I also still come out with Welsh sentences and sayings, usually when I am upset/angry/tired So OH frequently has to tell me "English Please!" as he doesn't understand a word of Welsh lol

    I was quite frustrated earlier, I had ordered a lot of Christmas things with John Lewis to be sent here. They were doing free delivery this year for a while so it saved me $56 each time I ordered. However not all of it arrived safely. I decided to have a Christmas Dinner set. I chose the Portmeirion Holly and Ivy. The majority of it is whole but unfortunately every dinner plate was in a hundred pieces. JohnLewis were very good and tried to replace them immediately for me but they had sold out, so now I don't have a complete set for Christmas Lunch. I know its not really important and worth getting upset over but I always think, if I am worrying over petty little things, the big things can take care of themselves! I also bought a few pieces of the Spode Winter scene set. Very pretty, and all whole! They are for every day use though. I love looking at the fields of snow on the plates and saucers!

    I am not even going to get started on what is happening with religion in British schools, suffice to say my Grandson who is in a small village school with no foreign children had a "proper" Nativity play. A friend of mines nephew who is in a much larger school in a different area was asked to dress as a soldier for their Christmas play. I haven't written to my friend this week yet, but her brother was due to meet with the school head to discuss this. I think Britain is trying so hard to accommodate all nationalities it has completely forgotten its own children and religion. However that is me on my soap box, so I'll shush now!

    Oops quite a long mail, its also too late to do what I needed to in the apartment so I am going to read in the bath for a while instead.

    Hope both you and your families are all keeping well, (Bracken, I know it's a difficult time x x)
    Look after yourselves too,
    BM x x
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Popped in to say Goodnight, we have had a whole day of storms today. I love it when it rains here, the temperature drops for a while but then unfortunately the humidity is ferocious. I am off to Church in the morning, I hope to be able to slip in in between the services. The majority are in Mandarin tomorrow, there is a life size Nativity feature outsideso that will be lovely to see if I have to wait. Hope you are both keeping well.
    BM x x
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello. Well yesterday I missed my posting though I had peaked in in the morning and read yours, BM. I had had a fine day and was going to post but in the early evening my sister phoned to tell that there is more sad news about my sister-in-law. She has been in hospital with an infection and now the Drs. have reviewed a new scan and determined the tumour is not shrinking even with the aggressive chemotherapy, so it seems the plan is to simply deal with the infection and then send her home. It now seems there is no further hope. She has been amazing in her strength. My family is particularly worried about my brother who is so devastated by these recent turns of events and now blames himself for not being a more forceful advocate for her care and treatment. He is very much like my Mother, as he himself says, and does not like confrontation. Of course, in no way should he feel guilty. There are a lot of questions about the course of treatment that his wife was given but it was not his fault. When the new tumour was discovered in July, there was no plan to operate immediately (and his wife was much stronger, seemed far better then); she was not to be operated on until the end of Nov. when the tumour had grown and the new chemo was initiated. Who really knows why this was the case. Even her initial surgery had complications as the colostomy bag procedure was not done properly it seems because she was eight days with no drainage before anyone noticed and then had to have corrective surgery and was much more ill than she should have been. This was done in a small more local hospital and my brother blames himself for not insisting that she go to the large regional hospital where she is now from the start. I felt so sad last night I couldn't do anything.
    As I said, I had had a fine day because earlier I invited two of my closet neighbours in for a holiday drink. They are both lovely people. The one is in her mid-eighties and still doing well. She and her husband walk every morning at 7:30, not for as long as when I first moved here but as regularly. She also still sings in her church choir and volunteers at a hospital gift shop once a week- very inspiring. My other neighbour is 5 years younger than I and an avid gym goer; sometimes we walk our dogs together. She has a hard row to hoe at the moment as her 28 years old daughter has recently separated from her partner and returned home to live with her two under one year old twins (who were born over 6 weeks prematurely and have a lot of health issues). My friend is clearly quite stressed with this recent change in her life but did say how much she enjoyed the three of us getting together. I think she really needed the break and encouraged her to drop in if she needs a quiet refuge!
    Today I had a particularly good experience with the kettle campaign as I had three moms who stopped with their children and let them donate and made a point of explaining the importance of what they were doing. Often I see children dragged by the kettles looking as if they would like to stop. At the end of my shift, I was replaced by a very sweet 15 year old girl who had brought along a box of candy canes to offer to donors. I see few such young people as volunteers so that was very nice too.
    BM, sorry to hear that your china arrived broken. I know that pattern as I have a Portmeirion
    bowl with the holly and ivy and the lines of verse from the carol. That is such a lovely carol and I am also very fond of china with words on it.
    For now, good night.
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Oh Bracken, you are truly a lovely person! I read your mail with initially, horror at all the presumed errors in your sister in laws care, then the heartbreak of your neighbors family situation. The inspiration of a young person who cares, and then finally you care enough to chat about something as unimportant as my China!
    The situation your brother finds himself in is so heartbreaking. If only, and I should have, are things that I personally have felt and heard so many times, both as a nurse and as a family member. Hindsight is a gift I am never sure whether we should or shouldn't have.

    I too love the words on the Portmeirion China. I have never had the money to spend on China before. My money, especially bringing the children up on my own, always went on them and then eventually their university and education. So I am enjoying slowly building up my Portmeirion collection.

    I am off to bed now, you will be in my thoughts and prayers x x
    Love to both you and MITM,
    BM x x
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello. BM, thanks so much for the comforting and thoughtful words. I am sure you deserve to indulge yourself a little in the China. I have always liked nice China. My grandmother who did not have a lot of money, nevertheless had a good appreciation for good china. One of her entries in her diary tells that her husband gave her a pretty figurine for Christmas that was good china, not the cheap stuff and she loved nice china tea cups. My mother too appreciated good china. Many years ago, her much older sister, my aunt, gave my Mother and the five daughters in our family some pieces of the china that belonged to their mother. Not only was it pretty and delicate but it had travelled to Africa (Southern Rhodesia then )and back to England with my mother's parents. When I look at it, it is like seeing something of the grandparents I never knew and the Mother and Aunt I loved. One day perhaps your children will inherit your Portmeiron and remember more of you and your travels.
    Last night I was at one of my sister's for dinner. Her eldest son was also there with his wife and daughter and lively three year old. My nephew has become a fine dad, very hands on, and I credit my sister for the way she brought up both her boys. Tomorrow we have a large Christmas type gathering at a brother's. The downside is I will not be joining MITM with a similar weight loss. Nellie however is thrilled about it as she will be with several other family dogs and able to run wild.
    I did my double shift at the kettles today. It went fine but I am really tired. Why this should be so when I was just standing or sitting I'm not sure. Must go as I have to finish some food prep to take for tomorrow. Regards all.
  • Morning Crackers!

    I haven't even completed 48 hours and I'm absolutely SHATTERED from the combination of my parents and daughter! My daughter is so happy to be 'home' and away from the garish flashy, coloured 'Christmas' lights (like being in a discotheque!)... and it's lovely to have her home and I so want to be the perfect Mother and daughter (I won't even bother with 'wife'!!) but as always I'm being stretched in all directions and as usual I can't spread myself thinly enough to keep everyone happy.

    If I sit and listen to my mother who most worryingly keeps repeating stories and opinions I've heard so many times before.... my daughter feels left out and she refuses to sit and listen to the same stories (which she can repeat word for word!) for the 100th time as she puts it. It's unfortunate everyone is here together as I wish to spend precious time with my daughter but I just can't leave my mother alone. Then there's my father whose already driving my poor husband mad as he just can't sit back and relax he has to be in charge. He's already done all the odd jobs in the house. Any holiday period in the calendar year in my husband's profession is a busy time, so he's tired before my father has even arrived. Fortunately as there is no snow at our level my father is going to take down our terrace fence, repair parts and paint it which should at least keep him busy for awhile. Then I shall get him to cook his curry in huge batches which can be frozen which will alas mean making the kitchen filthy but will keep him happy! My daughter has her party tomorrow afternoon so I'll spend time with my mother and then this afternoon I intend to go walking with the daughter up the nearest hill which my parents can't climb so we will be alone!!

    I'm actually alone now as I've been baking the birthday cake and the rest of my family have all gone into the nearest town. The daughter needs to be measured for new cross country skis and boots. Yesterday she and my husband escaped for a couple of hours to ski and they went up to look at the James Bond set where filming starts for the new film on the 10th January.

    I loved the stories about the china Bracken - I'm most surprised BM about John Lewis. Everything I've ever ordered has come so wrapped up, too well, so perhaps the problem lies with temporary Christmas staff. However I would be disappointed too. How will you be spending Christmas day and what will you be cooking? Bracken where will you and Nellie be? At least with a large family you get to see different faces and hear different stories!! My husband's sisters will also be visiting later in the week and staying overnight with my nephews to see my daughter which will be a welcome change although chaotic and noisy!!

    Anyway Crackers should I not get another chance to check back in, I will wish you both now a lovely Christmas and I look forward to the New Year continuing on our journey together!! I am presently at my lightest weight since September and the last time I got to this weight before that was way back in April! So I am 'content' even if I'm not at target which may need to be moved slightly !!!!!

    Be good Crackers!

    P.S. Have not YET got stuck into the chocolates!!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Greetings Crackers. MITM, I'll bet that if they were asked everyone, parents, daughter, rellies, would all admit that you are doing as much as anyone could humanely be expected to do for all of them. That said, in the moment your stresses from your attempts to deal with everyone are very understandable. I hope you enjoyed the walk with your daughter.
    We had our largest Christmas gathering at my youngest brother's in the country (which meant Nellie could be there and played with his dog and a sister's dog and then was able to be in the house too ). Despite the absence of my brother whose wife is ill and their two adult children and grandchildren, we did have a good time, enjoyed each other's company and shared some laughs. A highlight was the announcement by a nephew and his wife that they are expecting their first child in July. We had a small gift exchange from a draw and that was nice and of course, lots of good food.
    On Christmas morning I will go to that same brother's and one of my sister's will also be there and there will be another gift exchange and a brunch. My brother has two daughters, one of whom is the niece who has been teaching in England. I had a nice chat with her on Sunday too; she found the first half of the term very hard work but now feels more on top of everything and has managed to see a lot of England (with a goodly focus on pubs) especially London. She has also already managed a 5 day trip to Belgian on a break. My sister has three daughters so it will be a nice gathering too. This sister's youngest daughter is 10, and I was surprised on the weekend when my sister asked me again to write a reply to her daughter's Santa letter. I was very surprised in this day and age but the letter seemed very genuine and she is a very imaginative child (it did occur to me that she could be playing the role in hopes of getting more presents!- perhaps too much television plotting in my mind). Her letter was really charming and interestingly the present she most wants is a telescope (she has a lot of interest in many aspects of nature).
    I enjoyed crafting a response. In the afternoon, she will come to my house for tea and Christmas pudding but I will not be going to her house this year for dinner (some family complications at her house); however, it is no real matter.
    My ill sister-in-law has been treated enough for her infection that she has been released from hospital and allowed home for Christmas. I spoke to her today and her voice was really quite good. Her two adult children and their families (4 children) will stay overnight
    and she said she was really thrilled with this. So it seems the best in the circumstances and I am glad for her and my brother.
    Tomorrow I do a final kettle shift from 11 a.m -2 p.m . It should be good as the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping seems to generate good will.
    To all Crackers, my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and I really look forward to sharing more of this journey (as you put it, MITM) in the New Year. You have in your own ways all been one of my blessing for this year. Regards to all wherever you find yourselves for Christmas.
This discussion has been closed.