………all passed me by in a blur. I fell ill with the dreaded lurgy on Christmas Day; languished a lot in bed/on the sofa for a couple of weeks; and then dragged weary bones around for a couple more weeks. This is the day after Boxing Day. I mean, I was ill, I don’t know what excuse the other three in this photo had……. hehe!
By the end of January though, I thought I was well again – only to be hit with another cold in the first week of February. As it turned out, the cold was held at bay by popping Beechams pills, making a visit to Ann and Nigel in London, and then a week’s pampering at the spa, Ragdale Hall, with the college crew. Back on it at last! Phew!
I had started a blog on the Sunday before Christmas, just as the lurgy hit, and it started with: ‘Wishing Everyone Peace at Christmas‘. The sentiment is now a bit late, but very much still holds.
In our family, the Christmas Trees were carefully chosen and installed in our living rooms, twinkling in the corners; decorations and lights had been pinned to walls and ceilings, and strung across foliage in the garden; cards written and sent; and then there was a mad scramble to finalise the food shop and the gift list, with many a message among us asking, ‘What did you say you’d like for Christmas?’
In 2023, we hadn’t had the heart to ice, or eat, the Christmas cake. When it was prepared in the October, we had all stirred the mixture, including John. Icing the cake was always his job and, as Christmas approached, it remained half-naked, marzipanned, awaiting its decoration.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” I said to the boys. “I’ll cut it into four, pop it in the freezer and we can bring out a quarter each year.” So this year, there was a happier memory of hubby as I iced the little cake, then cut it into three chunks for each of the families.
What did we want for Christmas? A little bit of John would suit us all. And we had that as we tucked into the cake. Nice.
Christmas seems such a long time ago now! Here we are, three-quarters of the way through February and longingly awaiting signs of Spring. Winter has made many of us grumpy with its overcast skies and constant rain. The season of goodwill seems to be a distant memory.
Despite the ‘get up and go’ having got up and gone while I was ailing, life was full again as soon as I was back on my feet.
For example, looking after the grandkids: Freddie with his domino experiment – that was such fun!
…..and taking Oliver to have his hair cut ready for his trip to see Granny in Jersey …… what a good boy he was, as he sat patiently while the barber snipped away at his locks.
…..then popping down to Hampshire with some of the college crew to make a trip to the Opera…… ah, smashing!
I know I say it loads, but thank the Lord for family and friends. I could not have got through the last couple of months without their loving support. Andrew has been home most weekends; Paul and Michael have invited me for dinner or just to chill at theirs; and close friends have been in touch one way or another and kept me going. Brilliant.
Spring is around the corner, folks – and I wish everyone brighter days. God bless.