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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: Gibel on Friday 25 December 20 20:24 GMT (UK)
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Definitely a Christmas Day like no other. I went to my church for the Christmas morning service at 10.30. The preacher announced the first hymn ( not for us to sing) and the organ made an extremely loud fart like noise and stopped and the lights went off. Alarms could be heard from nearby and yes you’ve guessed it a large area had a power cut! The organist moved to the piano and the preacher fortunately has a carrying voice as the microphones no longer worked.
Arriving home no heating, lights or cooker. About 12.20 the power came back but my heating didn’t. Out came an old convector heater so the lounge is warm the rest of the flat is freezing. A friend delivered my Christmas dinner which was absolutely delicious and she tried the heating but we think the pump has gone wrong.
In some respects I wasn’t surprised at today’s disasters there’s been enough of them the last 9 months. Soon I shall get a hot water bottle into my bed, I’ve already got out a big fleece blanket for my bed.
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Oh Gibel
So sorry you had such a wretched day, I hope you will soon be tucked up in bed for a restful night, tomorrow is another day
Louisa Maud
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Definitely a Christmas Day to forget, Christmas dinner was lovely though.
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What a day Gibel! A couple of positives to be thankful for- the versatility of the organist and preacher, and such a lovely dinner provided by your kind friend. Not good to be without heating though, hope you can stay warm and manage to get it fixed soon.
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My day was pretty much the same as most of the others since March. Went for a walk about midday, lovely sunny day but cold. Not many people about, said happy Christmas to a couple of people I passed.
Put some washing in, did some ironing. Then the three girls from next door and their father brought my dinner round,they absolutely spoilt me. Turkey, roast ham, every veg you can think of, Yorkshire puds. Prawn cocktail starter which I kept for later on, Christmas pud. Also a gift bag with three mini bottles of wine, one of each colour, a mini bottle of Prosecco, chocolates and mini mince pies. They're so kind to me, I find it quite overwhelming.
After that I did very little, just read, had a look at Rootschat and watched TV later. Had a number of messages from friends today and a phone call. It doesn't bother me being on my own on Christmas day but I know a lot of people are finding it very difficult this year.
Was remembering Christmas day when I was a child, I used to get into trouble for eating half my selection box before dinner. I hated it when all the adults went to sleep in their chairs in the afternoon. I think my mother was entitled, she never stopped. They were happy times anyway.
I hope it's been a better day than many were expecting. :)
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Oh Gibel, that’s awful - just what you don’t need especially at this time of year and especially at the end of this challenging year. I hope you manage to sort your heating out quickly and easily.
Roobarb, you have the neighbours from heaven. That all sounds amazing and they are so generous. Wonderful!
My day was as normal, and we have no restrictions on movement and gatherings, in fact it was almost a carbon copy of last Christmas, and the one before and ..... :) I just have a simple lunch with my fairly small family (there were 9 of us this year). I cooked a glazed ham (was not too happy with the result), we had numerous salads, and I managed to produce a pavlova which turned out quite well, served with lots of cream and berries, raspberry coulis and passionfruit.
Though the day was quite bearable and nowhere near as hot as it is most Christmases (Max around 30 I think), I would much prefer a cold weather Christmas with the traditional Christmas fare so I am a bit envious of all your “turkey and trimmings” dinners.
Usual walk of the dog in the late afternoon. She met her new friend Charlie, the labradoodle, and tried to get a bit of a friendly biff on with him. He is the dog I saw a couple of months ago on the footpath. I have since met him and a few members of his family. She also had a bark at a little French bulldog that zoomed up to his fence as we passed. I heard him before I saw him. He didn’t bark, but I got the impression he would’ve been keen to fight her. :)
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How lovely to have a normal Christmas Ruskie, I think that's top of the list for a lot of people here for next year. I'm envying you your lovely summer! Good to hear that you've been able to meet Charlie's family. :)
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Oh dear Gibel... so sorry your day was spoilt by a power cut and now a non working boiler pump.... been there and had both happen the former on Christmas Day too!
Glad to hear your friend supplied you with a lovely hot meal though... stay warm and safe ... hope the boiler gets fixed soon for you..
Roobarb - your neighbours sound such wonderfully generous people... how kind to supply you a delicious meal with all the added extras...
it’s good sometimes to look back on past times with all the memories of childhood Christmases .... I wonder if you siblings have similar memories too.. always interesting as each of has different recollections of the same event...
Good to hear from friends too...
We were promised a frosty morning... which I love to see the grass and trees glinting with ice so I was disappointed when I pulled up my blind to find nothing! Sunshine which was lovely and very cold...
By 9.30 the turkey was in the oven ... breakfast eaten, we always have croissants on Christmas Day... used to make my own now I just buy them!
Got ready put on a nice dress, tights and shoes... OH wore nice shirt and trousers felt odd as we weren’t going anywhere but thought it would make the day as normal as usual...
Messaged a few friends then had a zoom with daughter, SiL and boys... they opened their presents from us so we could see and they seemed pleased... T the eldest was thrilled with his T shirt with an electric guitar on it and the books he also had... J the youngest was showing us all his Lego car kits he’d had and was pleased with his t shirt too with monster trucks on it!
The present that went down the best was the box of magic tricks we bought for both of them ( good old Lidl’s!)
Of course them mummy was subjected to having all the tricks played on her!
We opened our gifts from them and I was delighted with the jumpers she’d got me and few kitchen things I’d listed from Lakeland... one of which was a battery operated meat temp fork.... she had hoped that we would have been with them so she could have used it! Said I’d buy her one...
OH was pleased with the weather station she’d got him... ours has given up the ghost and I’ve been trying to get him not to buy one! ...he got another jigsaw from the boys... where’s Wally one...
We had hand made cards from them, lovely pictures and good writing... T’s card was a pop up one so looks like he’s following in my footsteps! Good boy!
It was lovely to share time with them but sad to say goodbye knowing we weren’t going to be magiced on, or crawling around the floor with the scalextric they’d had...or shared dinner with them... but same for lots of people and we got over it...
Lunch ran smoothly... didn’t seem such hard work as normal... enjoyed out meal finished just in time to watch the Queen....
Realised we’d not opened gifts to each other so did that, sat and relaxed watched tv...
An enjoyable day if a little quiet!
Getting ready to batten down the hatches with the stormy weather coming tomorrow... and new tier 3 rules for us too...
Hope others days were ok... what a strange year for us all...certainly a Christmas that won’t be forgotten in a hurry...
Caroline
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We made the best of Christmas this year, like many of us, not being able to see our loved ones, or only briefly. We met in a nearby city on Wednesday with my two daughters for a brief outdoor chat and exchanged gifts in a huge parking lot, where several other groups were doing the same, masked and distanced.
Today we did video conferencing on our smart phones, along with son and his girlfriend, they live 4.5 hours away in the eastern part of our province, daughters are in Niagara area and we are farther west. Skyped OH’s daughter and family in Ireland.
We had our Xmas meal last night in honour of OH’s Scandinavian (half) background. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and goodies for dessert.
Yesterday morning there was no snow on the ground, but snow began after lunch, and has gone on for about 30 hours now. Dog (pictured) was having a great time, by late today it was up to his throat, he was leaping through it as best he could...light snow, thankfully. OH can’t wait to get the snowblower out tomorrow, the plow has been but of course, has filled in the end of the driveway.
We go into lockdown at midnight tonight, southern Ontario for 28 days, northern Ontario for 14 days.
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Sounds fabulous Diana - I do envy your snow (though I know the novelty wears off). Your pup looks like it was bred for that climate. :)
I love those sunny cold days Caroline. You and OH are very stoic keeping your Christmas Day as normal as possible. It sounds enjoyable despite being unable to have your lovely family around you.
As you have noticed, there is a bit of a theme going on here with my yearning for some good cold weather. :)
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Diana - it’s good to hear other people’s experiences of what’s happening through these times....
Like so many your Christmas was seeing family through a screen! I love Scandinavian Christmas themes.... my son was engaged to a Norwegian girl many moons ago and she came for Christmas armed with all the traditional fare which we had on Christmas Eve.... it was a real treat especially the Akvavit which is delicious and apparently taken in small quantities!
Sorry to hear you’re all now going into lockdown.... bit like all of us then...
We don’t hear much about how it’s affecting countries like Canada...
Would love to have your snow.... makes it feel more Christmasy!
Ruskie - good to hear you were all able to have a normal family Christmas and in the sunshine! We spent several in NZ when our son lived there... it’s very strange to be sitting in shorts and having a bbq! Our DiL did cook a turkey the first time we were out there.... small one cost her an arm and a leg... it’s always interesting having other than the norm though!.
Caroline
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What a lot of diverse and interesting posts, telling of conditions in other parts of the globe.
Yesterday was so cold down here in the Uk, I dread to imagine how cold it was on the west coast, north of The Wash, which has always been classified as "The Frozen North" in my mind. But at least you are geared up for it Gibel, with big fleecy blankets and angel friends. I think the idea of your church organ's rude behaviour will stay with me for a long time!! :-[
I am really struck by the difference in tales from Ruskie and Diana. In Canada the cold is unspeakable, (what would happen in a power cut there?) While in Oz it is already too hot, despite my grandaughter informing me it was freezing in Victoria yesterday!!
It is heart warming to know you had such a kind delivery from your neighbours Roobarb, and Caroline as always, staunchly getting on with things while impeccably dressed. What a lovely thing to do....
Our day was much the same as everyone else whose children have flown the nest.
The normal brisk walks, although yesterday total strangers beamed and greeted us in passing, and then a small present exchange after a simple lunch, as we prefer our cooked meal in the early evening.
After all the changes of plans our food shopping was really messed up, so we intended turkey steaks with all the usual trimmings, but quite suddenly decided to marinade and stir fry instead, which turned out surprisingly delicious.
For me the highlight was getting to speak to all 4 of our sons.
My eldest, sufficiently recovered from Covid to be on Dartmoor in the snow with his family.
The next and his fiance enjoying the company of an old friend, and altering their plans yet again in hopes of seeing family before they depart these shores.... if Covid allows.
My youngest calling from Oz after a long day spent with around 20 of his in-laws, and the youngest, sad not to be with his in-laws, but quietly excited, awaiting the arrival of their first child in January.
So all is well with all of them, and their calls will set me up for a few days.
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MH - so glad you were able to speak to all your family... it gives the soul and heart a real boost doesn’t it?
You altered plans for Christmas meal sound intriguing.... a last minute change well done you.. not sure I’d have coped with that... but then my OH is traditional which I don’t mind at all!
Yes, it’s interesting to hear the experiences of others from around the globe and actually I’ve realised reading the posts that it’s one thing that unites us all in our needs and that’s family.... we’ve all been brave and stoic in what we say but we all know in our heart of hearts that without family and often close friends times like these are when we miss them....
Perhaps some families will come to realise exactly what not being with them means as I’m sure we all take one another for granted a little.... makes you think doesn’t it...
Have a good Boxing Day everyone.... don’t think I’m going to put my glad rags on today as well though! 😀
Caroline
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I had a lovely Christmas and I feel truly blessed.
The thing I enjoyed the most was having my son in the house. Although he only lives up the road we’ve only had doorstep conversations and visits in the garden but being in Edinburgh it’s pretty chilly.
We were very careful and we had all been very restrictive before hand, it was so wonderful to feel ‘normal’
We have old and new traditions for our eats, it’s a special day so you might as well have your favourites
Pork pie, has to be Melton Mowbray a tradition from my Midlands Nan for breakfast.
Panettone, a proper Italian made one a new tradition from sons Erasmus year.
Lake District leg of lamb bought when on holiday and frozen. We go there every year to a favourite place.
The family still want all the other traditional trimmings so pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and parsnips, stuffing, sprouts, carrots and said sons favourite Yorkshire puddings.
Needless to say we don’t have a starter or a pudding, every year I buy a Christmas pudding and never cook it on Christmas Day ::)
I must confess I haven’t done the dishes yet, Victoria will be ashamed of me !
They are neatly stacked on the side and I’m about to do them now but it was so lovely to have my son here I didn’t want to waste a minute of his company and I though s*d it I’m breaking my rules today ;D :D :)
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No snow here - apart from up on the mountain - but it was 0C first thing yesterday!
Granddaughters were up at 4am, so planned zoom call didn't happen.
A quietish day; went to pub for a couple of hours at lunchtime.
Then a walk along the road to a friends for dinner at 8pm.
8 of us for a grand feast - locally smoked salmon; ham & turkey; Fortnum & Mason crackers!
Today a short walk to neighbours 4 doors down for lunch.
Gales forecast for later :o
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Many thanks for all the good wishes. It was interesting hearing of other people’s Christmas Day. I think we all have just made the best of it wherever we are in the world.
I should have been going to Switzerland on Monday but I cancelled it back at the beginning of September when it was apparent that we hadn’t got to the end of the pandemic. I was inspired this morning and put on the full thermals I would have worn in Switzerland and I’m lovely and warm! Maybe in a year’s time I will be packing them for my walking in the snow holiday. For the moment I’ll just drool over the photos I have from January 2019 before I knew I had breast cancer.
My best wishes to everyone wherever you are and I pray that we get to the end of the pandemic sometime in 2021.
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Pleased you sound so much better this morning
Lm
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Ruskie - my dog is likely mostly Pomeranian but quite big for a Pom, but he loves the snow, they are from the Spitz family, same as the husky, Samoyed, etc., so must be in his DNA! The only problem he had yesterday - if I may be indelicate - was finding a place to do his business, as they do like to clear a spot first ;D.
Caroline - OH’s mother was Danish/Swedish and came here in her teens. Sadly, the only tradition she kept for Xmas was eating on Christmas Eve and then opening gifts. My parents were English so it was strictly Xmas day. Growing up our French Canadian landlord in the flat downstairs (5 kids) would go to midnight Mass and then home for their Christmas celebration which they call “Reveillon”. We should have synchronized our schedules! We would get woken up around 2 a.m.
Sounds like we all managed to have something of a good Christmas, it will be memorable, and here’s to everyone staying safe in the New Year.
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Ruskie - my dog is likely mostly Pomeranian but quite big for a Pom, but he loves the snow, they are from the Spitz family, same as the husky, Samoyed, etc., so must be in his DNA! The only problem he had yesterday - if I may be indelicate - was finding a place to do his business, as they do like to clear a spot first ;D.
I can see that could be a big problem for a dog. Everything has to be "just so" and the spot "just right". ;D Bless them.
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Mowsehouse: we have had power outages here in the winter, I lived through a ten day one during an ice storm in January 1998 (or was it 1999?) and some brief ones in the subarctic. Not fun at all. The former we had a new wood burning fireplace that worked efficiently - the house had never been so warm. Sump pump did not work, though :(.
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I woke up on Christmas morning feeling truly blessed too - thinking on that my family and I are still well and haven't been touched by this dreadful covid. That feels like the best present of all this year.
Christmas Day for me was very different, not being with family. My Son & DiL have a family member living with them who has recently become 'vulnerable' because of health issues so they want to keep contact with others to the minimum where possible just now.
In recent years, we have been going to my brother & sister in law's house but I didn't go this year because it would have meant staying over which suddenly became against the rules.
I decided to make the best of it and put my Christmas jumper on on Christmas morning (the one with bells on that I had shook the night before on my doorstep for the 'Christmas eve bell ring') and made a lovely Christmas dinner and had wine. I sent photos to family to show them I was still making an effort and spoke cheerily about things to the family when I spoke to them. I think this helped SiL in particular as I think she had been feeling a bit low and sorry for me. I just hope I haven't gone too far and given them all the impression that I have had my best Christmas ever without them all. ;D I did have a good day but nonetheless it did feel like a sacrifice not to be with them all as usual. However, I did read this morning that Boris has said that this sacrifice people have made this year will mean that more people will still be around to celebrate Christmas next year. This thought helps make me feel it has been worth not taking any risks.
DiL is a nurse and had to do nightshift on Christmas night and I think she sounded a bit stressed at the thought of having to go. At least she got to be off during the day to be with their son, my Grandson. I am off work myself until New Year's Eve.
Gibel, that sounds like a very dramatic time you have had. Sorry to hear about all this. This is one very eventful Christmas you will not forget in a hurry aside from covid issues.
I haven't been inside a Church since before covid and I do miss this a lot. I have also just heard in the last few days that our Pastor and his wife will be moving to different part of the country in the New Year. I am quite gutted that they are leaving us after many years. He was a wonderful Pastor leading us all and I will particularly miss his humorous sermons when things do get back to normal. I have no idea who his replacement will be as yet.
Roobarb, your neighbours sound incredibly kind to do all this for you .. did you know about this or was it a surprise?
Oldfashioned girl, I suspect Viktoria will be proud of you that you put your son before any dishes rule. Dishes can always wait but you seized the chance to make memories. Good on you!
I slept like a log on Christmas night and didn't wake up till 0830 this Boxing Day which is quite unusual for me. I think this was probably due to the wine I had on Christmas Day. I don't drink a lot through most of the year (although do like Guinness) so I think the wine might have went to my head a bit.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and a life of more normality to come.
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It's lovely to hear about everyone's Christmas and how things are in different parts of the world. No snow here in NE England (unless RTL has some a little further north) although the small town in the hills a few miles from here did have a covering on Christmas Eve. I'm quite happy to not have any, my view is that it looks pretty but causes so much disruption.
RTL, you're right that it's such a blessing that our loved ones are safe and well. My neighbour has sent Christmas dinner for me for the last five years since I've been alone, she asks me beforehand if I'd like her to do so and of course I'm happy to accept. She said this year she would understand if I didn't want to, being mindful I think of distancing, they have three children in their teens and one in his twenties, they all treat me with respect and wouldn't endanger me. They're a lovely family altogether, I'm lucky to have them as neighbours. I've always cut their front lawn for them over the years until a couple of years ago when they had the drive widened across it. Now I just keep the small area of border tidy along it.
There's someone missing from this thread - we haven't heard from Viktoria. I do hope she's okay, having been alone throughout all this then deciding she would stay at home for Christmas. If you're reading this Viktoria - we miss you!
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Roobarb, we had a couple of flurries of light snow on Christmas eve. But this didn't really lie and soon disappeared leaving the ground just wet. It was nice to look out though at it and think we were having a sort of a white Christmas. I also saw a lovely rainbow on Christmas eve - the second one I saw in a week. I choose to see this as a symbol of better times to come. Where I live there are grey skies today and it felt bitterly cold when I went out for a short walk this morning. Now the wind is howling outside and it feels very atmospheric like something from a Bronte novel.
Your neighbours sound so thoughtful Roobarb but it sounds like this is reciprocated with your gardening help. I think they will really appreciate your help with this Roobarb - this must save them quite a bit of time and effort over the year. It is nice to read that community/neighbourly spirit still exists as much as in times past.
Yes, it would be lovely to hear from Viktoria too. We do miss you Viktoria and look forward to your next post.
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Someone else missing from this thread is 'Moi' but I know I am not as lighthearted and comical as Viktoria can be.
Having stayed at home Christmas Eve Night I got up early Christmas Day (well, early for me) and drove over to my sisters. We then drove over to my nieces house - my sister, b-in-law and I being a longstanding 'bubble', and Jo, Scott, Luke and Esmae being a one-day Christmas 'bubble'. No hugging or kissing but it was oh so good to see them. The 2 men cooked the dinner and very nice it was too. My sister provided the dessert.
Jo and Scott had been woken at 6am by the mobile 'pinging' - was a photo of the twins in their Christmas hats taken by the nurses. Hope it comes through on here okay.
We stayed until 6.30 and then the new parents went off to the hospital to see the twins. When we got back to my sisters we opened our presents and spent the rest of the evening relaxing.
Will be a quiet day for us Boxing Day - not the Christmas we would have wished for but being able to spend a few hours with niece and family was a joy I wasn't expecting having not seen them since August. Boxing Day will see nephew and family opening our presents via Whatsapp and us opening ours from them.
Hope your own day was the best it could be.
Annette
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No offence meant Annette, it's just that Viktoria was going to be spending Christmas alone and we didn't hear from her on Christmas eve or Christmas day.
It's good to hear that you had such a lovely time with your family and great to see that gorgeous photo of the twins. :)
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RTL - lovely to hear from you and pleased you’re having a well earned break until New Year’s Eve..... so sorry that you’ve not been able to see your family to spend time with them over Christmas.... it’s heartbreaking for everyone... but we must stay positive that come the new year perhaps the Oxford /AZ vaccine will become available...
As a regular church goer I can only imagine the upset you must feel about not being able to go more regularly and now with your vicar leaving too... hopefully you’ll get a good person as a replacement....
Annette - we are remiss to not comment on you not posting either... we are still thinking about you too and your delightful gt nieces who incidentally look very sweet in the photo you posted here... so glad you’ve been able to see your niece and family too... I wonder how much more time they’ll be staying in hospital for?....
Like everyone else I’m concerned about Viktoria as she’s not posted and hope all is well with her....
Caroline
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Hello everyone, I am alright, had a nice quiet day but lots of phone calls and son in Bolton and his wife came and stood at the door for a while ,brought pressies which I opened in front of them .Made a full Christmas dinner, photographed
it and sent it to all three children and grandchildren so they would not worry I was on bread and water!
Phoned friends and got to speak to the one I was so concerned about a little while ago.She is not well but good care in place and she was quite lucid ,not always the case nowadays.
Started a jigsaw , did a hard crossword, watched TV , enjoyed my meal, having set the table with posh stuff ,best wine glass ,cutlery etc etc and the meat from a very good butcher was really tender and tasty.
A nice day really.
Left the cleaning of the cooker until today ,and did a really good job .
My Grsndson’s father in law called with my daughter’s presents to me ,a super peg bag, made by a friend who has started a little business as a hobby but also money earner.
A lovely little pill box ,gold , enamelled with Lily of the Valley, and a book about a nearby ruined deserted village ,Nuttall Village.
The local Heritage society have researched it.
Also a plaster / resin plaque with Flash Harry’s little tiny hands pressed into it
His Grandad had driven down to Suffolk ,five hours, they had all gone a walk in the fresh air wearing masks ,he had his meal in his car , and after two hours drove all the way back.He called this morning and left the presents on the path.
I usually see him in Church each year at the bauble service, and his ex wife ,they sit together as they lost a son who was my grandson’s best friend and put a bauble on the tree together.
So all in all, lots of chats etc, a nice meal, presents and warm and comfy and ,feeling well so I have a lot to be thankful for .
Second son phoned today as well as yesterday .
Milk lady left again what I had ordered for Christmas again, so I phoned the girl who organised the Tea For One hamper, could she use some milk and cream?
Oooh yes! So put it on the step for her.
Hope everyone is well and also had a nice day, sad to hear of the first Christmas without her husband for one RootsChatter .
I set my table with a cloth myO H brought back from The Lebanon in 1963 .White with gold thread embroidery , I used it for just the reason he bought it for me . I feel he is not forgotten when I do things like that.
Table set for one!
But I was in good spirits , thankfully .
I phoned my 93 year old neighbour ,she said was I alright?
Yes Thankyou and you?
Yes! Only I don’t want anyone else living next to me but you!
Likewise !
Well all over bar the shouting folks, and it really is a good job I decided to stay put isn’t it, Suffolk in Tier 4 now.
Grand daughter up to her eyes in boxes of home made goodies , she is a registered business now but has one more accountancy exam at Uni then finished.Full time she works for my daughter.
She and her boy friend had Venison for their Christmas dinner , different.
Mince pie pastry is really nice .
Recipe coming up :-
12 ounces of flour ( I used SR)
6 ounces fat ,4 of Marge 2 of Lard
Pinch of salt and 3 ounces of Caster sugar
2 Egg yolks made up to 4 fluid ounces with cold water .
Rub in fat.
Stir in salt and sugar .
Add egg yolks and water .
Mix well .
Put in fridge for 30 Mins .
Roll out thinly if SR flour used .
Bake at Reg 7 for 15-20 mins .
Take care as the sugar content can mean they brown easily.
Gave my son a dozen, not cut into the cake yet.
Had another dinner today but looking forward to pork ,stuffing and apple sauce butties tomorrow .
Thanks for the babies’ photographs,they look really plump and well .
I do hope you all had as good a day as possible ,allowing for missed loved ones, health problems and the overlying worry that things are escalating.
Well going to warm some milk and go to bed , should be warm by now.
Thanks for your concern ,I’ll bet you thought I was stoned out of my mind on Elderflower cordial!
No I have just enough sense to not drink - especially alone !
Cheerio, keep safe and well ,thanks for your stories , they are something to look forward to.
Goodnight , Viktoria.
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Viktoria I’m so pleased to read your post and I’m sure others are too...
You are the life and soul of this thread and you tales and humour have been missed....
I’m glad you had a good day albeit on your own and I love that you used your beautiful cloth bought by your husband and all your best crocks,glass and cutlery... a lady after my own heart!
With all your phone calls doorstep visits you must have been a busy lady but comforted to know how special you are to your family and friends...
Thank you too for the pastry recipe it sounds lovely... will have to have a go but I’m not known for my pastry... need cool hands don’t you mine aren’t... my mother and MiL made wonderful pastry.... my talents lie elsewhere....
Take care and look forward to reading more of your tales..
Caroline
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What lovely pictures of the babies
LM
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So pleased to hear that all is well with you Viktoria and that you were in touch with your family so much despite not being able to spend the day with them. I hope your friend is soon well again. Thank you for the recipe, I'm afraid I won't be having a go, I'm well stocked up with Tesco's finest, they're so much better at it than I am!
Have a good day and thanks for reassuring us that you're not under the influence of the elderflower cordial! :D
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The babies look adorable in their little Santa hats, Annette!
Okay, we'll believe you weren't at the elderflower cordial Viktoria .. (although thousands wouldn't 🍷🙈🙉🙊 ;D
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The first Christmas after a bereavement is difficult ,as are all the other special times,I felt Jeff was very brave when he joined in so soon after .
I just hope he is well in himself and will join us again when he is ready .
If he is reading this, you and your family are obviously thought of Jeff, and take your time but you know you are welcome whenever you feel right about it .You won’t be forgotten.
Viktoria and many others I feel sure.
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Yes, that is very true.
I have deleted the part of my post asking where he is.
We certainly won't forget radstockjeff and his family. I agree that he was brave to join us earlier in the year after his bereavement and it was good to see him on here a few days ago.
You are in our thoughts radstockjeff - God Bless.
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I echo those sentiments, our thoughts are with you Jeff.
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It was a kind ,spontaneous ,thinking out loud action on your part River Tyne Lass ,and I hope I did not seem in any way critical, my wording was straight off too, in agreement ,Jeff will be comforted to know you and we thought of him .If anyone was a bit tactless it was me by my rushed off answer.
His family too ,although we don’t know them will be sad of course .
Kind regards and sincere thanks for putting the thoughts of many in your post.
Viktoria.
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Yes, it was spontaneous on my part and you did not seem critical. You are right 100% though and I should have realised that it would be too difficult for Radstockjeff to post on this date of all days. I apologise for not thinking straight about this. :-[
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Thank you all for your kind thoughts.
Yes it has been different , but as I have mentioned before (I think) we try and keep things as near to normal as we can. We make sure that there is something positive to do each day and plan ahead for tomorrow as far as we can. And we have something which no one can take away, some very happy memories over the 41 years of Nick's life, but also some not so happy,despite which we have always come through.
We usually have a glass of wine with our evening meal and we always toast Nick, however odd that may seem to some.
Our Christmas Day actually started on Christmas Eve with a Facetime call to Oz (11 hours ahead at the moment). We weren't in time to see the "pressie opening" but Andrew captured it on a video and sent us the details later. Lots of shrieks of excitement and loads of paper all over the place.
We caught up with Mark on Skype on Christmas Day but had one or two teething problems with the audio - he's just got me a new webcam and we haven't had time to properly sort it, so we did a Facetime link later.
We invited our friend Mary for lunch ; she has recently lost her husband and we have been good friends ever since we moved to Westfield from Bradford on Avon 18 years ago.
I think things are put into perspective in terms of your own loss when you hear of others in similar situations, and it is particularly so when you realise that you have sent Christmas wishes to a friend or rellie only to find that they have recently been bereaved, and of close friends who are facing the inevitable.
We have only one "sour" comment. As you may have gathered from previous posts we are both church members (OH was a Methodist Local Preacher for 25 years before giving up last year). We are disappointed at the reaction of our Minister who has not seen fit to make any direct contact with us since just after Nick died in August. Seems an odd way to show your Pastoral Caring calling.
We have however been more than sustained with all the members of our own Church and many others in the locality. Nuff said!
And now..."Where was I sitting one day, weary and ill at ease........and what were my fingers doing?
Answers on the back of a new £20 note!
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Lovely to hear from you Jeff. :) You are right no one and nothing will be able to take away your happy memories of Nick's life.
That is good that you both had your friend Mary with you. This might have made the day easier for her too to have had good company. Great too that with technology you were able to have contact with Mark.
I will watch to see what others might come up with re your puzzle.
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Lovely to hear that you were able to spend screen time with your family Jeff and to have Mary's company. I'm sorry that your Minister hasn't been in touch but glad that you have found comfort from the church members.
As for the puzzle.... I had absolutely no idea but must confess that curiosity got the better of me and I cheated! :-[ I have £20 notes in my purse that have been there since March, does that count as new? :D
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I am sitting studying £20, is it anything to do with music or an organ?
Lm
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I know I am daft but if we all send our answers on £ 20 notes, Jeff will be able to buy that ooojahkapivieo he has never been able to afford .
Have I blown it Jeff?
Soooooorry!That might have been the last scam of the year!
Kindest regards to you and yours Jeff, thanks for sharing your news.
Viktoria.
I had one visit from our curate ,re hymns etc,as he was doing the service, not The Vicar though.
The Sunday following was Remembrance Sunday and the beautiful wreath of cream roses thst filled the top of the coffin had been brought back to Church as as at that crematorium flowers were cleared away very soon .
It was placed at the foot of the altar as there were poppies in the usual vases
After the Remembrance Day service two days later, I went to retrieve the card attached to the wreath, to keep.
The Vicar was standing at the Chancel steps ,he spun round and said to me what was I doing?
I said I wanted to keep the card from my husband’s wreath ,” oh I ‘ll speak to you later ,” but he never did ,ever.
I was alright ,and people who saw that said let’s carry the wreath to the Parish room ,people might want a little reminder of a very nice man, what do you think?
So that was done and people did take Roses from the wreath and the lady who was good with flowers arranged the rest and they were still good the next Sunday .But the Vicar - never a word .
I did not expect anything more of him, he was a “ clique “ man, kept in with the Queen Bees etc ,so to me people asking for a rose was more kind
than his hollow words.
We were there most Sundays, until my OH became too ill. But I hardly missed.and baking ,sewing, cleaning etc done, but I enjoyed that ,it was not selfless because there is always cameraderie with things like that.
After his death it was a great support and outlet for me.
That Vicar moved on.
We share a Canon and lay readers now,well did- .
Cheerio folks , nice to hear from you too Jeff , so thanks RTLass .
Viktoria.
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Painting?
LM
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I have caught up with all threads, and glad to see so many regulars have checked in.
Also happy to see the babies are together some of the time.
Sending good wishes to everyone, and hoping spirits are peaceful at least. :)
Now I'll just offer up the sound of a great amen.....
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That is sad Jeff and Viktoria that your vicars haven't been as caring towards you as might be wished. Reading this has reminded me of something said in one sermon our pastor once gave - probably one of the few I remember specifically.
I remember he asked us to close our eyes and try to recall the twenty best sermons we had ever heard. Then he asked us to raise our hands if we could remember twenty. No one could. So the number went down in fives. Eventually, our pastor said that most people might struggle to remember even five but that people will remember more what someone is like and what they do rather than what they say.
Our Pastor is leaving with his wife on New Years day. I feel quite gutted about this (just heard about it recently) and I am sure many others will too. He has been with us for many years. I might not remember all his sermons but I will never forget his warm smile, humour, selflessness and caring nature. He has done so much not only for our Church but for the local community too. However, I would imagine that when they go on Friday they will go with little fanfare as unsung heroes. Likely nothing in the news, although I think their departure will be a great loss to our community - like a light extinguished. What a start to the new year! :-\
I wonder what the answer to Jeff's puzzle is - I hope he won't keep us in suspense too long as to the answer.
Good wishes to you too Mowsehowse and everyone else too. :)
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Sadly, reading what the archbishop of Canterbury has said in the paper today churches might suffer mainly due to the lack off finances over the last 9 months or so, very sad
LM
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Seated one day at the organ
I was weary and ill at ease
My fingers wandered idly
Over the noisy keys
I know not what I was playing (as per usual for me, that isl!)
Or what I was dreaming then
But I struck one chord of music
Like the sound of a great Amen.
The Lost Chord Words Adelaide Proctor Music Sir Arthur Sullivan
Compare this with
The Lost Chord... Jimmy Durante
I was sat at my pie-anno the other day
But my mind was ill at ease
(They were coming to take it away that afternoon)
I was all by myself
In a mellow mood
Improvising symphonies......................................
(Have a look at YouTube if you haven't heard this version before)
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Who wins the £20 ??
LM
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Congratulations Mowsehowse :D
Offering up the sound of a great amen you must have known!
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Congratulations Mowsehowse :D
Offering up the sound of a great amen you must have known!
I have even played a scale on a piano the great man used to compose Iolanthe. :)
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Well, I don't know anything about lolanthe but you are a clever one Mowsehowse to solve this. Well done you! :D👏
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:-[ Blushes modestly......
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knew the words to the song and thought Jeff was asking for answers written on the back of £20 notes!- not that the answer was on the back of £20 notes!
That is why I said had I blown his easily seen through joke and asked was it a “ Scam!” As if he would do that.- ask for £20 notes!
Jeff, you are not back five minutes and you are making trouble!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Viktoria.
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It isn't anywhere on tbe £20 note l have. :-\
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Sorry if I mislead anyone by missing out the word "please" after Answers...................on the back of a £20 pound note!
Well done Mowsehowse for the Sound of a great Amen and LM for spotting the organ and music link.
And Viktoria, I do my best ::)
But do try the Jimmy Durante version great fun........and that shows my age ;)
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Well it got the grey cells moving for awhile
LM
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
When I was quite a little girl ,a neighbour gave my sister and I an old Columbia wind up table top gramophone ,with a big purple velvet turntable.
A big box of records too, many by Chopin .
I noticed they were in A or B or C etc and decided I would assemble a full collection , looking in junk shops etc .
Seeking pieces like Chopin’s Polonaise in H or K - I never did find them, nor S
or Z !
It wasn’t until I started playing the violin,well playing is an elastic term! that I found out G was the last note from the alphabet I would ever find anything written in !
If you have ever heard anything like a Polonaise in M for example do let me
know Jeff won’t you,Many thanks in advance .
I hasten to add I would be no more than eight when I began my fruitless search.
Viktoria.
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Braddan church, Isle of Man, had a congregation of 500 over Christmas ;D
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-55432576
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Fantastic.
LM