No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

Floss

Candlelight we're going to DH's brother & SiL from Christmas eve til 27 December, only a 500+ mile round trip! We have hopefully got friends coming round between the holiday weekends, and then we're hosting a family Christmas for10 in February

[Deleted User]

Oh my poor Berlin!!! such horrors as last nights wickedness at the Christmas Market will never change what this wonderful city is but my heart is so heavy for the poor people killed and injured and their families and for anyone who was innocently in that market just celebrating Christmas with friends and family who got caught up in the horrors perpetrated. The Berlin Christmas Markets are one of the greatest delights of my life, nothing will change that, nothing that man can do to fellow man in ANY cause will blight my love of Berlin. It feels this morning like another loss of innocence for this world, another group of blameless people sacrificed just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope all the world will still visit this beautiful old city and enjoy all the wonders it contains, we most certainly will keep going, I don't feel we can abandon something we love so dearly because of random acts by people whose only emotion is HATE!!! I feel pity for minds so closed to joy and humanity as to be able to do such despicable things to other people. God bless the sufferers and bring them peace, healing and comfort!

moneyistooshorttomention

That is awful - re Berlin. Those poor people....

Angela Merkel was highly likely to be chucked out of power anyway - and this has raised the odds from "it's going to happen come the first chance possible to get rid of her" to "absolute cast iron - anyone would bet on it" certainty level.

How could she have allowed this to happen to one of "our" Western countries (ie with that "welcome all comers" attitude?:mad:

My sympathies/shared sense of shock and outrage about it to all the Germans involved in this.:(:mad::(:mad::(:mad:

It must be very upsetting too to live in that country (after its history within living memory) to know that there really is only one option as to who to vote for in elections and hating the thought of having to do so - but what other option is there honestly?

Our liberal secular middle-of-the-road western societies are basically something that is now in history books and we're being forced to choose imo..:(:(:(

hoglet121

Hi all,

Good news re the house, Fuddle, what reasonable vendors!

Candlelight - our weather has picked up the last couple of days - it's nothing if not changeable. We are forecast 38 degrees for Christmas Day in Melbourne and then 2 days later it will be down to 17, so their weather is nothing if not changeable either! We're away for a week, and of course I will miss the cats. We have a lady coming in to feed them. I'm going to be meeting up with a lady from my book group who lives in Melbourne too, so I'm looking forward to that.

Not much more to report from us, DH has packed already, I've got as far as getting my bag out of the garage!

Much love

Hoglet xx

pollyanna_26

Candlelight I hope Himselfs blood results will show improved kidney function and you will both enjoy the festive season . I got that brief chance to catch up on 15 days of emails and that was it .
Well we made it to the Solstice , one of my favourite days in the year .
I know winter lies ahead but we slowly edge back towards the light and the hope of spring .
It's very dark here this morning and wet and the wind is getting up . I had intended to pick up our copy of dds blood results from Monday but will do that tomorrow as we have to go out then .
Take care all and a special hug for Lyn x
polly

ArthriticOldThing

Morning all. from a cold, grey River Tyne.
I'm feeling very cold and grey as well as have stinker of head cold. Just what I needed 5 days before Christmas. Luckily there is only me to consider - all presents done and given - those cards not sent won't be now - and I've enough food in to last me - especially as all I can eat through sore throat is sloppy food, ie: porridge, rice pudding and soup!
Definitely NOT feeling Christmassy. Hope everyone else doing better.
Candlelight I have had invitations for Christmas but said no thanks nicely and am very glad I did so now. Like your mum I struggle getting in and out of cars. And when feeling full of cold the last thing I need is to have to try to be 'good company'. Definitely turning into a 'grumpy old woman'.
Wishing you all a good Christmas however you choose to spend it. :xmastree:

pollyanna_26

AOT I hope you feel better soon , there seem to be a lot of viruses and bugs doing the rounds at the moment . Porridge , soup and rice pudding have kept me going at times during the past hectic year . They are my standby for the no energy days .
For the first time ever I will be having a quiet Christmas at my request . I've done big family meals for over 40 years and the last few years at one of the daughters . This year I've asked for a quiet few days while there are no alarms to set and places to be . Medical stuff starts again on the 30th along with letters , phone calls etc . So I want to just be for a bit !
Stay warm and enjoy your peaceful time .
polly x

LaineyT

Hello all and a merry Yule to everyone x

We have not long got in from a very enjoyable solstice celebration lunch, we stopped at one of our favourite pubs and very tasty it was too, I had chicken stuffed with chorizo and mozzarella, Captain S plumped for the pie of the day which was mahoosive! He has just popped back out again leaving me alone, apart from the girls of course, in the house for the first time in what feels like ages. There are things that I could do but right now a snuggle on the sofa whilst watching an old film is appealing to me the most!
We did go to the village graveyard first thing to place wreaths on my darling Dad and Brother's graves, guess it's the current situation but gosh I am missing my big bro at the moment, we were always so close and it still hurts that he died so relatively young. Love his heart x
Sad to say but my lovely Mum is deteriorating day by day now, she sleeps a lot and even when she's awake at times she seems so far away in her own thoughts, it's something the hospice lady has spoken to us about, that once the body starts to shut down the mind also closes inwards so we were prepared in a way but still so difficult. We are all just doing the best we can but the strain is starting to show, especially on my SIL and me as most of her care falls on our shoulders. Still, we are where we are and wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Lovely to hear from you AOT but sorry that you feel poorly, rest up m'dear and hopefully feel better soon.

Hope you have now managed to sort out your yahoo account Candlelight, technology can be such a pain at times. Have fun with your visitors and enjoy your hair cut.

Keeping fingers crossed that all still going well with the house purchase Fuddle, that is a very fair gesture by the vendors, good to know that not everyone is out for every penny they can get.

Do envy you such warmth Hoglet, even though our weather has been relatively mild am craving some real sunshine on my face.

It's good that you are getting the quiet celebration you wanted Polly, certainly it can all get too much at times so enjoy your peace my friend x

Thoughts with Lyn, hope you are ok lovely and looking forward to time with your family.

Right, some time for me now, tea has been made and I am eying up the chocs, well today is Yule so am going to indulge.
Much love x

pollyanna_26

Lainey sweetheart you are walking a very sad and hard path now . At certain times of the year everything is so much harder . My beloved dad passed away a week before Christmas when I was 15 . He is always in my thoughts but at the big landmarks in the year the loss is intensified . You will always mourn the loss of your brother but if you believe the spirit never dies take comfort that there will be two beloved people to welcome your mum when the time comes with a gentle nudge from bill . I love the fact you have a little wooden horse , it reminds me of my ollies jingle bell . Rest now and recharge those batteries . Sending yuletide blessings and a big hug.
Love and strength
polly x

candlelight_2013

Lainey I am glad you had a lovely lunch. Enjoy your quiet time with the girls and Capt Scarlet and gather your strength, you are going to need every bit of it in due course. I remember so well with my Mum, my DD who is a nurse explained to me that her organs were closing down, I couldn't understand why she felt so cold to the touch. Your Mum will be deep in thought of all the good times she has had, and if she is anything like my mum, she wanted to be with Dad again. I know we all have different beliefs, but if we can find comfort in that belief so be it.

Lainey I am sending you love and the strength to cope with it all, and also to your DB and SIL, hard times and very emotional times, and if people offer to help please let them. Offers of help come from kind hearts.

Much love to you

Candlelightx