Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

Irenadler

Skint_yet_Again said:

I don’t think Christmas will be the big party time some people are/ were expecting and I heard on the news that they are expecting the death toll to rise after xmas & a 3rd wave 😳 I think you are wise to downscale your gathering but I’m sure you will still have a lovely time. 

Hey Skinty
That's what I feel too; so limited contact and a nice mini get-together (basically with the relatives I am supporting anyway - keeping to our 'bubble') and less risk of infecting more people.

Just heard we have lost a relative to C-19, it was a definite diagnosis, & we can't attend the funeral as it is out of county. Bloody heart-breaking.... 

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

That's a good price for lights and should last you for years. Decorations have started to go up around here too.
Yes, and I will follow the neighbours example of emergency duct tape, if needed, over future Xmases!   
A small, intimate Christmas sounds wonderful and will take the edge off your stress levels. Most of the food can be done together, with the meat / vegan elements cooked as standalone items.
I think it will be cosy & quiet, a nice change...
You're a step closer to your new goal, a million miles from where you where and the car will sort itself out in the end.
It is so weird, having something put by, and even weirder, thinking about driving again soon....
I don't think you're putting a downer on anything, pretty sure we all know this is the way of the land for a while yet. One day, there will be a proper turning point, history has shown us that.

Hoping that this turning point is sooner, rather than later, it's very sad, not being able to be with other relatives for this new loss. Don't think any of us want to leave the county for the funeral, or, put anyone else at risk, especially my poorly ones.

MovingForwards

My deepest condolences Ren.
When things are more normal a gathering to remember the good times with the relative can be arranged.

Bauble hooks are what I use to hang the lights.

Irenadler

Thank you Babs.
We were thinking of setting an extra, empty place at the table, acknowledging them, and raising a glass to their memory.... followed by memories of them and Christmas past. Then, probably, getting boozier and happier memories going round the table....   and getting boozier as the day goes on!

I do have some gutter hook things, which I have used in the past for outside lights, must dig those out from the cupboard of doom... , and I have those command hooks, which I might use on the window instead, depends how long the string of lights are....

Skint_yet_Again

So sorry to hear of your loss Ren. It seems so much harder when you can’t attend the funeral but I’m sure they will be in your thoughts and you will celebrate their life at your Christmas get together. 

MovingForwards

That would be a wonderful way to mark their life and happy memories.

Irenadler

Thanks both....

I am grateful there are family near the lost relative, who are able to attend, despite restrictions thankfully. Feeling a bit cut up about it, but there will be 6 grandsons there carrying their Grandad on his last journey....   I think they might even be streaming the service, so, we can virtually attend at least....

ginnyknit

You will be there in spirit and thats support for the ones left to attend. Sending hugs xx

Irenadler

Thanks ginnyknit, much appreciated, although sadly I guess we won't be the only family having lost someone this year....

I have to kick myself up the bottom, otherwise I will get all mizzling and bawling, other people have had far worse....

Irenadler

So, I did put up the coloured lights outside, and it did bring me joy - lots of colours and flashing dancing lights. I am easily pleased, ha!  

Slightly carried away, because, when I got up the ladder I realised the gutters could do with clearing. Which I did. And then I had to wipe mucky marks off the gutters before the lights could go up. So I did, along with the fascia/soffitt's. And then I noticed the windows outside were grubby, so, erm they got washed outside. And then there were some plants in the way of the step-ladders so I got out the pruners and cut them back and ended up cutting back a load of plants on the front too, filling up the 'green waste' wheely bin... Gah! 

At least it all looks clean and tidy on the front now, the only thing spent was time and effort (apart from the £7 lights!) So, almost money saving. Funny how one 'little' job can escalate.... Kept me busy though, and felt really happy afterwards, even put the lights on outside at 5am this morning, so when I got back from my dog walk I could see their cheery colours.... not desperate to cheer myself up - much!  

Then managed to get to relatives, although not so cheerful, sadly they have developed bowel incontinence. 
  

In other money-saving news, I am shopping around trying to find vegan footwear, being as my current old (leather) pair are falling apart on me. Vegan retailers are a bit out my budget/comfort of spending, so, I hit on the idea of contacting supermarkets which do sell shoes, and asking if there are any on their shelves. Only just started to query this today, it has taken me this long to think of it, duh! I did find on my browsing that 'Sk*chers' do have a lot of vegan footwear, but again, these aren't the cheapest & shoe shops don't seem to be open round my way. Only option at the moment for me are a) Me rubber wellies b) Me crippling (leather) heels which I can't wear to walk mutley (and I am phasing out the leather as it wears out) c) Equally crippling ankle boots which look nice but can't walk any further than e.g. from a car across car park to pub ... why the heck I bought those stupid things I don't know.... failing that, I am thinking of gluing the old shoes together (half heel is worn and dropped off, front sole is flapping around so I know it will fall off soon, both toes worn through to holes) crikey, I must look like a proper sight, if I sit down too long I think people will be dropping coins in my hat!    I think I can safely say I have got my money's worth out of them!!!