………………………………… Merry Christmas

 

 

 

Its been a funny old month. With so many changes in the household, there, thankfully, hasn’t been the usual manic, excited build up to Christmas.

 

The first tree went up in our house on 28th November! A little bit early for Nanny the Grinch but it is in our daughters families’ lounge so the kids have been able to enjoy it in what seems like forever.

 

The following day our daughter started her new job and the twins started their new school. After the initial nerves and uncertainty, everyone has settled in to their new environments and are very happy. The boys have made lots of new friends and are both thankfully enjoying all the new experiences on offer.

Our first Christmas gathering was quite early, on the 2nd, when we had dinner with a group of long standing friends, whom we’ve known since our schools days. Its always good fun to catch up, and as most of us are now retired, we can enjoy a “merry” time mid week without the worry of having to get up for work in the morning. 🤣 The only trouble is, nowadays we struggle to stay up too late and find ourselves yawning at the table 🥱

The same goes for my second Christmas date, when I had a lovely lunch, with fellow pensioners from work, the following week. The ages range from late 50’s to 90’s, which necessitates the need for lunch rather than dinner, but everyone gets along well and there are a lot of tales from the past, lots of laughter and we are always grateful when the Pensioners Association’s Chairman speech advises us what our pension increase will be in January. 💷 As the elder diners head home, there are, always a few stalwarts ( so I’ve been told 🤣) who stay on afterwards for a gin or two in the bar. 🍹🍸

On the 8th we celebrated, the eldest Grandson in the house’ 18th birthday. He has the opposite character to his older sister and is much quieter. We were quite honoured that he wanted to celebrate with us. Being mid week, and with everyone either at school, college or work the next day, we all went out for a lovely dinner, together with his girlfriend followed by drinks, pressies and photos back at home. His Mum & Step Dad had ordered him an Apple Watch (other makes are available), but it unfortunately hadn’t arrived in time, so she wrapped up a plastic watch strap and apple for him to open. He didn’t get it initially, but it was quite funny when the penny dropped.

 

I think he had a lovely time, but it is sometimes quite difficult to tell!

I have enjoyed a couple of Girlie catch ups. A wonderful walk along our fabulous seafront and obviously tea and a natter at the half way point. Although we catch up regularly we never seem to run out of natter. Most of us then caught up again a week later for lunch with a larger group of ex colleagues. Having known each other for over 30 years we have journeyed together through, marriage, children, the loss of parents and arrival of grandchildren. Work wasn’t always the best place to be, but whilst there I was very lucky to meet some wonderful lifelong friends.

The past couple of years has kept extended family apart, so it was great when my sister in law invited us over, with my mother in law and other sister in law, for a pre Christmas tea. It was the first time we’d all been together since pre pandemic so there was lots of family news to catch up on and hopes of things to look forward to in the coming year. 🤞

By now we were only six days away from the big day, so we thought we ought to think about getting our trees up and decorate the rest of the house too. I’m always a late arrival to the party (bah humbug), but even I usually have my tree up before now. With the boys now off school we had plenty of excited helpers and the excitement grew when they saw the pile of wrapped presents appear under our tree.

 

My sister and I popped up to wish my father-in-law, our parents and grandparents a Happy Christmas, tidying up their spaces and leaving decorations for them to enjoy.

 

The boys have spent a couple of days this week at holiday clubs, making Christmas decorations and giving Mum and myself a bit of time to make final preparations for the big day and even find a bit of time to chill.

 

 

So here we are, Christmas Eve. Our eldest daughter will be joining us later today. Hopefully the boys will settle this evening, so the adults can put their feet up in front of the fire, with a nice glass of Christmas Cheer, before the onslaught of tomorrow.

However you are celebrating the weekend,

I am sending a very Merry Christmas, from all of my family, to yours.

Have a wonderful peaceful time.