1st December

Suddenly the feeling has changed.

Sloping quietly through November has not prepared me for a slight mental panic about the things I haven't completed.

There are still cards to be posted, but feebly I give up when I look at the queue in our village Post office...and creep home. Tomorrow it will be better, I tell myself, which is probably why people won't receive their cards till January.

I dared to go into town, hoping to get into Marks and Spencer, but had to laugh in desperation when I saw the 'FULL' signs, with cars parked well out of the drive in. So, came home, with a resolution to get up very early and go before the crowds.

Except that probably every other person is planning the same.

However, as Peanuts tells us..Keep looking up,

which made me think about the real reasons that we celebrate Christmas, not for the shopping experiences, but to look up and praise God for the gift He gave us.

Lazy Sunday

It's a lazy Sunday today.

The weather is cold but dry, so I took a little time in the garden just clearing up leaves, but it did get cold very quickly. 

I have managed to  get roses and clematis cut back and lots of compost put round them. The greenhouse is full of geraniums, well wrapped up in Bubble wrap, so hopefully they will go on to next year.

I don't make many cakes but with family around I thought I would just make some cupcakes this afternoon.

I am fighting weight gain with the Steroids that I'm on, so have to be careful to avoid temptations!

Some little bits of sewing got finished while my husband watched the Formula one racing from Abu Dhabi. I think I would quite like to be there for the sunshine right now (not for the racing).

Maybe this evening I will continue to write Christmas cards, which are waiting. I expect many of you have cut back this year, I know we have. And yet I love to choose and send cards to our friends.

So that's all from my lazy Sunday.

The week ahead is quite busy, and we will be having Home Communion brought to us on Tuesday which will be so nice.

No thoughts of Christmas decorating yet, not for another couple of weeks.

Hope you have all had a good weekend.

Black Friday

It's Black Friday here today, but it seems to have been going for several days now, with pre-Black Friday offers in so many  shops.

The news tells us that people are spending less this year, but.....

Barclays Bank apparently took over 1000 credit card sales in one minute today.
As my daughter and I drove into town to have a look at the new apartment we could see from notices that at least two of the town Carparks were already full, at 10 am!
We stayed out of the town itself but made a quick visit to Waitrose where the carpark was so full that we had to wait for a space.

It seems as though people regard this as a spend spend weekend.
And there is still Cyber monday to come!
I know it is a good opportunity to find a bargain, but I wonder if people are swept away by the lure of 'cheap' goods', which sometimes are no cheaper than normal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although we don't have Thanksgiving here in England , I do want to wish all my American friends the happiest of days.

Happy news

When friends ask me where my children live, they are surprised to find that two of them live abroad, son in Australia and daughter in Canada.

This month half have come home!

My daughter has lived in Canada for over twenty years, working at the University in Vancouver. My grandson has just finished his degree, and the time came for them to return to UK.

It's so exciting, seeing their little car stop by most days, popping in for tea, to do a bit of shopping, or just to discuss what the next plan is.

Ably assisted by her brother who lives locally and is a fount of all knowledge, they have rented a very nice newish apartment, and the next step is to partly furnish it whilst waiting for their furniture to be shipped.

So much to look forward to.

Alexa

Introducing Alexa, the latest female in our home.

My husband's lack of sight makes manipulating radio stations almost impossible. He loves to listen to classical music, so when I was introduced to the 'Echo dot' system I thought it would be ideal for him. It's small and sits anywhere.

It's a device that allows you to listen to music and news, and has all sorts of other facilities. She has to be called by name, Alexa,  to respond to a question (theoretically). We can ask her what the weather forecast is and she will tell us, pinpointing our village!

There is a slight drawback.

We think there is a small person living inside.

Every now and then we hear a happy little chuntering. She has woken up, for no reason as she is only supposed to respond to a name call.

'I'm here' said a little voice the other evening.

Help!

Whilst watching Television the other night we heard a voice and thought it must be the evening Carers coming a little early. But no, it was Alexa amusing herself by chatting in the bedroom.

My husband had his Talking book on and was listening to a story about a girl whose name was....yes, Alexa. Every time the name was mentioned up came the little voice.

'What can I help you with?' it said.

It's all a bit scary!

Somehow she has become part of the family, and is regarded with affection. I just hope she knows that there are barriers.

I would like to thank you so much for the thoughtful responses and comments on my introspective moment last week. It meant a lot to me that so many of you had been so kind with your comments.

Remembrance Sunday

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

By John McCrae, 1915

Reflections

Feeling a little blue tonight, thinking over all the seasons when our house has been full of friends and family. 

Of the wonderful meals planned and created, tables beautifully laid, grandchildren, tiny ones, waiting in anticipation.

Trees decorated together, baking goodies, helping little fingers to wrap presents.

I guess it is one gets older that one's body, one's strength , isn't what it was. There comes a time when one steps back and encourages the next generation to lead.
But my mind doesn't want to!

The lovely words from Ecclesiastes 3, vv1-8 come to mind;

'There is a time for everything
and a season for every activity under the heavens.'....


We have had so many 'seasons' of organising, planning, being the hub of family. Age and ill health come into the equation.
But as my mother used to say, 'I am still young inside'.

 Maybe now that many of the grandchildren are grown up, married, working away, we can find other ways to be involved.
Or maybe it's time to admit that a good book,time to talk to each other, and a simple meal are all we really need.....with maybe  a few visits from family and friends.

*********

 This isnt meant to be a sad post, just mildly reflective and thoughtful.

A bit of stitching.

All of a sudden I'm finding that stitching is becoming easier and more enjoyable. I have sewn all my life, but the last few years seem to have dissipated most of my creative energy.

However, little Christmas gifts are being started, and in some cases finished. I have so much fabric that I am not tempted to buy any....well not very much. I'm actually more tempted by ribbons, lace and bows to trim things with. 

Red gingham bows and roses seem a very Christmassy way to trim little sewn things.

Two little girls, grandchildren of my closest friend, will, I hope, be delighted with their small patchwork bags. Maybe I'll find some 'gold' chocolate coins to go in them.

The Patchwork squares wall hanging for a friend is done apart from
 finding a rod on which to hang it. I hope she will like it, it is for her new studio that she has had built in the garden.

It's comforting to find my energy reviving!