Monday, December 31, 2007

31st December 2007


HOGMANAY. Woke up about 7.am thinking about John and started feeling really sorry for myself, so decided to get up and do something. Read paper. Terribly sad news about baby killed by dog. How people can allow pets like that within a 100 miles of an infant, I’ll never know. Sad news too about young footballer’s death. I’m not a football fan, but can’t help feeling sorry about the loss of a young man in the prime of life.He has a young family too. Don’t know why I grumble.

After breakfast decided to do what we always did on Hogmanay - give the house a good clean (though I know it’s clean anyway! Margo said she would help when she came with Jonathan but when Chris came for lunch she helped me a bit. She then took me down street before we had lunch and a blether. Stuart came to borrow John’s car for the day.Also gave him his selection box. He forgot to take it on Christmas day.Did more cleaning in afternoon. Daft I know, but old habits die hard.

Bobby & Arthur both phoned. Bobby came to fix door. Margo and Jonathan arrived. Brought lovely flowers for tomorrow. She said shops are absolutely packed. You’d think there was going to be a
famine! Jonathan and I watched TV. Helped me to make up his bed, Got out drinks, cake, etc, ready for midnight (though I may fall asleep!)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

"Love is in the Air'

30th December

Glad I was at church this morning as Robert made an announcement at end of the service. He is engaged! He then asked his fiance to come up beside him and it was Susan, who has lived in the Pans about two years now. Everyone is so happy for Robert and started clapping.She is a lovely person.I remember she comforted me when I was a bit upset on returning to church after John died. It's wonderful to be able to share in other people's happiness.

Rest of the day quite quiet.Helen came up with leftovers from yesterday. Don't know what I'm going to do with them all(Except for the strawberry meringues!)

Saturday, December 29, 2007

At Home with the Hamiltons

Saturday, 29th December.

Bobby here in morning. Thank goodness took some of rubbish to skip, as I missed bin collection this week and it was overflowing! Sorted wires coming from hut which had fallen down and put new bulbs in wall lights.All the wee tasks John used to take care of.

Had happy afternoon at Helen's again. She had an "At Home" for Rory and Ian & Kirsten and Kenny as both weddings this year.Enjoyed meeting loads of people I hadn't seen for ages and food was provided by Ruth,school friend of Rory who has her own catering business.It was superb. Helen must be exhausted. with all the preparations, visitors,Christmas etc. Her house is super for entertaining, as people can spread out a bit. It has such character too and she has the knack of adding lots of interesting touches to it. Wee ones really enjoyed themselves . I thought they might have been bored, but they had great time. Came home with Arthur and Catherine.Margo & co. called in on way home. Made a cup of tea. Jonathan wants to come and stay with me on Hogmanay.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Happy Christmas

Friday, 28th December

Realise blog is out of sync. better get organised. Going to try to be more positive in New Year. Dare I say it, I’m feeling a bit better. Think doctor may have cracked my problem this time (fingers crossed). Really enjoyed Chris’s party. Very relaxed. All her friends “canny” just like Chris herself. Jim played accordion and I was fine. enjoyed the sing song.Had a talk with Sandra about choir. At nativity play on Sunday, sitting at side got a good view.Really enjoyed it, the bairns are always sweet.One of the angels slid off a bench and was rolling about. So funny. Going to try to sit in choir next week.

Arthur came on Christmas Eve. Talked about John a lot, but not in a sad way. Bobby came. Put handles on cupboards and Arthur helped. Fixed up new microwave. Showed them Christmas cards John and I exchanged over the years. Was going to put them out, but decided to keep them, as apart from the sentimental value, it’s interesting to see how style and wording have changed over the years. You never have "Happy Christmas Dear Sweetheart” on cards now or words like “gay”

Really enjoyed Christmas Day.Big boys here in morning.Dick and Joyce arrived, complete with Santa Claus hats! Dick looks a bit like Santa.Girls on phone.Talked to bairns. All very excited.

Helen came.We went to see Billy at the home before going down to hers. Must say I see a big improvement in the home since Auntie Nettie was there, He was having afternoon rest looking very comfortable spotlessly clean and perfectly dressed, just as he always was, wearing tie etc. Staff very attentive. Managed to get wee smiles from him. Helen wanted me to sing “Stille Nacht “ to him as Katharina used to, but couldn’t manage very much. So sad that she died so suddenly as she always took such care of him.

Great to see Rory and Ian again at Helen's.Brought me beautiful velvet and satin scarf and New Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes.Great for dipping into. Lovely big red scarf from Helen and photograph albums.Kirsten gave me Christmas cake from "Betty’s" of Harrogate, which of course had “Betty’s” on the tin!

Christmas dinner in the gallery. Delicious meal. Had a good laugh later with Kirsten. She got keyboard from Helen and Al, but had forgotten how to play. I showed her the basics and we did some things together. She picked it up again fine as she has a good ear. Stephen,Catherine,Arthur came in later to take me home, so he was playing and singing “Hey Jude” etc.Got home in time to watch “Coronation Street”.I think the writers have been struggling with the plots recently,as some of the stories are a bit far fetched.

Boxing Day great though hectic, but again I was completely spoiled. Kay and family arrived first. All presents end up here, so great excitement. Even more excitement when Margo and gang came. Wrapping paper everywhere. I think Kay managed to retrieve some to recycle. Joyce’s son Alex phoned wanting to bring his wee niece aged two along and his mum. A bit overcome, the wee thing at first, but came round. Ailie enchanted with her.When Kay was going away we were all laughing at Robert going down the path wearing “see in the dark” goggles with torches on the side which Helen gave him. Margo and John had brought meal so John made it all, set table, cleared up etc.Margo and I did nothing. I think she married him, as he’s so like her dad. Had wee quiet weep now and again but all in all a really happy day.

Thursday just re-organised things, tidied up then lazed about. Phoned Jerry about Nan. Seems really worried about her Says it’s the main valve of the heart that’s causing the trouble. Don’t know whether to go to visit or not as she has to rest. So sad that they’ve no family, although very close to all of mine. There’s no-one like Auntie Nan and Uncle Jerry. Phoned back later and spoke to her. Says she would like a visit.Told her we wouldn't stay long. Must discuss with Kay.

Friday usual shopping and hairdresser. Arthur phoned. Playing in Labour club tonight, then Goth tomorrow. At pool today. Wants to take me with him one day. Suppose it would help aches and pains. Margo phoned. Ailie trying on clothes she got for presents. She’s growing up!

On reading this over, it’s all so mundane and I seem so inward looking. I’m still interested in the wider scheme of things however. Shocked about news of Benazir Bhutto and what that tragedy will lead to in that troubled country.

Must do a blog about other news, books I’ve read recently and television programmes I’ve watched.Read this again this morning, had to do spelling and punctuation corrections.Tut tut!

Christmas preparations

Thursday 20th December,

Still catching up. Feel slightly better. Tuesday, Karen next door came to ask if I needed anything at shops. She’s a really good neighbour. Margo came down with bairns straight from school. Brought rolls etc for tea. Bairns looked lovely with school uniforms on. Great help in wrapping up parcels.Helen brought paper, labels etc. She put up Christmas cards. I’m so lucky with family. Kitchen finished at last. Margaret coming tomorrow to help clear up.

Wednesday, 19th December.

Saw doctor. change of medication and to have blood tests etc. Helen took me, then went to Blooms to order holly wreaths. Went to Shona’s wee shop. it’s lovely. bought one ore two things. Kitchen all spic and span and most of dishes back in cupboards thanks to Margaret. Rita here in afternoon. Dick and Joyce came. Back from Bruges. Brought Belgian chocolates.

Thursday, 20th December.

Kay here. Took me last of my food shopping and wine, chocs etc. Wrapped last of presents for me. She’s so organised, it’s great! I’m sure she’ll do well in her new job. Fiona asked me to Harlaw Hill tomorrow afternoon,as Music in Hospitals coming, Very kind, but don’t think I’ll manage. Better have quiet day as Chris’s 70th birthday in evening.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Update

18th December

Trying to catch up. Forgot to mention Jonathan’s choir concert. Wonderful, all those young voices, singing beautifully and looking so happy. Did lots of fun things as well as the classics Jonathan started when he was seven, now he’s fourteen, his voice is deepening so he’s been moved up accordingly. All credit to their teachers!
Kay’s choir at St. Mary’s Haddington was similarily inspiring with lots of audience participation.

Didn’t go to Whitecraig.Thought better rest as going out next day. Still not feeling great Sure it’s very strong medication making me feel bad. Can’t let Ailie dpwn and enjoyed her coffee morning. Very Impressed with school (brand new building) and pupils, They had made lots of things, so Helen & I bought something from every stall. Ailie on bakery stall, singing in choir and playing recorder.There were Highland dancers and a boy was having a sponsored haircut. Margo showed me her wee office and I met some of the staff. She took her wee choir to sing in the foyer of the Festival Theatre on Wednesday afternoon as the people were going in. It was an afternoon for volunteers.

Managed to Preston Lodge in afternoon. Another great concert, though a bit different. More modern. Girls very mature! Some great instrumentalists, especially in the brass and guitar sections. Two second year boys sang “I’m a believer” and they were terrific! Reminded me of Bobby and Arthur singing “Lady Rose”. Arthur was twelve and Bobby fourteen. Girls choir did new version of “In the Bleak Midwinter” -lovely. Lots of cheery modern songs as well as the traditional ones. We were served delicious tea, given free raffle. Good to see good community relations still carrying on at PL.

Too much for me all this gadding about. Pretty useless on Friday,and tiler here for kitchen. Alex Scott took me shopping as Dick and Joyce at Bruges, then took me to his house for lunch with Rita. Rested in afternoon as choir at night.Seriously considering giving up the choir, as I don’t seem to have the strength to sing some of the anthems etc. Arthur thinks I shouldn’t decide too hastily as I may begin to feel better, but I feel if I can’t give of my best I’d rather not do it at all as I’d be letting everyone down. As I said to him I’ve been in it nearly sixty years! I would miss singing though, but “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” John used to tease me when I was going to choir practice. "You should be able to sing by now, all the practising you've done." he'd say. How I miss him, his love, his common sense, his strength.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Busy Week

Tuesday 14th December

Spoke too soon about feeling better as a bit fluey later on yesterday and all day today. Hope i’ll be better tomorrow as some busy days ahead. Tomorrow night going to Whitecraig Church Guild Christmas party with choir. We’re not singing, but it’s usually a good night, with a lovely meal and music. Gave it a miss last year and still not sure about going as it’s the kind of music John and I liked, but I’ll see.

Anyway, Thursday will be busy as Ailie’s class is having a coffee morning at her school and she’s desperate for me to come, so Helen is taking me.Was asked to Preston Lodge History dept as well to discuss memories of WW2 with S3, but had to decline. Sent up folder of material I used when I did it at St Gabriel’s last year and got a nice letter back. Going to concert for Senior citizens at P L in afternoon (if I’m back in time) It’s usually very good. The teacher who organised it used to work with me at Ross High, so ropes me in to get in touch with as many “oldies” as possible to tell them to come along.Port Seton and Longniddry residents come too.

Today, I tried to finish off cards etc. Gardener came to cut back trees, shrubs etc. Put bulbs in tubs for me. Bobby and Pauline away to Innerleithen today. Her Mum is having serious op.tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be fine.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Christmas socials

Monday 10th December

Don’t know where to begin. There’s so much I could have put in a daily blog since last time, so I’ll just have to mention whatever springs to mind. Things becoming quite hectic, now of course, as it is for everyone, but I’m glad to say I’m a bit better, healthwise. Sunday 2nd a pleasant visit from “the Aunties” (Margo’s four sisters - in - law) They were so kind and helpful, I hardly had to do a thing and of course they were laden with gifts! They asked if I needed any shopping done in town and Mary going to get berets (recommended in Scotsman) for two young friends from Accessorize and Marion, vouchers for Helen from Ragamuffin. Bought Helen something from Good Gifts as well.

Last Monday was a Fenton Barns with Chris and Ella. We had lunch at the country store there and enjoyed potato and oatmeal soup which was a full meal in itself!Looked at kitchen chairs at East Linton countrry furniture, but the prices are extortionate, so It’s bacj to Ikea. Tuesday evening at History Society Christmas social, which was very pleasant and relaxing, enjoying excellent buffet, listening to music and joining in with the Christmas carols.Tuesday, Ray came.Still worried about Anna’s wedding. Desperate for me to come to church service in East Saltoun to augment the singing. Kay arrived, so going to take me and she’ll help too. Wednesday, Helen and I went to pick tiles for kitchen and handles for units. Just got back, whrn firm phoned. Worktops to be fitted on 14th. Tiler coming on 17th. I’ll be glad when it’s all finished! Caught up with cards and presents on Thursday. Thank goodness I got most of stuff online.Friday, usual shopping and hair. Quite flustered in Post Office, with parcels, calendars etc to post. John used to attend to these things for me. Dick’s for lunch and Rural party in evening with Chris. Enjoyed it very much, until the entertainers sang “Dunbarton’s Drums, which John and I used to do.

“Dunbarton’s Drums they sound so bonnie
For they remind me o’ my Johnnie....’

Have to stop now