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!