Christmas Part Three.........Is That All There Is...............??

I feel as if I have been in a wonderful Christmas bubble for a week or so, my own little snow globe.  I can thank all the Gods for the safe return home of our own and extended families and dear friends. This is the thing I worry about most really (guess we all do) what with the awful weather, the overcrowded, mad, motorways and the foibles of transport systems. As the festivities finish, reality soon bites when you read the papers and listen to the news but I will leave that for a blog later in the week.  Joe has steadfastly continued to blog over the season and so I won't repeat everything here but do look at foodandbiscuitsblogspot.com which is full of photos and detail.  What a star!

I can't possible mention everything and everyone who played a part in our family (I will blog about friends later in month) festivities but here are a few of my highlights, in no particular order:-

• On Christmas Eve, sitting back and listening to the banter between all four siblings (Sally, David, Joe and Nick) along with Jo (Joe's gorgeous fiance) Georges, Pierre and Alexi plus Lisa and her amour, Hans.  In the Lodge, having a laugh ....and so grown up. My work is done, I'm redundant!
• The efforts sis-in-law Carmel made to 'stay in the game' despite feeling most poorly.
• The laugh my brother, John, gives us all because he is hysterically funny - and sometimes without realising it!
• The fact that the heating didn't break down this year!
• After opening a pressie of two family collages depicting the older generations on both Mum and Dad's side, my (even more sentimental than me!) sister, Karen, burst into tears and said they were "Better than diamonds."  This of course, set us all off!
• Having both my Dad and Rosie join in with celebrations on Boxing Day.  At 87 and 83 this is fantastic for us. Sadly though, for the first time my Aunty Vera was too ill to join us along with Uncle Rao.
• The fact that the owners of the lighthouse I can see from my window, bother to string lights around it and place a big, plastic Santa inside - thank you!  Also, the new neighbours have lit their house up with lights I think they borrowed from Time Square - great fun!
• The Christmas day which Amira and Rafeek organised for us all was unsurpassable in every way (see Joe's blog). Having live music adds another dimension and we hear everything from Vera Lynn to Oasis, from Redemption Song (must put on U-Tube!) to Oh, You Are A Mucky Kid.  As a mum, to hear everyone singing the words of musician son David's own songs along with him, was so lovely....ah!

I have started to take the decorations down, little by little.  I don't have a real fire at present but I have do have a mantlepiece so still adorn it with foliage and lights etc (Kirsty Allsop, moi?). The two stockings either side of it were made when I was pregnant with each son. I have been reluctant to ever wash them (in case they fell apart, not cos I'm slovenly..well maybe I am a bit!) but did so this year, together with a few other bits.  I can't tell you  have black the water was, I was appalled!  I had to make a few small repairs but they should be good for the next thirty years now...... I hope so as I think maybe I do veer towards the sloven!  Also on the left of it is John's 'flat'at' just to keep him included.

So, all that remains of a fab time and my warm glow is too much fruit (must be an aversion to it at Christmas!), an ailing poinsettia, party popper ribbons trailing from the lights (no doubt, as  a sloven, I will leave until Easter!).  I love my Snowman teapot as he has the 'Ah' factor and makes a good brew but goodbye to him too for another year.

I recognise that I am lucky to have the family and friends I do, and so experience all of this and my gratitude is immense. I know though, that each one of us makes a real effort to ensure that we have the best time and take away warm memories to store and remember during the not so good periods in our lives. Generally speaking, I believe we do get out of life what we put into it and hard work does go into this, although mainly under the guise of 'having fun'.  Add to that, a sprinkling of magic along with oceans of love and the result was the best Christmas possible!

"Somewhere In My Youth or Childhood...." Christmas Part 2

....."I must have done something good." So goes one of the songs from The Sound of Music (oh, just remembered, I went to one of those singalongs things once and it was dire!!) although I sang "wicked" childhood until I just checked the lyrics! Where was I?  Ah yes, discovering boys and ignoring toys.  Being a teenager (in or out of 'love') was sooo boring and Christmas was one big bore and my sister and brother were such a bore and a real pain in the bum and my folks were major boring too. Best to skim over those Christmases then - ha!

I try not to have regrets, or at least, to not dwell on them too much, but there is one.  I was 21 and married.  My mum had cancer (although she was home) but that Christmas was spent with my in-laws and I saw my family on the Boxing Day.  Mum died in the following February and I didn't see it coming.  Although all the signs were there you never think your mum is going to die and I so wish we had been there and I had known to make it a special one for her and my family.  Logically I know it's silly but I guess it plays a great part in why I feel so strongly about seeing and being with those I love over the Christmas period and why it has such meaning for me.  I think the strength of this has only occurred to me as I write this.

This year there will be about 14 of us on Christmas Eve and we will be at mine.  With the 'children' living in different areas (and countries!) it is a great time to catch up, have a laugh and remember family tales and gossip! My lovely future daughter-in-law, sister, sis-in-law, brother and niece will be here too.  Plus me of course, burning something in the kitchen and deciding more mulled wine is the only way to go!  Boxing Day is similar but with my Dad and Rosie too, bless.

When Joe was about three years old and at playschool, he became friends with Shereef and this has remained the case ever since.  His adorable folks, Amira and Rafeek, are two of my closest friends and our families (together with other friends) have spent most of the last fifteen or more Christmases together at their home, with sometimes as many as twenty or more of us.  Now they have grandchildren who add a new dimension to the day - and make us feel a bit old! We eat, drink, laugh and sing all day.  My son, David and sister Karen are both great musicians so the range of music is wide but we still have to sing "Liverpool Lullaby" at some point! 

Last year, Amira and Raf did all this without hot water and with a massive hole in the kitchen ceiling and the year before, some of us were (unknowingly) in various stages of having the dreadful Norovirus, so it can be eventful!

In the buildup to Christmas, my pals and I all try to find time to catch up, have lunch or drinks and exchange (small) pressies.  We are always busy but it can be a real mix of sadness and happiness for some and we all appreciate and acknowledge this.  

I don't think I've had a particularly easy life. I have endured my share of grief and sorrow and money is often in short supply. But, as someone who is more inclined to see a glass half full than half empty, I count my blessing on a regular basis - and as you have read here (and in other blogs) there are many.  Money is not the measure of every (any?) thing, trust me on that one, although it can 'oil the wheels' somewhat.  A good family and dear friends make you rich beyond words, so nurture and treasure yours whenever possible.

Tomorrow I am being treated to lunch at Jamie O's in Liverpool and really looking forward to it.  Perhaps, as the song says,  "Somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good."  I still have a sneaky feeling that Santa actually does exist - and why not!

Only Eleven More Sleeps to Christmas Day!

I am so disorganised these days.  It is a true saying that the more time you have to do something, you longer it takes - if you see what I mean!  Now that I am not working full time, you would think I would be all set for Chrimbo by now but no, I am surrounded by half done everything.  Half the cards are written, some pressies bought but none wrapped yet, only a rough idea what I will cook, a bit of shopping done, flat partly cleaned.  The only things that aren't half finished are the wine and the sherry - ha!  Anyway, here's a card for you all and thanks for reading this 'ol blog. I wonder if we will have any snow this year?  Just on Christmas Day would be ideal! Oh, and two of the images were taken by my sis, Karen (love you!).  I would hate to take all the credit!

I will post the next part of Christmas trio over the next few days - unless I get a better offer that is.....................I am waiting................still waiting......................

Christmas Is Coming - Part One

As I continued to write this blog, I realised it was too lengthy for just the one so I am doing it is three parts - Past, Present and Future.  Feel free to share your experiences too, would love to hear them!

I am quite a sentimental, silly ol' sod all year round so Christmas is the icing on my (sloppy, gooey) cake - although on reflection, I think my sister, Karen, might be even worse! Old films, sherry (just at this time of year) ancient Chrissie decorations, lights that never work, recycled cards and family and friends all around.  Even now, the sweet anticipation and excitement is still in me.  With some loved ones living here, there and everywhere, it is a time to touch base,  enjoy a bit o' bonding and have some fun. Emails, phones and letters are all very good but you can't beat a touch or a hug.  Last year my lovely stepdaughter, Sally and her family couldn't fly out of Paris due to the snow and ice, no matter how hard they tried, and the disappointment was immense.  But, dear reader, please don't think that we have always (or ever?) had extravagant, carefree and joyous Christmases because that isn't the case at all, as I will mention in the coming blogs.

The first Christmas I can remember was when I was four.  Together with my mum and dad, I lived in a tiny basement flat in New Brighton.  I was so excited and had asked for a doll's house for my 'big' present.  I woke about 5am and there is was!  Of course I had to wake the folks up and it was some time later that I learned my dad had only finished making it at 3am - ah, bless! I am sure that stories like this abound across the country - aren't parents clever! 

From then and until I stopped believing in Santa (did I ever?) there was always the book - Bunty, Dandy, Beano - a tangerine, nuts and chocolate money in with all the other 

gifts and all from Father Christmas.  I knew he existed because mum and dad couldn't possibly have found the money for such things.  I remained adamant about this until I had a fight with a boy at school (I was ten!) about it and it was only then  that my folks sat me down and told me 'the truth' and I was gutted.  The first big disappointment in life..ah.  I laugh and cringe at this now in equal measures.

Just after that, I can distinctly remember being taken to Lewis's toy department (it was a wondrous place for a child) in Liverpool, looking all around and thinking there would never be anything to take the place of toys in your heart, ever, ever. Not too long after that I discovered boys and realised that certainly wasn't true!  This was followed by playing the same, parent/Santa role with the four children in our life.  I hope they have forgiven us for the lies!!

This photo shows the picturesque St Bridget's Church in West Kirby.  It was taken in about 1970, not the distant past but any excuse to use it.  Please note how many others ran out with their camera in the freezing snow.  This is one of my best selling cards at Christmas so it was worth getting cold for!

GUESS WHERE?

Throughout the year I have been travelling around to different places on the Wirral and blogging about them.  But, the weather is so foul now and I am such a weather wimp, that I haven't ventured too far away from home recently - well apart from London that is! So just for fun (or until I have something deep and meaningful to blog about!) here are three sets of photo collages on Hoylake, West Kirby and the Wirral in general.  If you are twiddling, dangling or dawdling, then have a look and see how many places you recognise, just for a bit o' fun!  I will only be doing a couple of blogs each week for a while now as I try and get organised for Chrimbo (yeahh!!) but please keep coming back and carry on sending in your lovely comments! Next one should be Sunday xx 

HOYLAKE

WEST KIRBY

Wirral Wide

London Trip Part Two

Where has the week gone?  Did last two sessions at Vintage Radio and loved, loved, loved it!  I get to play all the music I love and talk to interesting people, can't be bad.  Hopefully more in the New Year, will see.  So, back to London........(Iwish!).

If you haven't been, then please try and go to Harrods at some point.  I think it is the best shop in the world!  The first time I went there I was about 26 and felt like Alice in Wonderland, I had never seen anything like it.  It has been called many things - over the top, tacky, expensive- and yes some of that it true but it is also iconic, breathtaking (in more ways than one) and has the most beautiful architecture. I could ride on the Egyptian escalators all day, not least because we were being serenaded from one of the balconies by an opera singer! She was a gorgeous blond in a full length red gown and sang beautifully. Not sure if all the manic shoppers noticed but we did. 
In those early days, the company my husband worked for (Hambro Life) held annual conferences in London. This meant we were lucky enough to stay at a fab hotel and then with the work bit over, John and I would visit  the Harrods sales which were amazing.  I still use a dining room suite (well hammered now!) which we bought there.  What draws me still though are the food halls.  The building is pure Victorian splendor with fantastic mosiacs and tiles (beware of bumping into people as you look up!).  Whole rooms are dedicated to either meat, fish, cheese, pies, pastries, breads and (most importantly for my pal, Pauline) chocolate!

These days I don't have the cash to splash but it doesn't matter because the atmosphere and the ambience is free and I wallowed in that........oh, and bought a pork pie to try as part of http://foodandbiscuits.blogspot.com  quest to find the perfect one!  Not this one though, sorry.  This was the first time I had been to Harrods for quite a few years and not since John died.  I was going to buy a few Christmas decorations but that was a step too far, although I only shed a little tear before pulling myself together.  So, visit Harrods and prepare to be entranced or appalled, depending on how dominant your inner child is!

As some of you will know, I have quite strong views on the role of The Church of England, particularly at this time with a recession and all and I am currently holding a 'dialogue' with the Bishop of Birkenhead - for another blog, maybe.  However, I am not convinced that camping outside St Paul's indefinitely (no matter how well intentioned) serves much purpose either.  No doubt you will, quite rightly, have your own views but at some point they will have to leave and I hope it will be peacefully.  If not, then the irony is that it will cost a huge amount in policing etc to actually remove them, money the country doesn't have right now! Interesting.....................

So finally, here's a small photo collage.  I love London!