WEEKLY CHAT (NON-OSPREY) SUNDAY JANUARY 3, 2021

Two tiny glass Christmas trees.  (Picture of my dear late m.in law when young)

Christmas tree in sitting room 30" high, as just measured it.  

I'll stop now!!

LINDA - I just had a good laugh at your photos - glad I never had to dust around all that clutter! We are so different in that respect, but I think you know me and my decluttering well enough not to be offended by that! I can admire your very special pieces, but could not live with them - glad they are yours and you love them! No wonder you have to have so many boxes to keep them all in - have fun gathering them up again. Do you find there is maybe one thing you forget to put away each year? Ours is a tiny nativity which we find lurking next time we clean - this year I did an extra check to make sure it has been put away.

Heather - I do so admire people like your daughters and daughters-in-law who have not stopped supporting children who need them during the last ten months. My niece is a specialist mental health/epilepsy community nurse, and hasn't stopped either. It has been traumatic and exhausting for her, and I admire all of those who have not stopped working, in whatever sphere, throughout the pandemic. I particularly think of people like the 'binmen', who have been wonderful. And the posties. And the delivery drivers. And so many more. What you say is certainly not a rant, but just highlights the difficulties - if nobody takes care of the children so many key workers are not able to work to support other needy people. There's no easy answer.

Lindy - I've just put my decorations away. Took me five minutes! Yours are very pretty and certainly show what you think about Christmas. But like OG, I couldn't live with them. Isn't it a good job we are all different? I do enjoy peeking through other people's windows at this time of year, to see their decorations, though!

Raining here, and forecast for the next two days is wet, wet, wet. Grrrrr I was speaking, on Skype, to a friend who lives just north of Sydney and she says it's cool there, only around 78F! I could do with some of that. But it's raining there as well..

We still have the snow, as I said. But it is slowly melting away.

Yes, OG, its good that everyone is different: I am always fascinated by other peoples "bits & bobs" and what they enjoy. I used to put things hanging from the ceiling when the children were still with us! And of course, they made paper chains which we hung in our large kitchen (at the time). Now, both of my children are different: Eldest and wife go for minimalist of just a lit up tree and cards around, Youngest has all sorts of stuff, some of which I passed on to them as I had too much.

Yes, OG there is often a tiny bit of holly somewhere, found later, but It gets put in a bag which goes in the pile last, with the cards which I buy in January for next time, and my OHs socks which have had to wait to be washed.

I now have to pack: there is a whole plastic box full of china (plates with Christmas designs, gravy boat etc) A box of incidentals - Christmassy coasters for drinks, etc. A bag full of special tablecloths and table runners, plus napkins (not all used this year as no entertaining) A box of Christmassy mugs for kitchen. A bag full of fabric things: Christmas stockings, Christmassy socks (I have to take them away from my OH in case he wears them in July!!!) silly reindeer hats etc. Box for mini tree for sitting room. Bag for front door wreath. A box full of tinsel from the tree. Two boxes of tree decorations. Two large boxes of outdoor lights. One box of indoor lights. Much more but I can't remember it all until I see it!

Heather: We have been hugely grateful to all the workers who have carried on and kept everything going, from the binmen to the nursing staff. I was even grateful for the staff in the supermarket! And was disgusted to hear that they still get abuse on a daily basis from people about distancing, mask wearing etc..

Wow, you really got to town LINDY. That is a lot of hard work and planning. All our Christmas decorations were packed away on Saturday, and apart from family cards on the mantlepiece everything else has gone.

Pat O and Annette I found "Elizabeth is missing" a very powerful drama. Glenda Jackson was superb.

New avatar!  Rose from the summer - remember when it was summertime? Seems like two years ago, for us in the UK now.

Glenda Jackson is a wonderful actress.

Sad to see that Gerry of G & The Pacemakers has died - part of my youth!

So, here in Scotland, from midnight, we are locked down "by rule of law" - even schools are closed until at least 1 February. Very brave announcement by Nicola and her cabinet - I wonder whether Boris will do as well when he addresses the nation tonight (at 8pm for those who want to watch it).

LINDA - ah, yes, I had forgotten your christmas crockery and tableware - and all for just the two of you in 2020! I like the cheery colour of your new avatar. Hadn't seen the news of Gerry Marsden - too many faces from our youth disappearing - makes us think of our own mortality.

DIBNLIB - pleased to see you recommend "Elizabeth is Missing" - we recorded it first time round, deleted because we never watched it, but now recorded again! Trouble is we have recorded a lot through the hols, and so far watched very little.

E-E has been cleaning - still doesn't have a day for elders'meeting and was free so brought cleaning day forward to leave space on Thursday. Both finding time on our hands this afternoon. J is bustling about - he is also cleaning and tidying. Our first diary and menu session went well yesterday - planning a week at a time as that fits shopping routine. Several days where either J or I have a different meal - and one day he cooks the main meal for us all.

Unknown said:

So, here in Scotland, from midnight, we are locked down "by rule of law" - even schools are closed until at least 1 February. Very brave announcement by Nicola and her cabinet - I wonder whether Boris will do as well when he addresses the nation tonight (at 8pm for those who want to watch it).

God only knows.  He's not exactly at ease when addressing the electorate.  I'm at a loss as to how he came to be in this position.