HAPPY NEW WEEK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates the day. I hope you all have a joyful, peaceful time.
My heart is with those who are missing loved ones during this holiday season.
Tonight is the longest night of the year. It's very cold here, and some snow is glistening in the moonlight. The wildlife are hibernating in their burrows.
Love and hugs to all.
Been struggling with the church magazine to try to have it done before Christmas day, although OH will probably not be printing till Saturday! I had to email Minister this morning to ask for his regular letter! He won’t have been very pleased, and I know he is working through Christmas, but so am I!
J successfully found a person on the telephone line to the housing company so is now listed as declaring an interest. Closing date Tuesday, so probably won’t hear anything until Friday!
OH went to tesco this afternoon for veg top-up – said there were lots of bargains, but he didn’t spend time looking for any extras. Decorations were deposited in the two rooms last evening, mostly still in their boxes and awaiting batteries! Will they get finished this evening?
LINDA - Bonnie may be 10, but she is still a pretty young lady! Will she be going with you to visit Amber? Have a wonderful time there.
DIBNLIB – sorry your OH is still not feeling good. Sounds as if you are getting some good doggie walks with friends for you and Benson to talk to.
OG - fingers crossed for J
HARELADY - I should imagine that your brother in law will be in hospital for a wee while yet. They kept me in for quite a few weeks after my femur fracture. Well of course, I was already an inpatient following the shoulder fracture... What a pity, though, your sister will be so upset.
EVERYONE - I hope to get here before Christmas Day ! I shouldn't complain and am very grateful for all the family visits I am getting but I'm not used to seeing so many folk and feel quite tired !
Visitors can be tiring HEATHER Look after yourself.
LINDA – Happy birthday to Bonnie.
RUSTY – I envy you the 9 Lessons & Carols. We have not had them for years - the anti- χmas people have taken over our TV programming. However tonight we can watch the Edinburgh Tattoo. That used to be a New Years Eve special!
DIBNLIB – Dau#2 has made a new friend while walking her dog. . . or rather Toby has made a new friend!
OG – I hope J is successful.
I had to ask Dau#1 “was I not invited” to the family χmas lunch. It seems she thought I would not want to drive so far (an hour each way). I don’t, but I shall now I have been "invited".
I have decided to celebrate my Christmas early, on χmas Eve. I am saving the turkey roll (breast) for Dau & Trio when they come, probably New Year as girls have to fit in weekends with their father. Yesterday I bought myself another turkey roll (it was on special), this one thigh meat that I prefer, and I am cooking it this arvo. I shall slice the leftovers and pack into single serves in freezer to enjoy whenever I want.
A Health and Safety Christmas Message
Please be advised that all employees planning to dash though the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are required to undergo a Risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs. This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers.
Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks by night.
While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practised in various parts of the world, everyone is subject to hospitality guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Further caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as aromatic resins that may initiate allergic reactions.
Finally, in the recent case of an infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.
I am back from a very pleasant stroll round Chester Zoo. There was a lovely atmosphere there. I am looking forward to the 9 lessons and carols. Sorry those who can’t the same kind of programme.
Tomorrow I have to leave early to get to my sister’s church by 10. We will be joined by her daughters, sons in law and grandchildren before we all go back to her house for lunch and much merriment I suspect. I intend to drive back in the evening as the weather looks favourable. AQ - unlike you, my drive just takes 35 minutes. So may I take this opportunity to wish all posters and lurkers a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
Rusty - I am listening to tne Nine Lessons and Carols as I type. Now Christmas has really begun! Off to the Midnight Communion service later,where I am doing things. Chester Zoo sounds like such a good idea for Christmas Eve - glad you enjoyed it.
I echo others in wishing everyone who reads this a very happy Christmas, whatever you are doing. And may 2025 be peaceful, happy and healthy for all of us.
Thank you and to all those who post here "A Very Merry Christmas" This site is a source of good will to all.
Yes, Pat. I am listening and eating a piece of Christmas Cake (with cheese because I was brought up in Yorkshire.) I love the familiar readings and congregational carols, but I am afraid these modern dissonant carols the choir are singing do nothing for me.
Rusty - I agree with you about the 'newer' carols. I'm a traditionalist, and enjoy hearing the Bible readings from the Authorised Version, particularly the last one. I do enjoy the good old carols, though. I wish we had had more of them at our own Carol Service last Sunday ... far too many modern ones, and some really awful 'mash-ups' that would have caused poor Georg Frederic Handel to spin in his grave. Why do people do that???? I'm now about to have a slice of delicious coffee and walnut cake - a wonderful gift from a neighbour this morning.