Happy Winter Folks!

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Whatever else may happen throughout the years, let us keep Christmas.

Its meaning never ends.

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close this day, remembering friends.

[Hidden]

What a lovely sentiment Good Grief, I am with you on that. I love the Carols and look forward to the Church service on Christmas Day and then the Family gathering for a lovely dinner later on.

Happy Christmas 🍷🍾

[SheffieldJane]

That’s lovely. I hope you have a happy one and a new year filled with health and happiness.

[enan-illuc]

Well said!!!!! and Happy Christmas!

Enan

[Janll]

I couldn’t agree with you more. Focus is the answer! Merry Christmas to you 🎄

[Jackoh]

Yes agree!

[Sandy1947]

Lovely message! Happy Holidays!

[mega]

Am I the only one here who will be glad when it's all over and we can start looking forward to Spring? Don't misunderstand me, I wish you ALL a very happy and enjoyable time but it has gradually become almost unmanageable for me.

I was in America for a couple of weeks when symptoms of GCA started to appear but in my early 70s I still cooked for 11 mouths round the table, although I had the back-up of my son too. I have always been a Christmas -holic. I loved it and did everything myself except grow the turkey - all the stuffings, sauces, cake, mince pies, puddings, pickles, sausage rolls, trifles plus and more. Had the table settings, candles and prettily (appropriate to the recipient!) wrapped prezzies, which my granddaughters loved.

Now, around seven years after the US visit I have not been able to travel back and because I am so weak and wobbly have to manage my whole life on line. My lovely England-dwelling son suggested he and his wife and daughters (both early 20s) come to me to cook Christmas dinner, rather than me go to them and that is what is happening this year. It is still not 'stress-free' though!

I'm really sorry if I come across as a female Scrooge. I am neither depressed or lonely I am just SO debilitated and fatigued, still.

My GP departed for pastures new, a month ago and 'my' Rheumy recently changed my appt. from 15th Jan to 30th April.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mega]

Probably not! I'm not as down about it as you sound to be but we do NOTHING! My cards are in a pile by the TV, I have balcony lights, made mincepies and brandy butter yesterday ( having regretted not bring wheat-free ones back from Malta but mine are better ) But that really is it. We had raclette tonight - the raclette device lives on the dining table in the winter anyway. Tomorrow we'll go to the pizzeria in the village. Boxing Day we'll go to the hotel which should have a "menu".

Being weak and wobbly doesn't preclude international travel, You just have to go about it a bit differently.

This too shall pass....

[mega in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much for your reply PMRpro - and thanks too for your previous one to which I never replied. Appreciated, however.

I think the pronoun (?) we makes a big difference, although I understand your other half has health problems too. I lost mine nearly 14 years ago and "... O the difference to me". I can't recall the short poem this comes from but it hits home.

[mega in reply to mega]

PMRpro

For some reason my computer refused to fulfil its purpose after my last sentence and refused to obey any further dialogue.

I just wanted to say that my son is likely to be thoroughly offended if I said I wouldn't mind spending the few days on my own now. I do it at least once a week so...

I should like to believe your last sentence but I get more sceptical by the week, I'm afraid.

I send my best wishes for your laid-back Christmas. Shall now look up raclette on the net

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mega]

Toasted/melted cheese - the shepherds in the mountains used to set a lump of cheese in front of the fire and scrap the melted surface cheese onto bread or potatoes. Now you get table-top devices with little individual paddles to put things in and melt them under the grill part. Bit like making your own pizza toppings! Everyone gets to choose what they put on so it is ideal for fussy people (OH) or vegetarians because the variety of things you cando is so wide - and it is DIY!

[Grants148]

I agree with your lovely message,have been to our church Christmas Eve service this evening and then on to my son and daughter in law’s for a lovely family day tomorrow,l am so blessed to be part of a family ,there as so many people who will be lonely tomorrow.