Sunday, January 03, 2016

And crazy like Christmas

I missed the last circuit training of 2015 and the way I feel right now may miss the first of 2016 (tomorrow evening) too.

I've had a cold/cough/sore throat/snuffles in some shape or form for what seems like months but is actually only about four weeks. I've been dosing myself up on vitamin C and echinacea (as well as proprietary cold drugs) but they don't seem to be doing the trick. Maybe I should just let this virus have its wicked way with me and get it over with. 

Although  I think I may continue with the Vicks chest rub and Olbas oil on my nightie: they're rather comforting and warming. Speaking of which, since before Christmas, we've had no heating in the bedroom as the valve on the radiator has gone. It's taken me back to the days of my childhood when I wore as many clothes to go to bed as I did to go out in the day. Husband is waiting for Monday to fix it in case he needs to call a plumber.

Which all sounds rather grumbly and miserable when really I've had an excellent Christmas season. Brief highlights - at least those things I can remember - follow, mostly for my benefit to look back upon.
The Tuesday before Christmas it was the Zac's carol service.
On Christmas Eve I went to RC mass with Uncle and thyen for curry with Husband, Younger Son, Nuora and her brother, Luca, over from Italy.
We had Younger Son, Nuora, Luca, Uncle in his wheelchair, Daughter, Son-in-law and three grandchildren for Christmas lunch. Then it was Doctor Who, Stick Man and Call the Midwife.
On Boxing Day I helped out with lunch for the homeless in Zac's.
Next day it was Nuora's birthday celebrated with lunch in Castellamare and cake for tea.
Little gap I think then before Elder Son, Daughter-in-law and two grandchildren arrived to stay. Including a visit to the pier with the intention of going on the beach. However the wind was so strong we took refuge in the arcade instead, where, remarkably I started off with 50p of 2-pences (or '2s?' as the change man asked me with a puzzled voice when I asked for them) and finished with 46p. (Until I gave them to GrandSon1 to use up.) And Elder Son's shepherd's pie with spicy parsnip mash.
Much fun, eating and merriment interspersed with visits to Uncle and sick friend, and child-minding for Daughter who is about to move. And more time and money spent in Sainsburys than I find possible to believe. 

I still have the tree to take down and feel in need of a Me Day but I suspect that it - the Me bit - will be put off for the foreseeable future! Life's too busy and too good.
Santa's reindeer 


Fry-up at Zac's
I was a bit puzzled by the first present I unwrapped (from Husband)

Antipasti starters for Christmas dinner


But it all made sense later
A Boxing Day walk
Nuora and Luca making gluten-free pasta for Younger Son's lasagne

And then it was Nuora's birthday
Celebrated with lunch at Castellamare 
You can't tell from this photo but the waves were washing sideways across the Pier beach _ I was almost blown over trying to capture it

The compulsory Christmas ice cream with GrandSon1 at the Pier.

2 comments:

Leslie: said...

Hi Liz, lovely blog about your lovely Christmas. I had my 2 girls and hubbies and grandkids this year and it was so much fun. In fact, we were having so much fun we forgot to take photos. Your card just arrived today so thanks very much and may I wish you all a very Happy New Year! How long are Nuora and YS staying? I, too, have been suffering from a nasty head cold from the week before Christmas and it's ongoing with a horrid cough. I tried a trick that I saw on Facebook today - rubbed Vicks vaporub on the soles of my feet and then put warm socks overtop - supposed to last 8 hours and I haven't coughed much at all today. But it's wearing off now so I'm heading up to re-rub! lol Hoping to come to visit in the summer, so let me know what your plans are so we can try to coordinate some time for at least lunch. I'll be staying with Jane in Newport. Hi to all your family from across the big pond and continent! Hugs!

Liz Hinds said...

Leslie, I've just tried emailing you but I'm not sure if I have the right address so if you don't get it, please let me know!