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.
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| Santa's reindeer |
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| Fry-up at Zac's |
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| I was a bit puzzled by the first present I unwrapped (from Husband) |
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| Antipasti starters for Christmas dinner |
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| But it all made sense later |
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| A Boxing Day walk |
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| Nuora and Luca making gluten-free pasta for Younger Son's lasagne |
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| And then it was Nuora's birthday |
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| Celebrated with lunch at Castellamare |
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| 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 |
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| The compulsory Christmas ice cream with GrandSon1 at the Pier. |
