I have sat down and started to write this blog a couple of times already in the last week, but stuff just gets in the way. Isn't it a fact of life that our plans never run smoothly and our lives take unexpected turns when we least expect it. Even though I have rough days myself, my world at the minute revolves around my daughter, Jessica. She isn't getting any better and rarely leaves the house at all at the moment. We have had trips to the Doctors and to Hospital, the few occasions on which she leaves home and we have had to cancel some of those as at the last minute as she couldn't manage it. We have spent the last three years being sent from one person to another and all the time she is just getting worse. We have now been sent back to our GP for referral to a different specialist as the one she was seeing decided the treatment he could provide was the wrong one for her. And so the merry-go-round starts again!
The creative textiles course we started in September looks as though it's not going to be something we can finish this year as she has only attended three classes in all. I don't like to leave her on her own as she is so depressed and upset with herself for not being able to leave the house, so I probably won't finish it this year either. But family comes first. The GP has also decided now to send her to see someone about Autism, it's only taken them 19 years! So we'll see if that actually happens.
I have had her making Christmas decorations over the last couple of days, a bit of messy art can cheer you up no end. The 12 Artsy ornaments of Christmas course only lasted a week but it packed a lot in, so we both have lots of ideas to work on. You will be glad to know no toilet roll tubes were involved! It's a lot more arty and grown up than when my two were let loose with some glue, glitter and a collection of egg boxes etc. (Although the state of the dining room table looks very similar) The results are collecting on one side as our tree won't go up until the weekend before, although smaller bits are starting to creep in.
The advent calendars are the first thing that goes up, they both still have one. Last year I bought them a Lego Star Wars one each and that's what they have again this year. I bought Jessie's first as she said she still wanted one, but Michael (at nearly 21) ummed and arrhed and said he wasn't bothered this year. Then when his sister's arrived he changed his mind and asked if could have one too. I guess they are both still kids at heart, I don't know what Paul's excuse is as he usually has one as well, but his is definitely chocolate!
I am working on a crewel work piece at the moment, it's not something I have done before. I find it easier than normal embroidery as the wool and linen are easier to work with. I've started small with a picture of a bird and it's nearly finished. It's something I can do when Michael is on nights as the sewing machine and dog that insists on barking at it can be a bit noisy. However, Jessie's blanket still hasn't been touched, it's not far from being finished, but has turned into one of those projects I have come to regret starting. The way it's going it'll not be this Christmas but her birthday before it's finished. Just not the birthday it was started for.
Carolyn seems to be nice and busy in her shop as Christmas gets closer. She keeps putting pictures of new stock on her Facebook page, Make Me Fabrics. She has some new ribbons in that are really lovely and some fabric that would make nice table runners. I suppose we all have more ideas than time at this time of year. At least I don't have the mad rush to get this years must have toy or game anymore, no selection boxes or those really cheap bits you buy to fill stockings or because they are in a big box (always important to small kids) it's just a few good presents each and a few homemade bits.
I have to order the turkey from the local butcher yet, I have never been this late getting things done for Christmas. I usually have my delivery time booked with my online supermarket and a collection of dry goods collecting in a cardboard box in the bedroom. Presents are bought and the house is tidied ready for decorations going up, but not this year. I'm working on the ' it's only two days' principle this year, no buying luxury food that just ends up in the bin, no party food (no parties) and no spare presents 'just in case'.
I suppose it's a combination of circumstances, grown up kids, economic pressures and a general feeling of not being bothered as much this year. The thing that truly matters will still be there, my family. We will still watch our ritual run of Christmas films, always ending with White Christmas on Christmas Eve. That's all that really matters in the end isn't it, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. At the darkest time of year we gather together as family, friends and community to celebrate the light. We eat and drink together and remember those who are no longer with us and rejoice with those whose first Christmas it is. The presents and trimmings don't really matter so much as long as we have our loved ones with us and for those who cannot be with their families for whatever reason this year, a time to reflect and hope for a swift reunion.
I am now off to try and return the dining room table to some semblance of sanity, You know for a fact glitter will be turning up for days, but at least we can sit at it and eat. Then it's the boring stuff like cleaning the bathroom and doing the washing. Who says my life isn't fun anymore!
Hope you aren't stressing out too much over the impending holidays and I'll see you all soon,
Love
Louise xx
No comments:
Post a Comment