Advent 2010

Posted on by
Reply

This is the last page of my Advent book, finished just before 12th night as I had hoped (hooray!) I didn’t get ’round to posting my pages each day so the whole project is here.

December 26th

Boxing Day is such a lovely day almost a Christmas day part two. The house is full of lovely things to eat and drink, there is time to play with the Christmas gifts, time to have a lie in and a non-cooking day. We have a beautiful fish platter (a Christmas treat) and a wonderful sherry trifle in the fridge for today.
I have loved putting this advent book together again although this year I found it tough going.
I was busy at work, Paul wasn’t busy with work but Ben was working which was really strange. I also tried to keep up with my blog posts.
I have a few days off work now so the plan is to finish this, my Simple Things book and In My Garden book.
I would like them all ‘done & dusted’ before 12th night.
On Boxing day, in the evening, Paul & l always talk about ‘Christmas day’ & how it was for both of us.
Christmas is always a difficult time for me, I am never really happy and I am always pleased when the day is over. I really hate feeling like this and try so hard to fight it, so in the late evening, when we are alone, I like to talk about all the good things. So for the first time ever I have put some of my thoughts into words. But, as its a first, here is a list (my name is Miriam and I make lists) of all the best bits, with no great long explanations or explanations of any sort.
This year we decided to exchange just one gift each. This plan completely failed when it came to my gift/s.
I stuck to the plan with Ben, we bought a gift for Paul
I stuck to the plan with Paul, we bought a gift for Ben
They didn’t stick to the plan and each bought me a gift
We all loved what had been so carefully chosen for each other
My brother Alan came over again & as agreed, only ephemeral gifts were exchanged this year, it was just perfect
My lunch was beautiful
Alan’s champagne was chilled and sparkling
I talked to all my brothers
We laughed loads
It was perfect
I know I am loved
This has been cathartic. I will write more about it, but not here.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Posted on by
1

4th January

This is the last straw. You know I detest bagpipes. The place has now become something between a menagerie and a madhouse and a man from the Council has just declared it unfit for habitation. At least Mummy has been spared this last outrage; they took her away this afternoon in an ambulance. I hope you’re satisfied.

In my garden 2010

Posted on by
Reply

In my garden, the last page in my year long project. I have really loved doing this project, both in terms of the diary writing and getting out and taking the pictures. Like all these books we do, it is so good to look back on.
The complete project is here

 

December 2010

In my garden December 2010


We have had the coldest December for many years. Beautiful sunrise followed by frost, snow, icy winds, or morning fog before wonderful sunsets has been the pattern for this month. Most of the plants in the garden are blackened with frost. All but the basket by the back door and the bay tree have suffered in this weather. The week before Christmas brought heavy snow which is taking days and days to go. The paths are treacherous but the roads are now clear. The lawn looks like the Somme where the snow and Pepsi have been! Monday 27 December

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Posted on by
Reply

3rd January

As I write this letter, ten disgusting old men are prancing about all over what used to be the garden – before the geese and the swans and the cows got at it; and several of them, I notice, are taking inexcusable liberties with the milkmaids. Meanwhile the neighbours are trying to have us evicted. I shall never speak to you again

Emily

Simple Things Project 2010

Posted on by
Reply

Here is my last page for the Simple Things Project that I have been joining in with over at IACW
The girls actually finished with a word for November but I couldn’t leave it finished there. So the word I choose for December was Hope, I thought it kind of summed up the end of the year 2010 and the start of the New Year, 2011

December ♥ Hope

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life.
Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

Hope goes with prayer in my mind

At the end of a very difficult year filled with so much change and uncertainty for us as a family, I am hoping and praying for stability in 2011

Some of the things I am praying for right now:
Always top of my list is work for Paul
The sale of the house
Ben’s three-month review with Apple will have a positive outcome for him.
I will have the motivation and will power to loose some weight, then I will have more energy for work and to walk Pepsi.

I am also praying that Gerard and Martin will be well and that as a family we will be strong for Sara & Brian as they face a difficult and uncertain future with Alec.

Reflection

I have enjoyed doing this project although towards the end of the year it was more difficult to keep going.
I am pleased that I wasn’t too ambitious with it!
It was organized by a group of people whose commitment waned as the months went by making it hard sometimes to keep my enthusiasm up!
Never the less I hope that in the future it will be nice to look back on 2010 to remember that there were some good times.

My competed (hooray!) project is here