Wednesday 19 December 2018

My December so far

I never intended to go AWOL for quite so long, but you don't need me to tell you how life sort takes over at this time of year.


The decorations went up earlier than usual as I was hosting our book club party. It was only as I was putting out all the usual bits and pieces that I started to feel  quite sad that this is probably the last time I will decorate this house for Christmas.


And it does lend itself to bit of decorating!


It's a great house for parties too... and boy have there been parties over the years! There have been birthday parties and barbecues, fancy dress parties, post production parties and of course lots of Christmas parties. But it is ridiculous for two of us to be rattling around in all this space just so we can throw a good party or two so I'm trying not to feel sad.


As well as parties there has been shopping and except for food I have mostly finished Christmas shopping, even managing to treat myself. This little cactus makes me smile every day with its cheery blooms. It's the best £3 I've spent this month.


This month there have been some lovely walks too with some beautiful sunsets... although I got rather wet and muddy this morning. The downside of having a dog is you can't really choose when to walk, although I often think that is the good part too, as it makes me go out and walk everyday whatever the weather.



And of course there has been plenty of baking... all the usual mince pies and Christmas cakes, as well as Rocky Road and chocolate orange brownies for the afore mentioned party. I think they might just be my favourite ever brownies


Youngest son is still finding life a challenge at the moment and I had to bring him back home again at the weekend. I wouldn't have minded quite so much if I hadn't managed to get a parking ticket in the process. My own fault... I was collecting him from his brother's  where it is resident only parking. I took a chance as I knew I was only going to be ten minutes (plus it was pouring with rain) but as bad luck would have it I chose the same ten minutes that the warden decided to wander up the street. It didn't seem fair under the circumstances but there was no point arguing so I've paid up!


But I guess  the biggest news of all since I was last here is that we've sold our house this week, so it definitely will be our last Christmas here. There are an awful lot of memories here aside from parties... twenty nine years of memories. My children all grew up in this house and Stewart and I held our wedding reception in the garden, but I'm being positive and thinking of the exciting times and adventures that lie ahead in 2019. 


And I'm trying not to think about all the clearing out involved in moving from a large five bedroom family house to a three bedroomed cottage... we can worry about that after Christmas! Anyone want a piano?

32 comments:

  1. We downsized when the children left home but then we had grandchildren and the bungalow we had moved to just wasn't big enough.So,four years ago we up sized and are now in a 4 bed roomed 2 bathroom house again.Before you move think about the long game.Good luck.Barbarax

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  2. Hope all goes well with the move. A new year with a new home sounds exciting. Enjoy your last Christmas in your old home. B x

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  3. It must be a very bittersweet time for you, but great that the house is sold. I miss my garden more than the house itself, but not the amount of work needed to keep it looking good. You are all going to be well fed over Christmas by the look of things and I hope 2019 will be a really good year for you all.

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    1. I love the little garden in our new place (hopefully) big enough to enjoy yet small enough to be manageable.

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    2. That sounds perfect - congratulations on the sale. Enjoy the new year.

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  4. Now that’s a great Christmas gift that the house has sold. The memories will go with you Gina and your photos of this Christmas will be a great reminder. Sorry to hear about your son-this time of year with its short days is definitely not helpful to good mental health. Enjoy your final days in this home-it will soon be someone else’s house and you will take your loving and nurturing home with you to the smaller cottage. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you Catriona. I'm quite looking forward to the new start really... just not the clearing out! Happy Christmas x

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  5. Oh, yes, park the packing worries for now and just enjoy Christmas. Here's to an exciting 2019!

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    1. Thank you Liz... and wishing you a happy Christmas too! X

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  6. I commend you on looking on the bright side of things. The house decorations are lovely and I'm glad that your little purchase is giving you pleasure. It is the little things in life that mean the most. Merry Christmas.

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    1. I couldn't agree more... it's the little things in life that make a difference! Xx

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  7. Best of luck with your move, hope it's not too far away. Merry Christmas. Anesha :)

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    1. Will still be local Anesha! Happy Christmas x

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  8. So many memories attached to your house - difficult to move on I imagine. However, you'll make your new house your home and before you know it, you'll have your first party. Best of luck with the move. Have a wonderful Christmas, too. xxx

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    1. I have no doubt there will be parties in our new home too! Happy Christmas Christina x

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  9. OMG! The last time I saw one of those cacti was over 10 years ago in my mum and dads bathroom and would you believe I saw one today and bought it for the memories then, lo and behold one shows up on your blog. Mine cost £4,I was robbed. Enjoy your Christmas Gina and look forward to all the new adventures in your new home in 2019. Onward and upwards.

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    1. £4 still sounds like a bargain! Happy Christmas x

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  10. Perfect timing, Gina. In with the new...and all the exciting changes that might bring. Hope the Great Move goes well. And Happy Christmas of course.

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    1. Exciting times ahead indeed! Happy Christmas x

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  11. Well done for looking forward Gina - it's the only way to go really. Hope you all have a terrific Christmas - just leave worries about the move until later, there's no point crossing bridges until you get to them. Look forward to see you in what I hope will be a very happy new year. Terry x

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    1. Happy Christmas to you too Terry. I loved the card! Looking forward to meeting up in the new year x

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  12. Wishing you well with the move Gina ... new memories to make!!
    Hope your boy feels better soon.

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    1. Thank you Vivienne... and happy Christmas x

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  13. Oooh, I love the way you've arranged those brownies -- I want to reach in the screen and grab one! Sounds like you have common sense to down-size (coming from one with no common sense LOL). I feel for you with the clean-out -- we've just spent 10 months cleaning out my mother's large house getting ready for an estate sale -- what a job. And now I can't leave my large house because I have her and too much of her stuff here LOL. Good Luck -- and if you find someone who wants a piano -- I have a big one to go too (tried to hire movers to move it to mom's for the estate sale but they wanted way more than it's worth -- will have to advertise it for free when I get organized.) Merry Christmas!

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    1. It seems so sad that nobody wants a piano these days. When we were growing up every home had one. Happy Christmas x

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  14. Congratulations on the sale! So many memories when you've been in a house for 29 years but I'm sure there will be lots of lovely new memories too. Have you found a new place yet? x

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    1. Yes, a beautiful little cottage in the next village. It felt right the first time we went in so I know there will be good times there.

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  15. Lovely and all the best with the house move. I hope you have or will find a place where you can continue to entertain - who needs too many bedrooms for that? :) All the best over the Christmas and may the year ahead be one of things falling into place in a good way for you

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    1. Thank you Joanna. We have found a lovely little cottage with all the space we will need so exciting times ahead. Happy Christmas x

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  16. How exciting to have a new house to look forward to! I hope it loves you as much as the current house does.

    Merry Christmas, too!

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