Christmas/ New Year over.............and life goes on

It’s officially over, my grandchildren are returned to their mother, the decorations are back in boxes on the top shelf of the cupboard, the house is clean and tidy and not one morsel of junk food remains in this house. Its back to porridge for breakfast home made veggie broth for lunch and fish or eggs for tea.
My next major task is stripping and redecorating the stairway. It’s not a job I’m looking forward too but; once the stairway is done, the whole house is done. Yep this is the final stage in the complete redecoration of the whole house. It’s taken me a couple of years to strip every room back to the plaster and start from scratch, but I’m almost there. The only thing that stands between me and the complete redecoration of the entire house is the stairway.  And when I’ve actually done the whole house, I’ll sit back and think, wow what an achievement.
But; before the redecorating begins there is something else I have to do. I made the decision a while ago to get myself a dog. I’ve had a canine companion for most of my life but when my last little one died about 5 years ago I decided not to get another until I retire. Well here I am retired and looking for a faithful friend. I went to the rescue kennels today to see the handsome chap at the top of the page. He is a border collie, about 3 years old and called Sammy. I saw his picture on the local dog rescue site and immediately felt drawn to him. He is a fantastic dog, he’s friendly, gets on well with kids and other dogs and like a game of fetch. He doesn’t seem to know the difference between sit and down, when you say sit………..he lies down but the learning potential is defiantly there. Apparently he was picked up by the police in a nearby town and taken to the local pound to wait for the owner to reclaim him. No owner showed up so he was passed on to dog rescue to be rehomed. I absolutely loved him but the people at dog rescue tried to steer me toward a smaller, more placid, black and white female collie called Bobby. They think Sammy could be a bit much for me to handle, they are right, he is a big strong dog and he does pull on the lead, but I really liked him as soon as I saw him and I’m sure he would learn not to be so boisterous.  Bobby is ok, a very sweet little dog but I think she is too submissive and she doesn’t seem to interact with people very well, she wasn’t interested in playing, she just wanted off the lead so she could run off on her own.  Also as soon as she was shut back in the kennel she started dancing round and round in circles, chasing her tail and barking. I think she could have some separation issues and would maybe bark and whine when alone in the house, especially as she has already been rehomed once and returned after 6 weeks because she didn’t settle. The People at the kennels seemed to blame the new home. They said the new owners hadn’t been exercising her enough and left her on her own too much. This may have been true, she was obviously over weight which makes me think she needed exercised but I’m still not sure about her. I hope to go back to the kennels tomorrow and get a better look at both of them. Apparently another couple are going to look at Sammy tomorrow and I have a feeling the rescue people want Sammy to go to this couple and not me. I feel as if Sammy is meant for me but if it doesn’t happen, maybe he’s just not the one. Maybe little Bobby is the one meant for me. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see. Today I went with the grandchildren who have been staying with me plus their mother and that turned out well because both dogs got on very well with the grandchildren.  Tomorrow I’m going with my other daughter and her Daisy Dog. What ever dog I end up with has to get on well with Daisy Dog because when I go away my dog will stay with her and when my daughter goes away Daisy dog stays with us. It’s all quite exciting. Will keep you posted.

It's Christmas Eve...........so far so good :-)

The clock has just crept past twelve which means its Christmas Eve. Every day I tell myself I’m going to sit at the kitchen table for a couple of hours and get on with some painting, So far it hasn’t happened, the run up to Christmas happened instead.  I started this one a couple of weeks ago in the Thursday afternoon art class, and its not been touched since then.

 I’ve also got a couple of pet portraits to do. Once I’ve finished all of that; I have a unique portrait to paint. I plan to paint a portrait of a lovely lady who sadly passed away; the portrait will be a special surprise for her husband. This one I have to get right which is why I can’t have any distractions and every thing else must be finished first.Anyway…………..so much for good intentions, as I said, I’ve spent no time painting recently, Christmas preparations took over for a while. But, as I sit here in the early hours of Christmas eve, mentally running through my check list, I can safely say, that’s it, I’ve finished for another year. 
Cards printed and posted, presents bought and wrapped, the house is looking suitable festive and the cooking is finished.
I’m not actually cooking Christmas dinner this year, Tomorrow, well later today actually,  my daughter is cooking a huge Christmas dinner for her sisters and their families and of course me. We are all eating together on Christmas Eve and then doing our own thing on Christmas day. 

My allocated contribution to the Christmas Eve meal was the sweet course. I’ve made strawberry ice cream with the last of the garden strawberries from the freezer, a big sticky chocolate cake and some macaroons with lemon curd filling. I’m quite proud of my macaroons, I’ve never attempted macaroons before and although not perfect, they turned out OK. 

I even made the lemon curd filling myself which was another first. I’ve just finished the last of the home made lemon curd on some toast, and I have to say, it was delicious. Thought I should make some basics to counteract all the rich food of Christmas so I also made a large pan of veggie soup and a nice seeded loaf to go with it. Think this will be my staple diet for the times when I’m home alone.

On Christmas day I’m eating at the a little Italian restaurant with a friend who would other wise be on her own. I’m quite looking forward to Christmas day, I’ll get up at my leisure, open my presents, meet my friend for our meal and then come back to a peaceful afternoon and Christmas movies on the TV.

And on Boxing Day, the painting really does start in earnest. I’ll have at least three days of uninterrupted painting before the grandchildren arrive to stay for the week.  

So that’s me, ready and waiting, let the festivities begin. I hope Santa is good to all of you, may you all eat drink, be merry and celebrate the season. I feel optimism; I find it strangely reassuring to know the shortest day has passed and we are already on our way to shorter nights and a sun that rises higher in the sky.   

Christmas cards

I'm just about to post the first of my Christmas cards. I've written all the ones to the US first followed by Europe and then the UK, figured its safer to post those that take the longest first. I know I'm not online very much right now but I really do want to send all my online friends a Christmas card. If I don't have your address or if you don't receive a card from me within the next week or so.............please let me have your address  
Thanks   :-)

Dec 26, 2008, Multiply, (ONE I FORGOT), post Christmas

Post Christmas Musings

Dec 26, '08 9:55 PM for everyone

Another Christmas come and gone, all that worry, all that preparation, spending, wrapping, posting, buying and ''organizing''.............all done and dusted for another year. And I'm happy to report I've survived this mammoth, annual, stress-buster more or less intact.

Everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) was completed in my house by the morning of Christmas Eve. Two of my three daughters and ALL of my grandchildren were visiting and eating lunch in my house that day, the other daughter had to work which was a bit of a shame. After lunch I went back with my eldest daughter and her daughter to spend Christmas with them. Back at her house we, that is the granddaughter and I,  made mince pies, did some last minute wrapping, made orange and clove ball table decorations and made our authentic yule log out of cotton wool, old Christmas cards, glitter and a piece of driftwood. After our evening meal off we all went to the town square to participate in Carol Singing and Mulled Wine,  accompanied by the local brass band, and all very civilized. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera so the only photo I have is a very poor quality snap taken with my 'phone. Better than nothing I guess.
Christmas day started at about 4 am. This is when my granddaughter woke up for the first time and asked me for the time, she then woke up more or less every half hour until 6.30 when I allowed her to put the light on and start chatting, at which point she woke her parents and Christmas day began in earnest. It passed in a blur of food, wine, movies and the sound of wrapping paper being torn apart with great gusto. By the evening exhaustion set in and off to bed we went, grateful to sink into oblivion. Thankfully every one slept quite late on Boxing day and after a late, leisurely breakfast (did I really need MORE food??) my bags were packed and I was taken home..............so.............here I am.
 Post Christmas, back in my own little house, alone, mulling over the events of the last couple of days and thinking about what changes I need to make to my life over the coming year.

The obvious and usual are top of the list.......''I really do need to lose weight and get more exercise'', nothing new there, I think that every year. But I suppose this year I should make more of an effort than I have in the past, my health really deserves it, needs it even. But on a more positive note; I'm going to try to do a lot more drawing and painting. At the moment I only seem to find time to do it in class but what I should be doing, is drawing and painting most days if not every day. What I would like, my own little dream, is to have enough work of sufficient quality to stage a small exhibition. This is something I am going to work toward.

Which brings me back to here.............my Multiply page and you..... my friends. This has all been such a wonderful experience for me this year, I have loved being online, getting involved in every thing, and getting to know every one. I think if I am serious about drawing a bit more and maybe taking an exercise class I shall have less time here. Less online time should just mean posting a bit less but still keeping in touch with people.  At least thats they way I hope it pans out because I really have enjoyed every thing here over the last year and don't intend to lose it.

Oh...........another change, I am going back to restricting my posts to contacts only, at least for a while. This is due to the only blot on my happy Christmas experience. I've discovered a person who I don't much want contact with has been 'hanging' about my site, this person has set up their own multiply site in order to leave little messages for me, not quite sure why, but the easiest way of dealing with this is to keep my posts for network only. SO.............for a while at least that is what I'm going to do. I'm sure I've said this before in a similar situation but.........if you can't access anything just let me know and I'll add you as a contact.

There are of course the little glitches, or ''blips'' with multiply, odd things do happen and seem to be happening to more people more often, so my sincere New Year wish is for Multiply to sort out all of its little problems. At the moment I think I am one of the people who are receiving email alerts from ''Multiply friends'' offering dubious links. And of course I still can't use my media locker, that has been out of bounds to  me for ages. Then there are the countless people who suddenly find they are unable to post or who double post every thing, or who can't comment..............etc etc etc.............the list goes on. BUT; despite all the little so called glitches I love the multiply experience and hope to spend next year building on it.

Well...............guess thats it for my post-Christmas Musings, guess the only thing left for me is to wish each and every one of you a very, very

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Tags: musings, christmas

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delete reply acousticeagle wrote on Dec 29, '08 I guess the best thing to do is totally ignore the person that's doing some passive/aggressive stalking of you. Totally ignore them. You can't change their behaviour, even though the thought of them trying to 'get at' you is so irritating. If you accept to yourself that there's nothing you can do to change 'them', then what you need to do is reject and ignore, and when they post immediately delete their comments. You can block them and then they won't be able to comment at all. Don't feel bad about this! I've had to do it too. It's part of the beauty of being in a social network. I've found that most people I've known have been caring individuals, but then you'll get some needy soul who desires attention that does not sit well with you, and because this person has 'issues' they've made you a target. It's sad that they are like this, but one has to give such a person up to God and move on. You're on the internet to have fun and enjoy good company, but you don't owe anyone who's trying to spoil that for you because of their own issues. I think sometimes we are always going to find people like that, it's just part of being in an online community. Actually, Loretta, it's good that you've shared this because I've found that when people speak up about problems, others feel some kindred spirit about it, so keep up the good empathatic word!

delete reply dianahopeless wrote on Dec 28, '08 I'm so happy to hear your Christmas was a good one. In spite of my fears to the contrary, mine was a really good one too. I am counting my blessings Loretta, and I count you as one of them. Looking forward to the New Year, hope it is a good one for all of us!! ((HUGS))

delete reply luluone wrote on Dec 27, '08 wish you all the best in the coming year of 2009 Loretta!

delete reply aimlessjoys wrote on Dec 27, '08 I''m thinking post-Christmas, too, & I think your experience sounds pretty good! As for New Year's resolutions, I don't make those, but admire those who do. Have Fun & NO GUILT if you're doing your personal best, that's all that matters! Cheers to the New Year, too!

edit delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Dec 27, '08 seanymph3 said Psssssst .......its not the new year yet so its ok (wink) :) THANKS, never thought of that so I feel less guilty now :-) LOL

delete reply seanymph3 wrote on Dec 27, '08 forgetmenot525 said Anyway..........I seem to have broken one of my aspirations for the new year already........I was going to get on with a little drawing today but instead I have spent quite a while catching up with people here and having a look around.............Ahhh well...........tomorrows another day as they say. Psssssst .......its not the new year yet so its ok (wink)

edit delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Dec 27, '08 Hi everybody and how nice to see you all here...............yep Christmas was good this year just hope it was good for you folks too. Think my little cyber-stalker got the message, I left this post open to every one so that should do the trick. Maybe I should be worried..........not the first time this has happened to me maybe I attract weirdos! Anyway..........I seem to have broken one of my aspirations for the new year already........I was going to get on with a little drawing today but instead I have spent quite a while catching up with people here and having a look around.............Ahhh well...........tomorrows another day as they say. Happy New year to every one.............enjoy the rest of your holidays

edit delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Dec 27, '08 veryfrank said don't think that this could be better stated Thanks Frank................ohhhh I like your idea of doing it all in January..........maybe even buy the cards and presents in the January sales...LOL..........but somehow it just wouldn't be the same.

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delete reply seanymph3 wrote on Dec 27, '08 Report those email problems to customer service. I did and they stopped. I was getting links and mail from people I dont even know. I even blocked them and it didnt stop. It is a Multiply glitch. Lots of people have said they will be spending less time here and thats ok. We should be living real life anyway. Once this house gets on the market Im sure Ill be here less too and then offline awhile till I find a new home. This is just my entertainment since tv is awful. Ive made alot of friends tho and I will keep in touch with them on here still because I enjoy it. Sounds like you had a very nice Christmas, Im glad. Cant wait to see what other pictures you draw, you have a way with faces that I wish I could do . Hugs.

delete reply msowens1 wrote on Dec 27, '08 it sounds like a most wonderful Christmas time, shared with the most special people.... you were very well organized and made the time to enjoy it all.... Happy New Year to you, too.....

delete reply kentuckydeb wrote on Dec 27, '08 HI I LOVED YOUR CHRISTMAS DAY STORY WHAT FUN. THE PICTURES ARE GREAT AND SHAME ABOUT UR LITTLE STALKER. WISHING YOU A GREAT NEW YEAR. I HOPE TO CONNECT MORE WITH MY FRINDS IN 09 AND YEP LOSE WEIGHT WOULD BE GOOD ALSO. HAVE A GREAT DAY . DEB

delete reply bennett1 wrote on Dec 27, '08 When I was a kid, there was a period between Christmas and New Years when my mother and we three children, off from school, used to spend the days relaxing, playing and laughing. That is such a pleasant memory I never feel like Christmas is over until - sometime in January, actually.

delete reply kvnwheeler wrote on Dec 27, '08 Sounds like a real nice Christmas, glad you had a good time.

delete reply veryfrank wrote on Dec 27, '08 forgetmenot525 said Another Christmas come and gone, all that worry, all that preparation, spending, wrapping, posting, buying and ''organizing''.............all done and dusted for another year. And I'm happy to report I've survived this mammoth, annual, stress-buster more or less intact. I don't think that this could be better stated. In fact, next year I may wait until the New Year to send cards and put that as the inscription. I am enjoying a weekend of peace and quiet, hope that you are also.

Comment deleted at the request of the author.

delete reply bennett1 wrote on Dec 27, '08 Exercise is so hard in the winter because I cannot get outdoors for too long, or don't wish to. So I walk on the treadmill (boring) or do not walk at all and then I don't sleep as well. It sounds like you had a delightful Christmas (except for the being awakened part and even that has a certain charm).

delete reply kathyinozarks wrote on Dec 27, '08 enjoyed your post Loretta and sounds like your christmas was wonderful. I don't have problems any more to block people here that are pests and bother me, or make me feel uncomfortable. I do like to share alot of my posts to everyone, but the ones on a more personal level I have changed recently to my network or contacts only as well. would you like me to start healthy mondays back up? we can focus on exercise and healthier eating more. I started back on the quilt I am making for my cancer fighting friend. I just couldn't get it done before christmas, but am hoping to mail it to him by new years eve. I then promised Larry to get back on my rock shower project-and then when that is finished and the other rocking around the tub area, we can do everything else to the bathroom to get that room done. I am going to do some faux techniues on the wall, and perhaps some stamping of flowers as well. Happy New Year

delete reply starfishred wrote on Dec 27, '08 glad yll went well during the holiday for you- my new years resolutions haven't been formed yet hehehe but we all need a little more excersice and eat a little less hehehe

delete reply pestep55 wrote on Dec 27, '08 It sounds like you have enjoyed a truly blessed Christmas and your goals for this new year sound inspired. I'm still awed by the P.P.P.P gems. I too need to balance online with other activities. Multiply is a great place (the gliches aside /:-)

delete reply greenwytch wrote on Dec 27, '08 i need to do better with the weight and excercise (and taking more care of what i eat!), too. maybe we should make some sort of a collective effort; safety in numbers, and all of that. your holidays sound fabulous, ours were, too. HUGS

delete reply brendainmad wrote on Dec 27, '08 I'm glad you enjoyed your Christmas. I did too and, thank goodness, still have a few days of holiday left. I've had my page 'network protected' for a long time and have blocked some. Hopefully that annoying person will get tired and give up. As I've said before, it's something that I don't understand. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.