BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: kendall
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 07:27 PM

My Mother went senile in her early 80's. Very difficult to reason with. When she realized that no one wanted to hire her, she just gave up and died. If there is a heaven, she's there.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 03:45 PM

spent Christmas Eve collecting the parents in law from Stratford u Avon and transporting to TheSilentOne's sister and bro in law in Hambledon Hampshire.

Mid trip Mother in law (84) became confused and agitated. Did not understand where or why we were going. Feared we were taking her to a home. Completely changed personality.

It was a heartbreaking drive for all of us. Not the same lovely lady as just 2 months ago when she was only having short term memory lapses. She did not retain a recollection of the reason why for the entire stay, though she remembered wrapping the gifts she handed out. Thought I had ransacked the luggage which she had packed for the trip. She kept commenting that we should not surprise her this way in future. That it was not well done.

So this sad event has us all worried about how her husband who is a very frail 94 can cope. He down plays the seriousness of her lapses. And the consultant who saw her a couple of months ago said there was nothing wrong. Just short term memory problems.

TSO and I are now looking at our own wills and TSO to talk to his sister and father about lasting power of attorney so they don't fall into the clutches of local council and social services.

I have had 3 or 4 good cries over this terror of strangers making decisions about this lovely couple. Already seen the horrors of couples placed in different facilities and parents placed too far for family to visit easily.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 01:46 PM

This was the first Christmas Eve where I didn't stay up until the kids came in (they spend the evening with their dad and the next morning we open gifts at my house). My daughter and I cooked all afternoon to send food to their dad (Puerto Rican empanadillas and a pan of arroz con gondules, both things his mother used to make. She died late last year.) I heard them come in, but we've reached a point where as college students they aren't surprised by full stockings and Santa gifts on the hearth. I did find my 19-year-old's stocking on his bed the next day, so I guess he was looking for his traditional Lego set to build. Alas, I didn't find one that would work for the stocking this year. I hope the child wasn't too disappointed.

I'll be here alone on New Years, probably enjoying an old movie and sewing or something similar that I enjoy doing when I have a little time and space to spread out. Of all of the holidays, I think Thanksgiving would be the hardest one to be alone on.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 01:20 PM

I like your Christmas Voyage story, Ebbie. Such things never leave one's memory.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 06:25 AM

Terry's mum is amazing - I went to visit with her on Friday for a while. She is such an interesting person to talk to and, despite her health problems, is still sharp as a tack and has a great sense of humour.

Whenever I get to Newark a visit with Mary is always something I look forward to.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 01:05 PM

Glad you had a good visit with your mum, T!

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 08:39 AM

Had an overnight trip to Newark to see Mom on her 96th birthday
then home ! Christmas Day with Admiral and Mrs Admiral - Pearl the duck was excellent ! Just chilled out with several glasses and their TV and videos ! Home today and totally relaxed !

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:03 AM

This Christmas cover version on youtube isn't bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B15iRRlSJwI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 01:05 AM

In Juneau I don't have birth family and I truly do not like to go to friends' homes at holiday time so I usually am alone at Christmas. Which is totally fine with me.

Even then I have favorite ways to be alone. One year on Christmas Day I caught the local state ferry at 3 o'clock in the morning and chugged up Lynn Canal to the town of Skagway, a trip of about 6 hours. There were fewer than 20 of us on board and it was like having my own yacht.

It was a bitterly cold night and the Northern Lights were brilliant all night. I stood alone on deck until I was chilled to the bone and out the other side when I'd dive indoors to warm up, only to repeat the process. I had a grand time.

Since I have a dog I can't do that anymore. Leaving a dog in a crate on the car deck is not much of a vacation for a dog. I'd love to take a cruise where everyone was allowed to bring a dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:40 PM

I have been alone on some Christmases, though not this one, and more Thanksgivings. It can be lonely, but if I have good books to read, good music to listen to, a good video from the library to watch, and good food and drink, I have been okay.

I hope all Mudcatters, alone or with their families or friends, were able to enjoy Christmas Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: bradfordian
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 05:23 PM

Merry Christmas to Nutty, who is on the Mudcat CDs,
and to everyone else on the Mudcat CDs,
and to all the 'catters I met on my trip to USA this year, and to everyone else I met, and to all the 'catters I ain't managed to meet yet....(maybe at 2012 FSGW Getaway eh?)

It's great to have your own quality time...it's about getting the balance right. I am OK with solitude, but I did have my family sround today.
I Heard the programme "Children's Favourites" on the steam radio today.. brought back a few memories!(Wot? No Shirley Abicair on Zither! Doh!)

bradfordian

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: bobad
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 05:02 PM

Just me, the wife and the dog. Have a turkey in the oven, a log on the fire and wine in the glass. Merry Christmas one and all.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Amos
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 04:12 PM

Gawd bless us...every one!

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 03:48 PM

Merry Christmas to Nutty, and to all of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: gnu
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 02:40 PM

Yo, nutty. I am in the same shoes. I did have dinner at my SiL's but besides Mum, who lives next door, my family is in this here Café.

Merry Ho Ho to all.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 12:57 PM

Merry Christmas, nutty. And all of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 12:41 PM

Slept in, had a lovely breakfast, spoke with family and friends by phone - all in all a satisfactory Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 12:12 PM

Today we all re run Christmas morning when all the kids were young, even recalling when we were young. No one can ever take away the memories.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:16 AM

Well, I'm here at work. Someone has to mind the park so that others can play. It's not so bad, I brought the dogs with me today (normally a very big no-no, but hey, it's Christmas!). They are snoozong on the floor while I take care of little things like sharpening chainsaws, painting signs and drinking waaaaay too much coffee. The calico cat who graces me with her presence is not amused by the canine intrusion in HER maintenance shop. She's sitting atop the filing cabinet and giving all three of us the evil eye, puffed up to three times her normal size. If she only realized that the boys are terrified of her...

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 05:04 AM

I was planning to spend the day at home on my own as I often do & don't object to, but friends invited me & another friend who often spends the day on her own & we all had a lovely day.

They had their almost 5 year old grand-daughter & her parents with them & Evie had a fabulous time & kept us laughing. Her mother took her for a long walk twice & couldn't wear her out! On her second outing she met an exhausted uncle with the 2 nieces he was trying to wear out & the 3 little girls raced around. Uncle & mother had a chat while watching them.

New Year's eve I certainly won't be going out as my suburb is THE place for Sydneysiders to come & celebrate with lotsa' noise & alcohol so I bunker down.

happy christmas & other seasonable greetings to all

sandra




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Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 04:28 AM

All the best, Nutty.

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 03:19 AM

Merry Christmas!

Subject: RE: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: kendall
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 03:18 AM

See Bah, Humbug

Subject: BS: Alone at Xmas/New Year
From: nutty
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 03:17 AM

Well here in the UK it's Xmas morning. 8am to be exact.
There were days, when my son was young, when it was a time of such excitement - the floor littered with wrapping papaer and presents but now that I'm on my own the feeling of anti-climax is disappointing.

I'm not really complaining - my son will be here for dinner later in the day and I'll take the dogs for a walk very soon and hopefully meet other dog walkers who will exchange Xmas greetings.

I'm not really alone - because at the end of a computer button is my Mudcat family - stretching far and wide across the world

So MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY - particulalry those of you who are also spending time alone. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending my very best Xmas Wishes to one and all