Christmas passed . . .
. . . quite quickly! We had a very quiet day on 25th, just the two of us and the animals, though a couple of the daughters ‘phoned, which was really nice. They’re all so busy on Christmas Day, and we never expect, or demand, that they call. We know how they feel.
We had been invited to our children’s homes, but cannot leave home for more than four hours at a time, because of having to feed Jellicoe regularly, and they all live at least an hour away. He cannot control his diabetes all by himself!
We had roast duck, which was a mistake – I never realised that duck could repeat quite so much! ‘Quack, quack,’ it went all evening.
Our eldest great-grandson, aged ten, spent Christmas Eve in A & E, with testicular torsion. If all the men are wincing, you’re welcome. After an emergency operation, he was discharged in time to go home and wait for Father Christmas’s visit, though I think his attention was on things other than the potential fillings in his stocking. He’s still in a lot of pain, poor child.
His grandfather, our son-in-law, also had a hospital appointment on Christmas Eve, to assess the progress of his repaired Achilles’ tendon. His leg is constantly swelling, which is a concern. It will be several more months before he can return to work, no thanks to the misdiagnosis when the accident first occurred. Sometimes it’s true that the further away from London you live, the more uncertain is the medical treatment. Perhaps that’s true of any community far away from up-to-date city facilities.
His wife, our eldest daughter, was busy feeding the five thousand - three adult offspring, in-laws, in-laws’ in-laws, grandchildren, friends, and anyone else looking for a place to lay their head.
Our youngest daughter was unwell with cough, cold, aches and pains and two lively boys. She is recovering now, just in time for her birthday today, on 29th December. Why can’t parents be more responsible and give birth to their children at a sensible, less busy time of year? Her ankle is much improved.
Our middle daughter had a strange day. Her oven stopped working and so did her washing machine - somehow the two seemed to be connected in some way - so she had to improvise a Christmas meal for her twelve-year-old son, which worked well enough. At least she was able to spend the day with him, which had been in some doubt until almost the day itself. Long, sad, unfair story. She came home for the day on Saturday, and we had a Christmas meal together, which we all enjoyed much more than the ‘Festive Fare’ on Christmas Day. She and her little dog have gone home to her cats now, and it’s just the two/six of us again.
Our son prepared a feast on Christmas Eve for his three adult children and their partners and friends, which they all enjoyed, and then he created another banquet on Christmas Day. He is an excellent cook, and a genial host.
Barry went to lose some more blood to the NHS on Christmas Eve, too. He’ll have none left at this rate.
So, we limp towards New Year’s Eve, never my favourite night of the year, so we shall stay in, maybe watch the fireworks from around the world, but probably have an early night. I miss the New Years’ Eves of my youth in Kent, when all the ships marked the passing of the old year and the welcome to the new with a ‘Whoop whoop.’ Heart-stirring stuff!
The young of the community will return to their homes in varying degrees of intoxication, singing or shouting, full of bonhomie and beer. The foxes will announce their presence and call for mates, as they have been doing for several nights, now, and 2025 will dawn, grey and still, and life will continue.
Happy New Year to one and all!
Happy New Year! Such a complicated Christmas in your family, and I hope all the people on the sick list recover fast.
ReplyDeleteI grew up near a northeast harbor, and all the ships in port would sound their sirens for the New Year. You could hear them quite far away. Exciting sounds.
There's nothing quite like the sounds of the ships at midnight on New Year's Eve - wonderful.
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSounds like quite the commotion in different parts of the family! Hope they are all feeling better/on the mend.
They're made of stern stuff and will soon recover, I'm sure.
DeleteThat is a thorough report of life and times going on which is what they do. New Year will barely be acknowledged at ours. I mean it will be, but not much, and Sue will be abed long before the striking of midnight.
ReplyDeleteReally, despite all the promotion and advertisement, it's just another day/night. I find all the fireworks a shocking waste of money.
DeleteI didn't know that about duck ... quack quack.
ReplyDeleteWe do quiet New Years Eve, too, and avoid the crowds and the crazies!
Happy New Year!
I feel sorry for the wildlife, having to cope with noisy fireworks and unnaturally bright lights, and many domestic pets don't like them either.
DeleteI love the way you write Janice, & I loved reading about your children & their families, both the good & the not so good.
ReplyDeleteMy late Dad's birthday was also on the 29th & I worked out he would've been turning 100 this year - he would've been a grumpy 100 year old! I wish you a Happy New Year Janice - its blowing a gale here but not cold - I shall be in bed early I think, with at least one cat. I had to go to the dairy for milk so I shouted myself a brand new packet of Jelly Snakes to eat tonight - really "pushing the boat out " I feel. xx
Jelly Snakes sound just perfect, Julie. I'd rather be tucked up in bed than craning my neck to see fireworks. Herschel always goes upstairs first and the rest come up with us when we go to bed. Have a lovely 2025, Julie, with all good things and health and happiness.
DeleteI was brought up in Manchester and the ships on the Manchester ship canal would always sound their horns at midnight. Your family had a very busy and eventful Christmas. Let's hope 2025 is a healthier one.
ReplyDeleteThe ships at midnight make a very evocative soundscape - I miss that. However, foxes and tawny owls make an acceptable alternative. 🦊
DeleteHappy New Year to all of you, reading this I wndered just how many there are, what with all the inlaws and inlaws of inlaws at the very full house. I have a niece whose birthday is today, New Years Eve. I have lost touch with that side of the family, so don't even remember how old she is, early forties I think.
ReplyDeleteI'll be staying in tonight as well and I'll probably be asleep as the year turns over.
Eldest daughter, Gillian, collects people. It's as natural to her as breathing and her children seem to be following in her footsteps!
DeleteMy word that would be a tough litany of accident and illness at any time of year but over the festive season it's grim - not so much because we expect festivities but because medical attention is harder to come by. You will see them all at different times during the year and be able to give each special attention rather than getting swamped in a crowd. Summer picnic perhaps. My Dad's extended family used to organize a Boxing Day picnic in a place where kids could get zoomies and do no damage. We seem to have lost that connection.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is not the best time to be ill, if there should ever be a 'best time', but all seems to be resolving satisfactorily.
DeleteHaving a large family get-together becomes increasingly difficult as children grow and branch off. We always manage to meet for funerals, though, sadly.
The Christmas we dream of is not achievable any more, social media shows perfection, but for so many it's not affordable or simply real life gets in the way. I prefer our simple days, allowing our children to enjoy precious time with their children.
ReplyDeleteWe are 'encouraged' to have 'the best time ever,' but it's a pipe dream and can only lead to disappointment for those who think it's attainable. Simple is best.
DeleteYour Christmas was more eventful than mine!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and hope Barry's test results are good news
I thought your Christmas sounded delightful!
DeleteHappy 2025 to you and Mr P, and good health.
How good to have so many family members to worry and care about. Are you the matriarch? Sincere best wishes to you for 2025.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I am, though others are coming up behind me.
DeleteHappy 2025 to you, Andrew, and a peaceful and healthy year ahead.
Happy New Year to you. It sounds like any other family, always a bit of drama that must be taken care of one way or the other. With only two of us in a healthy cat we pretty much have a quiet New Years Eve. The neighbors will make sure we're awake at midnight like it or not.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Most of our neighbours are quite quiet - I could live to regret that comment!
DeleteIt just goes to show that life continues as normal, Christmas or not! We've all been down with a virus here, not the Christmas we planned at all. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy new year. All the very best wishes for 2025.
ReplyDeleteIllness often strikes at Christmas, just to keep us all on our toes.
DeleteHappy New Year Janice. I'm with you on not enjoying NYE much. A bit of telly and an earlyish night will suit me fine.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your family experiences over Christmas, hope the young great grandson feels loads better soon - ouch!
Alison in Wales x
He is feeling better but may not return to school at the beginning of term, next week.
DeleteHappy 2025 to you, too, Alison, and peace and good health.
Kent is a beautiful county. I last visited it in August. I hope 2025 is a great year for you and yours Jabblog.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and to you, too.
ReplyDeleteWow a lot of medical things happening, I know that can be really stressful! Besides that I hope you had an amazing Christmas and a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteAsh @ Essentially Ash
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We enjoyed ourselves, thank you, Ash. Happy 2025 to you, too.
DeleteHappy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary, and to you.
DeleteHappy New Year! Thank you for the peeks into your family's machinations.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2025 to you, too, Kathy.
DeleteWhoa...a few too many troubles for one family...but you always seem to find the bright spots.
ReplyDeleteOh, well, that's families for you!
DeleteJellicoe seems like quite the special feline. Managing his diabetes must be challenging, but it’s heartening to see how dedicated you are to his care. Your eldest great-grandson had a tough ordeal, but it’s good to hear he was home in time for Christmas, even if his mind was elsewhere. Poor lad—hope he recovers swiftly!
ReplyDeleteMy g.g.son is on the mend, thank you, but still rather uncomfortable, poor boy.
DeleteDiabetes in cats is not unusual, but can be difficult to control. Jellicoe has been particularly difficult, but he's a good cat and doesn't object to being jabbed twice a day.
Hi Janice - well you had lots going on behind the scenes, so to speak ... poor kid I do hope that nasty thingy has eased for him. Fun post to read - thank you ... cheers and Happy New Year - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. Happy and healthy 2025 to you, too.
DeleteNever a dull moment in your family, it seems! Your poor great-grandson, though.
ReplyDeleteI remember the New Years' Eves of my youth in a similar way. As the clock struck 12, we all trouped outside to listen to the ships' horns in the port of Antwerp, about 13 kilometers from where we lived. Now we can no longer hear them because of all the fireworks! xxx
I wish fireworks could be quieter. It's not necessary for them to be so loud.
DeleteThe ups and downs of family life plus a diabetic cat ...
ReplyDeleteI sometimes think people do not realise that our pets can also be diabetic.
Sending my good wishes for the New Year.
All the best Jan
On balance, I'd rather have a diabetic cat than an epileptic dog!
ReplyDelete