Tuesday, December 29

Weariness of the Long Distance Blogger.

 

Well, another Christmas has been and gone. Gom and I have concluded we are feeling our age, and found it hard to get even mildly excited at the prospect.

Of course we did our best for our little SG, since he is still only 7 years old. I decided at the last minute, I would put up a tree, for his sake, & to make things a little more ‘festive’. We have not had one for the past 3 years, as we have gone to our daughter’s for Christmas Day. I am absolutely low key, (read, non participating) when it comes to Yuletide Decorating. However, this year, it was to be at our house, since SIL had to sleep in preparation for a Night Duty.

 

Big Mistake, about the tree. Gom grumpily stumped off downstairs to ‘find the damn thing’, after declaring he hoped I was joking, and “he didn’t want one put up!”. After much thumping & muttering & shuffling & rearranging of stored items, he was nowhere to be seen. Finally, I ventured down the stairs to see what the hell was going on.

Now, much has been written and said, here in Oz, about the importance of a man’s Shed. To be fully, shall we say, ‘well’ a man needs a shed. Even if he just sits in it, or endlessly rearranges the contents, it is vital to a man’s mental wellbeing. Gom does not have a shed, ~ which some could say, explains a lot!~ but he does have the double garage. We only have one car. So, he has got a ‘shed’, in the sense that he is totally in charge of it, and happily rearranges it just when I have located items I actually own, & still occasionally wish to use.

 

Since the Christmas Tree had been ‘stored’ since the last use, it has probably moved locale several times. It turned out, it could not be located at all! I was somewhat angered at this, but I was absolutely incensed at the suggestion “It must have got thrown away at some time”. The inference was clear- he was saying I must have thrown it away!The only person who has access to the bloody garage is Gom. He has claimed it as ‘his Shed’ so how could he dare to stand there and infer I must have somehow accidentally, or unconsciously thrown the tree away?? Very uncharitable and unChristmassy thoughts were hurled in his direction.

When I asked about the decorations he declared he had found those. Upon inspection, I don’t think they contain the family treasures we have kept since our children were small. I suspect the mysterious swine person who threw away the tree, must have also got rid of those family treasures. Ornaments I bought to celebrate our grandchildren’s births, first Christmases. Ornaments our own children had hand made, as well as some our granddaughter had made as she grew up. I think the shabby box he has kept are the rejects. I was too dispirited to examine them too closely, in case I killed him on the spot!  Sheesh! Is it any wonder I get depressed!

 

On a brighter note, our son had come from the City to stay a few days, and he brought his car, which he loves. He has recently had it re registered since it had been off the road for approximately 6 years. It is a 1962 Pushbutton Automatic Series S Valiant (for the ‘car’ people). In fact it is the third one he has owned, and is by far his favourite.

Leaving for Home

If you look carefully, just to the right of the front of his car, is the ‘dead’ brick ‘gateway’ block our car ‘killed’ when it rolled over the road. See This post.

The Valiant

As it happened it was persisting down with rain, as he left for home. We had a nice cool Yule, as it were, for once. It began to rain on Christmas Day, & remained wet until 28th, so, though it was damp, it was comfortable.

 

Look who came to live with me!! I had jokingly asked Secret Santa for a Golly. Wow! What a Golly I got!

As it happened my SIL drew me, & he told the story of almost being lynched in one shop when he asked if they sold ‘Golliwogs’? 

He was told,chillingly, “We don’t call them that, and we don’t stock politically offensive items!”

Good Golly

Well pooh to them. We loved them as kids & they are just cuddly toys, for goodness sake! Golly looks very happy on my bed, & I am sure he will love being surrounded by my TBR pile of books!

 

I was also gifted a wonderful Topsy Turvy Tomato, by friends, planted upside down in a bag, & the idea is they dont touch the ground, give wonderful fruit, and are easy to grow with great success.

Alas, I cannot show a picture, because tragedy struck on Boxing Day and the hook upon which we had hung the tomato bag, came plummeting to earth, as the hook  wrenched from the bricks. Of course the result of that was, that the poor plant was snapped off at the roots, and all that remained was a maimed stump! I badly wanted to cry!

However another gift they gave me is looking very well, so I will have to learn how to care for it.

Special Owl

Those who read here often will be aware I am very fond of owls, so it is perfect.

 

Not all is gloom, with the rain, we have had some perking up in the garden- though not of the vegetable variety. Here is the Ixora, which continues to flower most of the year. It has grown into the ground, through the bottom of it’s pot, so it is flourishing.

Ixora 2

 

 

I had intended doing a post prior to Christmas to wish all my Blogosphere friends Seasons Greetings, & wish you all Joy for the Season. Now, I wish you all a wonderful New Year, with health & good fortune throughout 2010.

 

I know there are more modern versions of this song, by Michael Buble and Rod Stewart, but who can resist the velvet that was Nat King Cole’s voice. My wish for Everyone’s New Year.

23 comments:

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

The tree has nothing really to do with Christmas! May you enjoy a peaceful and blessed "christmas tree free" new year.

VioletSky said...

OMG you guys sound exactly like my parents! Many's the year, I have heard the same story (accusations) re Christmas trees and decorations!!

Cool car.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year, Meggie.

Stomper Girl said...

All the best for the New Year to you too Meggie, and to GOM even if he did throw away your treasures.

persiflage said...

What a great owl. Pity about the plant.
Bad GOM! I say let's have equal shed rights! I have not seen a Valiant for years, and used to think they were so stylish and modern. Happy New Year.

Pauline said...

Ah Meggie - perhaps you should threaten to bury GOM under the tree! Despite the wet and the lack of a tree and treasured ornaments, sounds as though you had some pleasant moments with your family. Hope this new year is good to you.

I noted that you had difficulty accessing my blog - I had to change the URL as clicking on my name was suddenly bringing everyone to a MEGA religious site. Try clicking on my name here and you should be okay.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Like you, I wouldn't put up the tree unless I was forced to.... and I was. Love of my life is not allowed to touch my Christmas stuff and I do all the put-up and take-down. He has a barn, a whole barn to ramble in.

Wishing you the happiest of New Years wishes!

ancient one said...

I put up very little this year and still haven't taken it down... it is cold here... Christmas finally got to my house on the 26th.. I think they all had fun... We survived and it seems that you did too... LOL

Happy New Year Meggie!!

Pam said...

And a Happy New Year to you too, when it comes. Lang may your lum reek, as we say in Scotland.

Sheila said...

Best wishes for 2010 Meggie!
I'm laughing at your Golly story.
About 20 years ago, my late mother and I went to the UK for a holiday. Before we left my young sister asked me to bring her back a gollywog. I looked in several toy shops but could not find one. Then the last week we were in Cornwall, and passing a rather posh
shop, I spotted a display of them. I entered and told the man I wanted to buy a Gollywog. He blushed to the roots of his hair, and said 'Madam, we do not sell gollywogs!
If however you wish to purchase a 'golly' I have several you can look at.'
I said 'When I left England 25 years ago, they were called Gollywogs, and if you expect me to pay 20 pounds for one, I will continue to call it that!'

Ali Honey said...

Oh, dear Meg, Life does throw you some curly ones!

If I were you I would do a sneaky search of the garage with out any help - the lost items may in fact still be there. Have a "girl," look!

Shame about the tomato - I haven't seen one of those - must find out.

Cute wee owl - as you know they are one of my favourites too.

I want to wish you Happiness in 2010. It will no doubt have it's trials too but try and grab the happy moments where you find them and make the most of them.
Hugs from Ali.

Mary said...

Dear meggie - wishing you a wonderful 2010 - and now I am off to find out what a topsy turvy tomato is!!!

xxx

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, dear Sweet Meggie! I'm so sorry to hear about your Christmas ornaments. Maybe they'll turn up somewhere where you least expect them? Sorry to hear about the tomato plant too - I've always wanted to try one of those. Wishing you a very wonderful New Year!

Magia da Inês said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mike said...

A shed.

That's what I'm missing!

I wonder if the apartment complex will let me put one up?

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Meggie,
I hope that you have enjoyed some good weather and relaxing days.
We have had a busy family time over the Christmas season. Now I am enjoying just stopping but feel caught between wanting to relax and do little, and feeling like I should be using it to catch up on quilting and such.
This afternoon I want to photo some things for the blog and then post because I haven't posted since the 9th of December.
I guess I need to prioritize a list of quilting items and then just get going on them.
I love the golly ( I have a quilt pattern or two from the Australian Patchwork and Quilting that I have often thought have making- there are just so many designs I would like to try and not enough time to quilt them all.
Wishing you and yours all the best in 2010.
Warmest Regards,
Anna

julieQ said...

Have a wonderful New Year! I love the shed story..for my DH, it is the garage. Watch out! You could get lost in there...

Teodo said...

I wish you a HAPPY 2010 and a big kiss.
ciao ciao

corry said...

Meggie, I wish you a Happy New Year! All the best! xx Corry

Lucy said...

Oh dear, what a catalogue of small disasters! Anyway, here's wishing you a very happy New Year!

Paula said...

Belated Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year, Meggie!

philly5113 said...

Happy New Year to you and your family! I had a hard time getting ready and in the mood for the christmas time myself. I did drag myself to put up the tree, for the kids, but really it was just a 'thing' to do. The fact that you guys were together is what matters.
Great pics and a nice ride,
All the best and happy days to you and the fam! P

Anonymous said...

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Carry on the great work!

Anonymous said...

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Thanks for sharing the link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at lifesfreetreats.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?


Cheers,
Thomas