Our New Life in Devon

 It was a bit chaotic here at Christmas as son, daughter and granddaughter all arrived. I did go to the pub Xmas Eve which was nice. They had a guitarist singing some old song like 'My old man's a dustman' which took me back to when I used to take my mum out Xmas Eve. She used to love the Salvation army band playing in the streets. Now I'm not religious at all but have every respect for the Salvation Army as they have an excellent brass band. They always turned up at our home with presents and food for mum and my siblings when I was young.  Also, they were the only people to get my late brother off of drugs permanently, and several other agencies had tried for years, including all the drug workers from various agencies, including social services They also found him accommodation as he was homeless at the time.                  The Demon cars              My kitchen worktop! Back to Xmas, and we hav...

 Finished it after tea tonight and it only took half an hour. OH spray painted the thistles and pine cones as I have lung disease so paint fumes won't do me much good. I'm quite pleased with it as I'm not known for being great at crafts. Infact the one time I made a Snowman there was more glue and cotton wool on the children and walls than on the actual project lol. The garden Christmas tree is all lit up ready for family visiting at the weekend. I feel so much happier now everything is organised. We received our first Christmas card today but probably won't get many as most people don't send them any more. Going shopping Tuesday for the turkey and beef we've chosen for this year's Xmas Dinner. We don't usually bother to buy a shop Xmas cake as nobody really likes it, but I will get a chocolate yule log. My mother used to make lovely Christmas cakes for my sisters and I  every year. She was a brilliant cook. I also need to buy bottles of booze to put wit...

       cups and plates from years ago                     Ready for Santa!                   Tidy at last tg!  Everything wrapped, sorted into bags, cards posted, office tidied up (was a real mess with bits of paper cuttings and bags everywhere) Cards were posted in a large envelope for each family to save on postage. UK postage is very expensive here. I know they will all see each other over Christmas. OH has put lights on the tree in the front garden and on the front window. Christmas cups and plates all washed and in the cupboard ready. Just the Christmas ornaments to put around, bottles of booze to buy for the adult children and Christmas food. On the subject of Christmas ornaments I still haven't started the table decoration I'm making yet! Must get on with that as daughter and granddaughter are arriving Saturday!! Had a nice afternoon in Teignmouth last week list...

 Spent most of yesterday writing Xmas cards and wrapping Grandchildren's presents 🎁 so that's done towards Christmas. Hope they all like what I bought.                            I say "I bought" as tbh OH has never been interested in Xmas shopping or buying presents. Don't get me wrong, he always contributed financially to the cost, but it was as much as a surprise what everyone had to him as the recipients lol. He does trim the tree, carry bags or boxes of presents and deliver them, put up decorations, post the Xmas cards for me and even cook the Christmas Dinner. Although we usually eat Xmas Dinner a week before as he doesn't like it on Xmas day. Used every card I had left from last year so need to buy a small packet incase I've left anyone out. Actually, extended family members that I never see, hear from or don't even know where they live I've deliberately not bothered with this year. Will just wish everyon...