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Saturday 31 December 2016

LAST BLOG FOR 2016 BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Hello Bloggets, this is the last blog for 2016.
What has your year been like? In general, we have seen huge changes to our world. So many celebrities have left us, so many, too many musicians, I was looking last night and I think there have been 34 famous musicians from all over the world and loads of actor’s and characters from our childhood, making people my age I’m sure wonder if we are next? Well, answer, no, when we were children, the famous people were much older than us. Stars, celebrities now days are so very young.

There has been changes to politics again, all over the world, the people have been allowed to speak and vote as well as one particular leader has died who the west didn’t get on with so that adds to the soup pan. Let’s hope the mixture starts to sort itself out now and a new start for a new year?

Personally, I have said goodbye to some people who now are out of my life things are much better for our family, if not better for some people, different. One person I was sad to see what the outcome would be, but my sadness has turned into content and I have realised that person had to move on and I wasn’t a part of their long-term plan. Used? No, not at all, they did more for me than I could ever for them. And this is why I’m sad, but those who know me will also know that I don’t forget and I can’t forgive. If someone can hurt me and, or my family once, then they can do it again, so I must protect us from those people or in our case that person. But it’s a shame. I lived in a world where I thought it was just right with them, loving and forever. Well I’m not sure anymore that anything is forever.

Teens job has totally changed. I have opinions on that, but he is still young. As for Hubs job? Well I have a feeling that this year his organisation may have plans he doesn’t know about yet. So, let’s see where he is this time next year? May be the same place but somehow something I feel will change whether it be where he works, as in the location/building? Who knows, but a change I think… Just a feeling.

My health isn’t as good sadly, I feel as if I’m falling apart. Smile. I some days wonder if I will ever be the same as I was some years ago, If I want to be then only I can try to change that.

This Christmas was lovely, we all did so well from people. We have a tiny circle of people we buy for and who buy for us, but everything was so lovely and thought of. Gosh, old Bloggets will remember a certain person who used to buy me the most dreadful gifts on earth. As if they deliberately went out to shop for the worst gift on the planet. I’m not ungrateful as I am happy with a shell from the beach, or a beautiful pebble, seriously, but her gifts? Oh my. One year if old Bloggets remember she bought me an outfit.
Oh.
Heckers. It was a skirt and top with a jacket. Well, the skirt fit, as long as I didn’t want to move. The top was for me and my fave ephalumps, smile, me and big ears could for sure fit in the top. As for the jacket? Well, as I tried to put my arms in, I thought I had left a tag on it because it must be still pinned together?
No, it was just at least four sizes too small. And if you could see what they were? Gosh, wow, no, really, they were the clothes from the 1940’s and not clothes a normal lady would wear, no, these were for the stage. My Husband got two pairs of boxer shorts. With gnomes on.
And bells.

Teen used to do very well from her. Oh, she also bought me a necklace to match the black sparkly outfit, when I say sparkly, there were sequence from top to bottom. I looked like a roll of cooking foil/aluminium.

The necklace was very long, to my belly button. It was a chain like an old-fashioned chain that you pull on a toilet. She knew I love elephants, and hanging on the bottom of this brash chain was a multi coloured elephant which was so beautiful, if hung on the wall, but not from my neck.

Well, she was in last year’s bin, along with her gifts. She turned out to be so false as well. I think my problem is, I used to trust everyone. I fell into traps. Not now, I am so happy with who are in our lives and there may be one that needs a bit of a tweaking, but in general, we are blessed with lots of wonderful people.

My tiny family are who I want, our besties are also who we want and our friends and neighbours are so much wanted in our lives.

It’s about having respect for yourselves. Letting go of those who hurt you and treat you badly. If you visit or are visited by people that make you feel bad, why have them in your space? Because you won’t have others? Have you ever thought you may not have others because of the negative energy that is being created by those already in your life, making you unhappy? How dare anyone make you feel bad about yourself? Who do they think they are? If you are a good kind person, then surround yourself with like for like. Even if you have a gap where you are with yourself, then there is no one to hurt you.

My dreams of writing a book still hasn’t happened. I’m sitting on my big fat butt waiting for Mr. or Mrs publisher to come along and ask me to write for them. So far it hasn’t happened. But what has happened, is you have all stuck with me through thick and thin. You have grown with me and there are even more of you this year than last and last more than the year before.

The first year I opened this blog page, I had twenty thousand views, amazing, I never thought I would even get twenty let alone add thousands to that. Second year another 30,000-last year fifty thousand and this year? An enormous 67,000 of you have read my blogs. Gosh, wow I am so touched. I asked my Hub last night, why? I know what you all say, and I’m touched and that is why I keep going, you tell me why you read and you are so kind, but that is a few dozens of you telling me, what about the rest? My ever so positive Hub answered. “I really don’t know why they read your blogs.”” hahahaha Oh he is so proud of me… Em. Well he kind of is, but not for my blog page…
He is an intellect, but I have Doctors reading my page, and cheeky Bloggets, not all are Doctors of the mind, I have solicitors even one of my Bloggets works for NASA Teachers and so on. Teachers of maths not only Psychology, haha. I haven’t been driven off in a white van as yet being tied to a stretcher… I guess there is time?

So, all walks of life, even those in prison and my views on some and I stress, some prisoners are not always nice. An yet you stay reading. Just thank you all. I mean it. Without you, there wouldn’t be this blog page. Otherwise I would be writing for myself, and in that case, I may as well just open a file on my lap top and chat… My old Diaries were like that and some years ago, as they were written by hand, as I could see then, I ripped them to shreds and binned them. Gosh they were very disturbing.

One day I hope you will be reading my Diary and saying, gosh, I remember when I first opened her blog page, and now look how many books have been written? Well, a girl can dream, right? I hope one day you are standing next to me and I am signing a copy of my latest book, and I am signing my name for you, seeing the paper I’m writing on, now that will be a dream and Bloggets, please trust me on this, dreams can come true.

I wish you a very happy New Year from my heart to yours. I pray for world peace and let’s get this world back to the perfect one our maker give us. With love from my family to yours. X

Friday 30 December 2016

DIARY OF A WARM DAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening dearest Bloggets.
It’s almost seven in the evening. Teen got in from work forty minutes ago, quickly ran and got changed from his uniform to his gym clothes and dashed out. He never stops.

We have had a most enjoyable day. Our friends picked us up and we went to a local pub for lunch. We sat in front of the fire, though I swear it could have been a radiator, turned off, as there was no sound of crackling, no warmth or smell coming from it. I only knew I was there because our friends said, oh let’s go and sit next to the fire. Outside you can smell the chimney, but inside? We went last week with my Brother and Sister in law, the meal wasn’t a success. So, this time we said we would have a sandwich. Well, it was delicious. Very overpriced, but really nice. I can tell you we weren’t paying for the heating… As the place isn’t warm and we are not paying a bill for the furniture, as it’s out of charity shops I’m sure. But today’s food was lovely, I had chips with my sandwich and salad, it was really really tasty. Oh, if I had a pub, it would be so lovely… Ready for this?

The place where there was a cold drinks bar would be glass and chrome then you walk through to a very cosy area with a stone floor and a proper roaring fire and really comfortable seating with lamps, heavy ones, not the kind blind people can knock over as they pass by… Not that I have any experience at doing such things, hahaha.
Well, not really!!!
And there would be a pine bar where you got teas from all over the world, coffee and hot chocolate. There would be happy people selling the food and drinks. I think from good old Newcastle, as I swear I have never been in a pub quite like the ones in Northumberland where I used to live. They were friendly, genuine too. Don’t get me wrong, the owners of this place were lovely, are lovely, the staff even try to have a laugh with us, just they try too hard, humour doesn’t come easy to some parts of our country. Such a tiny country is England and really the difference in areas is really obvious. I love living here, but miss so much the warmth and humour, not sure if intentional of the Geordies. The people where I used to live. But I’m talking older people, as the youth in my old home town sadly are losing it, they are blending in with the rest of the UK. In my day, our Dads, Grandfathers and so on were coal miners and they had such a way about them. They had their own way of talking, their humour was fantastic and there was a genuine warmth about themselves that they passed it onto the younger members of the families, but the younger members of the families became bank managers, teachers, solicitors and huge department store workers and so on, so over the generations, the pit talk humour and warmth, became weaker and eventually we are now products of diluted genes.

I love the people where I live now, I really really feel proud to be among them as they are so helpful and kind, but I so miss the old pubs, café’s and so on where I used to live. But as I said, now, will it be the same, now the youth have taken over? Possibly not, but what is the same is the country pubs you get in the wonderful Northumberland. If you are visiting England, please, head towards Northumberland. Stay for a few days, visit our castles, gardens and beaches. We have the best beaches in England, and I think the best history. We have so much greenery. The countryside is the best in the UK next to parts of Scotland. People talk about Devon, oh my. I believe people who talk about how wonderful it is there have never been to the North East.

So, this pub was, or is, OK, but the company was great. We had a laugh, my strong opinions came close to causing some kind of political outrage, but hey, a nudge from Hub,
and I didn’t stop. hahaha. I call a spoon a spoon and if people don’t like it, they can lump it. I’m entitled to my views. Well, I can’t have been that bad as we have been asked back out by them. Or was that just Hub? Hahahaha.

It was a great day. My cold is getting better, I just have a cough and a dreadful head ache but I’m sure I’m on the mend.

Our food shopping is due in half an hour or so it’s mainly party food for tomorrow night. It was my Mums tradition and I have continued that down the family, and I hope my Son will too, but we have to have a table of food on the night of New Year’s Eve and we don’t cook on New Year’s Day or put out any rubbish. So, we make sure our indoor bins are all empty before midnight. I could bore you with the reasons why, but it is a tradition I love. So tomorrow I will be baking and cooking all day.

I hope when I am writing to you this time next year, I will be buzzing with some kind of fantastic news. Some luck will come our way that will affect the rest of the world. Some success. We have hope.

I’m pleased to see that America’s next President isn’t trying to make enemies of Russia, let’s hope the horrid cold war we lived through for so long can start to warm up again? Because we got warm with them and then it all went very wrong dangerously wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand Putin, but I also hate wars and I think with the combination of Trump and our PM Mrs May, we can keep Putin calm. We all need to stand together but in our own countries minding our own business’s. Together in peace and away from war.

This time next year my Son won’t be a Teen anymore. Oh, how old does that make me? My baby will be on his way to being a man. But I will never forget how difficult it has been bringing him up. Gosh, what a challenge. Because I have my views my beliefs that are very strong and some say too moralistic, personally, I think if everyone thought like me the world would be a nicer place, hahaha. How arrogant is that? Hub asked me the other day, who made me miss perfect? I am so far from perfect, in so many ways. I just care about people and the future and so many now don’t. So many live for today and themselves.

Well, I hope you all have a very wonderful weekend. Please don’t drink if you are going to drive. No matter how much you think you are perfectly fine. It’s not worth going to jail for that one more drink. So you may have to pay a bit more for a taxi? Surely that is better than facing time in prison or losing your licence, moreover, the nightmares of the family you could leave without a parent, daughter, Son, or Grandchild. Wife, Husband or best friend. The nightmares that will haunt you forever. Just for one extra drink. Don’t think it will never happen to you.

If it were up to me I would totally ban all alcohol. It’s a drug though and sadly too many people are addicted so it’s too late some would say.

I’m so proud of my friends who have stopped smoking this year. My friend Beth and dearest Terry. And today I have learned another friend is going to stop on Monday. Amazing, if only I had your strength to get fit? I started this year so well, and what went wrong? France, our lovely holiday where Teen almost killed me off with the speed of his walking and the combination of my really not well knee. Oh, I have some news on that, I will let you know in another blog. Gosh, I have found, or Hub has, something amazing for pains, I am still in shock over it so will let you know later.

I have friends double my age. Well, almost. And they are more fit than me. And oddly enough, do you know what they love to do? Garden. And my ex was or is a gardener and he is like someone in his late thirties. Not to look at but his physical fitness.
I hate gardening….
I like laying on the lawn, not laying the lawn.

Okay, with that image in your minds, sorry if I have given you nightmares there, I shall leave you and start to make Teens dinner. Hub went in the bath at the start of this blog and I haven’t heard a thing from him. He always falls asleep in the bath, so I better see if he is alright.

I will write one more blog before the year ends and then we have a brand new year to start. Thank you for your emails and messages asking for blogs to be written, I will get around to them in the New Year. If you have anything you would like me to write about drop me a line.
visionsforfuture@googlemail.com


Good evening dearest Bloggets.
It’s almost seven in the evening. Teen got in from work forty minutes ago, quickly ran and got changed from his uniform to his gym clothes and dashed out. He never stops.

We have had a most enjoyable day. Our friends picked us up and we went to a local pub for lunch. We sat in front of the fire, though I swear it could have been a radiator, turned off, as there was no sound of crackling, no warmth or smell coming from it. I only knew I was there because our friends said, oh let’s go and sit next to the fire. Outside you can smell the chimney, but inside? We went last week with my Brother and Sister in law, the meal wasn’t a success. So, this time we said we would have a sandwich. Well, it was delicious. Very overpriced, but really nice. I can tell you we weren’t paying for the heating… As the place isn’t warm and we are not paying a bill for the furniture, as it’s out of charity shops I’m sure. But today’s food was lovely, I had chips with my sandwich and salad, it was really really tasty. Oh, if I had a pub, it would be so lovely… Ready for this?

The place where there was a cold drinks bar would be glass and chrome then you walk through to a very cosy area with a stone floor and a proper roaring fire and really comfortable seating with lamps, heavy ones, not the kind blind people can knock over as they pass by… Not that I have any experience at doing such things, hahaha.
Well, not really!!!
And there would be a pine bar where you got teas from all over the world, coffee and hot chocolate. There would be happy people selling the food and drinks. I think from good old Newcastle, as I swear I have never been in a pub quite like the ones in Northumberland where I used to live. They were friendly, genuine too. Don’t get me wrong, the owners of this place were lovely, are lovely, the staff even try to have a laugh with us, just they try too hard, humour doesn’t come easy to some parts of our country. Such a tiny country is England and really the difference in areas is really obvious. I love living here, but miss so much the warmth and humour, not sure if intentional of the Geordies. The people where I used to live. But I’m talking older people, as the youth in my old home town sadly are losing it, they are blending in with the rest of the UK. In my day, our Dads, Grandfathers and so on were coal miners and they had such a way about them. They had their own way of talking, their humour was fantastic and there was a genuine warmth about themselves that they passed it onto the younger members of the families, but the younger members of the families became bank managers, teachers, solicitors and huge department store workers and so on, so over the generations, the pit talk humour and warmth, became weaker and eventually we are now products of diluted genes.

I love the people where I live now, I really really feel proud to be among them as they are so helpful and kind, but I so miss the old pubs, café’s and so on where I used to live. But as I said, now, will it be the same, now the youth have taken over? Possibly not, but what is the same is the country pubs you get in the wonderful Northumberland. If you are visiting England, please, head towards Northumberland. Stay for a few days, visit our castles, gardens and beaches. We have the best beaches in England, and I think the best history. We have so much greenery. The countryside is the best in the UK next to parts of Scotland. People talk about Devon, oh my. I believe people who talk about how wonderful it is there have never been to the North East.

So, this pub was, or is, OK, but the company was great. We had a laugh, my strong opinions came close to causing some kind of political outrage, but hey, a nudge from Hub,
and I didn’t stop. hahaha. I call a spoon a spoon and if people don’t like it, they can lump it. I’m entitled to my views. Well, I can’t have been that bad as we have been asked back out by them. Or was that just Hub? Hahahaha.

It was a great day. My cold is getting better, I just have a cough and a dreadful head ache but I’m sure I’m on the mend.

Our food shopping is due in half an hour or so it’s mainly party food for tomorrow night. It was my Mums tradition and I have continued that down the family, and I hope my Son will too, but we have to have a table of food on the night of New Year’s Eve and we don’t cook on New Year’s Day or put out any rubbish. So, we make sure our indoor bins are all empty before midnight. I could bore you with the reasons why, but it is a tradition I love. So tomorrow I will be baking and cooking all day.

I hope when I am writing to you this time next year, I will be buzzing with some kind of fantastic news. Some luck will come our way that will affect the rest of the world. Some success. We have hope.

I’m pleased to see that America’s next President isn’t trying to make enemies of Russia, let’s hope the horrid cold war we lived through for so long can start to warm up again? Because we got warm with them and then it all went very wrong dangerously wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand Putin, but I also hate wars and I think with the combination of Trump and our PM Mrs May, we can keep Putin calm. We all need to stand together but in our own countries minding our own business’s. Together in peace and away from war.

This time next year my Son won’t be a Teen anymore. Oh, how old does that make me? My baby will be on his way to being a man. But I will never forget how difficult it has been bringing him up. Gosh, what a challenge. Because I have my views my beliefs that are very strong and some say too moralistic, personally, I think if everyone thought like me the world would be a nicer place, hahaha. How arrogant is that? Hub asked me the other day, who made me miss perfect? I am so far from perfect, in so many ways. I just care about people and the future and so many now don’t. So many live for today and themselves.

Well, I hope you all have a very wonderful weekend. Please don’t drink if you are going to drive. No matter how much you think you are perfectly fine. It’s not worth going to jail for that one more drink. So you may have to pay a bit more for a taxi? Surely that is better than facing time in prison or losing your licence, moreover, the nightmares of the family you could leave without a parent, daughter, Son, or Grandchild. Wife, Husband or best friend. The nightmares that will haunt you forever. Just for one extra drink. Don’t think it will never happen to you.

If it were up to me I would totally ban all alcohol. It’s a drug though and sadly too many people are addicted so it’s too late some would say.

I’m so proud of my friends who have stopped smoking this year. My friend Beth and dearest Terry. And today I have learned another friend is going to stop on Monday. Amazing, if only I had your strength to get fit? I started this year so well, and what went wrong? France, our lovely holiday where Teen almost killed me off with the speed of his walking and the combination of my really not well knee. Oh, I have some news on that, I will let you know in another blog. Gosh, I have found, or Hub has, something amazing for pains, I am still in shock over it so will let you know later.

I have friends double my age. Well, almost. And they are more fit than me. And oddly enough, do you know what they love to do? Garden. And my ex was or is a gardener and he is like someone in his late thirties. Not to look at but his physical fitness.
I hate gardening….
I like laying on the lawn, not laying the lawn.

Okay, with that image in your minds, sorry if I have given you nightmares there, I shall leave you and start to make Teens dinner. Hub went in the bath at the start of this blog and I haven’t heard a thing from him. He always falls asleep in the bath, so I better see if he is alright.

I will write one more blog before the year ends and then we have a brand new year to start. Thank you for your emails and messages asking for blogs to be written, I will get around to them in the New Year. If you have anything you would like me to write about drop me a line.
visionsforfuture@googlemail.com


Thursday 29 December 2016

DIARY OF MIDNIGHT SHAME BY FIONA CUMMINGS

A lovely relaxing day and hub did make me dinner. We had risotto. We watched TV all afternoon doing the most basic housework. Hub says he is doing as much as possible in case he gets what I have then I can take over. Seriously, my stomach feels sick and I have no energy. Each time I breathe, it’s as if I had a huge slab of concrete on my chest so I have to push it up. Must remember to take my asthma inhaler. I’m rubbish at that because I don’t take it most of the year, in fact I probably use it three weeks per year and that is when it’s normally too late, like now and the last time I felt ill which was only a few weeks ago, But I hate taking tablets and so on.

We have had a lovely Christmas. I loved every single one of my gifts. My Sister in law and brother totally spoiled me with my beautiful Ted Baker make up box. Teen was so cute telling me what everything was. Because most of it I could guess but the flat plastic pallets were square so could be anything. The box contained eye shadows and blushers. There was an eyelash curler. He wanted to do my eye lashes and he was so sweet. Love that boy.

TV was great this year and we listened to some lovely carols. Our dogs had a great time too. They got some really nice toys. One from my friend Artie they love. Dogs are so easy to please, mind you our Son is very grateful always has been. He is so far from a brat and no matter what we get him for Christmas or his birthday he is always very appreciative.

My Brother and Sister in law came yesterday with Hubs Dad and again, we exchanged gifts. Bro in law was very kind and gave Teen some money too. Teen was telling me about some clothes he is buying on line. Well, they are different that’s for sure. I quite like them but Hubs reaction was rather predictable and funny. After Teen described them, Hub went quiet. Then said.
“Riiiiiight.””
Not his taste. A satin jacket with sweatshirt sleeves in cream. The jacket body part is purple with a huge embroided gold tiger on the back. He is ordering black suede shoes too with gold embroided tigers on the sides. Haha. I love it. I really do, why not, he is young, you have a cut off point with clothes and his time will come soon enough. He is good looking and can get away with anything right now.

Oh, I went out before to feed the birds. They also got some tasty Christmas presents. Loads of nice things to eat. Just as I was about to hang up their cake, and some fat balls in the container, a bird let’s say, flew over me and dropped their breakfast right on top of my head… I have never had that happen before. I must put the lotto on now. Don’t they say it’s for luck?

Looking at the latest on research for RP and still bone marrow/stem cells is the way to go rather than some kind of artificial device. I really pray and wish some amazing breakthrough would hurry up? I also wish and old Bloggets know my opinion on this, and I have never met anyone yet who shares my views, but I feel prisoners who are doing life should be part of all trials rather than innocent animals and by doing so, we would have cures for so many diseases now.

Studies have shown that trials are technically feasible to restore sight, right now it’s all about getting the right amount and making sure there are no side effects. And will that sight be like a fully sighted person? I think we are years away from that, but a little is better than no sight at all.

We were watching a wildlife program tonight that said a Polar bears foot are 36 cm wide. It showed the man who was narrating the program getting close to a snow wolf. The wolf kissed the man on the nose. A brave man. But how adorable. They are so very beautiful. Their fur in winter grows thicker by 200% and they use their tail as an additional blanket. I think it was the ravens who are supposed to be the most intelligent birds. They call for the wolves etc. to come to an animal who has died in tonight’s show it was a bison who had frozen to death. The wolves pull apart the flesh so that it leaves an easy option for the birds to finish off. As they are not strong enough to pull the animal themselves. How clever is that? Normally I can’t watch programs with animals in it and I was ready, on the edge of my seat to run as soon as anything awful would come on, but thankfully tonight it didn’t. It was filmed in the Yellowstone park in America. The hot springs had monkeys bathing I said to Hub he wouldn’t get me out of there as in winter the temperature drops below 50 Celsius!

And just as we are approaching the midnight hour, Teen and his GF have just walked in. Noooooo it’s bloody bedtime. Really? Seriously? Please, is there no shame? I just can’t stand this much longer. A word is going to have to be said to Shamrock. I was just heading for a bath. Not now. She’s lovely, but I think there should be a cut off point. And it’s not walking in at twenty to midnight and going upstairs. So she stops and has a lovely friendly chat, as she is lovely and friendly, but then to bed? I’m classed as old fashioned. And I’m proud to have morels. As there are none in this world any more. Don’t get me wrong, I like her, I adore my boy, but I don’t like them coming home to go to bed. I like to lock my doors before bed knowing they are staying locked until Teen or Hub goes to work. Not an early morning departure and Teen having an interrupted sleep when he has to get up for work.

So I will go now, grumpy and just finish on some celebrity news. Of course, we have lost the wonderful singer George Michael this year, David Bowie and Prince. What a super group they will make in heaven. And there are rumours that the singer Adele has secretly got married. Life goes on make sure yours is happy and respectful. X

PRODICTIONS FOR 2017 BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. A few days now of this cold, I’m ready to say adios Amigo! My eyes are on fire. I fell asleep right away last night but a news flash on my phone woke me to tell me about the latest sad death of another star. After then I was wide awake. I stayed awake until my Son got up for work at six. Then had about one hour or so of interrupted sleep. Just going to have a lazy day today. Trying to get Hub to make dinner tonight. He makes the best risotto so fingers crossed. I hope I don’t pass this on to the family?

Almost at the end now of this year which to most hasn’t been a positive one. For me personally it’s been Okay. Sorted out rubbish in life and left with the cream. Now I just need to learn how to enjoy the topping without putting on weight. Smile.

What is predicted for 2017? Putin and the sign of the bear is predominant as he is seen to have plans to rule the world. Personally, I feel it’s China we need to keep an eye on. They have patients and they believe in waiting and watching then calmly walking in and taking over. With the UK leaving Europe, we will see a bit of a bumpy road where those who live for jam today and not jam tomorrow, will get angry and wish we had never left Europe, but take a leaf out of the Chinese book and just wait. Sit back, reduce if necessary and stay calm. The rest of Europe will follow and each country will care for themselves and keep their noses out of other countries that have nothing to do with them, then hopefully, we will have the start of world peace. Right now, too many fingers in too many pies.

As far as America goes with Trump? I think he will plant seeds and let the flowers grow. America will see small groups of people/communities pulling together and it will send a vibe across the world of post war.

New life is germinating we have outgrown the old life, the life we have known for years. Let’s face it, where has that life taken us? No one likes change. One can get rather comfortable in one’s hole. Time to find the sun and climb out of your hole and see the new world that will start in 2017. Walk with care over the undulating paths and you will eventually get to the flat roads.

So, what are the medical innovations for next year? I read there will be good news and breakthroughs for those with Diabetes. Tumour cells, are going to be blasted again with new medical science. Stents for hearts are going to be dissolvable rather than stay in the body and cause complications. As for breakthroughs for sight loss or to gain sight? I don’t think we will see a cure this year, but I feel we will get closer by the end of the year, there will be some good news. These are my opinions from just how I feel what I feel and research I have been reading about over the past few months. I hope your year will start positive and positivity breads an energy which passes through the solar system, lifting the beings which are humans.



So, what is predicted for 2017? A catastrophic drought starting in America and travelling all over the world.



Wednesday 28 December 2016

DIARY OF LAUGHTER AND FAMILY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. I hope you all feel better than me? My Brothers gift of a cold has left me feeling awful and looking very unattractive. My Son told me I look as if I have been smoking dope! Nice! Because my eyes are so red. Where they should be white. I don’t think I have any skin on my nose I’m sneezing all of the time and I feel so weak. My eyes are always the worst when I have a cold. They are on fire. When I could see, my sight was always affected when I had a cold. When I went to Russia for eye treatment many years ago, they used to stop my treatment as soon as I showed signs of a cold coming on. At first as a small child, I used to pray I would catch a cold and as a child the damp dormitories at boarding school used to guarantee that I would be prone to being ill.

The injections I used to have, were so very painful. I have written before that each needle in my bottom was as if I were smoking it was like a thick heavy smoke poisoning my body. I could physically feel it being pushed right through me making my stomach feel as if I was being forced to smoke 20 King-size cigarettes. Then I would get dreadful car sickness, that is the only way I can describe the feelings of the side effects. Not to talk about the pain I felt whilst the needles so rusty were given to me and the pain afterwards as lumps would appear on my body. Really sore ones hot and infected. So, the thought of a cold to give myself a few days’ break was rather tempting. But as I got older, I learned that I was only prolonging the inevitable. I had to have the treatment, so get it over with.

When I had to have eye injections, that was the worst my eyes would be all blood shot. The needles were boiled but not sharp fresh. They in fact were blunt. Making the pain worse.

Let’s hope there is a cure for RP soon and it won’t involve horrid painful treatment? Mind you, I would have it if it meant I would have sight.

Last night Hub and I watched a program where a group of elderly famous people from the UK went abroad to see if life on the other side of the grass would be better than here. I don’t like the lifestyle our elderly people have here. Last year the program showed the people living in India, in luxury and it was lovely, but this year it’s America. Gosh, Hub and I were ready to retire, twenty years too early, but the life was so perfect in a gated area. Mixing with wonderful friendly normal American people. Then they went to another place, a gated area where the houses were millions. And it was millions to live there. Oh, my word? Why is it that money makes people awful?

The first place the group went to was so nice people were wanting to talk mix share their sugar as the group ran out of it and they were so kind and the atmosphere was so relaxing. Gosh the money place, they were angry people and if they went too close to a fire, they would all melt. Not only were their faces plastic, but their plastic paid for their plastic lifestyle. There wasn’t one genuine bone in that community. Such a shame. Even if I became a millionaire, I would pick the place that was under $200,000 for a house. People were like the guys we met when we went to the US, friendly genuine and so loving. Gosh the rich people? Mind you it’s the same in this country. Money doesn’t buy kind hearts.

Today our family came. I had made a turkey broth and put some bread rolls in the oven with cups of tea and cakes. Mince pies too so a simple meal but our Brother loved it bless him. We had a laugh and it was a memory for my box of happy times.

I have been asked to find a link to the clothing line I wrote about yesterday, this is what I have been Able to find.
http://twoblindbrothers.com/

I read some funny things today about kids. We never really grow up. We only learn how to act in public.
Kids, you as parents spend the first two years teaching them how to walk and talk then the next 14, telling them to sit down and shut up.
The teacher asked Simon to say his name backward, he replied. No mis
Okay, sorry, It’s me cold. Smile.
Right now Hub and Teen are doing something with Teens car and they have left our front door open. Don’t they know it’s December? Going to close it now so will love and leave. Xx

Tuesday 27 December 2016

DIARY OF NEWS VIEWS AND TECH BY FIONA CUMMINGS

My big Brother has given me a gift that has come slightly after Christmas, he gave the same to my Sister in Law. We are sharing a present passed on through the family. I really don’t want it, what can I say? I don’t want to appear ungrateful, but I must be honest.

Today I woke up with a sore throat sneezing and watery eyes. Thanks, big Bro!!! Let’s hope I won’t be as generous and share it?

Today heard a good tip. If you are afraid of lifts/elevators, it’s solvable by taking little steps. Smile. I know, dreadful joke alert and I didn’t even alert you.

Poor Teen up at silly hour again to go to work. I do feel for him, he has had one day off in two weeks. Our dogs are very happy, they have just come in from an hour playing on the field with lots of other dogs. They have had a drink and are now flat out in their beds fast asleep. I’m chilling. Our house smells so homely cooking again this morning a broth for family tomorrow.

It’s so cold out there, Teen had to use antifreeze on his car today. I wondered if it would work for me, as I got up, the house wasn’t as warm as I would like.

Another two celebrities died today I have totally lost count at just how many this year have gone. Still in shock over George Michael. That man had so much talent and so much to live for if he hadn’t have chosen that way of life. Why is it that pop stars and so on have to go down the road of drink, and drugs? I know ordinary people do the same but ordinary people don’t have the money and possible lifestyle that you could have if you were so rich. Gosh, if I were so rich? Wow, my money spare would go on research for RP and helping other people who were blind and of course my elephants. Providing safe environments for them, away from evil hunters who are spineless so weak and pathetic. Probably bullied at school as kids and this is their way of thinking they look big. You look big if you stand up for yourself with your equal, not a defenceless animal.

So, what has caught my eye today in the news, or my ear? Smile.
Amazon, we couldn’t do without them at Christmas, in fact, all year round. They have made their biggest profit this Christmas. Now they just need to teach their delivery people to ring a door bell and count to forty.
North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-Un has warned that Korea will have Nuclear weapons ambitions by 2017. Nice.
Seven migrants have been arrested in Germany after setting fire to a homeless man. I hope they get sent back to their countries and not allowed to stay in Germany.

I read a great story today Two Brothers is a brand where all profits go to the foundation fighting blindness and Stargate’s eye condition. Two blind brothers pick their clothing for the pure feel of the material. They have been blind since they were children and know how important it is to feel beautiful clothing and they do it for the love of clothes, not to make any money for themselves. What an amazing idea, as Hub and I pick clothes on how they feel rather than what they look like.
Nothing else inspiring Bloggets in today’s news.

On that note, I shall love you and leave you. Jack Frost is making his rounds in the UK today, it’s bitter cold. I’m off for a hot chocolate and snuggle on the couch with the big man himself, no not Santa, he is well on his way back home now, but Hub. Some good drama’s we have recorded, recorded? Is that what you call it now days? Hub presses buttons and somehow, we are able to watch them on the TV at a later date, haha. Gone the simple days of video’s. Those were the days? Tech blows my mind these days. My Husband has an Amazon Echo dot. He ordered some bin bags the other day, oh yes exciting times, within ten seconds he asked the small round gadget to order these bags, just by using his voice and next thing we know we are getting told in a lady’s voice, that our order would be with us the next day. The only thing is you have to say her name first and I keep forgetting it. She is called Alexia, sorry if I have spelled her name wrongly, but seriously you are lucky I have remembered the daft name. Why is she called that? Surely, they could have picked a name that everyone will remember like Jane? It’s so futuristic that even trendy Teen is shocked by it and what it can do.

You can ask it what the weather is going to be like and what time is it? Also, to set an alarm and to turn on our heating as we have HIVE heating that you can turn on from your mobile phone which is great if you can’t see because of course good old Apple phones have speech but to ask your Amazon Dot to turn on the heating and to order things from Amazon, without having to press a button or enter a security Coad is really impressive. What is our world coming to?

Later gators with love. X

Monday 26 December 2016

THE GIFT NO ONE WANTS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

THE GIFT NO ONE WANTS
BY FIONA CUMMINGS
Once again, a parcel of lies
The smile of total disguise
Forgiveness and then words fall from the paper
Just when I was feeling safer
Your lips move so thinly like a wafer
How can you talk such trash?
Do you never feel bad?
A pretty box with a beautiful bow
What will be in this
I do not know
Who will the gift belong to
Me or you
Me? Really, is this true?
Who did you buy this for?
Me or him next door?
Was this meant to go to another
Someone you love more?
Your mother?
Then she did discover
What she has brought into this world
Such a silver tongue
Trying to be gold
I’m not one of your possessions
Ready to be bought or sold

(C) Fiona Cummings 2016

DIARY OF THE BEST GIFTS OF ALL BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. Christmas is over for another year. I have tried to write some blogs, firstly, my lap top wouldn’t talk to me. I had to wait until Teen came in to press one blooming button to make it work, in the meanwhile, I used my old lap top that screen doesn’t work. Doesn’t bother me, but I did something that made four pages of writing disappear. So, at last I’m here if you are reading this, then it’s worked.

Right now, it’s nine in the evening. Teen and Shamrock have just come in from bowling with her brothers. Teen didn’t cover himself in glory, smile. He came last out of six of them. But he had a good night.

Yesterday we had a lovely day, our Christmas dinner was truly delicious and our kitchen is full of food. The fragrances are really lovely, there is nothing nicer then the smell of Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding.

Fourteen different foods on our plates. All served and piping hot. Not a bad result considering we can’t see. Teen loved his as did we. We pulled crackers put on the silly hats, read the ridiculous jokes you get in the crackers and guessed what the pointless bits of plastic were that also came inside the cracker.

I was totally spoiled. I got the most exquisite hand bag. It’s a Michael Kors one. Black with a long gold shoulder chain or a solid handle for carrying. It’s so posh, goodness knows when I will use it? I got my Ted Baker hand bag a few weeks before that was for Christmas and I didn’t expect a second one.

I received vouchers for my favourite shop from my friends and a beautiful Pegasus ornament for my collection. An Elephant candelabra from my Son with two elephants at either side of trees and their drinking bowls. And a stunning Ted Baker make up set from my Brother and Sister. A gorgeous bronze angel from my friend Artie, I love it. And a really lovely warm jumper from my kind neighbour. Our dogs were totally thrilled with their gifts too. They got lots of great toys, a couple from us and one from my friend and they got loads of treats too. Waggatail got a cuddly toy but she isn’t allowed to play with it in front of her little brother LF, because you know his history with eating soft items.

In the afternoon, yesterday we laughed at the program on our TV and ate our way through Christmas.

We didn’t go to bed until three this morning. Teen went out at ten last night, to Shamrocks house. He had a great night, all the family played games and again, ate.

We watched a classic film. (It’s a wonderful life) It’s a film from 1947 and I have never watched it before. I think I am the only person alive in the UK and I bet in the US over the age of forty, who has never seen that movie?

Today is Boxing day. It would have been my Mum and Dads Wedding Anniversary. They would have been married 69 years today bless them. Just before Christmas it was my Mums birthday and soon it will be the anniversary of her death, it will be eighteen years. In some ways, it seems like another life/world, but they are both still so close to my heart. Christmas’s are never the same when you lose your parents.

We phoned Hubs Dad, bless his heart, he was on his own, that was partly his choice for reasons I won’t go into but at least we are seeing him in a few days. But one thing is that I was impressed with, he was cooking his dinner and he wasn’t just eating frozen food, he was making his very own feast, he is amazing what he cooks and how he bothers.

Christmas all over for another year. What will happen between now and next year at this time? Part of me dreads to think and the other part can’t wait to find out.

So many of us are not with those this year to last, for me personally, most of the people, well two out of three, of them we are not with is good. One other person, I do miss, but true colours were shown in the end. So, life can never go back. As for all the famous people that have died this year? Gosh, it has been the worst year I have ever known for that. I hope next Christmas those of us in the dark, there will be a small light helping us to walk forward into a new future.

Christmas came so fast this year. In a few days, our tree will be down lights and all decks away. Our house will look bare for a short while until we get used to it again. I think we had four cards this year that we didn’t get read. But teen read the others apart from one our besties sent us a card with Braille.

It’s calmer outside, we have had dreadful storms of winds that have been quite dangerous, but I have seen worse.

The what is normally a busy road outside, is so quiet.

Hub off work for another couple of weeks. A long holiday. Teen is working hard bless him and LF is on his way to recovery. Looking stronger by the day, he was the best gift last year, as we never expected to get a guide dog for Hub so quick after the death of Long Chops in September, and the best gift for Christmas this year, with the vet saving his life. Material things are nothing health and love is the best gifts of all.

Saturday 24 December 2016

DIARY OF CHRISTMAS EVE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Our house smells stunning. I’m shattered. It’s six in the evening and we are just finished for round one. Round two will begin when the turkey is cooked. Talking of turkey, oh I’m all sorted. Pat on the back. Remembering what we need and trying our best to get what we need. Last minute shop delivered and luckily, we just remembered at the last moment to put in the basket something I forgot, foil for the turkey, well you can tell I’m a vegetarian, as not only did I forget that, but forgot the blooming important fact that we threw away the turkey tray from last year.

Panicking as no more shopping to be delivered. Our local shop wouldn’t sell it so thankfully the big shop was near but as was our friend, he was also last minute shopping so a phone call and a meeting in the bakers as we exchanged greetings and the turkey tray. I kind of looked politely and thought, heck, we bought a blooming humungous turkey no way that will fit in there?

Long and short of it Hub said he would order from good old Amazon. But he ordered two trays just to make sure of the size. They came today, he ordered large, but they are so small.

But we managed. I have pealed chopped washed and sliced all day whilst Hub put his final touch to the special foods.

Teen went to meet one of his best friends and whilst Christmas music played, we filled our house with Christmas joy and ready for our feast tomorrow.

In London, the gift of a Christmas tree has been kindly given to us from Norway since 1942 as a thanks to Britain for our support for world war 2. Again London, Petticoat lane market is the oldest market. It’s been going since the 1750s. I guess the atmosphere in our capital around this time of year will be magical. But our small family we believe is more so we are safe, warm loved and what more can we wish for? I lit our candle for lost souls and we wrapped our dog toys up and their treats. Waggatail knows there is something, or someone coming and I have told LF not to bark when the big man comes, or he may frighten him away, then there will be no presents for anyone…

I hope Santa’s sleigh will be Okay as we have storms across the UK.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas Eve and a beautiful day tomorrow. For my Bloggets who will be in the house on their own, you are really not alone. I have received so many emails and messages from people just like you. Love from me to you. X

Friday 23 December 2016

CHRISTMAS PAST AND FUTURE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening or should I say morning as it’s almost one in the morning here. A great day with my lovely friend, another missed parcel because our delivery man didn’t bother to knock/ring the door bell and a late visit from our neighbour who popped in with gifts, so a chat and exchange of presents and a very late visit from Shamrock almost midnight when she came.

Now the night is old and the day is new, I have just had a stunning email from one of my dearest Bloggets. Oh, she has the most amazing words to write and she spoke of Christmas past. Her words are full of wisdom and colour.

As a child, I loved Christmas. Our house was full of colour. The lights on the tree every year used to break and Mum would fix them with new bulbs and we were Okay to go again. Tiny tin toys would sparkle and the old glass baubles would shatter but still we would give them another year, sharp baubles would hang from the tree part of Santa’s hat would be missing, my Mum had a beautiful house, nothing in her house was cheap, but Christmas? Only the tree, was full of character for sure!

Leading up to Christmas, I had excitement filling my stomach and over spilling through my body. There was simply no room left for any more excitement. I was fearful that Santa would have been tuned in the day in the summer I was naughty, what if he wouldn’t come to me because of that day? What if he came and left me what he sometimes left the naughty boys and girls, a bit of coal? Oh, I would pray that he would forgive me or pray that he hadn’t seen me on that day. All sorts of things would go through my mind.

It was the night before Christmas day. My chocolate on my advent calendar was more delicious than ever. and my stocking would be hung by the fireside. I would pour the glass of Sherry for Santa, ever so carefully. The mince pie would be put on the plate with such love. The great man himself would be in my kitchen soon. A bath and bed. An early night. I couldn’t sleep, but if I didn’t and Santa would fly on his sleigh by my house, see in his magic glass I was still awake, he would fly by. What to do?

My dreams were plenty and my sleep became deep because of pure exhaustion of the build up.

The next day my big brother who is seven years my senior would tap me on my shoulder. Time to get up. But, what if we interrupted Santa? My brother would reassure me that he has had a look and he thinks that Santa has been. Was there anything? He thought so…

Outside the navy night looked extra cold because of all the snow that Santa must have brought over with him on his sleigh.

The moon was brighter and the air was thin. As I tipped towed down the stairs, hearing the crackle of the coal fire, I would open the living room door with my brother who would totally make sure my day was perfect.

Lights on, to brighten the room as the orange glow from the fire wasn’t enough.

Wow, the colours were bigger brighter and more beautiful than the year before.

There wasn’t a spare space where I could see the floor or anywhere to sit. Huge parcels, long ones and tiny parcels. Gifts so big I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to open them? How kind Santa had been. This was a little girls dream. My parents had made my dreams come true and I was forever grateful and will be always. My brother would put the batteries in help me to build whatever and be the energy I needed, as having old parents. I loved my Mum and Dad, they were not rich, far from it but gave everything to me and I wanted for nothing as far as material things, love as well. The tragedy was, I had to wake up from my dream and head to boarding school to live the opposite life again. Opposite from love comfort and colours. From one extreme to the other. I had such a privileged life at home, but as the years grew, so did depression not only from me but my poor Mum who suffered badly, sadly it took until about ten years after she died before I realised just how bad her life really was. My parents gave their all to me and my brother, but never got thanks when they were alive. I hope now they are in heaven, or where ever their world is now, they know how much I loved them and love them and how much they influenced my life. Memories, memories from my past which lead roads to my future, as our past is the roots to our future which is the branches we help to cultivate which give us the fruits we need for life.

My words to you now are memories of the past each word you have just read is now your past. But we have a future and I’m privileged to have you all in it. Thank you all for being part of my life. Merry Christmas.

DIARY OF THE VISIT BY FIONA CUMMINGS

After a busy day, yesterday, it’s time to kick off my shoes and have a day of wrest before the big cooking day tomorrow.

As we approached our train station yesterday, I was surprised at firstly how little security there was and B, how few people there were. According to staff, there were loads due later and before our return in the evening. Thank goodness.

We had a revolting meal, smile, again vegetarian meal was just lacking in imagination, but Hub had a lamb stew and he said his was lovely. A short train journey later and at the other end was our friend waiting bless him. Our dogs were glad to get off the train, they were so good LF did shiver waiting for the train, mind you it was bitter cold. Definitely the coldest day so far since last Feburary.

We got into our friends lovely 4 x 4 and a short drive to our friend’s home. Spent a great day catching up handed over gifts and a sad bye bye on our way home again. Gosh getting off the train, I looked drunk. It’s so hard when you can’t see anything you really struggle walking in a straight line and if you don’t walk straight going down the isle of the train, you end up on someone’s lap. Where we were sitting as well, there wasn’t anything to hold onto the seats were single then after a few of those, double then the seats would go single again, normally when on and off a buss, you can walk better as the seats are all the same so you stick to the ends of the seating but when suddenly a seat is missing, and there is a gap, it’s complicated. A bit like what I am trying to say. Smile.
(A lot of seats/seating in that paragraph. Sorry.)

I always feel sad that the children don’t look out of the window any more. Their faces are stuck looking down at their screens. Even the grandparents are heavily involved now in tech as a Grandmother yesterday was playing videos to her eight-year-old Grand Son. I know his age because they talked about it. She was playing videos from Facebook and laughing along with them. In a plastic world, no in-depth conversations or anything to do with educating the kids in a fun way, just a plastic world where the universe is heading.

I was the other way with my Son. Always talking to him about life and what would make it a better world, what we can do to change it and what is good in life, what is sad and the positives of what he has done and going to do. His cartoon time was in front of the big TV just before or after a meal. I know now he is the same as all the other people of his age and younger, but I feel he had a good start that I hope opened his mind to the world.

Off the train and there was trouble in coach F. thank goodness not ours but the member of staff told us the police were involved as a man was abusive and smoking as well as nonstop drinking. We got our taxi thankfully no one waiting at the taxi rank and home we went. It’s funny you know as the taxi drivers are not keen of having two dogs in their cars. But Hub just gets in no matter and acts as if nothing has happened. I mean the dogs are perfect they lay on the floor yes there are hairs especially with LF as he is gold, but the dogs are much cleaner than most humans.

Home to an empty house but signs of the teens as homemade Chinese food was all over the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, our groceries came. Oh my, where to put more food? Anyone would think we were under siege the amount of food we have each Christmas. Cupboards, fridge and freezer, two of them are bursting full.

Took ages to put the food away, we guessed every item this time, sometimes when we receive our shopping, there are a few things we can’t work out what they are.

Today it’s wild wind, raining and preparing for storm Barbara. It’s been the busiest shopping day of the year. But still I met my friend and we went for a coffee and cake as well as having a great catch up as we can talk for England, no, Britain, well, hang on, actually, the Universe!

I love her and her family. They have adopted us as their extended family. It’s an honour to be a part of that. Just as it is to have our friends from Northumberland as our family. They are really part of our family we love them loads.

My friend came in to our house for some moments after we had gone out for a coffee as she wanted to look at our tree. Gosh I was shocked at her reaction as she loved it, said it looks like a professionally decorated. I’m buzzing as it took ages and I’m sure if I could see it would have been less than half that time it took me, but I did it on my own and without any vision and it’s had such positive things said about it. There is something I can still do that the sighted can do. She said I put her to shame. Bless her. As I keep telling her, she has her stunning looks and figure, not to mention her beautiful clothes. She is like a model.

My friend who we were with yesterday, he is the photographer for a person with a helicopter and they pick up famous people. He was telling me that he picked up Donald Trump last year and said he was a very charming man. He has a photograph of him next to his helicopter. Gosh if only he knew then that he was going to be President of the United States?


Gosh, they have found that evil person who killed the poor Polish man after hijacking his truck then ploughing it into the market place killing a dozen innocent people. Thankfully they killed him. He will be on his way to hell now. I feel so sorry for the families of those who are now grieving including the family of the murderer who was shot dead in Italy. If his family are good people, then they now are grieving too. Italy? How? How do you get from Germany to Italy if you are wanted? Easy, because Europe have the freedom of travel. This needs to change really it does.

Peace Bloggets. Please? Love kindness and peace because what goes around comes around. If you have hateful thoughts and commit hateful actions, what do you really think will happen?

What every you are in life, is where you will end up. Whatever you believe in can be changed but only you can change it. What if you believe in something so strongly and you don’t want to change it? Think out of the box, are your actions really justified? It’s easy to go through life doing what is comfortable to you, but what makes you think this is the right thing to do? It takes a very brave person to do something that is difficult and out of their comfort zone.

Groucho Marx was said to have written. “Why should I care about posterity, what has posterity ever done for me?”” It’s a selfish thought that don’t you think? Don’t look after this world because it will be fine whilst we are on the earth, and when we go, so what? Who cares? We should though because we were given this beautiful world, so show our gratitude by giving back to our future!!!

The past has gone, the future hasn’t happened yet. Today however, is a great gift, which is why we call it the present. Don’t take gifts without giving something back and the only way we can give back is providing a future.

Lot’s of Christmas blogs over the next 24 hours and my Diary for tomorrow will be full of cooking. Smile. Until then, lot’s of love is sent your way. Get ready to catch it? It’s quite light, but so much of it, it may spill over x

Wednesday 21 December 2016

CHATTER BOX BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. I hope I find you well? After our interesting lunch, today, where there was one vegetarian option on the menu but when I asked if there was anything else, I was told yes, one more option, I thought. Why not have that on the menu as well? To beef it up a bit? Or Quorn it up a bit, right?
Hub asked for the cheese board for dessert and was asked if he would like three cheeses or six, he replied three and got… … Four! But we had a laugh. I rustled up teen a dinner tonight and now he is in the town he isn’t working tomorrow, so I do wonder if he will be late home?

Hub has been in the loft to get a case out to put our friends presents in for delivery tomorrow. It will be so lovely to see them. I’m sure Waggatail will have a ball. Well, not literally, but she loves to see people and they love her. The Little Fella is still recovering. He is very quiet, but is happy and enjoying this blooming food. He is on from the vet. We can’t get him away from his dish, no matter if it’s all gone or not.

What with his tablets, creams and special diet, it’s like a vet’s surgery in here and as for his new food, he will be wanting to be ill more often, mind you, I don’t want another week like that?

Tonight, I tried to groom LF, but seriously I can’t. I’m so afraid to hurt him. He is still like a patch work quilt bless his paws. He is still skinny but is getting better and filling out more. Tomorrow is his last day for his special food God help us after that? I just hope he will go back to eating his normal dog biscuits. He has stopped coughing now, when he first came from the vets, he was coughing as his throat was hurting him. Poor baby. I’m so relieved he is OK. Hub is taking him to our local vet on Friday to get him weighed. Let’s hope he has put quite a bit of weight back on?

As the night at the moment is still, the air is full of the smell of coco
From our local chocolate factory. The other day we were in our polluted city and we could smell the wonderful fragrance. Tonight, it is so strong. I love it. You want to eat the air. I imagine the stars to be out tonight, a clear sky, I dream of looking up to the sky and seeing the stars for the first time in my life. Even when I had my sight, limited, I never have been able to see a star.

Our what is normally a quiet avenue of all sorts, has the season of good will visitors coming and going. It’s lovely to hear people’s car doors opening and closing, I wonder how many only pay a annual visit though?

Today when my Sister in Law came, she turned my cards the right way. Most of them I did Okay, but some cards now days are A, so thin they don’t even stand up and B, the front feels the same as the back. I remember when I was young, the cards were all standard. If you held it in front of you, the front where the picture was, was always less than the back so it would have been easy, but now it’s not like that. The only thing that has stayed the same, are clothes. On tops jumpers, etc., where there may not be a label at the back, the washing instructions/label is always on the left of your clothing at the bottom. Let’s hope in five years’ time I’m not writing about those labels being right, back and front?

Yesterday Hub and I spent time wrapping our presents to and from each other. We do laugh every year as because we both can’t see, neither of us knows what the other is wrapping so unless something rattles, and gives us a clue, we can do all our Christmas gift wrapping to each other in the same room.

How many times can we lose the sticky tape? As for my scissors, well, how can I lose those? We have looked all over and I cannot find them. We wrap in our bed room and keep everything on our drawers. The tape has dropped off the drawers so many times and rolled across the floor. Both of us stand so still. Saying nothing just listening for where it comes to an ending of rolling then makes a gentle thudding sound on the carpet then quickly follow the sound and bingo, we find it, but the scissors, is a mystery.
I hope they are not in our bed? Hahaha.

Just Hubs Dads gifts now. They are wrapped but we won’t see him until after Christmas and he is coming through to see us. I think he is going to my Brother in laws for lunch on the big day.

Christmas has come around far too fast this year. Hub has just bought teen another gift. On line, of course. He has spoiled him as he does every year.


Our dogs have a few gifts now, my friend Artie bless her has bought them something very interesting. I can feel it through the paper, and think it is a toy, but will have to wait. We have bought them a few toys and some treats too. Must remember to wrap them up but be blooming careful LF doesn’t eat the paper. Smile. Once again, please watch your dog doesn’t eat the tinsel on your tree or the chocolates hanging from it and be careful of them getting chicken bones etc. Our poor LF has been so ill and we almost lost him. I do feel bad because the people he was staying with lost a what I’m sure was a lovely cushion before LF got his chops around it. And it was that what made him so very ill.

Talking of ill, it’s in the news today that
14 million Russians now drink alcoholic substances opposed to actual alcohol. Today it’s reported that over 60 people have been poisoned by drinking bath lotion. Vending machines are selling bath lotion,
why?


In the past three years in the UK Sherry sales have dropped by 50% I wonder why? I guess because not only has it gone up so much in money, but it’s considered an older person’s drink. The only time my Mum used to have alcohol in the house was Christmas and it was always sherry.

OK best go for now as a busy day tomorrow. Catching a train early and a late return. I’m sure I will have loads of adventures to tell you about when I get back. In the meanwhile, some words.
“Life is the biggest bargain. We get it for nothing. Jewish Proverb.

Just remember if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. Smile.
Trevor Myers.

Sweet dreams and be grateful you are warm, safe and alive. One good thing about sleep is you may have a beautiful dream and be able to do something in your dream that you are unable to do in real life.
Fiona Cummings

WEDNESDAYS DIARY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. Just come in from a meal, note, not saying lovely, a new pub we tried which is a couple of miles away from us. My brother, and my sister in law came to visit and exchange Christmas presents.

Since we moved here it is very difficult to find a good old fashioned country pub with a coal fire. Well, this was old for sure. Not sure where fashion came into it and we did laugh because on the menu for vegetarians was lasagne. End of. But when we asked if they did anything else? They did vegetarian sausages with mash, just didn’t put it on the menu.

Last night I booked it and I asked about a Christmas lunch. Oh, I was told they did it but they charged a fortune and, best bit, you had to book 24 hours in advance. After today nothing surprises me about the place.

My brother said there was a fire but I don’t know what kind it was. Certainly, not a roaring crackling kind unless coal doesn’t do that anymore? The staff were friendly. My starter was really lovely. We waited ages for the mains and after such a long time, the waitress came and told my brother the fish he wanted wasn’t available today. As he said. How did it take so long? Surely, they would have known earlier? Well he got another kind. Fish cakes. And they weren’t undercooked as I suspected they would be but in fact burned. My Sister in laws sausages, one out of three was also rather on the dark side.

Hubs main was OK and mine would have been delicious if not for the mash? Oh, it was off, it had to be? My Sister told me it was mustard. Yack double yack. I hate mustard. But the vegetarian sausage was really lovely as was the veg.
We are meant to be going back there at the end of the month with friends but just for a Christmas catch up not a meal.

So, I’m still on the lookout for a country pub just like back home in Northumberland. That is the one of many things I miss since moving here, mind you, living here, the benefits out way the negatives.

LF was as good as gold. Now back home starting to get sorted for tomorrow. We are visiting friends to deliver their gifts. Our friend is picking us up from the train station. It kills me to think how close I will be from one of our friends’ houses, but don’t have time to visit. Then it’s time to check if we have everything for Christmas day. Mind you, if not, don’t know what we will do now…

Tomorrow will be a very long day. But one that will make more memories. This is what Christmas is about. Memories.

A lovely lady said yesterday, all she wants for Christmas was not to be alone. How many people are like her? There will be the three of us on the day but night four. Hub loves it like that, but if not for our Son, it would be awful.

It’s dinner time Teen was due in almost an hour ago, and he isn’t home yet. I don’t have his meal ready, not sure what to do. It will have to be something fast. Oh, hang on. Here he is.
Oh.
There he was!

He actually runs in and out of the house. He has been a taxi service after a ten hour day. Started at six this morning, finished at four and went to take someone to town. In this traffic? Off to the gym then coming home quickly for dinner and to get changed then out to pick that person up.
He needs to chill. He will snap and start to get ill if he doesn’t slow down. But you can’t tell him anything. I wonder how many Mothers develop ulcers?

Storm Barbara is on its way. We are expected storms by Friday. That is Okay, as long as we get our day away tomorrow. I have read somewhere why we name storms and it has something to do with remembering them as they are easier to remember by a name rather than a number or the year it occurred. I think it was said that in the US in 1953, female names were first used then in the late seventies, male and female names were used.

In the Guinness book of records, the largest snowflake measuring 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick, fell in Fort Keogh Montana, in January 1887. I doubt we will get snow for Christmas. A snowflake falls on average 3 MPH. Snowflakes are translucent, not white. Snow appears white because snow is a bunch of individual ice crystals arranged together.

No snow for us a little bit of rain this afternoon, but it is nipping cold. A nice hot chocolate is required right now, all this talk of snow, has made me cold.

My Brother said today that he has bought his wife a wooden leg for Christmas.
He said it’s not much. Just something to put in her stocking…

Some animals turn white during winter. I guess to blend in with the snow to be able to hide from their predators? How amazing is that?

Well a big adventure for us tomorrow. So later with love. X


Monday 19 December 2016

SANTA DIARIES BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Make people forget the past with the present. When you are choosing your gifts, do you buy because they are in the sales? Or because you like the item? Me personally I really try to buy gifts that I think the person they or it, was intended for would use it. Yes use, I’m the most boring gift buyer ever. Hub is amazing, he has such an imagination when it comes to gifts. I have a wild imagination when it comes to writing but so dull for gifts. I have been known to buy socks for men and soaps for ladies. I know we have a shop near us that sells really lovely soaps every shape you could desire, but no, I buy square soaps… Okay, they are in a box not just a regular bar you would pick up at the supermarket, but still. Square soap? I mean, what does the person say when they open their soap? “Oh great, I was running out of soap in the downstairs toilet.”” “Oh, socks. Just what I need. Mine are all odd!”” And we are expected to smile and feel what? Some kind of pride that we have done a good deed?

I have bought someone something this year that A, I hardly know, B, they have no interests at all, C, I cannot work them out what kind of person they are. And D, I couldn’t buy it from my heart, I just didn’t feel it. I don’t know what colours they like, they have no hobbies at all and I get the feeling no matter what I buy, they will not be impressed.

So, should I leave it up to Santa ClausMini Bloggets?
Some say before Santa became Santa, he was St Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century Greek Bishop in Turkey. (I wonder if that is why some eat turkey at Christmas?) If this is right, Santa is over 17 hundred years old. No wonder he has such a long white Beard? Does Santa receive gifts at Christmas? If so, one, who buys him them? And Two, why does no one buy him a razor?

How has Santa lived for so long? Well, he is magical for one, and his lifestyle for two. Firstly, he only eats the best food and lots of carrots that Rudolf no longer wants and secondly, he laughs a lot. Ho Ho Ho, and it’s scientifically proven that if you laugh, you live longer.

Well my Bloggets are from all over the world so to you all from France, Joyeux. To my Greek Bloggets, Kala christouyenna. German, Froehliche weihnachten. Italian, Buon natale. Norwegian God Jul Latin. Spanish Feliz Navidad
Gosh I’m going to stop there, I hope I have not wished your Mothers a new face to replace theirs of a donkey?

Remember UK today is the last day to post your cards to get there in time for Christmas. On that note, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas filled with love peace and hope. Thank you all so much for reading my blogs. I received a message from as far as I know it my oldest Blogget of 92 the other day and I know school children read these blogs, so thank you and please keep reading as long as you do I will write. With love to your hearts. X

GOODNIGHT BERLIN

Good evening Bloggets. Firstly, may I say my heart aches tonight for the innocent people who died at a Christmas market in Berlin. I’m sickened by the horror.

How on earth do I find words tonight to talk with you? After such a dreadful situation of evil actions?
It’s hard to imagine such an idyllic location, it’s reported around the beautiful church near the market, the smell of roasted almonds and hot chocolate and visions of little wooden houses selling amazing colourful gifts, and culinary delights full of hopeful happy people, buying presents for their loved ones are now either dead injured or in much need of some kind of psychological help. Families are now grieving and there was no need at all for this to happen.

How your life can change in an instance? From perfection to pain, for some the end of their world because either they have died or a family member has been killed. How to deal with such situations especially so close to a very special celebration that of course comes around annually, just to make matters of anniversaries even worse.

I don’t agree with killing anyone no matter what religion or even if you hide behind a religion just as terrorists do. I believe in world peace, I’m totally anti wars. I just want people to try to be intelligent enough to realise killing will never win.

So out of respect I can’t write my Diary tonight. I feel too sad, too dark and without words, well, words that I feel would be appropriate to publish.

The tragic thing is, I can’t see an ending to this. When we were at war with the I.R.A, there was some kind of closure, they wanted something we understood. I just don’t understand why anyone wants to murder innocent people, women and children of all religions and want to spread their hatred all around the world, even in their own countries.

If you are crossing a road you can see the danger of traffic, if you stand at the edge of the shoreline and see the rough tide smashing against the rocks or if you drive recklessly you must know that an accident could occur, but with these kind of terrorists, there is no warning and they have no fear so they are without care what may happen to themselves. What we must learn is what these people expect out of doing what they do? Are they brain washed? Are their brains wired so differently to other people? Do they need some kind of help? It’s tragic that they will die and their Mothers will morn their child and children will grow up without parents because of their pointless actions. Do they expect people to suddenly stop and say? “Hang on a moment, these people have a point?”” No, they are creating more hate towards them and their cause. So they will die, their life will be over, they believe that they will go to a better place, really? What kind of God celebrates multiple murders? And if they go to a land where there is such a God, surely it won’t be peaceful there either? So, their life of hate starts all over again.
Goodnight Berlin!

Sunday 18 December 2016

DIARY OF BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. It’s free’ee’eezz’zz’zzing outside. Hub and I winding down for the night so some words before the blanket show. And may need a blooming blanket tonight on top of the regular bedding. Teen went out at half ten to see his friend. He has been so domesticated today. He has done all of his washing and changed his bed, ironed and delivered some Christmas cards for me. I’m so ashamed of my cards this year. I told you they are so small they could be mistaken for gift labels. Haha.

I sent for my cards on line and they came in a lovely big box. Well, there were three lines of three cards so that will let you know how small they actually were.

It was our church Christmas carol service and off we all went, I was so proud of my little Waggatail she was amazing. Worked really well. I laughed as we were walking along the leafy lane, Waggs stopped. Why? I didn’t know obviously at that point. Putting my hand out to find a careless person’s car parked right on the path. Waggs normally would make a signal to let me know we were going to have to step off the kerb onto the road. This time she didn’t. I am sure on reflection she thought, we can get through this gap? Hmm. well, I, can, but Mums a bit of a challenge…
So, I gave her commands to walk to the edge of the kerb onto the road and around the stupid person’s car. Luckily it wasn’t a main road we had to walk onto. But still drivers, please think about people who can’t see who have a guide dog or a white cane, a guide dog will stop and not let us hurt ourselves crashing into your car, a white cane won’t know it’s there until you whack it with your stick, so if you don’t want any damage done to your car, please park off the path?

We are taught a route and if it changes even something so small as to step off the kerb, it can confuse us and the dogs. But she did well. It was pitch black as it was night time. She even turned perfectly to the right to step onto the main road to get to where we needed to be, she normally likes to pretend she hasn’t seen that as if she keeps walking, that is the way for her fabulous field, full of other playful dogs, but she forgot about the field and must have known it was our Christmas service. Smile. Maybe she smelt the mince pies?

Spoke to a couple of lovely ladies we know and continued walking. Waggs turned into the right pathway which lead us to the door of the church. The smell of candles was lovely. People were as friendly as ever and we sat with our fab friends everyone who I knew from day one of going to this church, when we were new in this area, the same people who are so nice to us now made us feel very welcome. My friend played the piano despite her Mum dying just a couple of weeks ago, bless her and her Husband sat next to us as well as my Geordie family. Mum Dad my friend Geordie and her Husband. After the singing, we had a warm glass of mulled wine, there were mince pies hot chocolate as well as tea and coffee. A very nice service, the more I hear the Christmas story, the more I believe in the star. Old Bloggets will know what I mean…

We took The Little Fella, removed his harness and he lay still as can be near Hub. Waggs was even good during the service. She must know Santa only comes to good little doggy’s, right? Too late Waggs. Santa watches all year round, not just a week before he visits!!!

We walked back and LF went straight to bed. It was a five minute walk each way max, and has been enough for him. He obviously hasn’t totally recovered his strength yet.

You wouldn’t believe it. Hub took his phone but put on silence and thankfully it didn’t ring whilst we were out, as soon as we got back, about ten minutes the thing rang. An emergency out of hours call… How fortunate was that? I visualised him having to walk out and go home. His duty ends tomorrow morning then we can breathe.

I’m off for my hair cut tomorrow, I look like a shaggy dog right now. I just pray our town isn’t busy.
We have a busy week ahead. Tuesday so far free. Wednesday full Thursday again a full day and part night and Friday, I can’t wait to take a coffee with my friend. Saturday will be cooking all day then the big day already. I’m not ready. Still have too much to do, but what? Not sure… Seriously, we have everything we need now but I always panic at the is time of year. Hub spoke to his Dad tonight, we are seeing him soon too. He seems better than I thought he would as this is the first year he is without his Son who lives abroad now. He does have Hub though and Hubs other brother who lives much closer and thankfully lots of friends. He also has a lovely brother who I was telling you about before who made those lovely dishes from wood.

You forgot to remind me about my American Bloggets. For all the time, I have been writing blogs, America every day have been the highest viewing stats until this year and it’s been the UK, the day before yesterday, yesterday and today the US are the number one viewers with UK second and Canada third. It always baffles me how suddenly one particular country all decide to read my blogs one day. It’s as if someone reads one of my blogs from say Florida, then they pick up the phone and call Jim in New York to tell him and he phones Louise in New Mexico and so on. Smile.

It’s lovely to see Germany here every day. As Germany used to view about twice a week now we are getting about 70 plus views each week. Love you all.

Well Teen is now in. Eating.
Hub has been working on his lap top believe it or not and I guess it’s time for shut eye but before I go some words I hope will make you smile.
Christmas is the season when you buy this year’s gifts with next year’s money.
Three phrases that sum up Christmas, peace on earth, goodwill to all men and batteries not included.

Until tomorrow with love. And remember, if you can’t be good have fun.

SUNDAYS DIARY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

The sun is shining, all is well. A homemade quiche in the oven for tea and a happy household with pets who wag. What more could I ask for? Teen just showed me a gift from someone it’s the biggest bottle of gin I have ever seen. He has also presented me with a beautiful present. This is two in a week now so close to Christmas. I told him to keep it for the 25th, but he wanted to give me it now. It’s beautiful silver tray with a salt pepper and sugar dish with a little spoon in it. The silver has red and blue on it. So, cute so now it’s in my china cabinet next to Hubs silver bar wear and some real silver antique items we purchased second hand. Like candle sticks and a stunning ornate hand held mirror.

I love the smell of the house today. Oranges and cinnamon from the tree and baking in the oven. It’s lovely mixed in with the wood from our new doors. It smells like a country cottage. A girl can dream, right?

I love the idea of a cottage at Christmas. With a wood burner and a aga. Stone floors and really thick walls with scattered lamps giving an orange glow!

A small real tree the kind that have fragrance small because the cottage isn’t huge, at the left of the log fire with candle lights, artificial of course. Dishes of oranges and colourful wrapped treats in wooden dishes carved by Uncle Bob. Smile, we have dishes carved by Hubs Uncle Bob we treasure. We also have some memories in the kitchen from Hubs Nanna, again, are well loved. In my cabinet, I have a part of my loved Mother in law, God love her, there are articles from my Mum and of course I have my photograph of my Dad that I was talking about the other day.

Christmas past. And what for the future? Who knows where we will be next year at this time? What will have happened in that year? So many I have spoken to received messages and calls from have had a bad year in 2016, well a new start is not too far. And for those of you who have had a good year, keep this year in your heart forever, passing on the good vibes. I believe in people energy. In my past I, have spoken about before, I have had whole churches pray for me from all over the world, or a prayer card has been placed in churches. There are a lot of good people out there, and you never know, you may have met them already just haven’t realised. Or they may be waiting for you, to change your life if that is what you want.

Are you sorted for Christmas? If you are not, what will happen, will the world end? Will you lose your job? Your spouse will divorce you? Smile, they will if you have bought your wife an ironing board… One thing that you can give this holiday is something that fits all comes in one size and can be exchanged at any time. It’s free too. You don’t need to wrap it up in fact if you give it like it is, it will be more appreciated rather than behind fake wrapping. What is it?
A hug. A genuine hug. Of course, careful who you are giving this to, may be a bit odd a gift for your boss, having said that, a few Christmas parties at the office I’m sure that has happened.

I can’t believe my Hub has told me he wants a Christmas jumper for next year. Noo’oo’oo what has happened? My sensible serious beloved? Well, what he wants he gets. Sales here I come. Hahahaha. Some words before I go from the Doctor himself.
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more?
~ Dr. Seuss ~

In this Christmas quote the Grinch figured out that Christmas has more meaning than some people think.

I’m going to get ready soon for our Christmas carol service. With love until later. X

Saturday 17 December 2016

DIARY OF OUR DAY WITH A SMILE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. Firstly, thank you so much for your lovely comments today, gosh, you really are so lovely and absolutely keep me going you know?

As the cuckoo clock is about to strike pumpkin hour, our house is starting to go to sleep. The outside lights are off but I sit with our Christmas tree lights on and the lights around the mantel piece, threaded around the foliage of our pine coned garland. I know my Son is on his way home and our dogs are safe in their beds.

Today our lady came to walk the dogs and poor LF sat wagging his tail not knowing why he wasn’t allowed to go. Waggatail wiggled her way down our drive as poor Little Fella sadly came back into the living room with me. I made a fuss of him, I couldn’t give him a treat because he is only allowed his special food and nothing hard as his throat still really hurts him he keeps coughing poor baby. Our dog walker was horrified to see what had happened to him. How much they have shaved him. She said he is red raw well that is his fault too because he is licking constantly his leg this was how it all started. He was to go for a scan about his leg. He has cream for it which Hub puts on twice a day. He was offered gloves as it’s steroid cream, but as he said to the lady, what good are they how would he feel the wound?

He made me smile as he said when he was putting the cream on. “I may end up with a very hairy finger.”” He cracks me up because he doesn’t laugh. He is so dry.

Poor LF even has a dreadful patch on his throat and it must be hurting him as he keeps trying to put his throat on my blooming wrist as I’m watching TV. And when he gets it positioned, he pushes really hard. Then there are his legs with three shaved marks on and finally his tiny skinny tummy, though he is putting on weight now thank goodness because of the food he is eating. He is working tomorrow just for five minutes Hub said he will come to the Christmas service with me as long as he isn’t handling a chrysies from work at the time. And if his phone buzzes during the carol service, he will have to come home. Leaving me and the Wagging one to get home that should be a hoot. Hahahaha. She can do it though, just we may detour. If I find myself trying to get into someone else’s door, I shall spare my blushes and start to sing carols….
May be not. I don’t want to be arrested. Especially at Christmas…

The service should be lovely tomorrow night. It’s by candle light.

I was meant to go to my brother and sister in laws today but obviously, we couldn’t because of Hub being on emergency calls, but in hindsight, it was a good job we didn’t because of poor LF.

Hub and I today have done more wrapping. We had some Great Christmas songs blasting from the speakers and just turned the radio on any station. The first one that sounded as if it was playing festive songs.

That was hilarious. It was a channel from Wales. I can say hand on heart, they kept playing ho hoh hoh’s from Santa and the big man had some words to say. I have never heard a Welsh speaking Santa before… Come on guys… Keep it real?

I remember when my Son was about four. We took him to a forest to see Santa. The setting was perfect. Then the man in red appeared. Well. He looked fine, until my little boy looked down and said at the top of his voice, just as the room went quiet, full of children stunned by what had appeared in front of them.
“Mummy.
Why is Santa wearing Adidas trainers?””
Well, of course, I told my Son.
“Darling, Santa’s feet get very sore with all the climbing of chimney and going down the fire breasts as well as miles and miles of walking he does, so he has to sometimes remove his boots.”
That night we came home and watched the film Pinocchio!

Hub and I wrapping is so funny. I have to be so careful not to put down the paper in case we got it mixed up and I put it plain white down and patterned up. Hub rolls out how much he wants for my gifts, I cut in a straight line tell you what Bloggers, it’s not blooming bad for someone who can’t see. Hahaha. Then he wraps my gifts
right next to me. You have to laugh… Then we wrapped Teens. Gosh they were all in boxes. I tell you it’s a good job we have a good memory. Then some other gifts. There are quite a few to go for our family and again remembering what they all are. Once wrapped putting them in different parts of the room to remember whose section belongs to whom? That starts off fine. Until you have wrapped quite a lot. Then your nicely spaced out parcels start to touch and before you know it, there are lines of gits. Heck. Now what? Then Hub asks me for the roll of paper. I say there you are. He says where? I say here. He says where? Hahahaha.

We do laugh. We have to. It’s very easy to get depressed about it all. But what choice do we have?

Oh, gosh I did a really embarrassing thing today. OK. Another one… I went on line for my home delivery groceries and went into my orders. I requested a refund for an item. It was only £1.50, but still. It hadn’t come so why pay for it? I used to phone if the rare occasion the item hadn’t turned up or mainly was damaged. But it costs a fortune to call they take so long. So on line is great.

Oh I was showing Hub how easy it is. He was so impressed with techno Fi.
And then after I pushed the refund done button.
I found the blooming item.
Heck. I hadn’t put it there. Hub said he hadn’t. Well who did? The Christmas elves?
So I guess I should phone tomorrow and try to rectify my shameful request.

Well our cupboards are bursting our house smells of cinnamon and oranges; my tree is so pretty this year. I can’t see it but I can sense it. One year, if the sugar plum fairy grants my wishes, I will see our tree. Please God if there is a cure or treatment for RP. Life would be so easy. Sighted people with stress this time of year have no idea what real stress is like. Buying gifts is a total nightmare. Thank goodness for Amazon but even that, you don’t get to look, to feel what you want. Even Christmas cards this year. I bought a box of them. I always write the cards still. Sometimes the pen hasn’t worked and people get blank cards, but they know now who they are from… I have joked and told those people just to use them again next year… I believe in recycling. Okay? Gosh, I really do. But I don’t recycle gifts, unlike the radio station we were listening to this afternoon. The lady presenter was saying to her co-worker, how she bought her aunt a gift last year and her sister received a gift the other day. Naughtily she opened it and it was the presenters gift she had given the aunt the year before. So the sister got it back a year after. Thing is, the man said to her, you should confront your aunty. The presenter replied. Now wait for this Bloggets. On the radio, she answered.
“Gosh, I can’t do that? I would die with shame if she new I knew!””
Em
Hellloooweee
You’re on the radio love. You are her Niece, I think she may sus you?

I did once give my Mother in law God bless her soul. A lovely gift in a bag that was recycled. I am shocking for recycling gift bags. It was the first year I had been reunited with Hub in 28 years… How to impress?
The label on the bag was from an Aunt oddly enough. Reading to me and my ex with love. Oh. Oops. She laughed as I went as red as Santa’s coat.

Hub and I have had a lovely day. We never expected this weekend with the past few days with LF, but thank goodness and a few special people, he is with us and seams so far, so good. Until tomorrow Bloggets, oh, and remind me tomorrow, must tell you something about our American Bloggets? Later gators though. Be safe smile and so long. X

CHRISTMAS STORY

Good afternoon Bloggets. Hello today to Albania, it’s been a while since your country visited my Blog page. Are you the same people? Seven of you today. If old or new, welcome why not have a glass of mulled wine or a cup of hot chocolate with me as I write of a Christmas story?

The Nutcracker and the mouse King, is a story written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffmann in which a young girl called Marie, had a favourite Christmas toy the nutcracker, which came alive. After defeating the wicked mouse king in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom full of dolls.

I went to the Nutcracker Ballet as a child in Russia on an annual visit to the Bolshoi Theatre. I saw Spartacus and of course, Swan lake, but the Nutcracker made a home in my heart and if you have been reading my latest blogs on our outdoor decorations, you will see that we broke the tradition of the seriousness of Moscow’s finest theatre. Just as Marie broke the spell of telling the nutcracker she would love him if he were real. And of course, he came to life, whisked her off again to the doll kingdom and married her making her a Queen.

A magical Grandfather clock is featured in the story. Gosh I love Grand father and Mother clocks. I thought the nicest one I had seen was our friend from America, but I loved that clock because it belonged to such a lovely man who is a true Gentleman and that clock had travelled around the world and belonged to his great aunt, so had seen so many changes in life, there is a part of me that believes clocks do have a memory from time gone by…. Pardon the pun. But that clock I loved for the stories it could have told. The absolute nicest clock I have ever heard and I can’t get it out of my mind, is my friend Pauline’s clock. Gosh I wish I could record it and let Hub hear it? The sound is like nothing I have ever heard from a clock. It’s almost like velvet! If I ever win the Lottery, I am going to buy a Grandfather clock. You can get some awful sounding ones though. One person we know has clocks and he has one that sounds OK, but most of them are really awful, tinny or annoying.

Christmas is a time to practice tolerance and respect, to teach our children about love and care. To say words so sincere for our children to remember and carry out those emotions for the following years passing down generations keeping the festive feeling alive. Sometimes it’s not easy, but as adults it’s our duty to prepare the nest for the tiny chicks to be strong happy and healthy and a healthy person is more than their level of fitness, our children should have healthy minds too, because society will do its best to murder any act of kindness our kids may have in them. Like the nutcracker, we hope they will grow up strong no matter what is thrown at them and what better time of year for this lesson to start than Christmas time.

We took our Son to the theatre the other night. It would have been less stressful easier for us to go alone, but though our boy is 19, we have to still fight for what should be tradition and what is right in life. Someone who will go to the theatre will be I hope a better Father than someone who is left to their own vice. It’s all about interacting!

A Christmas tree represents unity. Typically, in what I would say the old days, a Father brings the tree into the house, the Mother adorns it with decorations brother pokes sister with the needles and sister chases brother so interaction. Smile. I guess today it’s changed Father sometimes isn’t on the scene or the tree gets delivered in a box by the post person. Sometimes it’s already decorated even with lights. But still there is light in the room. Light creates warmth. And hopefully that will transpire into the hearts of our families.

Those who have lost someone or something very special to them near Christmas will need you. You will be their saviour. If only you can be selfless enough to do this. I promise it will leave you feeling better than you would if you had gone out and bought someone a gift.

Anyone can buy a gift. Not many can give their time, even for a short while, even if it comes in the form of a phone call, but a visit is so much better. Xx