Tag: Christmas

Confused ?


Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrated Christmas !

Yes, we had a full turkey roast with all the trimmings. We pulled crackers, put on our paper hats and read out the mottos, told corny jokes, played “Who am I?” And Charades.

Why ? You may ask.

Simply, Gerry and I were too ill on the run up to and thru Christmas and New Year.

We were supposed to go to my daughters for Christmas dinner, but it didn’t happen, and it was decided to defer to a later date. I made a chocolate bomb back in December. Since then, it has been languishing in our freezer. The bomb was delivered, and chocolate sauce made applied and duly devoured.

Chocolate Bomb

And that’s how we ended up celebrating Christmas in March.

We had a fine old time and returned home after five or so hours, feeling pleasantly plump.

From my cracker ….

JOKE

What did the Scarf say to the hat ?

I’ll hang around here, and you go on ahead !

QUESTION

A boy and a doctor went sailing. The boy is the doctors son, but the doctor is not the boys father. Who is the doctor ?

Favourite Month ?


What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

My favourite month ?

That would be January. Because it is the furthest month away from the insanity that has become Christmas.

Once upon a time, Christmas was a joy restricted to December. But now, due to commercial interests, it has expanded into the whole of November and even into October.

Here in the UK it isn’t unusual to see Christmas items being rolled out in stores by mid October.

In October for God’s sake, before Halloween, which, in turn is overshadowing a truly British event, 5th November, Bonfire Night.

I find the whole run up to Christmas totally exhausting. Not only do I have family members gleefully announcing the erection of their Christmas trees, but there are non stop adverts on the TV channels, roadside hoardings and numerous TV chef shows battling for my attention, telling me the “new” best way to cook the turkey, which I detest, the best way to prepare and cook the roasties and of course how to make Christmas Pudding.

What happened to The Twelve Days of Christmas ?

The commercialism and relentless “buy me” pressure has spoilt it for me.

The only joy to be gained is to watch the kids when they open their presents. As far as I am concerned that is the main event and even that is tainted.

Once upon a time Christmas was when the special presents were deployed. Not anymore. Kids get presents all the year round. The latest merchandise craze associated with movies etc. are available immediately after the stars have walked down the red carpet at the premiere. By the time Christmas arrives, the kids already have it.

I apologise for all this negativity but I feel that we all have truly lost the plot.

So that is why January is my favourite month. Even that will be spoilt by some lunatic telling me that there are only 359 days until Christmas.

Aagh !!!

Why ?


I have just read this article about Christmas decorations being vandalised.

Residents in Whiteley have suggested that youths with ‘bladed weapons’ are the culprits.

It shouldn’t be the case, but I never cease to be amazed by the depths people are prepared to descend.

Given the difficult times we are navigating, why would anyone deliberately set out to cause grief and aggravation for the homeowners and spoil the pleasure for everyone.

This is such a selfish and thoughtless act.

I hope that they are caught and punished.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/2020/12/14/christmas-decorations-vandalised-in-whiteley-with-residents-blaming-youths-with-bladed-weapons/content.html

Christmas Reflections


Following much nagging and abuse, I finally capitulated and put up the tree. I have even turned on the lights outside the house.

This must be the earliest preparation, for me, ever and the first time we have placed the tree in the conservatory. And, I have to say, I like the effect with all the reflections.

Going Back In Time


wpid-wp-1417697736450.jpeg

Just found this in an old jacket pocket.

Shows how long since I last wore it.

Needless to say it no longer fits me.

Idiotic Outpatient Appointment Rules


On Tuesday 9th October, 2012 I had just completed an appointment with the consultant dealing with my Prostate Cancer. I left the hospital clutching the details of my next appointment.

Having elected for  “Active Surveillance” the next appointment, to review PSA blood test results, was scheduled for four months time. i.e. 11:10 on Monday 18th February, 2013

A while later, seems like a couple of weeks, I was notified that the appointment had been cancelled and that I would be advised of a new appointment in due course. Time passed, Christmas came and went and no new appointment. Knowing that I had to arrange for a PSA blood test a couple of weeks ahead of the consult and not having a specific appointment I took a punt and arranged for the blood test to be carried out on Friday 1st February.

Well time flies by when you are enjoying yourself and here we are, half way through January and I still had not heard anything regarding a new appointment.

So I contacted the Urology Department at the QA where they explained that the original appointment had been cancelled due to government and/or NHS rules and I had been placed on the Outpatients Waiting List. However, very helpfully she said she would arrange a new appointment for me.

“I have an appointment for you in February” she said.

“Monday 18th” she said.

“That’s amazing”  I replied “My previous appointment was on that day”

“What time ?” I asked.

“11:10”  she replied

“Bizarre” I responded. “That’s when my original appointment was scheduled”

“Oh I can’t give you that time” she jumps in. “The diary is showing a conflict with your original appointment even though it has been cancelled.” “I’ll have to give you another time. How’s 11:20 ?”

Obviously I accepted the new time and she said she would mail me confirmation.

So in summary, the new rules meant that my appointment had been shifted by 10 minutes, had cost me a telephone call and cost the NHS/QA  three appointment letters.

WHY ?

I can only imagine that they are applying the same petty bureaucratic rules that stop me from being able to book an appointment, to see my GP, greater than a month ahead of time.