Christmas Greetings from Munch and Katharine

[Katharine]

I received a Christmas Card from Munch today she sends Greetings to all. They have just got a BT landline installed after a long delay and she hopes she will be back with us soon.

For many years now I have boned and stuffed the turkey during the Carols from Kings College. During that time John and Patrick put up the decorations.

This year when we were in Nuremburg we bought some lovely new straw tree decorations and a new Nuremburg angel for the top of the tree.

When I finished the turkey I made a pot of tea and came in to admire the tree - can I see the new decorations or angel? NO!!! 'They are not traditional' Just in case anyone is wondering, Patrick is 32 not a small child!

Merry Christmas one and all! This forum has been a joy and a delight on occasions throughout the year and I would be lost without it!

[englishangel]

You see Katharine you have to start them young on traditions, it's like wearing a seatbelt, if they think it's normal then they always do it.

OUR tradition, started when the children were tiny, is that each Christmas they get a new decoration for the tree, so by the time they leave home ( ) they have a set of decorations for their own tree. It does mean that we cannot now SEE our tree for decorations but it does make for a lovely 'memory' tree.

[MKM]

Merry Christmas everyone. I have "Carols from CH 1967" playing as I wrap bacon round sausages and prunes. Its first outing in decades (the LP, not the bacon).

[J.R.]

A very Merry Christmas to one and all from John & Jan.

[jtaylor]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Went to the CH Midnight last night - Adrian did us proud with fantastic playing as always - a lovely atmosphere!

Hope you're all having a lovely day...

J

[jhopgood]

Merry Christmas from a sunny Valencia.
Quiet lunch, followed by a walk down to the beach.
Now for a bit of Xmas Cake.

John & Emilia

[michael scuffil]

And Merry Christmas from a frosty Cologne.

Just walked off a trad dinner inc. a Sainsbury's Organic Luxury Pudding brought in by my daughter. Time for a cup of tea, and I might just manage a slice of Stollen.

[Mrs C.]

Merry Christmas to all from CH!

[gemmygemmerson]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I know I havn't been on here recently but I just want to wish everyone a very merry christmas!.

xxxxx Gemma Newlands

[blondie95]

I hope you all had a lovely christmas day......from a very full and spoilt Amy and Ben

[midget]

Belated Christmas greetings to you all from Maggie and Joe. Very quiet here, phone calls off and on all day to scattered family.

[englishangel]

[ME] You see Katharine you have to start them young on traditions, it's like wearing a seatbelt, if they think it's normal then they always do it.

OUR tradition, started when the children were tiny, is that each Christmas they get a new decoration for the tree, so by the time they leave home they have a set of decorations for their own tree. It does mean that we cannot now SEE our tree for decorations but it does make for a lovely 'memory' tree.

An update.

Daughter says she is not going to take her decorations with her, she wants to see them on the tree when she comes 'home'. And she will want a 'more grown-up' tree.

Thanks honey.

[blondie95]

I totally understand your daughter and her tradition-if my parents try to change elements of xmas as they have done over the last couple of years you can be sure be and my sister have had a fit! Last year it was xmas dinner on xmas eve-which when it happened was sensible!
However in my own home i am trying to instill many of my family's traditions on the fiance as he is on me so its going to become a happy almaganation of traditions!

I have to admit i didnt have a real tree this year after some serious debate with the fiance-praticality of a tiny cottage. I have a lovely white tree that looks amazing!

[Katharine]

Daughter says she is not going to take her decorations with her, she wants to see them on the tree when she comes 'home'. And she will want a 'more grown-up' tree.

It does seem that she is thinking she may leave home some time! I wish I could get Patrick thinking that!!!

(Though to be honest two years ago when he was in the depth of depression and we did not know have a clue where he was - or even IF he was - I never thought I would wish him anywhere other than with us where I could see him every day to be sure he was still there. I suppose we have made progress slowly)

[icomefromalanddownunder]

(Though to be honest two years ago when he was in the depth of depression and we did not know have a clue where he was - or even IF he was - I never thought I would wish him anywhere other than with us where I could see him every day to be sure he was still there. I suppose we have made progress slowly)


Hang in there Katharine

I am very anti- regular use of therapeutics, perfering to get to the cause of the problem, rather than masking the symptoms. Hmmmm, well, since the middle of this year I have given thanks every day for whoever developed the use of Lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder (although, in my defence, Lithium does address the cause ). I am also extremely grateful that Jess (daughter) was referred to a Psychiatrist who understands her, and with whom she can empathise. I read an interview with Sinead O'Connor recently. From memory she is now in her forties, and has only just been diagnosed - it is so easy to pass off the behaviour/symptoms as teenage angst, hormonal problems, and just plain nasty person disorder.

Best wishes, Happy New Year, and enduring good health of to all of us, our families and friends.

With love

Caroline