Well , am on my own tonight , or rather yesterday now! I am still in the throes of trying to get some order into the chaos that there is in the flat. I think that the Borrowers must be here behind the skirting boards as I cannot comprehend the mixture of things that I cannot find. e.g. My good hairbrush, the toilet brush and holder, my two favourite sharp knives, (one large one small,) Having spent most of the day looking for things and putting them back in the right place, this is my only conclusion.! But of course radio 3 accompanied me most of the day and then I had the tv on for the music from Vienna. Couldnt actually be there tonight so that was next best thing. No room to viennese walz round but much singing along and watched the fireworks and that was about all. Stayed up to greet the New Year. Slight problem here as only one door. When I lived in a house, very traditional ways. My husband would be pushed out of the back door , with the traditional gifts in his pocket. A piece of bread (may we never be hungry) a shiny 5p (one shilling, may we never be without money for the basics ) and a piece of coal (may we never be cold, this piece of coal has been carried around for over 10 years as we had gas central heating by this time) Then he had to walk round to the front door, which I would be stood behind with a small glass of single malt. But only when the chimes had begun would he knock and I would answer. He would give me the things and wish all who lived there health and happiness . I would hand him the whisky and wish him and all who we knew health and happiness for the coming year. So now, being on my own, and no one round here doing any first footing, I just went to the door with my little whisky, opened the door and raised my glass to the empty darkness and sent good wishes to all friends and family who are far away. Thought of the many different ways I have celebrated New Year. Fireworks in Stockholm, eating 1 grape for each chime of the bells for a good month for each one eaten, in Spain. One mad year a long time ago, being up the dales in a tent on a very cold night, but sitting wrapped up as much as possible with a hot toddy and the tent flap open to watch the stars in my favourite place in the world , etc. Well I have more reason than usual to be grateful to have a home and a warm bed and food. Definitely good riddance to last year, where the balance is definitely on the negative. Having cancer again, the loss of two very special people in my life, and the last 11 weeks of the shambles of the bathroom saga, and not being able to be at home. Well I think that takes the biscuit for horrible years, with very little positive to weigh against this. Joining in GNs has been a very positive thing though and it has definitely let me rant on and let off steam when I have nobody that would enjoy being woken at 3am for me to have a moan. So a very happy new year to you all. May you and all your loved ones have health and happiness this coming year.
