Well, I have been planning for Christmas for ages- the first time I have been so organised. Presents bought, menu sorted, and outfits prepared. And then as our wonderful national poet said:

“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!”

A wee quotation there from ‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns.

Our small world here has been like a scene from a hospital drama. First John’s op developed complications and he had to be readmitted with an infection and was put in a weird isolation room here in the Western Hospital, Edinburgh. He is now recovered and that is good. Then Natasha was suddenly admitted to hospital in Cardiff with appendicitis, which had an abscess which burst, as well as the ruptured appendix and a tear on the bowel, so it was a nasty operation. She was very ill and I flew down to take care of Bonnie. Leo is great and coping well so I am back home to cook the meal that should have been for all of us, but now only for ourselves and Gerry and Cathal, which I know will be good and  we shall have a good day. But my thoughts are with Tasha at this time.

She is being let out between drips to spend Christmas morning with Leo and Bonnie. Poor girl, it just makes it extra horrible because it coincided with this special time of year that we had all been looking forward to.

So I shall raise a glass (or three) to you all, and wish you well for this Christmas.

From the chief nurse and bottle washer, and  convalescent carer and companion, Cheers! – Tae a moose!!

and here she is discovering the joys of Granny’s bag!