Hemmed in at Christmas?

[gerbil]

I grew up in village Pubs (parents were publicans rather than i was a rural yoof with a drink problem) so xmas was always a big event. Growing up less than 50 people drinking to excess was a quite xmas and even now 15 years later i still miss it. I always feel a bit for my wife becuase when we spend xmas with my folks we insist that pressies are opened AFTER lunch. We had to do this becuase the morning was given over to the pub. It came as a great shock to me to discover that for most people xmas was a morning thing not a pub a thing.

Me and big bro were talking about last year as his sons joined us down the pub for the 1st time. Each xmas brings changes and new traditions while others just slip away quitely to become cherisished memories.

[Buoyant Babe]

Like many people I have sad Christmas memories. In December 2002 we found out my Dad was dying so that Christamas was one of the most special yet poignant I have ever spent. He died in February 2003.

Last year my Grandma died on December 15th. She was the founder of so many of our family's Christmas 'traditions' and always made it very special for us as children. We couldn't bury her until after Christmas so she spent the day in state in my Mother's front room. She was no bother though, and she didn't eat much!

I would like to think that these experiences have made me a much nicer and thoughtful person. Christmas for me now is about being with family, remembering loved ones, absent friends, the sad and the lonely, and is much more about the giving of goodwill rather than presents.

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope the magic lives in your hearts forever

[hogen-deifar]

We really gotta stop with these sad posts!!!! My hangover is bad enough without these bloomin' tears!!!! Read Gerbil's from this morning and blubbed, now Helen's and that's started me off again! Blimey, my head's getting worse!!

Mini-me's just sent me a text telling me she's missing me and loves me and can't wait to talk to me in the morning. Blimey!! Can't handle this!!

Time to stop with the feeling sorry for myself and do as you all suggest! I've got a cracking daughter and some fantastic friends. So I'm not seeing her tomorrow morning but I am seeing her later in the evening and we've got all Boxing Day together - which will be our Christmas Day. And like Vonny says I've got David Tennant on the box tomorrow evening! What more could a girl want, other than David Tennant IN her........ Oops, did I really just say that out loud??? Sorry. Aaaahhhhh he truly is splendid!!!

Thanks for sharing all your stories. When things get tough it's easy to feel like you're alone, however hearing you all say you've got sad memories too reminds me that none of us are alone.

Now cut the crap and stop with the soppy stuff!!!!

[DIVE BUDDHA]

Christmas has always been a very special time for me, especialy being around

friends, family and loved ones!

this year will be the first christmas i will be spending with julie and jessica and will

be the first time for many years i will be waking with a smile in anticipation of

seeing loved ones opening their prezzies!

Merry Christmas everyone lots of love leigh, julie and jessica

[Finless]

Originally Posted by hogen-deifar

And like Vonny says I've got David Tennant on the box tomorrow evening! What more could a girl want, other than David Tennant IN her........ Oops, did I really just say that out loud??? Sorry. Aaaahhhhh he truly is splendid!!!

He looks just a bit weaselly to me BUT, just to add to your pleasure, and I quote from Top Gear last night (where DT was the 'guest in the reasonably priced car') JC pointed out to DT that Billie Piper calls him David Ten-inches. Quite how she knows that I don't know .......... perhaps it is the sort of thing that is declared on your acting CV?

[Finless]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

However..... this year has been and still is... the best Christmas since I was a child.

I am working as a bank nurse .............

I thought they gave out 'gentlemen's magazines'? Oh well, in that case, perhaps I'll find out where my local one is so I can make a donation. It'd be nice to think there would be a 'semi mini me' around somewhere in the future.

I have a lovely new man in my life.

I'm of lovely (well, sort of, if you ignore the smell, oh, and the looks and I suppose the cleanliness could do with some improvement) and I'm sure I'd know about this ............ it's not me is it . Only joking .

At the risk of sounding sickly, I am counting my blessings every day and loving the fact that there is so much potential joy during the bleakest time of the year.

I'm really pleased for you. I recollect your obvious distress from your long ago return from ........ to find the unpleasant news so 'good for you'.

For anyone going through a tough time - hang in there and work towards doing what you want to do with your life.

That's OK for you you youngster. Some of us are contemplating what sort of go-faster stripes to put on our zimmers!

......... and Dr Who is on the telly.

I'm looking forward myself. I really want Santa to bring me one of those sonic screwdrivers.

A happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas to everyone.

And to you and yours.

Right, I'm off to do my sprouts now and then we are going for a very long walk.

Is that a euphamism?

[scuba_smithy]

Las Xmas I spent the 25th diving with Manta's in the Maldives.

Currently I'm sat at work - grrrrr.

Oh well, going home in 30 minutes (by the way thanks a lot to the train companies for having engineering works today - I REALLY wanted a 6 hour journey home this afternoon).

Still - got tomorrow and boxing day off work so mustn't grumble.

plan is to eat drink and be merry for the next 2 days.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE ON YD!!!!