Kath's Kristmas Kronicle 2008

A very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all readers

By popular request, here it is – Kath’s Kristmas Kronicle 2008.  I had thoughts of giving it a miss this year as there is so much in the press about how much these ‘round robin’ epistles are hated.  However, those of you who are so much more organised than I am - and have already caused your very welcome Christmas Greetings to fall on our doormat - seem to be looking forward to this edition.  I am heartened, as I do like writing them but time is of the essence this year.  

Sadly, we are in the throes of making funeral and memorial service arrangements for Pete’s Auntie Marianne who passed away last week.  (Mental note:  Build in contingency time for this sort of event in future!)  She was just three months short of her 100^th birthday.  We were discussing how to order a card from Her Majesty just the day before.  It will be an emotional occasion as she is the last of her generation in the family and the last remaining active link between Pete and the farming community in Shropshire.

We have had a very mixed year.  My agonising plantar fasciitis prevented us from going skiing.  I consulted a sports specialist physiotherapist who stuck acupuncture needles into ‘the root’ of the pain.  To say I nearly hit the ceiling is an understatement.  I stuck it out twice a week for eight weeks whilst trying to keep off the foot – on physio’s advice – and then was fortunate to find some devices on a website which have been an absolute godsend.  I am still having to wear them but they enable me to walk foot pain free.

Ecstatic at being mobile again (memories of the crutches last year still fairly fresh) we had great hopes for our holiday in the Lakes with Iain and family.  We had a fantastic time – despite the weather – and thus rejuvenated we sallied forth on our own to Coniston during September.  Almost within touching distance of the summit of The Old Man I managed to sprain my knee.  I was not amused.  My greatest fear was the possibility of having to call out the emergency services.  They would not have been amused either as the cloud had descended over the tops.  Thankfully with the aid of my trusty trekking poles I was able to get down without further mishap.  We enjoyed a couple of days with Lindsay and Paul.  They were staying in a cottage at nearby Ambleside.  The knee is still not right although it did not prevent me from cycling during a stay in Peterborough in October with the help of a hinged knee brace!!  We had a great cycling holiday near Rutland Water in June, too.  Bristol in March was more of a challenge as, although I was allowed to cycle, I was not supposed to walk.  

Pete has had a good year fitness wise.  His dislocated shoulder from last year seems to have healed well – all the more frustrating for him that I have been injured.  I did mention to our doctor that perhaps it was time to admit that we are ‘old’.  He said not – so I am telling myself that I am injured rather than succumbing to the ravages of time.  Both of us are now involved with the proposed Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust’s efforts to become a foundation trust.  How much ‘patient power’ there will be remains to be seen.  The cynics say it is a target-meeting propaganda exercise.  (I am still involved in the patients’ committee at our GP surgery, however, where patients’ views are welcomed.)  We live in hope.  If we can just get the hospitals clean it will be a start.

Our children are all fit and well – although Richard has had a few problems with his voice.  He has had to cancel a few gigs and book some refresher singing lessons.  The specialist seemed to think he had probably slipped into bad vocal habits over the years.  Iain seems to be working on site a lot more these days (including some abroad) which is not good news for Tracy and the boys.  He can be away for a whole week at a time.  However, we must be glad he is in work in the present economic climate.  Lindsay still complains about the students at Staffordshire University – conveniently forgetting that she was once a student herself.  However, she says she always knew who her tutors were, the modules she was studying and the titles of the pieces of work she was supposed to submit!!  Unfortunately, Jo has just been diagnosed with pernicious anaemia.  Fortunately, it is treatable these days.  She is on thyroxin for life, too.  Her job has been very stressful this year which hasn’t helped.  Tracy has increased her working hours to four and a half days – all at the university in Preston.  It is a pity she has to travel so far but there are not many establishments that have print making departments – her field of expertise.  She still manages to exhibit her own work, too.  Paul is still working on the transportation of stuff for Argos from the Far East.  (No, you may not complain to me if your Argos goods don’t turn up!!!)  

The grandchildren are fine – growing up fast.  Anna is in second year of university and ultra environmentally conscious.  She says she got all the partying out of the way in the first term and is now working hard.  Olivia is in the middle of her GCSE course and is the family fashion and drama queen.  Esme excels in drama, too, as well as many academic subjects.  The younger girls are still very heavily involved in dancing and amateur dramatics.  Aaron is excelling in his swimming.  I can’t believe he is in the water by 5.30am on Tuesdays! Training on other days is at more sociable hours – fortunately.  He and Nathan play football and Nathan does Karate, too.  Toby started school in September and seems to be settling in well.  Nathan and Toby are very keen on swimming, too.  

In April some of our Canadian relatives came to stay for a couple of weeks – a bit of a squash, but very enjoyable.  Ro, Trevor and Elizabeth were accompanied by Gabriel, three and Molly, one.  All were warmly welcomed by their English cousins and a great time was had by all.  It is wonderful that all the grandchildren get on so well together – despite the disparity in their ages.

I think that probably sums up our year in a nutshell – although there are bound to be important events I have left out.  I apologise in advance for any issues I may have overlooked.

Here are a couple of photos of family gatherings this year – my 66^th and Richard’s 40^th.  Apologies to Paul for making him look as though he is wearing a light shade and to Anna for making her look as though she has a plant growing out of her head!  A great time was had by all.  My blogs seem to have gone into hibernation now that everyone shares photos on Facebook.  Anyone interested in viewing collections of photos on there just let me know.   I still have a love/hate relationship with modern technology.  I love the possibilities it offers but hate the quirks.