Tuesday 5 January 2010

Christmas past

It's over now! The Christmas tree and decorations have been taken down and packed away for another 50 weeks and we are into a new year which for us, and myself in particular, will be different. Also, we have resolved that next Christmas will be different and it will.

This year, or rather last year, I worked at one of the local supermarkets in the run up to Christmas. When I was offered the work I decided to take it as supermarkets don't allow their staff holiday during December which means that it is unusual to be offered it and the atmosphere is usually good. There will not be the opportunity again, from their point of view, or mine. It was bitterly cold, even though we had additional heaters, because there was some problem with the supermarket heating. Years of working in these conditions have taught me to wear thermals to keep warm but I find it hard to concentrate when they insist on playing music to get shoppers in the Christmas mood. If they stuck to Christmas music it would not be so bad but at times it felt like a disco. However, I shall remember this work stint for two things. Firstly, the fact that by lunch time on Christmas Eve we had sold out of packets of Paracetamol tablets. The afternoon delivery included 200 packets! What do the British public do with them? And secondly, at 7pm on December 30 the printer stopped working and I had to hand write the labels. Something that I used to have to do when I first qualified but have rarely done since the requirement for labels to be printed was introduced. That's enough about work.

Husband and I had a pleasant and relaxing Christmas Day. Then we had my Mother for the afternoon on Boxing Day which went well apart from when it was time to take her back to the home and she wouldn't or couldn't walk. We ended up putting her on an old wooden chair and Husband carried her out to the car. If anybody had seen us we looked like a clip from You've been framed! The next day we both had pulled muscles from struggling with her. The following morning we left about 11 am for what should have been at two hour drive to Husband's family in Northampton. The southbound traffic on the M6 motorway was dreadful for no apparent reason. There had been an accident on the northbound carriage way and there was the mother and father of all traffic jams on that side of the motorway. After three hours we were no more than half way there, so we turned round and came home via the A41, stopping at a garden centre near Telford for a rather expensive sandwich and arriving home, from our circular tour, about 4.30 pm.

New Year's Eve was spent at home keeping warm and watching neighbouring fireworks. Then on January 2 we set off again for Northampton. This time we left earlier and made it to our destination in reasonable time but as we drove through a sleet storm just south of Warrington we both thought that we might have to turn back. It was black as night and visibility was only about ten feet. Husband has told his family we shall not be attempting to do that trip again next Christmas/New Year.

Now it is back to normal and I just need to wish you all

A Happy New Year!

17 comments:

CG said...

What an eventful time! I overheard two of the staff in my local Tesco talking about the Christmas music; they were both saying it was making them almost suicidal as it started in November and carried on relentlessly until New Year.. One of them said it made her sick of Christmas by mid-December.
I hope 2010 is a happy one for you both xx

Jinksy said...

I'm looking at the news tonight, and there's not much normal about it, for UK looks like the Arctic! Hope you keep warm and well in 2010. :)

Akelamalu said...

The weather is just atrocious isn't it? :0

Glad you got your mother back to the home in one piece.

Happy New Year.

cheshire wife said...

Akelamalu - yes the weather is atrocious. The snow started here this afternoon while I was at the home visiting Mum. I had to risk life and limb to get home on untreated roads!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Dearest CW,

Today is not my day for commenting...but I couldn't resist welcoming you back from the holidays...I hope the UK warms up soon!!! What a time you all are having!!! I pray for ALL the best for you in 2010!!! You deserve it!!! Much love to you~Janine XO

Valerie said...

The only place for me right now is inside the house, safe and sound from the deep snow. Hubs did venture out to feed the wildlife, but I stayed indoors and watched through the window. Stay warm.

French Fancy... said...

It's funny this paracetomol question - we seem to get through packets and packets here - I think they drop down the back of the drawer. If only I did regular tidies of cupboards I'd probably find about 20 packets.

Re your mum - it must have been quite distressing (not to say uncomfy) for you. Shame.

Jennyff said...

A bit of a mixed time for you. I so agree about the Christmas music, working in that atmosphere would have had me self harming. Hope you are safe and warm and not planning to go anywhere.

Gilly said...

I reckon the paracetamol was for hangovers!

Hope you have a Happy New Year, and are not snowbound by now!

cheshire wife said...

Gilly - you could be right!

Anonymous said...

Keep warm! I must say sometimes that the music in supermarkets does put me off too.

Have a great year, CJ xx

Maggie May said...

That was interesting to have a glimpse of your work.
I had to consume regular paracetamol with codeine while the chemo was racking my limbs but I am well stocked up for next session and it only lasts a few days but seems like weeks at the time.
Most of the general public probably have hangovers.
Oh dear....... it must be awful to have to rick your backs to get your mother back into her home.
was a scary experience getting back through the snow.

Nuts in May

cheshire wife said...

MM - we had to get Mum back to the home, come what may, as we can not cope with her here.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Happy 2010 to you CW. You had a bit of a run around it seems but good to hear that Christmas Day itself was enjoyable, apart from the unexpected exercise at the end of the day. You'll look back one day and laugh! A x

Working Mum said...

Sounds like you should have a cosy Christmas at home next year, just the two of you!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just wanted to tell you that we took down our Christmas decorations last night ;-) AND to send you much, much love!!! ~Janine XO

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Much as I love life I'm glad when its all over. sad 'innit.