I just heard yesterday that Jimmy will be here for Christmas.

If all goes to plan, he will be coming here on the 15th December and will have until the 30th.

He is hoping to be able to get a chance to get over to Ireland and also Holland in that time also, but will have to see how it goes.


I have holiday from work starting 1 o'clock on Friday, 23rd and then back to work on 3rd Jan.
I really wasn't looking forward to Christmas this year at all but now Jimmy being here has made all the difference in the world - even if its just for a short while, it'll be just grand.

Work's Christmas Party is on Friday (16th). I'm very much looking forward to that. It's in the Tiroler Hut, my favourite restaurant - the same place where we had Aunty Nora's surprise meet-up for her 80th birthday. That was a great night. Aunty Nora thought that I was just taking her out for a meal ... but little did she know that we had arranged for ages before that for as much of the family as could be there ... to be there. It was all kept a big secret until the night when we arrived at the Restaurant they were all there to greet her ... from Ireland, Indonesia etc ... It was a wonderful surprise for her and we all had such a great time. The entertainment there in the Tiroler Hut is brilliant with a place for dancing etc. The whole of the Riverdance team have booked up the whole restaurant on many occasions, so that'll give you an idea.

I most definitely won't be doing any dancing on Friday though. My back trouble is constant now, with the most excruciating pain at every little movement. I've been using a walking stick even just around the house for the last few weeks. Sent away for one of those folding walking sticks which folds down into 5 - a small compact little thing that fits into my handbag. When I need it, it springs out into the full thing. Like something out of a James Bond film. It's a pretty patterned one with pink and blue flowers, so actually quite an accessory really.
Although, having said that ... the first time I ever went to that Restaurant, I remember the place was buzzing, people up dancing, singing (you could go up and sing yourself on the microphone) ... there was a guy there with a crutch. He asked me to dance with him and I thought he was just taking the p---, but no problem to him at all ... we were jiving and bopping all over the place... one hand on the crutch, that's all he needed. (I don't think I'll be trying that with my walking stick though). It'll just be nice to be in the party atmosphere anyway. I don't get out much these days, apart from to work and back, visits to doc and hospital, that's about it. My next hospital consultancy visit is on the 20th December - when I should get the results of the MRI Scan which was to investigate the problems with my back. Basically they just want to rule out any cancer spread, but it should hopefully show up any other reason that might be causing the pain (nerve / slipped disc / whatever). Until then, the strong painkillers are keeping me going.

Ah yea.. If there's anything that I could remember about that restaurant, is that it's cozy

Really happy to know that Dad's going to celebrate Christmas with you in London!

Just like the past two years, I'll be celebrating it with Lucas' family. Going to bake marmer cake again for the Christmas dinner (Mam's recipe ).

The thing is I always feel sad when I remember that it's going to be my fifth year celebrating Christmas without Mam Dad and Eileen.....

Well, Jimmy's off to Holland on the Eurostar tomorrow. Two or three days he reckons. It's cold and dreary (weather-wise) over here - below zero last night. I don't suppose it's much better over there?
I'm well prepared for even worse to come here over the next few days. Got this warm scarf with a hood on it and two little pockets in the scarf - can be used to carry me phone/ciggies/purse or whatever, or can even be used to keep me hands warm ... scarf gloves, lol! And I treated myself to a furry handbag today ... saw it in Asda and just couldn't resist it.

I'm off to a nice warm bed now ... got the hot water bottle already in there to make it nice and cosy.

Hiiiiii, I'm eventually here .

Uncle Jimmy in UK for Christmas..... thats fab . I didn't know.
(not sure if I'm posting this message in the correct place, shall get the hang of it)
We are taking it easy this Christmas (Paul and I and of course our pooches). Paul has flu at the mo and I'm trying to avoid it, so a nice relaxing Christmas. No snow this year, like last year , hopefully in January we'll get some.

This Forum is great Cath, lovely way to keep in touch.

I'm laughing at the smileys, I love this one (heehee)

Haha - that's my favourite smiley too... and I like this one

Pooches?? How many have you got then?

Yeay Triona's here as well!!

I was just in the middle of making a post here saying that Jimmy has just left for the airport and that I was feeling so sad (always feels like this every time he leaves - the house just feels so empty) ..... when there was a ring at the bell ... Jimmy! ... back (I think he got as far as the station) ... He has put two locks on his suitcase and one of them he hasn't got a key for!!!!! He's out now in the garden with the suitcase - looking for a hammer !! I've given him pliers ... I saw him coming with a spade !!!!!!

Of course, if he goes to the airport and explains at the check-in - they have means of breaking locks - BUT there's no reasoning with him at the moment, so I've just left him to it. (He's got heaps of time to spare .. his flight doesn't leave till quarter to 2, so just as well really ...)

Ah, he's done it! Phew! Twas the pliers that did it. Didn't take long.
Well he's off now again ... and I'm sad all over again now.

(He has promised to get some posting on here when he gets back - I've given him a little tutorial on the workings of things ... but may be a few days though before he gets the internet back and running when he gets back ... has to go into the nearest major town to get whatever it is that's needed for it ... and he has to have a lift or taxi or something to get there - might be about a week before he can even get seeing in here).

Byeeeee Jimmy. xxx Thanks for making it a wonderful Christmas here in London.

So happy that you could celebrate Christmas with Dad there. He must be happy about it as well... I feel the same too whenever he leaves again. Don't worry, he'll be back again with us and there'll be more happy times to enjoy together.

Thank you for the lovely text which you sent to us at midnight. I wasn't anywhere near being sober at the time so... sorry for just replying now.

Lucas and I wish you a Happy New Year!! Hopefully this year will bring more luck, happiness and love to all of us. As for the moment though, here's what I feel and look like....

Oh dear ... bit like I'm feeling today ...

Hiiiiiii Cat,

Sorry I'm only replying now, I haven't been online in a while.
We have 2 pooches, Shaggy still my little baba and Paul has a doggie called Penny, she's a sheepdog and beautiful. They are like chalk and cheese, great entertainment!!
A very happy new year to you. Sounds like you really enjoyed having Uncle Jimmy for Christmas, I'd say ye had great craic .
These few lines are taking a while to type as the "e" key is broken and sometimes I have to really stab it to work, hmmm alot of words have an "e" (grrrrr) .
So how are you keeping? back to work now?
Big happy new year to Catherine Kitten too .
Off to bring the pooches for their walkies on Greystones beach, lovely sunny/windy day here.
We live near the La Touche Hotel (closed down now), very handy for walkies, so near the beach.
Hugs to you Cat
xxx