Sad

Today was a miserable day. It would have been my parents' 38th wedding anniversary... except, of course, my dad is no longer with us. It was very difficult for my mum, being her first anniversary without him here and so close to her first Christmas without him. I could feel her pain.

My dad's youngest sister was thinking of us and delivered two lovely bouquets of Christmas flowers - one for my mum and one for me - which was really kind and thoughtful of her. My dad's sisters - and a few others - have been absolutely brilliant this year since my dad died, despite the fact that they have also has their own grief to deal with. Three or four of my friends have been outstanding in their support too; I feel lucky to have them. Others have been less supportive and understanding - a disappointment.

Very cold again here today. More ice and fog this evening! It definitely feels like winter. I've had the central heating on in the house almost all day... and, for once, it actually feels warm! It hasn't felt properly warm all week! The heating bill will be sky high.

Christmas in Boston

Well... It's almost Christmas and I've been (apparently) missing in action (from this blog, at least!) for quite some time. Useless, I know. I've been chasing my tail. I've also made some Christmas cards and a photo of one is attached. It is very shimmery (water coloured with Twinkling H20s, amongst other things) and it was difficult to photograph.

I've also been on holiday for a week... we went to Boston, which was excellent. I managed to visit a Michaels store (for the first time!) which was four miles from the centre of Boston in an out of town retail park in a place called Everrett. Everything in America is so cheap with the weak dollar (it was just over $2 to the pound whilst I was there), but craft things are so much cheaper anyway. It was excellent. I even managed to pick up some Marvy Uchida scallop punches (at last!) which no doubt helped to contribute to the excess baggage charge which I had to pay on the return leg of the journey. Here's a photo of my husband doing a "trolley dash" through the car park with my crafting goodies in a TROLLEY (because the bags were so heavy!) past a mound of snow. It snowed for half the time we were there and I've never visited anywhere so cold; Scotland feels tropical in comparison!!

Lastly, here's another photo of Boston snow... this time, a view from the Copley Centre/Prudential Centre mall "link tunnel". Boston was fabulous; I'd never been before. We'd love to return.