tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post1661095481661772806..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: 'Twas the Week before Christmasmaterfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-3395445382938359712015-12-23T08:05:58.705-08:002015-12-23T08:05:58.705-08:00Ooh yes, it's definitely midnight blue velvet....Ooh yes, it's definitely midnight blue velvet... Thank you so much for your very understanding reply. You are absolutely right about making choices. And you know what? When I got to my marking, In amidst the pile of turgid repetitions of my half heard lecture notes - so not what I was after - were four essays that were exceptionally good, thoughtful and original. Hallelujah. That's why we educators do our jobs. But now I am going to swish off in my gorgeous cloak and find a quiet spot to read as mercifully the house is deserted for a while (you don't mind if I add an imaginary diamond starburst, do you? A tad vulgar, not to say ostentatious, but who's to see?) May you have a lovely, peaceful and blessed Christmas Mme Anonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-29859188220008157162015-12-23T07:26:46.451-08:002015-12-23T07:26:46.451-08:00Having a lovely day doing the last minute essentia...Having a lovely day doing the last minute essentials. Everyone is in a good mood and keen to chat in a very unBritish manner. Even a man who is clearly happiest when grumbling found something about which to chunter in the turkey queue so he was delighted too. Rest of us rolled eyes. All is good. ( although that turkey is looking a bit big now I come to think of it) Happy Christmas to all Cerinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-40164894081399453452015-12-23T06:16:38.038-08:002015-12-23T06:16:38.038-08:00Your last few months have sounded just exhausting,...Your last few months have sounded just exhausting, and I sincerely hope the holiday brings you some peace and replenishment of spirit and body. Take care, my friend!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-77807270081036993742015-12-23T06:15:55.835-08:002015-12-23T06:15:55.835-08:00You're very welcome, and thank you so much for...You're very welcome, and thank you so much for reading and commenting -- should you want to add a name (your own first name or a pen-name) at the end of your comment, you can still be Unknown, but it's easier for me to get a sense of you. If not, that's fine to, but it can be a convivial and supportive group here, and it's great if we get to know each other a bit.<br />Merry Christmas!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-18241853750626313212015-12-23T06:14:02.748-08:002015-12-23T06:14:02.748-08:00Aw thanks, Mardel! Today I'm treading a bit mo...Aw thanks, Mardel! Today I'm treading a bit more frantically than I was, but the waves are gentle enough and it's all good. Merry Christmas to you and yours!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-5398350420977596782015-12-23T06:13:06.240-08:002015-12-23T06:13:06.240-08:00I think you'd enjoy the tradition, Lorrie, esp...I think you'd enjoy the tradition, Lorrie, especially with the fashion talent in your family.<br />Merry Christmas to you and all your lovely crew!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-67960481108925294442015-12-23T06:12:16.503-08:002015-12-23T06:12:16.503-08:00S&S, or perhaps I've dis-organised myself ...S&S, or perhaps I've dis-organised myself to good enough? That's all I want to aim at, I think. I do love shopping with my grown-up daughters, although some are better for some things than others. "Houd our wheesht" -- wonderful! lucky you!<br />and thanks re the jeans, they're different, but I love them too!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-30084266536795849112015-12-23T06:10:46.046-08:002015-12-23T06:10:46.046-08:00Don't worry -- I'm napping with the Little...Don't worry -- I'm napping with the Little Girl! ;-)<br />And Paul managed to bring a fresh turkey home yesterday -- wish he were as restrained with the "I told you so's" as I would have been ;-)<br />Merry Christmas to you and your family!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-15686600728890845562015-12-23T06:09:45.087-08:002015-12-23T06:09:45.087-08:00It's true that gifts carry memories as well --...It's true that gifts carry memories as well -- hadn't thought of quite that aspect of them, even though I wrote a whole post, years ago, about a pair of boots my dad gave me -- 45 years ago!<br />May yours be a Merry Christmas as well, Marianne!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-70621828400126936942015-12-23T06:08:36.179-08:002015-12-23T06:08:36.179-08:00Oh K, I'm so very sorry! You're so right -...Oh K, I'm so very sorry! You're so right -- Christmas is a fixed date, and an arbitrary one at that, historically, ecclesiastically. Better to find its spirit where possible, and bring it into life as much as possible. I hope you and yours are still able to enjoy a Merry Christmas, in the memory of those newly lost beloved.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-18933438314894035112015-12-23T06:06:30.535-08:002015-12-23T06:06:30.535-08:00Mme Anon -- it's a midnight blue, velvet cloak...Mme Anon -- it's a midnight blue, velvet cloak, right? very elegant, no worries.<br />I absolutely agree with you about the difficulty of Christmas, even for those of us who seem to "have it all" in terms of domestic good stuff. The reality is that the fatigue, emotional and physical, still hits, privilege or not, as much as we know it's a relative fatigue. This is some of what I wrote about in a post a few Christmases ago, and why I had to step back for a few years from things I'd been feeling obliged to do and becoming resentful of. It became very important to recognise what was choice, and then to exercise that choice. I've almost got to where I want now, although the last day or two, I'm sensing that I may yet have to do some editing for future Christmases. But honestly? getting rid of the student essays helped considerably! (Sorry for the plug for retirement ;-)<br />Merry Christmas and thanks so much for commenting!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-40776557806970561772015-12-23T06:01:22.463-08:002015-12-23T06:01:22.463-08:00Still hoping to find time to comment on your blog ...Still hoping to find time to comment on your blog -- read your first post and am so happy to see you back. Kudos on what you've managed in the last year or two since you last posted and Merry Christmas to you and your guy!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-2790290286750949072015-12-23T06:00:26.578-08:002015-12-23T06:00:26.578-08:00He's good company, right? ;-)He's good company, right? ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-46433427607158221592015-12-23T06:00:04.623-08:002015-12-23T06:00:04.623-08:00Aw thanks, adorable is just what I am for, don'...Aw thanks, adorable is just what I am for, don't you know? ;-)<br />May you and all of yours have a spectacularly happy Christmas . . . or a blessedly joyous one. You pick! Christmas hugs to you. xomaterfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-40262917721062228742015-12-23T05:59:06.537-08:002015-12-23T05:59:06.537-08:00Following your blog, I can see that our approaches...Following your blog, I can see that our approaches are very similar. I'd hoped to do some baking today, but we brought two little girls home with us yesterday, advance scouts for their parents' arrival today and tomorrow, so I think we'll just concentrate on getting the beds made up and the groceries bought and the gifts wrapped, and the . . . oh, excuse me, I have to go take a nap... Yikes! But yes, it's all good, as the kids say. Merry Merry Merry to you! materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-12048571516811382292015-12-23T05:57:17.600-08:002015-12-23T05:57:17.600-08:00Merry Christmas, Rosie! I love your attitude -- if...Merry Christmas, Rosie! I love your attitude -- if everyone's happy with lights-only, why worry indeed! You'll get it done eventually and everyone can enjoy the transformation. . . <br />How fortunate you are living within walking distance of your daughter's -- and that she's doing the Christmas dinner. Perfect!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61840219055339884612015-12-23T05:55:47.356-08:002015-12-23T05:55:47.356-08:00Interesting remark about liking Bonds when they ar...Interesting remark about liking Bonds when they are leaving... I'll have to share that with my husband, who is a bigger fan than I am and probably keeps track.<br />Glad you're feeling peaceful despite a busy script -- I think that's key -- nothing wrong with being busy as long as you can be so without feeling unduly stressed.<br />I understand about avoiding the lunches and dinners out -- I've just begun watching my calories again, needing to shuffle a few pounds out, and it's been tough with the scheduled outings. Nice that you can share the cooking with your mother and one restaurant meal makes a nice change. Merry Christmas!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-20660780256189257922015-12-23T05:52:58.437-08:002015-12-23T05:52:58.437-08:00Thank you! I wish you and yours a wonderful Christ...Thank you! I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas as well, and a lovely Boxing Day (in many ways, Boxing Day is my favourite day of all, basking in the memory of a good Christmas, all the pressure over, a fridge full of leftovers...)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-43071428276535886362015-12-23T05:50:12.239-08:002015-12-23T05:50:12.239-08:00Thank you Mater. And my fitness commitment will wa...Thank you Mater. And my fitness commitment will waver for a few days - I have an injury. A cleaning injury! Was cleaning the shower and leaned in to spray it, twisting myself somehow. Oh well. Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504513116873595049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-60006616739337524622015-12-22T18:56:27.288-08:002015-12-22T18:56:27.288-08:00Love the new jeans! Here just slogging through a s...Love the new jeans! Here just slogging through a short but busy week at work, looking forward to winding down during a long, quiet holiday weekend.Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-6850007637758793742015-12-22T17:04:19.244-08:002015-12-22T17:04:19.244-08:00Thanks, Mary. I'm not minding the grey at all,...Thanks, Mary. I'm not minding the grey at all, truly, although it's sometimes curious to find in the mirror. I think I'll stick with it, although I hope to grow the curls out more on top and I'll probably have a few highlights drawn through. Merry Christmas to you as well!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-7774093782400289602015-12-22T17:03:05.986-08:002015-12-22T17:03:05.986-08:00I'm so impressed by how you're keeping up ...I'm so impressed by how you're keeping up the fitness commitment, Patricia.<br />And you're right, there will be lots of fun amid the chaos. So glad you'll have your boys with you at Christmas -- it all begins to change so quickly at the stage you're at. Enjoy the quiet time with your husband -- Boxing Day is really my favourite day of the year. No reason to move, a fridge full of leftovers. . . ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-60134447251305735872015-12-22T16:58:35.757-08:002015-12-22T16:58:35.757-08:00Thank you for being so real. I finally subscribed ...Thank you for being so real. I finally subscribed to your wonderful blog. I also love your shorter hair.<br /><br />Have a wonderful time with your family....The little ones grow so fast.<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01087735525738707731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-17571773239854661582015-12-22T14:15:29.598-08:002015-12-22T14:15:29.598-08:00You look fabulous in your new jeans! They do suit...You look fabulous in your new jeans! They do suit you so. And the running around and lunches and shopping sounds wonderful. Increasingly I feel it is the time spent together, the gifts chosen together, that matter, more than the surprises. Not there yet, but working on it. Have a very merry holiday, whatever happens, whatever doesn't. And we are all here together, just running and running and treading water, but happily keeping each other afloat. Or so I hope.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-28128373951894767792015-12-22T14:01:34.920-08:002015-12-22T14:01:34.920-08:00Your tradition (new) of lunch and shopping with yo...Your tradition (new) of lunch and shopping with your girls is one I'd like to emulate one year. Surprises are well and good, but getting just the "right" thing trumps all. <br />Merry Christmas, Mater, may your Christmas be bright. Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653026442945027184noreply@blogger.com