Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 355 – Boxing Day

26 Dec 2021 37 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Boxing Day, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Wisdom of the Ages: “Boxing Day” In the UK, the day after Christmas is named after the first activity that takes place between husband and wife after the Christmas receipts are added up.”
Matthew D. Heines

Thanks, Spidey, for another gigglesome quote!

It’s Boxing Day, and a Sunday, so we are all just going to be chilling at home. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were able to celebrate with your loved ones.

The children will, no doubt, wake just as it’s time for me to go back to bed. (Slight exaggeration, but you know these teens!)

Hubby Dearest and I will attempt a little lie-in, though I know Sonu Singh will be waiting for his food, so I will be awake earlier, then will try and chill out a bit. (I’ll be having fun with my new gift, a Kindle Oasis!)

We shall endeavour to not end up in fisticuffs, and have a boxing match on Boxing day as the quote above, suggests!

Little titbit if you didn’t know the origins of Boxing Day here in the UK…

Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s and has nothing to do with the sport of boxing.

The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor.

Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants – a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.

The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.

Goodness knows what we will eat, but there is another whole Christmas dinner in the freezer, that will need using up since we did manage a family get together with the in-laws, so all the leftovers are there, hence no turkey sandwiches here!

All that remains to be seen is whether I get a chance to go and see Pops and Mum. Cases are rising, but no extra restrictions have been put into place, as yet. Cases of Omicron are rising, however, there is talk that it isn’t as severe as Delta and other variants, and if you have had your vaccinations and boosters, and are sensible, you are less likely to be affected too badly, even if you did contract it…

I wait, with bated breath…

So, what do you do on Boxing Day?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Merry Christmas, Peeps!

24 Dec 2021 68 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Christmas Wishes, Merry Christmas

Now, I don’t know about you, but this Christmas has a distinctly different feel about it, to last year. And to any previous Christmases, too.

We are by no means back to any sort of old normal, but last year, we were plunged into Tier 4, here, meaning lockdowns, and no mixing at all, so thankfully, I had already, in my wisdom, bought a version of Christmas dinner, and stuck it in the freezer!

I was also isolating, having being exposed to the virus, with a close contact having tested positive.

Joy!

It was tough, not seeing the in-laws, and, maybe more so, not being able to drive up to Brum to see my parents.

We were in our bubble of four.

It was strange, but still, we managed our festive time.

This year, there has been that constant worry that at the last minute, BoZo was going to announce that “No, sorry, we can’t do any mixing. That would be frivolous.|” (While raising a glass of good cheer at his own Parlimentary Christmas party, no doubt!)

But, no. Nothing like that has been said… yet.

Masks in public places, yes.

Take tests, yes.

Get boostered, yes.

But, so far, you can still mix with the family, and loved ones.

And that is what we will be doing in the next couple of days.

Christmas lunch with the in-laws, and I am praying (Please God, and BoZo!) that I will be able to drive up to my parents, even for one night next week, to see them, and know they are well, without any additional restrictions suddenly put in place.

And, somewhere within, I do appear to have a spark of… HOPE…!

I know I will be busy, but I’m never too busy to be here, to wish you all a Wonderful Christmas! May your festive period be full of joy and be it the presents under the Christmas tree, or the presence of those you have missed, I hope all your Christmas wishes come true!

Merry Christmas from me and mine, to you and yours!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 354 – Preparations

19 Dec 2021 44 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Christmas, Preparations, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Why is Christmas just like another day at the office? You do all the hard work and the fat guy inthe suit gets all the credit!”
Anon

Thanks, Spidey, for a gigglesome quote!

This year, for the first time, I feel totally underprepared for the festive season.

Sure I have the kids main gifts… (I think. Note to self, please go and check!) But aside from that, not much else. And a little something for Hubby Dearest.

I asked the in-laws the other day what they wanted, and hurriedly ordered small gifts from them.

So, wrapping is the next the stage.

But, for some reason, I don’t feel like being too prepared.

What with Omicrom now spreading through the UK, there is this high likelihood that restrictions may have to be put into place, again, maybe even before the big day, limiting the mixing of households, and certain gatherings.

Oh, I forgot, there is one thing I am kinda prepped for. Because of last year, and the same situation, I managed to get most of the Christmas dinner early, and froze it, and I was glad, because I ended up having to isolate on the main day, due to a close contact testing positive a few days before the end of term. So, I already have a turkey breast in the freezer, along with all the trimmings. It’s just dessert I haven’t got hold of, yet.

I want to go and see Pops and Mum, at some point, but looking at the way things are headed, it might not even be able to happen…

I just wish the powers that be, tell us soon, what the restrictions are going to be, so we can all be as prepared as possible… (Preferably before they embark upon another season of clandestine partying behind No. 10’s doors!)

So, how prepared are YOU for Christmas, this year?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 353 – Relief

12 Dec 2021 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Ofsted, Relief, School, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.”
Victor Hugo

Thanks, Spidey, for another appropriate quote!

Last week we were all on tenterhooks, at school. One of the other schools in our academy received ‘The Call’ from Ofsted. Usually, this means that if you are due, too, there is a good chance they could call you, especially if they are in the area, and this other school is literally 10 minutes away from us.

And we are overdue, now…

Monday to Wednesday are the big days… if you haven’t heard by Wednesday, consider yourself safe, for that week, at least!

But, there is still a week of school to go, until the break And next week is a Christmas filled week. There is no way that we are on the curriculum timetable, in the same way as usual.

The kids, for one, are high as kites, thinking of advent calendars, filled with chocolate, and high on the idea of a certain big fella in red coming to visit them, with sacks brimming with presents!

And we are in the midst of trying to practice nativity plays and making cards, etc., as well as trying to instill the true meaning of Christmas to them!

However, on Thursday, the heads of schools were sent a little missive from the DofE…

In light of the current situation, and with schools expected to put mitigations into place for the chance of a Covid wave, due to the Omicron variant, and what with Christmas leading everyone a merry tune, Ofsted inspection will be put on hold until the new year.

PHEW!

Now, that doesn’t mean we are safe. There is still going to be an inspection, however, at least we can enjoy our festive period without that hanging over our last few days at school, this term!

To say I am relieved is an understatement!

So, is there anything, like the threat of Ofsted, for me, that scares the living daylights out of you?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 352 – Lil Grinch

05 Dec 2021 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Lil Grinch, Lil Man, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, The Grinch

“In a world full of Grinches, be a Cindy Lou Who.”
ANONs

Thanks, Spidey, for that festive one!

It’s the first Sunday of December, which means that the craziness of Christmas is finally upon us.

I usually put the tree up on the 1st of December, but this year we succumbed a few days early, as I felt like we all needed the little boost that the tree always gives.

But, in school, the tree went up in the classroom, interestingly, and lopsidedly, decorated by my class. Elfis the elf is firmly ensconced in there, too, watching the girls and boys so he can send his reports to Santa. We’ve started practising the songs for our little nativity, too.

Yes, Christmas is definitely on its way!

But, I appear to be living with a modern version of the Grinch!

Lil Man has embraced his mid-teen years by becoming a 16-year-old misery guts when it comes to the festive season! When the tree went up, he refused to enter the living room for a day! Lil Princess and I love a good Christmas song, and have the radio on, in the car, excitedly singing along (well, I do, anyway!) to the festive tunes playing. Lil Grinch? He sits and either asks us to change the station or stuffs his own earphones into his ears!

How did I give birth to something so against Christmas???

I’m still working on him. I wonder if he’ll be happy to wear a Christmas jumper this year?

So, do you know any Grinches? How do you handle them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!