Even though DH's sister lives only four miles away and FIL lives just four doors away, we don't usually see either of them at Christmas. FIL has always refused to come to us for Christmas, but does go to SIL. Don't know why, except that she's always been his favourite and he always refers to my 65 year-old husband as "the boy" (we've never heard him say "my son"). I know MIL always thought I was a tart who had too much freedom, ie I go out without my husband, have my own money and spend it as I wish, not how my husband tells me. She's in a home suffering from Alzheimers, and FIL might visit her, or might not. I certainly won't. FIL says he's quite happy eating toad-in-the hole, which is a sausage (yes, just one in his case) in batter, while we'll have a small turkey crown (neither of us likes the legs and we don't want to be eating turkey for the next six weeks) and all the trimmings, trifle, sweets, nuts and everything else you'd expect. We have invited him to come to us for his dinner, but it'll be the first time in 42 years if he does. We'll then probably go to the park with some friends so the men can try out the radio-controlled boats and cars they've all just bought (talk about "Last of the Summer Wine" - UK people will know what I mean). Boys will be boys even at that age. Then I'll be happy to be plonked in front of the TV - there must be something on worth watching - it's got to be entertaining, amusing and complete rubbish so my brain can switch off.
Whether I make lace or not will depend on the result of a visit to the doctor this morning to see if there's likely to be any improvement to the nerves in my right hand. I started an attack of shingles five weeks ago which affected the median nerve which runs from the right side of my neck and shoulder, down my arm and into my hand. The pain's mostly gone from my shoulder and arm and It's down to the point where my thumb, index and next fingers are still painful and feel like the skin's either burnt of been stung by a thousand bees. Can't pick up a pin and only can do spidery writing with difficulty. If the damage is permanent, I'll have to learn to be left-handed. Enough gloom. Picked up my brand new car yesterday. Absolutely lovely. Didn't realise just how much luxury had been added in the ten years since my last new one - power steering, heated whole windscreen, electric windows, electric door mirrors, air conditioning, etc. Jean in Poole To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
