I don't know what it is about me and December. Some of my many and most stressful house moves and medical dilemmas always seem to gather momentum as Christmas approaches. One memorable year we moved into a newly purchased house on the sixteenth of December. The 'chain' meant we had to leave our home, no option. So we arrived with small children and all our effects to find the occupants still packing! We were carrying boxes in as they filled and carried theirs out. Eventually they went, having given up on half their furniture and belongings. We couldn't move for other people's stuff. And no time for cleaning or decorating. Hanging paperchains on greasy walls. Yeaurgh!
Several years back I'd had surgery at the end of Michaelmas term just before the Christmas break and hoped I'd be recovered before the commencement of Epiphany semester. Struggling to shop, deck the halls and trim the tree, not to mention hobbling around the kitchen hoping that wrestling with heavy baking dishes and their contents wasn't delaying my body in healing or doing me further harm (reader, it was).
Well folks, this year is double jeopardy. Three weeks post-op I'm deemed able enough (by general consensus, to whit 'no-one else is going to do it'), to recommence work in the batcave' (with deep voice - dum dum da!) with a view to getting it habitable i.e. moving-in condition, by next thursday. Yup. Day before Christmas Eve. A two-day moving experience (oh,yes that would be Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and then we're off south until New Years, to visit children and grandchildren. Weather permitting (cue hysterical laughter).
This is only my second day up. And not in pyjamas. I've had to wear clothes. Brush my hair. Put boots, coat, hat, gloves and scarf on. Walk to the bus stop, travel into town and meet-up with my driver at the diy emporium. Bathroom tiles and trims were selected. (more) Wallcoverings of several varieties purchased (we couldn't choose so will decide in situ and return rejects for full refund. Or donate to Freecycle). The shed is arriving on Friday. The hob which is (apparently) lost-in-transit is being attached to gas supply very soon. Man-who-does-tiling promises to 'work through the night' in order that bathroom fitter may (finally) finish the job (started the day of my op November 24th) on Monday. Carpet fitter arrives Tuesday. Wednesday we pack.
Ok, you're getting the picture, right?
So all I've got to do in five days is (hobble around) wall-prepping, painting, pasting, wallpapering, cleaning and finishing living room dining room kitchen utility stairs landing hall and grand daughter's room. And hoping all the exertion doesn't delay my body in healing or cause me further harm.
Reader, *dramatic sigh* stay tuned;)
And don't worry. I'll be fine. And it'll all be worth it in the end;)
Just don't ask me how my festive preparations are going, ok?
