The past few weeks have been pretty stressful for numerous reasons, the least of which, Christmas is coming.
I'll start with the worst news first. At the age of 99 11/12, my amazing grandmother passed away. That's right, a month shy of her 100th birthday. Many of you who know me well, know that I was really close to her and it hit me harder than I thought it would. I mean, really at that age I should have been expecting it, and I was, but nothing can really prepare you for it.
The last time I saw her was October 2008 when I was in Canada to renew my visa. I drove to Barrie (about 7 hours) and stayed at my uncles house. The next day I picked her up and we went for lunch at Tim Hortons (her idea) and then for a drive in the country. We stopped at a local farm and bought the last of the seasons strawberries and some apples.
Then we drove north to Midland to visit one of her good friends who had been placed in a care home up there. She didn't get to see much of her as it was about an hour's drive. We sat out on the patio and ate some strawberries and chatted for a while. They were both so happy to have an impromptu visit. The next morning I brought her some Timmy's for breakfast and had to get back to Ottawa to return my rental car.
I knew then, as she likely did, that it was probably the last time we would see each other. And it was. There are so many things that you think of after the fact that you wish you had said or done. I have those regrets, just as anyone does, but I know that I had a great relationship with her and that we both took full advantage of that relationship while we could. I hope wherever she is, she knows how grateful I am for having had the time I did with her, and even more so for the hundreds of letters I got from her in my life. At least I have those to keep her close to me now and always.
I wouldn't be who or where I am without her influence in my life... May she rest in peace.
Winifred Jane Mavor (Briggs) January 7, 1910-December 4, 2009
I feel like I should start a new post for the rest... but here it is...
About six weeks ago we (my department at work) were told that two of the eight people in my position would likely be made redundant before the end of the year (or very soon after). We were told there was going to be a 'consultation period' where we would have the opportunity to try and come up with other ways to save money and to discuss the reasons behind the redundancies in depth. After two weeks of stressing and coming up with ideas, we were told that we were safe for now. Apparently there is a very big new contract that has come up and they feel that if they lose us they may not get it. What happens if we don't get it anyway? I don't know. There is still a feeling in the department that this is little more than a stay of execution. We'll see. There are still a few other people (not doing the same job as me) who will likely be out of a job in January regardless. And one of our editors has already left. We were all very sad to see him go and his presence was missed from the moment he left.
With unemployment at an all time high in the UK, it isn't a good time to be out of a job. I think a lot of us are looking for work elsewhere now just in case.
With Christmas fast approaching money is always tight, and even more so this year for some reason. Maybe because I have so many people to get pressies for... It's like I have two families now, with Tom's side and Lisa's family (who I have traditionally had Christmas with, and old habits die hard). Then there are friends that I feel I have to get something for as well. I hate all this about the holidays... buying shit that people don't want for people who don't care one way or the other. Everyone keeps asking me what I want, but I don't know... There isn't anything that I really
need and anything I do actually want is too expensive or hard to get... I kind of just want to say screw the whole season and f*!k off somewhere hot. Oh well, maybe next year.
Well, this hasn't been the most positive post ever, has it? There are some things to be thankful for... my health, my loving wonderful partner in crime Tom, the fact that I still have a job, that my awesome friend Kim is moving to London as I write this, I'm sure there's more, and I promise to try harder to get into the Christmas spirit, I'm just not feeling it this year... maybe it's the lack of snow or (real) cold? (ha! had to get the weather in there somewhere!)
Happy Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza...etc... to you all and a very Merry New Year!
Snow... there was lots of snow this year - starting in January, loads of it in February and then again in December...
February saw flowers arrive at the office for me! First time I've ever had that happen!
February also saw my first professional football match - Liverpool vs Real Madrid - in Madrid, Spain.
While there I managed to take in some of the sights... including this art exhibit in the 'crystal palace'.
...and the cow parade that was all over the city...
In March I went on holiday with my love, Tom, to Edinburgh... this is on the way up to Arthur's Seat.
A view of the city with the castle in the distance...
Tom and I at Edinburgh Castle
Tom and I on the Royal Yacht Britannia
In May I happened upon a fun fair in Hampstead Heath with a few friends after we went there for a picnic
In June I went on a weekend away with my love to Brighton - went to the pier and rode the rides...
We also went on an afternoon fishing trip where a nice man took this fab photo of us!
In August we went to Thorpe Park where we rode the (better than Brighton) rides
We had an amazing day!
In August I celebrated yet another birthday with great friends!
In October I went to Ukraine for my second professional football match - England vs Ukraine World Cup Qualifier - this is St Michael's Cathedral in Kiev - see previous post for more on that...
And finally I celebrated Christmas afternoon with my love and his family in North London.
