I'm feeling rather overwhelmed with what's going on right now in my family, and can't feign much enthusiasm for the coming festive season.
If anything, this will be one of the saddest Christmases for me, as we won't be spending it together as a family. My husband is taking Eddie to Italy to spend holidays with his elderly parents, while Sash and I will stay behind. It was a tough decision, and we didn't take it lightly, but due to Sash's anxiety attacks, it's just not safe to travel with him.
So, for the first time in my life, I will be separated from my younger child for several days. He's my ray of sunshine, and keeps me sane on stressful days, cracking jokes and melting my heart with his grin.
I am on the point of an emotional collapse, but have to keep myself together for the sake of my boys. They both need me, strong and supportive.
And now to the weekly round-up of daily photos:
Last Sunday at Costa...
It was a frosty and sunny morning on Monday, when I walked to the Royal Mail depot to pick up a packet. It was a Funko Pop toy ordered at Zavvi at the end of August. That's probably the longest we had to wait for an order to arrive. Never again will I shop at Zavvi.
I've treated myself to Whittards of Chelsea tea advent calendar, which was at half price. Still pricey, if you ask me, as it's 24 tea bags for £12.50, don't think I would want to pay a full price. Though I do love their teas, and buy regularly. On the 3rd day of advent it was Earl Grey tea bag, probably my most favourite tea from their range, which I buy often.
Another cold morning on the Church Green, with a view of St Mary's church in the distance.
I had to go to Sasha's school again this week, to meet the paediatrician. Every time I'm on the bus in Headington, I try to capture the shark on the roof, but the bus goes too fast to take a good shot.
The remaining leaves of the creeper were trembling in the wind.
Today Eddie and I did our grocery shopping, and stopped at the playground on the way home. Then we spent a long time, trying to finish his Tudor project.
Eddie was writing, using several books I got for him, then I had to double check the spelling. Tomorrow he must finish it, as Monday is the deadline for submitting the work.
Sorry to hear of the prospective Christmas apart. Hopefully it'll whizz by for you all. That shark road has changed so much since I lived up the road from there 20+ years ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma, I've seen the shark 20+ years ago, as we also used to live in Oxford, but don't remember what it looked like, to be honest. But it always cheers me up.
DeleteMust have been tough to make that decision for Christmas. Hope you and Sasha have some treats planned. Not surprised you want to capture the shark.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erica! We'll have treats for sure with Sash, but no major meals, I'm not going to cook for myself, and Sasha doesn't eat anything from a typical Christmas meal anyway.
DeleteAwww I understand now (at least in part) why you have seemed so down lately. Splitting the family up for Christmas is going to seem really hard, but Sash has been having issues with the travelling and settling in to a different routine for the last few times, I seem to remember, so it may not have been that great to all go together either. I think you need to just have a break, don't bother with a big Christmas meal, relax and recover, then postpone Christmas with the family until they get back. Sending huge huge hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, it's not just because it's Christmas. We haven't been apart more than one night, when a couple of years ago I had to rush home to meet Sash who didn't cope with his school trip, and Eddie stayed in Brighton with his father. I'm not doing any special Christmas meal, as Sasha doesn't eat it anyway. Hope to cook something festive for the new year's eve.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you will be apart from Eddie at Christmas, that will be really tough. I can just tell from all of his photos what a ray of sunshine he is.
ReplyDeleteThat is a ridiculously long wait for a parcel! I start to worry if it gets to three or four days and something hasn't arrived
Thank you, Sarah, it was on pre-order initially so we didn't worry, but then when it was already available everywhere else, they still didn't post it. Took a lot of email messages to finally get it.
DeleteSo sorry you are feeling overwhelmed and sad. You're bound to be with the family being split for Christmas. Sending massive hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am loving the frosty mornings when they are sunny.
Advent calendars are so pricey now a days but it sounds like you are enjoying yours.
I hope you got the Tudor project finished x
Thank you, Kim, some of the advent calendars cost crazy money. I bought Boots no.7 with points which I collected the whole year, and very pleased with it.
DeleteHey Galina, sorry it's not a great time. Would traveling by train be different for Sasha at all/ Just a thought. Probably not, but it's a feasible journey (did it with Amber twice!) just in case. sending hugs x
ReplyDeleteThanks Fede, we thought about it, but we travel to Cornwall by train, and 5 hours is enough for him, I don't think he could cope with a longer journey.
Deletefair enough. and probably not much fun for you either. If you fancy coming down to London one day, we're here from 28th.
DeleteOh dear, Christmas will be tough and I'm sorry Sasha is unable to travel, but understand fully how difficult decision it must be for you, especially being without Eddie. We used to be in this situation quite a lot, with ensuring our 4 boys had the 'normal' life experiences with one of us being compromised staying behind to look after our daughter, such as holidays, parties etc. please message me anytime you need to talk/off load
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne, it will be sad. I try not to think about it, or I might start blubbing, which is totally irrational, I know. Thank you for your offer, I might take you on that.
DeleteIt's such a shame Sasha can't travel and have all the family together for Christmas. Just think how nice it would be for Eddie to have a Christmas without having to worry for his brother. I can't even imagine how hard is for you, but I hope Eddie will feel full of joy this Christmas and that that will comfort you.
ReplyDeleteI'm here is you need to talk. Sending lots of hugs xx
Thank you, Anca, I hope Eddie will be spoilt rotten by his grandparents and won't have time to mop about us back at home.
Deleteso sorry to hear you are being split as a family over Christmas, sometimes the right decision can be hard, maybe Sasha will be better ignoring the season and cause you both less stress. I am sure you can have a family Christmas when they get back.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you are so stressed and struggling, have you anyone you can talk to sometimes talking it through helps?
Love the Church picture.
Have to wonder why the white van is facing the wrong way up a one way street
Thank you, Elaine, I think we'll have a new year's eve family party instead, not sure yet if we're up to inviting friends over.
DeleteYou see, I wouldn't even notice about the white van facing the wrong way. :)
Love that last shot of Eddie. I've never seen that shark for real. I'm so sorry that you won't be together for Christmas, I can imagine how tough that is for you #365
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary, I try not to dwell too much on this, and the last week was super busy with all sorts of things.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you won't be together at Christmas. A couple of times my hubby hasn't been around at Eid and that was hard enough.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a long wait from Zavvi!
It must be quite stressful getting gifts for all your family members (and rights ones too). I feel so sorry you won't be spending Christmas with your whole family. I hope it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures!
Really sorry to hear you won't be together at Christmas. It isn't easy with Christmas shopping. Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteI don't feel ready for CHristmas: I have lots of presents bought but not equally so need to get more! I'm sorry to hear about your separate Christmases, it must be so difficult to juggle family commitments. #project365
ReplyDelete