As the Tories showed very clearly their attitude to people with disabilities, I worry for our son's future. He will be 18 next spring, and the future is bleak.
I understand that my blog readers come from all walks of life, and while I appreciate your views might differ from mine, please allow me to feel sad.
Rather than that, everything around seems to be set on Christmas. My photos reflect that as well.
Last Sunday Eddie finished the last pages of his Tudor project, and in the evening we decorated the Christmas tree. Ours is an artificial one, from John Lewis, which I got for reviewing about five years ago, if not longer than that. I miss the smell of a live tree, so bought a big pine tree branch to put in a vase in the hall.
We don't have a theme or colour scheme for our tree, it's full of memories of the Christmases and new year's eves past, and every toy tells a story. We were hanging toys, and saying This toy is from when Mummy was a baby, This one was bought when Sasha was born, This one is a gift from a friend who's no longer with us... We also have quite a few decorations, which my boys made in the nursery and school, like this clay Christmas tree.
On Monday I spotted people started posting their Top Nine for 2019, and of course, I had to check which images of mine were counted as Top Nine. As every year, I'm slightly miffed with the choices, as they are mostly not what I would consider my personal favourites. I mean, that selfie in a Harry Potter pinny was posted as a joke, why on earth was it deemed worthy of top nine?!
One of the Christmas tree decorations from my childhood. I look at it, and think of my late Dad, my little brother, Mum decorating the tree with walnuts in silver wrappers... And I want to go back, just for five minutes, and feel the magic again, when everything seemed possible.
The austerity policies brought the closure of many shops in town. Debenhams is closing down next month, and it already looks like a ghost shop, with the naked mannequins.
I managed to dig out one box with Christmas lights in the attic, but cannot find another one, with twinkling lights. As I was trying to take a photo of our Christmas tree, Eddie kept jumping in front of me, laughing his socks off.
We popped into the Game shop today, just to have a look at what new Funko Pop toys they had, and I saw this Lego Friends set. I'm definitely not buying it. Eddie's never watched Friends, and doesn't care much for this set. But I thought it would make a great gift for someone who loves Friends.
Yes! That's exactly my thinking. I saw no one saying they were voting for the Tories and everyone was shocked and disgusted with the result! How is that even possible.
ReplyDeleteA Christmas tree full of memories are way better than organised one's which look like they should be on display in a shop.
Ohh! I'm off to have a look at my top 9.
It is shame about the shops shutting. Those mannequins do look quite eerie.
I LOVE that Friends Lego set! I need it! x
Thank you, Kim, I do admire colour-schemed Christmas trees, but prefer ours for sentimental reasons. :)
DeleteThe voting percentages show that the majority did not vote Tory, but the first past the post system worked for them. It must be a worry for the future. What a shame about the shops shutting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erica, the electoral system seems so wrong.
DeleteI'm like you with politics and the election - I must only follow people on social media who lean towards the left. I was gobsmacked by the huge majority.
ReplyDeleteLove that you have so many memories with your Christmas decorations - my husband and daughter banned me from putting anything that wasn't even silver or red on our tree this year.
I think the Top 9 are usually based on likes. I find I get more likes on photos of myself, which I always find strange!
Thank you, Sarah, I imagine your tree looks lovely. I know that Top Nine is based on likes, but some photos which I think are my better ones, get less likes than those which are rather average.
DeleteI know absolutely nobody who voted Tory either, very strange ! Scary times ahead, but hopefully not as bad as we expect ... maybe that's my eternal optimist talking though :-/ I LOVE your Christmas tree - ours is very similar with lots of meaningful decorations too. Sending big big hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl. I know someone who has voted for Tories, and suspect some of our neighbours are Tory-supporters too. And because a lot of votes were cast in favour of Tories to support Brexit, it makes me feel rather unwelcome, even if I have a British passport.
DeleteI don't know anyone either, it is strange. Although it seemed to be mainly SNP up here. I love the Christmas tree, it's gorgeous. I like the top 9 collection, not done mine yet x
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the results as well. But, at the same time, I'm not surprised that Tory voters don't share their views on social media. A person I follow said she voted for Tory and a few asked her why, like she should justify her choice. With the amount of vitriol online, why would anybody put themselves into a storm of hatred, telling people who they vote for? Is just not worth it. I saw all this from outside, as I couldn't vote.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you when it comes to Debenhams. Many businesses are doing good, regardless of austerity or uncertainty with Brexit, so their policies can be blamed for their failure. I bought from Debenhams a few times and I never had a pleasant experience, with the exception of the cafe (Patisserie Valerie). They sent me a broken dehumidifier and asked me to pay to have it returned. I don't think that was even legal from their part. The only reason I bought again, after the dehumidifier incident, was that it was the only place that sold the specific vegan make-up I wanted, and even that didn't go well.
My Christmas tree is a colour-schemed one. I like the idea of having ornaments with a meaning and a story and I think they are great, but is just not the kind of tree I want at home.
I think with the election only the brave were stating they were voting Tory. I know a few (being in a farming area which is staunchly tory), but they're also largely older people who aren't on social media, and those who are didn't say anything because they were being bullied for their views. I was still surprised by the size of the majority.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that your town is suffering. Everyone on our town's FB page moans about yours as one of the places nearby with free parking which they believe hasn't helped our town (ours is the only one in our district and nearby which charges parking 100% of the time til 7pm).
I found the same so many of my friends seemed to be disappointed in the result as well. NHS is my big worry as well.
ReplyDeleteOur town centre is suffering as well, think a lot of it is we are our own worse enemies by using the internet.
Love the smiling face in the tree photobombing
I would love that Lego set, but don't think I could ever spend that amount on Lego for me! Don't get me started on the result, it's the most depressed I've ever felt about our politics. Your apron shot must have got a lot of likes Galina, I think that's how it works it out #365
ReplyDeleteFrom experience I don't talk about my political choices, I've seen a few talking about voting tory and they've been attacked online, this is the first time I've not voted tory, because this election was about Brexit and I don't think leaving is the right choice for us a country. Love your traditional christmas decorations and Eddie photobombing your tree
ReplyDeleteI'd quite like the Lego Friends sets, haven't watched it in years but still quote it all the time! Let's not talk politics but I will say I'm shocked and sad, baffled and betrayed #project365
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