I'm feeling better - which is fantastic - I'm so glad you are, too!

where has everyone been, including myself??

Well I was busy running around collecting people from trains, running in to see my brother and cooking a meal with lots of different choices and three desserts. All of this went very well.

My brother threw me out and sent me an email 'terminating out relationship' lol and requesting that i gather up his stuff and send it in to him. what an idiot!!

I arrived here to find stockings filled by santa for all of us.

Mine has .. a beautiful notebook with pencil for writing in, a couple of marzipan logs - one pineapple and one rum and raisin (I share dobie's passion for this), a recipe book for sorbets and icecreams (just what I needed!), a beautiful colourful scarf and a delicious box of belgian dark chocolates, Thanks Santa.

I can't wait for everyone else to get here to see what is in all the other stockings. I am tempted to peek but I will refrain.

I will sit here by the fire and absorb the lovely energy while having my cup of rooibos tea with some wholewheat toast and honey and see you all when you arrive.

have a good day everyone.

Wolfgang loved the trip to italy gift for birthday/christmas, he gave me a beautiful ring and bracelet (big surprise) a couple of books of poetry and some belgian chocs.. I also got some beautiful/amusing stuff from my children including an amazing coat from my daughter... I feel so grateful, overwhelmed and quite pampered. this is the nicest christmas I have had since my parents became ill several years ago and it gives me great hope. Thanks again to you all for bearing with me during the awful times,,,

I admit to not being in the holiday spirit this year but when irish told me I had a stocking waiting for me in the lounge the kid in me wanted to check it out. I found a stained glass coloring book (thanks dobie for telling me about them) with some new colored pencils, some coffee for my keurig, dark chocolates, a collection of stories by Jack London and..a pony! Wow, didn't know you could fit one of those in a stocking, must be the magic of the lounge. I don't remember wanting a pony but he is so cute I think I'll keep him. What should we call him? Pony rides for everyone. Actually sounds like fun.

LOL!! Pagan I'd break the poor thing so I think I'll pass on the pony ride lol

\hey pagan, yay, a pony, i'l have a pony ride, what fun! can we have candyfloss too?? I like the pink stuff best.

precious what did you find in your stocking and where is everyone else?

we shalll just have to wait impatiently to see what other surprises are in store for them all!

I thought i would drop in for some quiet time here in the lounge while the wind and storm are roaring outside my window and the rain is beating against the pane. I'll step through the french doors and absorb some sunshine on a recliner and have some fresh melons and juice for breakfast with a cup of hot tea.

It is nice to just be - for a little while.

have a good day.

The winds have died down and all is quiet again. I collected my aunt today from the train (about 3/4 of an hour away). she is the last of my father's siblings and in her late seventies and full of life. she made the six hour train journey no problem.

she has gone to bed now so i'm going to sit down here and sip a nice hot port for myself. any takers?

I will gladly join you for some port and conversation!

Hi spaceK, I was just chatting to wolfgang when my phone died and then i had to ransack the house looking for a charger because my son borrowed the one i use and the other son borrowed my usb lead. I eventually found my spare and was able to call him back! Then I realised it was 1.00am so I let him go off to bed -

I love this week between christmas and new year. it is always like time outside of time when nobody really has to do anything and the days kind of merge into each other. one tends to think of christmas as being at the end of december so each year it comes as a kind of bonus to have the extra seven days off afterwards until the new year and on up to jan 6th. and this year i get even longer as we go to italy on the 8th - 12th jan. i can't wait!

Sounds like I've missed some fun...

Stopped by with a platter of sandwiches panini really warm Itallian sandwiches with melted cheese indies and chicken...enjoy

I needed a snack,, and wanted some company...anybody around?

Surgery today! Wish me luck! I'll be out of commission for a few days so I'll miss my dear DS friends. Be well, everyone. Big hugs! See you soon!

All I want is a small bag of weed. I hate the way I'm feeling and it just won't stop. All I have is Tequila and that prob. wouldn't be a good idea.

I'll smoke a doobie with Dobie!! But it's gotta be the kind that makes you laugh instead of freak out.

Oh SK I hope everything went well for you today. Love and hugs my friend!!

Hey!! Aren't we having a NYE party in here tonight?? Dang .... we have a lot to do. I'll set up the photo booth. I brought my big huge trunk full of props. I also brought mini beef wellingtons and arancini. Oh yes .... and sparkling cider bottled up the road for the non-drinkers. Who's coming?