I purchased a ''grabber'' - you know those things that litter pickers use to pick up the rubbish, it saves me bending down and has really helped me loads! It bends the pain and stretching in my back to bend over and physically pick things up.
My family and I have had an extra special and lovely First Christmas without the Ex-Husband around to spoil it in any way shape or form.
Being now a single mother to 5 young children, 3 of whom have disabilities of their own and being the sole carer for them IS hard, I won't deny it but our Christmas was busy but fantastic. Okay, I ONLY have a single shelf oven, (not even a separate grill) a Halogen oven (on the small size), 4 hobs and a microwave.
With this in mind I was going to part boil the potato's then roast them; however on the day things didn't go this way, I over cooked them then had no option but to mash them - Believe me I was quite relieved that the oven space could then focus on the Turkey, Parsnips, Stuffing and Yorkshire puddings! So when the turkey was pretty much done, I then put it in the halogen oven (thank goodness I bought a small Turkey crown as it just about fitted........) and then I could put in the rest of the food in the oven.
I won't lie, the gas and electric meters are so expensive to run and on the 23rd December, I panicked that what I had left wouldn't last (I had topped up during the week before in anticipation of the hours of Oven usage and having the home just that bit warmer during the night). Anyhow, on Christmas eve thankfully I had some money go in a-head of schedule so I could top both up easily and I got a few more 'last minute' bits and was on my way.
Christmas Day was unbelievable easy, relaxing and amazing all the more. I peeled the potatoes on Christmas Eve, as did I make the stuffing balls. I had very little to do on the 'Big Day' but enjoy it with my 5 beautiful children and that I did. I filmed them walking into the lounge to see the tree littered with presents wrapped in very colorful paper. Their faces lit up like they'd never lit up before, smiles branched across each of their faces and little screetchy screams of excitement. I was responsible for this; ME. I sourced and wrapped their presents and I put up the decorations singing and trying to dance as best I could to the Christmas music I had on. I had the children until Boxing Day morning but by goodness did we have fun Christmas Day. Dad picked us up and we went to Mums to see her gorgeous Christmas Light's display in the window (she's almost competing with me now..) anyway, a lovely, long, but tiring day, but, above all else - it was worth it. I have never seen the children so relaxed looking, free to do what they wanted, when they wanted and despite Duncan opening one of the main presents first, rather than a gradual build up, he didn't get told off for it, instead, I accept that these things happen and moved on. I did comment 'Ah you would of gone for that one first aye Dunk?' but I didn't particularly talk to him as he was too busy, I was more talking to myself. Children are naturally curious and I didn't cook a huge breakfast (Bacon, eggs the lot) and delay the present opening, no, instead they had a bowl of chocolate wheeto's and we got stuck in to the presents! We had finished opening presents by about 11am where as (with you know who) he'd still be scoffing his overly large breakfast and we'd have to wait until HE was ready. Then when presents had been opened about 45 minutes later we had our cooked lunch. It gave them just enough time to play with their newly opened presents and me enough 'me' time in the Kitchen to get it all cooked, jig the Turkey around and cook the other bits and pieces! When we had lunch here, he would of been starting the cooked Lunch there as that fat greedy pig would of still been 'full' from his big fat piggy breakfast.
We had fun, it was a very very good day and I am surprised it didn't get too much for me, and my parents and Friends are equally as pleased as I am that I managed today - the biggest day of the year, with 5 children and myself and managed my disabilities well. Perhaps I had a 'good' day, perhaps I knew I had to get up and get on with it, no matter the pain - what ever happened, I love it.
Here, is a couple of photo's for you all - thanks for reading.
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| The Christmas Breakfast |
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| One of the first presents they opened. They'd sit on the sofa, I'd countdown then they went for it! |
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