The weather here continues to be plain nasty. We alternate between rain, sleet, hail and snow, all of it wet, cold and yuck. I am longing for a little of the crisp, bright beauty that I remember from this time last year.
Little Man continues his lengthy stint on the sofa, he has never been so under the weather for such a long period of time before. He is battling a throat infection, and it's obviously a very tough army of germs cos he is completely worn out with the effort of just being horizontal day after day.
Every so often he will pep up a little and seek out some slow, gentle activity. Yesterday he cut out and hand stitched a sweet little christmas stocking decoration. My heart squeezed a little as I watched the concentration and effort etched on his pale face.
Little B has taken a while to adjust to these oh-so-slow days stuck indoors. He alternates between being plain irritating (pulling all the wet wipes out of the packet, breaking toys, scribbling on the furniture etc) and super sweet (making me pretend cups of tea, chatting to Daddy on his mobile phone, sitting quietly to look through books, stacking towers of cups and clapping himself proudly).
We continue to bake. Little Man asked to bake biscuits yesterday, I smiled to myself when I saw him get out the silver balls, remembering last year's baking :o)
I continue to plod my way through the slowness of the days, sneaking a little time in Blogland when I can. I am drinking a lot of coffee and working my way slowly-but-surely through the tin of gingerbread festive traybake. I can tell you it improves immensely after a day or two.
When Little B naps in the afternoon, I sit in the bay window and work on my crochet projects. A little bit of holly. A little bit of bunting edging. Slowly, slowly it's coming together.
I am trying very, very, very hard to embrace these oh-so-slow days, to enjoy the comfort of being in a warm, cosy home with my two boys. Drinking coffee, baking, photographing, writing, crocheting, cleaning, cooking, sorting laundry, providing care and comfort and love. But. I am frustrated at not being able to go out, I am missing my friends, I am just about managing to hold down a huge swell of panic when I think about the Christmas presents that haven't been bought yet. Not a single one. There's time yet? It'll be OK? Yeah. I hear you. It'll be OK. I can do Last Minute, I do it every year. Breathe deeply. Drink more coffee. Eat more cake.
It'll be OK.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Edit to add :: aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes INterNet ShoPPing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like a right Plum Pudding now. Of course. The magical Internet. No need to go out tramping the streets! Amazon, here I come!
Amazon, sweety, amazon...I am also stuck at home, and rely heavily on Internet shopping. Free delivery, lots of DVDs, lego boxes and crafty books!
Bless little man xxx
Posted by: Claudia | December 15, 2011 at 11:33 AM
We too have had rainy weather, lots of rain. I love your cozy lil' posts. I usually finish up by the first of December for Chirstmas presents. So, I'm experiencing last minute for the first time in a long time. We can do it! Hope your little is on the mend soon. Stay cozy!
Posted by: Pammyjo | December 15, 2011 at 11:34 AM
The poor little man. Hope things pick up soon!
Posted by: Lenora | December 15, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Don't panic Lucy. Every thing will come together ...you'll see.:)
Hope little man gets well soon bless him.
Jan x
Posted by: Jan | December 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Oh Lucy, my thoughts echo your first commenter. I spent a very productive day up 'The Amazon' on Monday. I can't wait for all my packages to arrive. This is indeed a nasty bug. My son number one got over it quickly but he has had a flu jab and takes antibiotics prophylactically. Babykins has been sick since Saturday and is only just perking up a bit today.
I was wondering if you had snow today when I was listening to the Radio 2 travel report. Here in Teesside we are having a crisp, bright day. Shame I don't have your view to go with it. Keep your chin up and thanks for the photos and words.
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | December 15, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Poor Little Man - really hope he's better soon - and poor you. I'm fighting a bug too and having a panic every time I think about what I have left to do before Christmas. Etsy is your friend! But at the end of the day, it will happen, and you'll be together, and it will be lovely regardless.
Posted by: dottycookie | December 15, 2011 at 11:57 AM
INTERNET SHOPPING!!! Did you hear me shout? No? INTERNETTTTT SHOPPPPPPPINGGGG!!! Better?
Why bother stressing yourself out tramping the streets Christmas shopping when you can just sit in front of the computer, in the warm and dry, with a cup of coffee and GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!!! It is the way of my people and it is very, very sensible.
Posted by: Mrs Jones | December 15, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Awww, hope he gets better soon and you can resume your lovely long spontaneous walks :)
Posted by: Rachel | December 15, 2011 at 12:09 PM
I didn't get as much Christmas crafting done as I intended this year, but I have bought some things on Folksy since then I still get to support the UK handmade economy, which I am pleased about!
Your crocheted waves blanket is beautiful. It's seeing lovely crocheted items like that, that made me want to learn to crochet - though I am hoping to get more stuck into it in the New Year.
Posted by: Kerry | December 15, 2011 at 12:13 PM
This is exactly what my days have been during the past week: a sick boy at home, dreadful weather and being forced to be at home all day. I know what it feels like.... Hope your Little Man will be OK soon, and hope the online shopping will save you your sanity! It will be OK in the end, hang on!
Posted by: Christa | December 15, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Bless your Little Man...my daughter was off from school 2.5 weeks! She went back last Thursday but is still really unwell and only struggling on day by day as she knows that tomorrow is the last day! If he feels like her, he must feel dreadful - poor chap!
Internet shopping saved the day for me AND spending the time at home getting on with crochet gifts! Did some lovely chunky round cushions and worked out how to make them openable to wash the cover! Completely Lucy inspired!
It's frustrating but keep with FLYlady and crochet and it will help keep your sanity...and we are all here for support too xxx
Posted by: KayElleC | December 15, 2011 at 12:40 PM
I hope little man will be better soon. Yes Internet is the way forward, I just love amazon it has such good things on it and at good prices. Love to see your crochet coming along as it is so pretty. Looking forward to seeing more photos of it.
Posted by: Marion | December 15, 2011 at 12:43 PM
It hurts the heart when one of your chicks is under the weather doesn't it?Sending Little Man warm well wishes.Hope its over soon.Its very wearing on Mommy,hang in there.Maybe you could shop on line some to help feel more in control of the Christmas crunch.Baking and making,going on here as well.Chocolate dipped pretzels,apple pies, pineapple upside-down cake.I made some of your holly for pins.My youngest decided that each day of December she'd wear something Christmasy,and add to it each day:)so, I've been making pins,earrings,barettes galore.Some crocheted candy-cane earrings,bells,hershey kisses,etc. This morning she went out the door wearing 13 pins,candy-cane earrings and a bell neckless:) Can You image the looks she gets from her teachers?!The bunting is looking good.Wishing you and yours a restful day.
Posted by: angela-southern USA | December 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM
as Douglas Adams said - DON'T PANIC! certainly not for xmas presents. Internet shopping can indeed be a good solution (although - don't count on international mail deliveries to be on time for xmas. shop locally or you won;t get your things on time!)
Health & Peace to all!
Posted by: Lidar | December 15, 2011 at 12:54 PM
wud ur little guy drink a cup of hot water wth a splodge of honey stirrd in2 it? natural healer - warm & soothin also. workd realy wel fr my daughter a few weeks ago :o)
Posted by: rachel | December 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM
I made my own version of your gingerbread festive tray bake. Ours is already gone. Lol. Hope little man gets better soon.
Posted by: Kashi Griffith | December 15, 2011 at 01:15 PM
What took you so long? ;-)
After almost a week of not so nice, windy, drippy summer weather, we at last had a GLORIOUS SUNSHINY day on the beach at Hartenbos, our holiday spot here at the south end of South Africa. Hope for improvement that side, weatherwise and Little Boy-wise.
Posted by: Stel | December 15, 2011 at 01:19 PM
I know dreary cold days can really be discouraging but sharing your homey things picks me up so much on my dreary days. I hope your sweet boy is feeling better now!
Posted by: Jen Y | December 15, 2011 at 01:22 PM
So sorry to hear Little Man is still poorly - I hope he perks up for Christmas...have fun on Amazon and at least if you're in the house you won't have to trek to the depot to collect the parcels!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | December 15, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Oh Lucy, thank goodness you had the Amazon epiphany at the end of your post, I was about to explode!!
Boo to nasty germs, I too hope your son feels better soon and that your cabin fever can be remedied.
Heather x
Posted by: Heather | December 15, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Poor Little Man! I hope he feels better very soon. I had my own Little B, lol, with the naughtiness going on -- at least I can look back and laugh at those days now (although he can still be naughty!).
I'm going to take it easy and not try and go crazy trying to do everything. It's not easy letting go, but would I rather be crazy? I don't think so. I'm sure everything will work out, Lucy.
Posted by: del | December 15, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Lovely Lucy: I love the slow days sometimes. They remind me of my childhood, when the time passed sooo slowly. Here in Buenos Aires start the summer vacation, but we have the same cloudy sky and stormy and windy days!
I hope Little man get better soon.
love
Verónica
Posted by: verónica | December 15, 2011 at 01:59 PM
I know how you're feeling because my little man is poorly too. I'm finding it pretty hard because amazingly it's really the first time he as been properly sick in his first 14 months. We managed to get away with it last year because as he was premature and so tiny we didn't really leave the house from him coming home from hospital in November until the end of Jan and somehow he managed to dodge all the bugs. He's needing lots of cuddles and attention so I'm not really getting anything done at all. Just managed a few minutes on t'internet now while he's sleeping in his bouncy chair rather than on me for a change. Luckily I do have presents bought and nearly wrapped but I haven't given any thought to food and as we're 'doing Christmas' for my parents this year I really better had give it some thought. Hope your little man gets better soon and Amazon provides you with all that you need. F x
Posted by: Fiona | December 15, 2011 at 02:07 PM
I only just bought my first present today - So you're not that late! Mind you I always leave it until it just can't wait any longer. Then I freak out and run around like a headless chicken. Happens every year.
Poor little man - hope he feels better soon x
Posted by: Terrie | December 15, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Sorry to hear that things haven't much improved for you :( I do hope your little man gets to feeling back to normal here soon! Nice weather would help too. Hang in there! Keep smiling and know that good times are still ahead. Enjoy the coziness of your home and the comfort of yarn, coffee, and cookies. Have fun with your internet shopping!
~Lacey
Posted by: LaceAnn | December 15, 2011 at 02:49 PM