Christmas countdown

December 31, 2013 Jo Leave a comment

The countdown to christmas was once again a lot of fun, Though I didn’t decorate the house I did go to a few gigs with a band and I did get to see the coca cola truck which was on my bucket list !

It wwas really lucky really as I was due to go with a friend but had had a night of seizures and felt terrible. Mum said there was no way she was happy with me going out with someone else feeling and looking (mums can be so charming sometimes) like I was.,… However she was wonderful and took me herself. Despite the struggle even getting me to the car !.

We got there mega early by about 2 hours however were busting for a coffee so decided to take a very slow unsteady walk to maccy D’s and grab one. then come back to the car for a rest. – On our way to maccy d’s there was the big red truck in all its glory… all shiny and with the lights. They hadn’t really set up but the truck was all I’d come for that christmas spirit was all around that truck.

Here are a few photos we took…. I totally loved my time spent with the truck and we came home and crashed.

The rest of christmas countdown really isn’t worth talking about at this point however I will say I made many really good and true friends.

Night all xxx

Kent Coastal Concert Band Christmas Concert 2013

December 16, 2013 Jo Leave a comment

Well the day came and although I’d had the night from hell that for once wasn’t caused by my problems made it.

1 seizure and a headache before hand ment it was a struggle but I was so determined to get to that concert.

To me the KCCB concert makes Christmas. Band family and normal family – the audience, friends , the music, lights and the buzz of such a amazing amount of fun and music on one stage – being part of that is just amazing.

At first back a few weeks and up until the last day I was unsure if I was going to go because at band practice it’s ok , I’ve got use to people seeing me with oxygen but on stage I wasn’t sure if feel confident enough. However mum persuaded me that it doesn’t matter what I look like (within reason!) it’s what The band sounds like is what people have come to see. There was the inspiring words I needed.

The concert went really well. It was a huge buzz and I loved every minute of it – even the bits of music I wasn’t sure about went well. Mum said it was the best she had heard the band so that’s got to mean something !

So wonderful time had.

If you want to hear the band play I’ll post dates of the next concerts in January

For now I’m gona say goodbye as I’m off to the last band practice of the year and social.

Take care and merry Christmas

Christmas time!

December 6, 2013 Jo Leave a comment

I Will be doing very few Christmas cards this year. However it means nothing to what you mean to me, a card will not define our friendship any better, it won’t make us stronger and it won’t mean we won’t talk. However it will cause me more stress, and make me even more tired than I already am this year. Christmas this year has jumped out on me like a ninja on roller skates and I’m just not ready for it. I’m not in the mood for the tinsel, dusty decorations or even Turkey! I’m not being bah humbug… I normally love the run up to Christmas but this year the only thing I’m looking forward to is the band Christmas concert. The rest I could easily do without. Christmas seems far to commercial and the real meaning? Well your be hard pushed to find it anywhere amongst the glitter, tinsel and fairy lights.

Last year I worked so hard putting up trees, decorating the house, making Christmas cakes and having people over that by the time Christmas came I felt so ill I didn’t want to know. In fact I spent part of the run up and then new year in hospital! This year I’m taking a step back…. I’ve done little cards, am not decorating the house and not having a tree. We will probably have a turkey dinner but if it was up to me I’d probably just have stew or pasta and I will go to the band Christmas concert cos to me that makes my Christmas. As for parties, gatherings and the rest…. Well it can be left. It’s not what Christmas is about.

One of my resolutions last year was to not be pressured into doing things that I know will cause me pain. Well it’s taken a year for me to actually do that and it starts at Christmas. So despite no cards, no tree, no decorations, no lights, no gatherings round mine with friends, late nights lots of food and things, it doesn’t mean I’m not celebrating and it doesn’t mean I think any less of you it just means I’m learning to take care of myself. It means I’m taking a stand. Just because someone says this is what Christmas is it doesn’t mean it’s how everyone has to do it. So I’m not bah humbug I’m trying to play a game this year and it’s to stay out of hospital!

Merry Christmas to you all

Xxx

Fundraiser!

December 5, 2013 Jo Leave a comment

Well I know I’ve been really lacking posts recently. It’s no secret that I had been planning big fundraiser at my house, but how big it turned out was a surprise even to the optimistic me!

I struggled but the planning and organising was worth it… There were lots of other background issues happening at the same time and at times I felt like I was being suffocated by my own ideas and no matter what my friends said at times I thought it was all going to be a big disaster.

The morning of the fundraiser 19th October the heavens opened! I finished setting up and then looked out the window nearly turning to tears… Who was going to turn out in all of this? I continued to be busy and sort things out and friends who were helping and doing all sorts of things arrived and I was distracted from feelings of dismay.

1pm arrived and people started to come through the doors… Wet neighbours poured in. Neighbours round here are supportive and know me so I expected this. I thought that was it as they all came at once yet people who I didn’t know started to come through the door one by one two by two! Then 8, 10, 12 and I stopped counting people were walking sideways through the house to get through the stalls and displays. It was a sigh of relief but utter panic as I tried to see to them all.

The end of the day everyone was exhausted. We took only a couple of pictures that day because we were so busy.

The total raised was £450 !