Hi julia,
Happy Christmas to you all and I just want to say I’ll be thinking of you. It’s been a dreadful year and those of us who have lost someone or are on our own or both, we can all empathise with you. It’s just a day and you have the children to brighten and distract you. Take care x

Hi Mary, lovely to hear from you and so pleased that you are still able to see your mum on a weekly basis. Delighted to know that you’re also managing to avoid the virus although I’m certain in a school it’s far harder! Yes Lucy has been telling me how tough it’s been so I’m very glad she only has this week to go. I have to take my hat off to you for being so organised! Colin is been working really hard in the garden, and so we fallen behind with decorating the house, and buying a tree. That said all sorted now and I just have a pile of presents to wrap. Thank you for sending me the photograph of your Christmas cake it was absolutely splendid! I still think he would do brilliantly on bake off although I agree Peter was the winner. You take care too and I you will enjoy Christmas and that John will have had some business between now and the end of the year. Thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali xx

Hi there Linda, completely understand about the phone – we get so used to using these things don’t we?! I’m so pleased that in spite of the lockdown you manage to enjoy your big birthday and were spoilt. Great that Simon was able to come and spend a few hours with you too. I also love the Downton Abbey series – my son Sam bought me the box set a year or so back. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary too! 44 years! How wonderful! He looks as though you are going to have a good Christmas especially as Simon and his crew are going to be joining you. We too will see a few members of the family and already looking forward to it. Take care and thank you for your support this year on the blog. One more to go before Christmas, Love Ali xx

Hello there Julia, I’m so glad that you feel able to write to us here and your kind words about how much look forward to the blog mean a great deal to me. Some months are busier than others and I didn’t seem to be coping so well last month but feel much more across it now. You are doing so incredibly well when everything is still so raw to you And I can totally empathise with you when you mention the triggers that bring the tears. Music but definitely scent – a perfume or aftershave and occasionally the smell of cigar smoke – that’s the one that brings my dad back to me 33 years on… Thank heavens you can meet up with your friends. I would be lost without mine, and they have carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life. What a lovely thing to give James Keith’s watch – I’m sure he will treasure it. I remember you saying about his orchids and you were no doubt very proud when he won a commendation for them. Lovely to have these sentiments to share. I’m glad you’ve found the Cozee Home bedding a comfort. Hard to get warm sometimes but these make all the difference. I’m glad that you will be with Charlotte and Adam this Christmas and also with Ivy. Maybe you can FaceTime Sara and Emma? I shall definitely have one more blog posted before Christmas and I’m hoping to find a lovely Christmas story to read out loud on Instagram for you. Thank you for keeping in touch, thinking of you, love Ali xx

Dear Loraine, I do hope that Gary’s wife’s operation goes well and I am glad that you are still getting to look after Clares little one for a few hours a week. I do know Kingston Lacy – I visited there with my friends Roz and Chris a couple of years or so back and was very impressed. Yes, Katy is lucky to live where she does and I know it’s wonderful for her and her children to visit these beautiful places. I also enjoy her blog. I went for another walk with Kathy today – the weather was not so nice but we managed to get our 10,000 steps done! I’m glad that you’re feeling festive, and I really hope that you will be together with Gary this Christmas. Love to you all, Ali xx

Hi Ali, your husband sounds a lot like mine! Cozee Homes are never more needed than now! It’s bitterly cold here today and the clouds haven’t shifted at all. Like you I really enjoy the cold sunny days but not too many of those around at the moment. I’m so sorry that you’re having to wait for your operations, but I am glad that your oncologist has arranged to meet you. I always find talking with the experts brings peace of mind. I will keep my fingers crossed you don’t have lymphoedema – mine set up while I was still on chemotherapy, but it’s doable. You take care and try to take each day as it comes. Everyone of them is a blessing. Stay well love Ali xx

Dear Elaine I’m so sorry to know that Geoff has been back in hospital, although at least with the new stents in place hopefully he will be feeling a lot better. I’m glad he’s home with you now, but I’m sure you must still be anxious. Take each day as it comes and I’m sure things will improve for you both. Love Ali xx