Wednesday 21 December 2011

Home for Christmas!…………….. WOYWW (#133)

Good morning to all my lovely blog land friends out there…..can you believe that it’s just four more sleeps until the big day.

Things are a little frantic here at Sue’s Krafty Kards the moment while I try to play catch up and I guess are probably the same for you at your end but I truly hope that you’re not trying to get on top of things for the same reasons that I am.


As you may have noticed I’ve not been around since my last blog post when I was telling you I was off to Cologne for the Christmas markets four weeks ago.


Well it all started out wonderfully with a long but enjoyable day on the coach, a slightly choppy channel crossing and a nice five star hotel waiting for us when we arrived.
We were all very tired so it was a quick freshen up and then find somewhere to eat and we found ourselves a very nice Italian restaurant right on the banks of the Rhine. I know……here we are in Germany and we go eat Italian, but we had the rest of the weekend to sample the German cuisine.


We had a little walk round the nearest market before it closed at 10pm and then it was back to the hotel for a night cap and then fall into bed.

Our plans for the following day were to visit all six markets in the area but then everything went pear shaped.


When we woke up on Saturday morning my cousin wasn’t feeling well and it turned out she had had a stroke during the night and ended up at the local hospital.
Her blood pressure was through the roof with both readings being more than 200 and once they managed to bring it down and stabilize her she was moved to another hospital on the outskirts of Cologne where she stayed for the next 16 days.

The rest of the party we were with came home on the Monday as planned, leaving Jane and I out there and I had a bit of a frantic time trying to sort out another hotel so I could stay with her. 
I managed to get two extra days in the hotel we were already in and then found another that was nearer to the hospital which was about 20 mins. from the centre of Cologne in a residential arer of the city.
It still meant a couple of moves though because the hotel I found was full on one of the days.........what a nightmere..........talk about panic, especially as hardly anyone in the area spoke English and we didn't speak any German. 
The guy in the hotel was really helpful though and he found me a room for the one night I needed and then it was back to his hotel for the rest of my stay.

I was beginning to think we wouldn’t be home for Christmas but fortunately it’s turned out to be only a mild stroke and Jane is making good progress, but still scary never the less and I’ve never looked forward to coming home from a break away more than this time.


The main thing is that she’s going to be ok, but having completely lost the last week of November and the first two weeks in December all our plans are now three weeks behind.

There’s still Christmas shopping to do and I hadn’t finished making all my Christmas cards so for the first time in eight years or more I’ve sent brought ones and decided to keep the ones I’ve already made for next year because I couldn’t decide who should have handmade and who the brought ones.



So it’s onto my desk and as you can see there’s absolutely nothing going on.



The remainders of the brought Christmas cards are sitting there just in case I’ve forgotten someone.

The lamp was moved from the living room when I put up my Christmas tree yesterday and has just been dumped on the table for the time being until I get around to tiding up and the other bits and bobs have been on the table since before I went away.


My craft room does have a Christmassy feel thought because I’ve plugged in my little tree to give some festive colour.



And here’s a picture of my tree in the living room.







I wish each and everyone of you who joins Julia for What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday each week a very Happy Christmas and I hope Santa brings you everything that you hope for.



Now let’s see what’s on your desk this week!



Thanks for stopping by.



Happy Crafting!

Sue

x

21 comments:

jude said...

First of all so sorry to hear about your trip .I am so glad Jane is on the mend .I bet your glad to be home after living out a suitcase especially when youd only gone for couple days.find your there for wee while longer.Well i do hope your christmas is happier and healthier .Have very Merry christmas and please pop by i have candy on offer
hugs judex 22

jill said...

What a fab tree , Happy Christmas to you

Annie said...

Oh Sue what can I say? I really do hope Jane makes a really good steady recovery. Christmas will still come without all the planning so make sure you take some time out for you and I really do hope you are able to enjoy the festive time.
Biggest hugs,
A x

Karen said...

What a nightmare for you all and such a worry, especially being so far from home. I am so glad to hear that your Cousin is now on the mend and I hope she continues to improve {{hugs}}

I love your Christmas trees, they are both beautiful - how nice to have something Christmassy in your craft room :)

I wish you peace, joy and lots of happiness this Christmas, Take care, Karen xxx (#66)

SandeeNC said...

I'm glad is feeling better, a stroke can be real scary! Your tree is fabulous and I love that small lighted tree. I understand about not being sure which kind of cards to send to whom, you made the right decision! lol Merry Christmas from North Carolina!

505whimsygirl said...

So sorry to hear about your cousin. I'm sure she appreciated you staying with her while she was in the hospital. How very scary for everyone involved!

Take care of you and yours. Have a merry Christmas.

WOYWW #82

JoZart Designs said...

Such a dreadful experience for you in Cologne instead of the festive trip it was meant to be. I hope you had excellent medical treatment as we have always experienced in Germany ( my DD2 lives there) but it is good to know that your cousin is home and recovering.
I will add you to my blog candy draw as you may note I only said that I prefer people to be followers... it is just a ploy to deter the professional candy chasers who never otherwise visit blogs for the right reasons.
Have a Happy Christmas and relax, health comes first.
Live joZarty x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a trip! That must have been some scary times. There may not be much going on at your desk now but there is a lot of potential there!

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh my goodness, what a dreadful thing to happen :( Poor Jane and you trying to sort it all out... At least you're back safe and sound now. Hope the rest of your Christmas break goes without a hitch.
Hugs, LLJ '43 xx

Twiglet said...

Oh Sue - so sorry to hear your news and I do hope Jane is recovering well - how scary for you. Just take it easy and let Christmas arrive. Just watching Nigel Slater as I catch up with my WOYWW hop. Glass of wine on my table. Parcels wrapped and tree trimmed. Happy Christmas x Jo

lisa said...

Oh Sue, it sounds like a complete nightmare. I'm glad you are both now safely home and Jane is making a good recovery. It's scary when something happens when you are abroad and don't speak the language isn't it. We had experience of this during our holiday in Italy in the Summer and you are completely reliant on other people to help, which thankfully they tend to do.
I hope you can now settle down and enjoy a really relaxing and happy time with your family over Christmas.Your tree is gorgeous by the way!!
Take care
Hugs Lisax

May said...

What a nightmare for you, I am so glad Jane is on the mend, Love your tree in your craftroom, and the one in the lounge is stunning, just let Christmas happen, dont get stressed take care of yourself, Bless you, Merry Christmas, Hugs May x x x x x

Anonymous said...

Gosh Sue, what a terrible thing to happen and how incredibly worrying and stressful too. Glad you're back safe and sound and I hope Jane continues to make a full recovery. I hope you're able to enjoy the festive season, and put your feet up girl, sounds like you need a bit of "me time"!

Hugs
Brenda 71

Sarah said...

I'm just glad you are both back and home for the holidays. Hope the big day with family and break will help ease away the stress - what a trip and a story for years to come. Let things just be as they are - love counts not the glitter! Thinking og you all! Thanks for sharing in such a busy week! Hope you have a very festive and wonderfully merry time - see you in 2012! Sarah at 11.

JoZart Designs said...

Thanks foryour message... the Albert Hall complete with decorations sounds hoot! Glad you DID make it despite all!
Jo x

Neet said...

Ooh crikey! I was settling for a read about Cologne Christmas market (we were there a couple of years ago - Munich this time - blogged with pictures) when I saw about Jane.
So glad it was not worse than it was and that she is well on the road to recovery.
Hope you soon catch up with Christmas and may I wish you a Peaceful one.
Hugs, Neet #4

The Crafty Elf said...

Oh dear...poor Jane! Glad to hear things are improving. Hopefully the Holiday Season will prove to be happier and healthier! Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas with family and friends and All The Best for a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

Hello, Sue! I'm dropping by to greet you and your loved ones a joyful and blessed Christmas season! My, Your post started out wonderful with your visits to the markets but what a stressful time you had! I'm so glad Jane is going to be fine. Thanks for sharing your life and projects with us in your blog!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS

Elizabeth said...

Merry Christmas! :)

Angie said...

I was so sorry to read about your cousin ...puts life into perspective ...so glad she is on the mend.

I dropped by to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas ...Take Care.xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh sue what an awful experience for you both, I'm terribly glad that all's well that ends well, I bet Jane is incredibly happy that you stayed with her throughout...thank God that you could. Don't worry. About what isn't done, you've more than answered your Christmas call to do good deeds!! Happy Christmas.