I know I've become a stranger here...but I've not forgotten you at all!
My life revolves around my dear husband Bob as he continues treatment for his cancer which has metastasized. We spend so much time in the cancer center for chemo and also a rough course of radiation treatments this past month. There have been more hospital stays via the emergency room, doctor's offices, labs for blood tests, CT scans etc. So there's little time for much else. I would like to say we see the light at the end of the tunnel and that brighter days are ahead, however that doesn't seem to be happening yet. We are not giving up though and, as this is the beautiful Christmas season, I will not put a damper on things...just know we think of you, our old friends from productive blogging days when life was so different.
A few photos from home - as that's where we are mostly.
I haven't started any Christmas decorating yet...and won't be doing much this year. Keeping things simple. A warm fire on the hearth. Cups of tea, coffee and chocolate always at the ready...along with a bottle of sherry or good red wine! Plan to bake traditional English mince pies and some cookies in the coming weeks.
Taking Bob on little walks around the neighborhood pond and our cul-de-sac - he needs the exercise and fresh air on warmer days. We managed to get a firewood delivery recently. So enjoy the open fire on these cold evenings.
2026 calendars (a favorite English artist Angela Harding again) and planners are being filled in...our 'road ahead' doesn't involve distant travel yet but we are hoping to cross the pond sometime next year.
Friends and neighbors have been wonderful about bringing us awesome food gifts, even whole meals delivered to the door. We feel blessed to have neighbors who check on us, blow the leaves (I tried this and almost collapsed under the weight of the blower!), take our trash cans to the street weekly, change the house flag as I couldn't reach the pole, and stop by for visits. A chat and a cuppa means so much!!!
~ Love to you all from both of us ~
~ Merry Christmas ~
Happy Holidays🎄
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I think of you a lot, Mary, knowing you are going through a very hard time. I spent so many years giving all I had got to my dear husband, and I think you are doing the same. Take a moment now and then for yourself if you can. with so much love, Barbara
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you dear Barbara especially as I see you are still recuperating from your knee surgery. Hope so much you will be pain free very soon and able to climb the ladder to put the angel on your treetop - (haha, just kidding - don't even attempt that!!!).
DeleteYou were a wonderful caregiver for many years and made that time so special for your hubby. I just hope I am doing that for Bob. He asked me to send a hug from him. We always chat about that lovely, somewhat hilarious, afternoon we spent with you in Cornwall - great memories.
Happy Christmas dear and may 2026 be a good one for us all. Love and hugs.
Well done Mary. Hugs and Love to you both. Enjoy the good moments.
ReplyDeleteWe are trying Ali - some days are really rough but always looking for a miracle!
DeleteHappy Holidays to you and your family - enjoy yourselves. Mary
Darling Mary,
ReplyDeleteAs we write we send the warmest of wishes to you both this Christmastide.
Of course, we remember so well our time together in Budapest and realise that things are very different for you both right now. From our own experiences, we can share a little of what you are experiencing. But, time does heal and it is so important to keep on keeping on. This illness is a marathon not a sprint, but you can draw strength from each other.
For several years now we too have enjoyed our Christmases as very simple affairs, appreciating the warmth of home and good food, There are very few things that really matter and decorating is definitely not one of them:):) We keep you both close in our hearts and prayers. Happy Christmas with love, Jane and Lance xx
Dear Jane & Lance, we are happy knowing the two of you still have your beautiful Budapest home but also spend time in Devon. It's funny really - Devon my real home and Budapest my favorite city..........and the two of you enjoying both!
DeleteThis has been our second year struggling with Bob's cancer and sadly no cure. He has been so brave with many surgeries and debilitating treatments.....so, yes, he's running the marathon and I'm trying to keep him going!
We are not ready to give up and thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Enjoy Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year. I must return to Budapest and Devon some day, fingers crossed!
Hi Mary! I often think of you and Bob and so it was good to see you popping up on here. We are plodding along, as one does!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a peaceful Christmas, all good wishes and hoping that there are brighter days ahead for both of you. Much love from South Devon. Sal 😁 xxx
I can imagine you both getting ready for Christmas - decorating and visiting the garden center I bet. Have a lovely holiday season - yes, much of life is 'plodding' these days - but we do what we can and hope we'll be shopping in M&S (and meet up again hopefully), and driving across Dartmoor again some day in the future, haha!!! Take care dears.
DeleteDear Mary and Bob, I have not forgotten you either, and was really happy to see your post just now appear on my reading list!
ReplyDeleteYes, good friends and neighbour are a blessing. My sister and I live within 10-15 minutes walking distance from our Mum, but knowing her close and very helpful friends live downstairs in the same house is an immense relief. Without them, caring for our Dad would have been even harder than it was.
I love Angela Harding‘s work! Her book ‚A Year in Print‘ is never far from my yellow armchair where I love to sit and read.
A heartfelt Merry Christmas to the two of you, and all the best for 2026.
Hi dear Meike - kind of you to leave one of your always great comments. It's really hard these days keeping up with everyone, but I do still keep you all close in thought. Hope your dear Mum is keeping well and that you all enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations.
DeleteI have Angela's book "A Year Unfolding" and, like you, I love to read and look at her amazing artwork. Several of her large prints from the annual wall calendar I've also framed and hung - shorebirds in my bathrooms and other country scenes around the rooms of the 'cottage'. They bring back memories from my English childhood - I loved being out in the fields, at the beach, on the moors etc. I miss that Devon scenery so much. Hugs always.
Merry Christmas, Mary and Bob. Care giving is tiring and takes a lot of energy. Your home is a cozy place to be and I know you work hard to make delicious food and create a good atmosphere for Bob. Love to you both.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Lorrie. I'm making your roasted squash soup today - Bob's appetite is low and nothing tastes the same to him these days (chemo?), but he does love his soup, specifically my homemade versions!
DeleteHave a lovely Christmas with your very special family. My next door neighbors just spent their honeymoon in Victoria and Vancouver - loved it all, of course!
I usually don't comment on blogs, but I wanted to wish you a very heartfelt Happy Christmas and New Year. You are both in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks - you are so kind to be thinking of us. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season also.
DeleteI’ve missed your blog so much but I’m so blessed to see you in person for our coffee chats💕. Hugs to Mr Bob !🙏💕
ReplyDeleteSee you soon dear friend - a pre-Christmas chinwag over a good coffee!!!
DeleteIt is so nice to see your post, Mary. You and Bob continue to be in my thoughts so it was good to receive this update. It sounds like very challenging days for you both. It seems like a good plan to keep things simple this holiday season and enjoy the comforts of your lovely home. I'm sending my wishes for a Merry Christmas to you both.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kim. Hoping your Christmas is lovely and the New Year full of great times.
DeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteI miss your blog, very much, but of course do understand that you have much more important things to do and care for your husband to whom I send my best wishes to getting better.
Luckily you have friends and friendly neighbours to help you - and a beautiful home! And so many travels you can remember - and dream of.
Angela Harding is a wonderful artist - after reading your post which reminded me of her I ordered via Amazon a (brand-new?) box of all 4 seasonal books from her - inspiring!
I wish you and your husband and your family a Merry Christmas and good hope for the coming New Year. May your calendar be filled with many happy encounters!
Yours, Britta xxx
Dear Britta, your kind words cheered me this morning as I checked in here. Hoping you will have a beautiful Christmas season and sending love and best wishes for good health and much happiness in the coming year.
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