Mr Fat: thoughts for the day Christmas Eve 2014

I do hope this is not to maudlin for you, it is not intended thus, forgive me if so......

One of my dear cyber friends and Indie Author Brian Meeks sent me a Christmas wish earlier today with his kind thoughts on my condition and hopes for my continued involvement in life.  Well, all I could say to ALL OF YOU out there reading this across cyber space and who continue to be an inspiration to me, taking someone you have never met in life, into your own lives,  and then continually sending messages of support, love and well being.  It is you guys out there, along with my family and British friends who continually pop in to see me, who are the real inspiration to me and my family...........

Dear Brian, my strength and the little success I have had in life, has been down to the fact that most people are good, nice and supportive. I have had that support from family and friends and in the workplace, the latter especially, which allowed me to be known as a very good manager when in reality I was surrounded by a fantastic & supportive workforce.

My family and friends,  both who are here but also like you who are my dear dear cyber friends, give me two things: 1. A pragmatic acceptance of my fate and 2. The energy of the good thoughts and wishes to tell Mr Tumour, ' you are here and you are advancing, but we aren't going to let you take our Husband our Dad, our Grand Dad OUR FRIEND without a fight ' and it is that energy that keeps Me saying, ' get stuffed, mate, I'm  not ready to leave yet ' You and everyone out there, even now are always on my thoughts and I truly wish for a magical holiday season with family and friends for every single one of you,  as mine is and always has been since the birth  of my first child and that magic exploded on the birth of my first grandchild and continues to do so and will keep me here for a long time, being the pain in the ass that I sometimes am.......MERRY XMAS TO ALL MY FRIENDS🎅🎄😍 👪


And then today, one of my best friends turned up bearing Gifts and Flowers and when I asked how he was, as he too has recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer:

My thoughts turned to him as he reports that he has been scheduled for an operation on 20th January, 2015.

He will endure a 5-6 hour operation, they will remove the tumour and everything it touches, left kidney, spleen, pancreas and at least half the colon, as a minimum, intensive care for 2-3 days, hospital, 2-3 weeks, recovery time 3-4 months, he couldn't tell us the prognosis until the surgeons have been in, removed the contaminated bits, and the surgeons can see how good or bad it really is. But what they are sure of is, it must come out and now...

 This type of cancer does not react to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, surgery is the only option.

I have told my Friend, Ricky Everett that like me he is a survivor, think about him in a positive way guys. Like me, he will feel the power of your goodwill. Xxxxx

To everyone out there reading this today, whether you are a regular visitor, and if you are, my sincere apologies for the paucity of posts over the last year, I really shall try to rectify that shortcoming in the new year, it's not as if I don't have the time these days, I wish you and those of you who have just popped in for a wee look,  the very best seasonal wishes to you and to your family and kin.

Don't think sad thoughts for me and Ricky or for anyone else who you might know and who is in a similar situation. Think joyous thoughts and celebrate the lives that we and they have and the life that we and they still have.

For some of us it can be a long road to the end, for others it maybe shorter, but I for one would like to see happy smiling faces and receive happy positive thoughts from anyone, rather than they, you  thinking, 'how sad'.  ENJOY EVERY MINUTE YOU HAVE

Ishbel and me of to the Royal Opera House 

On Holiday Feb 14

(L_R) Jennifer, Lacey Mae, Me, Steve (sil) Shannon, Mollie, Ishbel
 Family Breakfast pre Xmas shopping

(L-R) AJ , Marie, Ishbel, Charlie, Holly, Peter (sil)
Family breakfast pre Xmas shopping

Tom and Ishbel

A very Merry Christmas to you all

Mr Fat: Thanksgiving

While we in the UK do not celebrate this particular holiday I thought it might be an appropriate time to say a little thanks for all the support, kind thoughts and well wishes I continue to receive from Family and Friends, far and wide. And, for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah too, here's to a happy one of that as well....




I am still keeping not to bad if just lacking in energy all the time and just want to, or rather am, almost permanently asleep. Many would say that's ok coz if he's sleeping, he's not being irritating, unless of course I am farting and snoring when asleep, but then it's only Ishbel and the family who get irritated by that when I'm asleep in bed or on the sofa during a family gathering... but as I am asleep, I don't care.





So, how have I been, well ,as I said, largely fine; had a scan last week and there is no deterioration in my condition as yet and over the last couple of days I have been waking up feeling as if nothing is wrong with me and I could take on the world but by days end I am so knackered and suffering from a sore back I am almost doubled over.  The scan didn't reveal any clues as to why this should be and wee Olivia Chan my wonderful and beautiful Oncologist at Basildon Hospital is reluctant, at this time, to put me back on Chemotherapy after the last time where I was sinking into an abyss of quicksand and so, wants to keep that, along with radiotherapy and whatever else she has in her wee handbag as a reserve.  Oh, just a point of interest, Ishbel came with me yesterday as she thinks Flirting with Dr Chan and Mel and the other nurses may not be conducive to my overall health, in that continued skelps on the back of ma heed fae her, may not knock some sense into me, but would make her feel a whole lot better, sheesh, I jis cannae win......

Anyway, I am to take some steroid tablets to see if that increases my energy levels and I'll probably end up looking like The Hulk or Mr Muscle and of course that will be problematic too if I bulk up and am even bigger than I am now, sheesh glad I will not be required to carry my own coffin at days end ...... but that my friends is a long way away and anyway apparently there is also a candle burning for me in the Cathedral of the Plains too.

It's 28th November today and that means it's two days to my wee bro Johnny's birthday in Coatbridge on St. Andrews Day, I wonder why he was never called Andrew! And three days to December 1st and you know what that means, FUN and GAMES on the official NORAD tracks Santa site before we get to the 24th of the month and I can sit and track Santa on his sleigh with Mollie, Shannon and Lacey Mae who are arriving on 23rd December to spend Christmas with Ishbel and me, oh the excitement is really building to that, especially as Ishbel and I are having so much fun, even if our pockets aren't, while doing the Christmas shopping and NO Jennifer and Mollie I will not be wearing a onsie for Christmas ...... but you may bury me or burn me in it if you like, regardless of what mother says and if you do I want an open casket ........ It's the only time I will be seen in one and Jules, no comment required on that one thank you very much .

Well, that's it for now, sorry to all those blogs and tweets I haven't been visiting I am trying, hush your mouths, I meant trying to visit not trying your patience, sheesh a jis canne win ...

xxxxxxxxxx

Sometimes; but not for me



(c) All cartoons copyright to somebody else 

Christmas Morning

Mollie and Shannon finding that Santa did arrive as expected on Christmas Morning, hope you all had as much fun as we did?

A Christmas Health and Safety Message Courtesy of Paul Kilbourn

Please read the following information carefully and follow all instructions given.

All employees planning to dash through the snow in a one horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are advised that a Risk Assessment will be required addressing the safety of an open sleigh for members of the public.  This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered.

To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.  Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night.

While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all users of this facility are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the lord is additionally reminded that, prior to shining his/her glory all around, s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.

Following last year’s well publicised case, everyone is advised that Equal Opportunities legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer.
Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.

While it is acknowledged that gift bearing is a common practice in various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded, while caution is advised regarding other common gifts such as aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions.

Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.

A Christmas Conversation in the making

Well it's only a few more sleeps until Santa arrives with his usual array of gifts for the whole family. 

Our Garden 2010 

The five year old twins are on there way down from Northampton with Mum, Marie our eldest daughter, with whom we have spent the last couple of Christmas days with.  This year they are coming down today and going home later and we will then see them again after Christmas when we have them for a few days over  Hogmanay, but as is usual on Christmas day, we will have 'long conversations' on the phone with those we are not spending the day with.

If this year is anything like previous years, when we do get the grand children on the phone, the 'long conversation' will take the form of both them coming onto the phone and we will ask, " And what did Santa bring you today." The response will usually be along these lines (take a deep breath and, begin.............

"IGOTLEGOANDBOOKSANDCLOTHESANDSWEETSANDMORECLOTHESANDMORETOYSANDSLIPPERSANDJEANSANDAFOOTBALLSTRIPANDAFOOTBALLANDBEN10ANDPRINCESSESANDCHOCOLATEANDAPLAYKITCHENANDDRAWINGBOOKSANDCOLOURINGPENCILSANDPAINTSANDSOCKSANDDRESSESANDTSHIRTSANDPYJAMASANDMORETOYSANDMORESWEETSANDJIGSAWSANDANDAND"

Holly and Charlie and Mum and
Dad 

and all in one long breath and the happiness and excitement in their voices as they try and remember what they got and from whom, just makes you realise that there is nothing like Christmas through the excitement of your children and your grandchildren to make you forget any problems that you may have, for a short time anyway.

Shannon and Mollie

Brian and Marie 1982 "Thanks Sis"

So, if you have children and grandchildren, make the most of the day.  Forget, for the day, that you have the mortgage or the rent to pay. Forget, for the day, 

Jennifer and Me 1986

that letter on the side demanding the utility bill or the phone bill.  Forget for the day, that your year might not have been as good as you had 
hoped and whether you 
are religious or not enjoy the Spirit of the day. 




 A day for family, for friends and for good thoughts.  And even if you couldn't afford to give as much as you may have wanted to, I think you will find that whatever you gave and to whoever you gave it to, 








they will appreciate and love it, whatever it was.....

Ishbel looking happy 1986 

As for us, Ishbel and I, we have the other three grandchildren, Mollie, 8, Shannon 5 and Lacey May not yet 1, and of course the biggest kid of all their Mum and our youngest Jennifer and her partner Steve.


Brian and his partner Nick will be spending the day at the Dew Drop Inn, no doubt serving up some festive cheer for those out for  a walk on the day.....  so whatever you are doing, to our friends and families and to the many new friends we have made this year through Twitter (and if you are an author and I am waiting for your next book, you too, may have today off, but get back to work tomorrow).......

Merry Christmas 

  

A Christmas Tale

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care .......

The children were excited but sleeping, waiting for Santa to come.....

The house was warm, outside it was cold.  No snow on the ground but covered in frost.  

All around the tree, in the corner of the room,  a sparse barren area awaiting delivery of the gifts yet to come ...

Mums and dads and grandparents too, all smiled with excitement of the laughter to come.... 

Suddenly, the smiles turned to shrieks of panic as a loud crash was heard from above and the whole house was shaken to the core, the lights flickered and crackled like the Christmas decorations that hung by the door.

The parents and grandparents rush to the stairs as cries of panic come down through the floor, from the bedrooms above....

On reaching the bedrooms and squinting through dust; fearing the worst as they searched for the children, their ears were assailed by a deep throaty roar.....

Through the settling dust from the plaster and beams came the sound of Santa saying, "Ho, Ho, Ho,  Bloody Hell Rudolph, I told you and Donner and Blitzen, and Prancer not to eat any more of those frigging carrots. I told you that you were getting to heavy for these roof tops, now look what you've gone and done!"

The end