General Chat

It's pouring with rain here now

The box sounds lovely Fiona, I love boxes, always have. You are clever. I think hand made gifts are much better than shop bought ones, they are made with LOVE and shows the person they are for, how loved they are <3

The home your FIL's in Ann, sounds wonderful, he is lucky to be in such a good one. You hear so many bad stories about care homes on the news. It sounds like he's going to have a great Christmas.

The reason I'm so busy Anne is because I bought extra gifts so have to wrap them up and of course I'm having to do viewings with this place being on the market, so that has taken up quite a bit of my time lately, which now means that, the last minutes things I had planned to do have all been moved along a few days and I'm running out of time to do them. It didn't help having to re-do the Christmas tree as that took hours to do and with not having much sleep and having a banging headache, things are taking longer than they normally do to finish. I was thinking of not bothering with the tree when I had to take everything off it, but then I knew Sandra would be upset if I did that, so that's why I ended up going to bed so late last night and missing out on the party.

I've decided to colour my hair now, hopefully it'll be finished before I have to start dinner for everyone. Sandra and OH will be wanting baths so there'll be quite a bit of washing to get through today as well.
Does anyone know how to stop time LOL :-D :-D :-D

Yours were on about old sayings the other day.
My Father (that's him in the avatar) had a few.
Most to the point and not fit for a "respectable" forum's thread.
One gem worth using on the right occasion was
Does your heed know your Rs has moved in? ;-) :-D

Afternoon all

Rotten day here windy and very wet, I will need to order a taxi to take me down to the Church Centre where I am doing my last coffee duty of 2015,
We may not be very busy with this horrible weather BUT, if the shops are packed with Christmas shoppers they may be glad of a hot cuppa and pop in,

All my christmas shopping is done and almost wrapped, only got to finished Katherine's wooden box, I have been painting and gluing shells and glass beads also applying sand, and dried starfish on the lid, takes a while to dry so am having to do it in steps,

well must go and have lunch before I get ready to go out,
:-D :-D

Good Morning Everyone

Its pouring with raid and very windy again here, I did manage to take Amy for her walk before it started as it was sunny then.

Gill you are always so busy you must take a break sometimes and give yourself a rest it won't be the end of the world if not everything gets done, please don't over do it and be too tired to enjoy a family Christmas.

Frank glad your meal went well and I'm sure they appreciated it at least you did your best and you can't do more than that, it was very kind of you to give the joint of beef.to them

Ann it sound as though your F.I.L is in a very caring home you here so many bad reports, you have certainly chosen well for him I hope he enjoys his Christmas there.

I hope your drain doesn't cause any more problems once it has been cleared Mandy.

Just noticed your post Frank, pleased to hear the meal was a success, and there wasn't to much waste. Don't worry about the potatoes, like my mum used to say, they get broken in your mouth anyway :-D :-D
I think baby steps are in order for you and Harvey, at least he turned up so that's a positive, keep your chin up and keep trying, that's all you can do, the rest is up to him <3

Morning all

Dull day today, but still quite warm

How awful having your drains blocked Mandy, hope your son and hubby can sort it out for you and it doesn't end up like mine did. I had to have new liners put in all mine.
I love those ginger bread houses, the children would of loved making them and of course eating them as well :-D :-D It's lovely when the little ones get excited for Christmas isn't it? Not long to go now :-)

How did your meal go Frank? So you went with the mushrooms in the end?

It's a good job your kettle didn't go on Christmas day Jane, if that happened here OH would have kittens, he loves his tea :-D :-D It sounds like you're going to have a full house this Christmas. We're having a quiet one this year, I've worked so hard for weeks now I just want to relax and enjoy the day with OH and Sandra, it could be a while before OH gets Christmas off again.

I ended up here on my own yesterday putting the tree back in order while OH and Sandra went to my mum's, as she had the family around for a pre-Christmas party. I didn't realise how many things I had to put back on the tree and didn't get to bed till nearly 3am.

I've still got so much to do for Christmas that I didn't have the time to leave the tree till today. I've still got all my baking to do and I want to colour my hair at some point, which takes almost a full day to do, so it's go, go, go, right up to the big day for me. I was disappointed that I couldn't join in the fun yesterday and felt a bit teary being stuck here doing all the work on my own while everyone else was having fun. I've done everything for Christmas, with no help off anyone, apart from OH building the framework for my village. I'm looking forward to Christmas day, when all I've got to do it cook the Turkey, then I can sit down and do nothing....hopefully.

I'm so tired as I've not been getting to bed until the early hours of the morning these past few days. The other day it was 4.30am before I got to bed and I was back up again before 9am with yet more work to do. At least I managed to wrap up the last of Sandra's Christmas presents, while they were at the party yesterday, so she hasn't seen what I've got her. I've got no energy today and have a terrible headache, I wish Christmas was another few weeks away so I can get some sleep.

Well, I'd better get back to it...........a woman work and all that lol
BBL

Morning all you busy girls , Evening Kim,

Would you believe it, They turned up just after 4.30 pm. So Ros got tea and coffee where wanted, and I proceeded to bring everything forward. I didn't expect them until 6.00 ish.

Meal went down very well, even though I par boiled the potato's to much and the pots. were a bit broken but nice and crispy, very little left, apart from some Yorkshire puddings, which Ros is just chopping up for the birds.

I think it will be BEEF BEEF and more BEEF between now and Christmas. I sent a large piece home with Harvey and Julia. But we still have masses Left.

I was very disappointed with their Christmas card. It had "CHRISTMAS" on the front, and was plain inside, with the words written by Julia. "To Ros and Frank, from Harvey, Julia and Lewis. So no Nanny and Grand dad card from him !!!!

I did my upmost to make them welcome, but didn't feel a lot of feedback.

You have all been very busy packing presents. I bet you have bought far too much as we always do !!!

Ann, that very good of the home treating the patients to all this festivity, Children singing, and making Christmas card Making.

Nancy is being buried on Wednesday, her daughter has requested "Family Flowers Only" so we are sending a donation to a Charity that supported her Husband during his sickness and death.

I bet all the children will be nosing round the piles of presents, shaking them trying to imagine what they have got. You certainly miss those wonderful times.

That nurse (BUTCHER) :-D :-D :-D

Ros has got rehearsal at 6.30 this evening and the main event will be at 7.00 pm tomorrow. I have invited some friends who will be coming to see it, to join me in the pub for a drink afterwards, to celebrate my Birthday. That's going to cost me, for making silly gesture's like that. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Well I had better get my backside moving, it will be midday before I know it.

Morning Jane and all.

It might be bright and breezy where you are but its very dull and dreary here and windy with it plus really quite cold.

Lots to do today. I have to make sure I have done all aunty Joy's pressies up and get them ready to take to Bideford tomorrow and do the little boys next door and check to see if they are packed the same. Lots of cleaning to do too plus the chickens etc.

Ann you'll be the one roped into playing that game with G, have you thought of that? I suppose he could take it when he visits his dad. I am pleased they have a lot going on over the Christmas period to occupy the residents. Must be nice to have the pets too for them to see.

Morning All

I have been up for ages.Cleaned the downstairs loo,made up and cleaned Hannahs room and got washing in :-D...Now just sitting here in my nightie having a 3rd cuppa.
I might have a pot of Porridge in a minute.
It is a fairly bright and breezy morning.

Thomas has settled down now :-D..Hope he doesn't get a second wind and go snouting around the presents that came from Jesss house !!!!!

Ann it sounds a wonderful time at the home for Christmas.I think FIL will enjoy it all :-D :-D I love the fact they have the PET dogs plus a Shetland !!!!!!!
I have not heard of Ridley's table football......As for Sylvanian Families Mandy we sold all of them at a car boot some 10 yrs ago :-S :-S :-S :-S.(I won't tell Hannah what they go for now ;-) ).....She did get the money for the car boot.
We have a big box of Lego somewhere.But are hanging on to that.

I am quite enjoying the Live Sound of Music :-D

Glad to help and half the price carn't be bad :-D

Bless you Mandy!! That looks just the same only half the price!! I'll get one ordered for him now. :-D :-D lol.

Ann have a look at Hawkins Bazaar they have some thing like that Tabletop Football for a fiver !!

I bet Thomas would like to add a present or two of his own to the pile!! lol. :-D

Afternoon All,

Cor Jane, it will be like Piccadilly Circus at your place with all the comings and goings!! :-) I wouldn't be able to keep up!

Hope it all went well Frank after all of your efforts. ;-) Any leftovers going? ;-)

We called to check on the house today and popped to a neighbour with a photo she'd asked for of MIL and FIL. Then we popped to the care home with some slippers for FIL. They had decorated it up beautifully for Christmas and one of the carers straightaway told us how cheerful he was today. He smiled and waved as soon as he saw OH and me. It's hard to know what he's driving at sometimes and you have to be careful what you say. 'How are things back home?' for example, but he is actually talking about his own childhood home, not the one he had with MIL for 65 years!! He has mentioned her name once since he last saw her. It was during our last visit, just to say she had bought his last bar of chocolate he'd had (one that we brought for him), otherwise he hasn't spoken about her at all, so we don't either. One poor chap there kept asking me if I'd come to take him and wanted to know who was taking him then when I said no, so thinking he needed the toilet or something I went to find one of the carers. She told me that he kept asking to go home and that was what he was wanting. :-S The home has so many activities it is unbelievable, PET dogs and a Shetland pony visit regularly and go in the rooms of the residents too. There are singsongs, weekly cake making, bingo, schools have been calling to sing carols, there is a panto. Santa is calling Christmas day and the local fire service Santa is also calling with presents!! They have helped all the residents make a christmas card for their families with a photo of them on the front and helped them sign it. FIL is wearing a cowboy hat and tinsel in his!

Mandy, I can't believe Lewis is on his feet now!! :-0 I bet he's into everything now he's more mobile so you'd better move things out of his reach. It's a wonder you haven't run out of sellotape with all that wrapping going on. I like playing christmas carols too, it helps me get the jobs done.

Gill, what a palaver you've had with the lights. I hope the tree is all shipshape and ok again now.

I got told off today for not getting something when I saw it yesterday!!! It was a Ridley's Table Football Game!! lol You fit little plastic footie socks with boots on the end over your index and second finger and play footie with your fingers on a marked out mat with goals. There was only one left and OH said I should have got it. I've tried the internet but can't find another at all now! :-S

I might do a few spuds tomorrow and see how they go over night in water , i wondered if they would go slimy over night .

Jane if you have any of the Sylvanian Familes hold on to them as they cost a fortune now , just a couple of the little figures can be twenty pound or more !!

Yes we want to see The Sound of Music live tonight ,i like the songs and usually sing along when the films on .

Oh i hope you don't come down in the morning and Thomas has had a go at the presents !! :-D he might if he can smell Jess's cat :-D

Mandy do they not say you can par boil potatoes the plunge them in iced water ,and then keep them in the fridge until the next day? I'm sure I have heard that.

Crikey you don't need a blocked drain for Xmas.I hope you can get it sorted.A few pokes with a rod or two will hopefully do the job.

I remember my James loving Thomas the tank Engine when he was a little tot.It never goes out of fashion does it.Hannah was into Sylvanian Familes,My Little Pony and Barbie.
Chris has has carols playing too today in the study..Just getting into the groove for Xmas :-D..He is at the moment squashed into one corner of a settee .All Jess's presents are taking up all the rest of the settee LOL. I think Thomas can smell Jess's cats as he keeps having a good sniff at everything and looking a bit unsure.

Anyone watching Live Sound of Music tonight? We might give it a go .Trouble is I will get all those songs in my head and not be able to get rid of them :-S

Evening all,

We have been wrapping presents all afternoon, i think i counted forty five !! :-0
I just keep getting things as i see them and they soon mount up , i just need to get a little some thing else for Lacey and some thing for my sister and then we're done ,tomorrow son and family will be here so i must make sure the presents are all out of sight .
We had the Christmas CD playing all the nice christmas songs this afternoon and we were both singing along .

Son is coming to help hubby with our back drain i noticed the water was coming out of the drain so it's blocked some where ,son will soon stick the drain rods down ,it's been gurgling away when i run the tap for a few days now so it needs sorting before christmas.

The little ones have all been making a Ginger Bread House each ,DIL saw them in Morrisons and as they were reduced she got four for the children to make up , son just rang and they were eating the roof of one of them :-D
They all sounded so excited so i think when they come tomorrow will be a noisy day :-D

Little Lewis loves Thomas the Tank Engine and if he hears the music on the television he goes and stands in front to watch it .
I have bought him a Thomas Engine that talks and the wheels go round ,£16 it was and it's not even very big !!

Hope Frank and company have enjoyed the meal ,i bet they are stuffed by now ,i bet it's the dish washer doing the dishes today :-D

Hope you've managed to get all the decorations back on the tree Gill ,i think it was the year before last when our lights went off ,i remember saying at the time i don't know why the lights have to go on the tree first as if they go wrong you then have to take all the decs off to get the lights off ,it would be much easier if the lights went on last really but then the wires would show more ,carn't win really !!

I usually do all my veg for Christmas day on Christmas eve, i bag it and store in the fridge ,but i usually peel the potatoes on the day , do you think they would be ok if i did them and covered them with water overnight ,or would they soak up to much water like that and then they won't crisp up when i roast them ?

We need a new kettle ,i am for ever empty the scale out of ours ,i quite like the Kitchen Aid ones but they can be a bit pricey !!
I might hang on for the sales after christmas .

Afternoon All

LOL David.I can see a whole class full of little 6 year olds crying and being very confused as to why .No doubt it was seeing your teacher so upset.Tears can be very catching.

I bet Frank ,Ros and the others will be sitting now with very full tummys :-D :-D.I bet it all went down a treat :-D..I wonder who is doing all the dishes??

I have a joint of Pork in cooking and when that is done I just need to bung in the Carrots,Parsnips and Baby Turnips ,and the roast potatoes.I am doing them like I did the other day in Olive oil with Garlic and Lemon Quarters as they were so nice.

James is back from Jess and had a car load of presents.I don't know how we are fgoing to get all them and all ours under the tree.it will be like a mountain !!!! and probably spread for a couple of feet outwards :-S

I went to Sainsburys earlier and set off the alarm when I came out.I was called back by security.But nothing `i had in my bags had any security things on.So it was a mystery.
It was quite funny as i could see people waiting to see what I had pinched LOL
When I came out the heavens had opened iand it was torrential rain.It seemed to have come out of nowhere.So I just came straight home instead of doing more shops.

Oh Gill what a to do you have had with your tree lights !!!!!!.What a pity you had to take off all the decorations after spending all the time putting them on.It must have been so frustrating .Hopefully all is good again and all your lights are shing brightly :-D

Our Kettle packed up this morning :-S.So Chris had to nip out to get a new one.I did try and get him to wait until I went out whe nI could have got one .But I think he was wanting his coffee fix so off he went.I have got all the washing and ironing done today.
But there will be another load to do tomorrow :-S.I just need to make up Hannahs bed and dust and hoover her room as she will be here tomorrow.
I have no idea when James will be sleeping here.He starts house sitting tomorrow,so I think he will be sleeping there until Christmas Day.He said he will sleep here Christmas Day night so he can have a few drinks and not worry about driving.Jess will be here on Wednesday.But James will pick her up in the evening and go back to the friends house.So we might not see Jess until Christmas Day.I cant keep up lol Then Hannah will no doubt be out with friends for most of the time before Christmas day.
At least I know for sure that Chris and I will be here :-D

The meat is done so I need to get it out of the oven now.

Was having a think about years gone by. When I was 6 I was sitting in a class room in primary school. The class teacher was Miss Brown.
Another teacher (or perhaps the head mistress) came into the class room and whispered something to Miss Brown, where upon Miss Brown burst into tears, She composed herself then addressed her pupils and said the King is dead.
On hearing this we all burst into tears.......and I didn't even know who the King was :-(