Monday madness

[Natalie]

Morning again.

Are we all geared up for the final battle before Thursday?

I'm still on the graveyard shift at work. Thinking of you too PP and boy what a slow night it has been *yawn*

No chance of sleep today as I have to get last min food on my way home then have to clean the house as I won't get another opportunity before the big day as I'm back on day shifts tomorrow and Wednesday.

My parents are having the girls and hubby is back at the bedside.

Day 11 today and no change.

Have a good day peeps and thank you all for your kind thoughts for us here. It really is appreciated. X

[yola]

Morning Matron . . . things here are mental - I have an extra 5 year old in the house Neve had one of Dominik's friends over, thankfully this one is quite tame!

Yesterday we had a day in London, I bought front row tickets back in July for The Snowman and we all went up. Sebi behaved himself beautifully!

Oh Lord . . they're all piling downstair now!!

[dinahsmum]

Fairly quiet here. We did 'the big shop' early (it wasn't that big and was about 8.30) and it wasn't too bad. I cannot stand that frenetic rush when people act as if their cupboards are totally bare and they have to feed 24 and the shops will not re-open for 2 weeks.
My visitor has gone, hopefully taking his cold with him. I will not be pleased if I end up with festive sniffles.
Sending calming vibes to everyone

[janey83]

Morning all, Ive just come in from work, its been mad! I need to go to sleep as Iam shattered but I cant sleep coz im thinking of what I need to get! arghhhh.

Its cloudy here n ok temp.

[angieh]

Afternoon peeps! Extreme laundry for the next couple of days - why is it that when you think you have it all spaced nicely through the week, it all accumulates at once?

I went out for a morning cappuccino with a couple of the people I do transcription for and they have given me a HUGE present - as they said it's a bit like the big present that you can't wait to open when you're 4 years old!!! Can't think what it can be!!! I'm trying not to poke it too much and getting a tadge excited about opening it.

Secret Santa's present for Merlin arrived this morning - but he hasn't investigated it yet as he is asleep on MIL's lap and will probably be there for most of the afternoon.

Some bits and pieces to wrap up now - and some cleaning to do.

T***o made their delivery this morning for which I am extremely grateful - everything except one item was delivered as ordered. I know the store is not everyone's cuppa, but you won't hear me complaining about them - I have had 100% good service from them this year. OH will probably go out tomorrow early to pick up the chook or turkey crown and then it's our local farm shop early Xmas Eve morning for the veg. Anything we haven't got, we can then do without - it's usually something like milk that runs out, isn't it?

Ah well, eyes down for the final push as they say (apologies to PP!).

Keep calm everyone - I wish I could be one of you who LOVES CHRISTMAS - I will just be an extremely happy bunny on Boxing Day!

[Natalie]

I totally agree with you on the T**co thingy. My delivery came last night and everything was great as always. Long dates on everything. Thank goodness I did my Christmas shop this way as its been a life saver this year

[dinahsmum]

It might be fun to be a christmasophile - I'm sure I used to enjoy it . Maybe it's because we have no 'children' in the family now - my youngest niece is 21 now. I do have great niece and a great nephew to come soon but they are not close relatives, in either sense.
So, a bit like you Angie, I am drumming my fingers on the computer desk going, Ok, bring it on, let's do it, lets have the few days of bad January weather and then let's get back to normal times, decent length of days, spending a lot of time outside etc etc.
I've never seen the point in drinking too much and getting ill, I enjoy good food all year, so don't find xmas fare a particular treat, and I feel sorry for people this year who will spend money they haven't got and can't afford.
Goodness - Mrs Scrooge, for sure!
What I do enjoy is all the retrospectives, on TV radio and newspapers - I really enjy looking back over the year which has passed, reading the news stories, sporting triumphs and the sad pages of 'and these we have lost'. Then again I feel sort of sad because they tend to get lost in the 'that was xmas, now let's get excited about new year' frenzy. Ho hum. ... or should I say Bah! Humbug!

I've never used internet grocery shopping but I'm sure it will be a wonderful thing when we get too decrepid to shop in store. Seeing as our shop is no distance away it would feel a bit of a cop out now.

Don't forget to tell us what your big pressie turns out to be Angie - how heavy is it?

Dinah has a new toy tyre but unfortunately has smelt it out and is very excited. It has had to be banished to the downstairs loo .. she might be tempted to break into the wrapping paper if we left it under the tree The cats have catnip mice, which are also out of sight and out of smell

[angieh]

Yes, I guess it's the lack of family thing - my parents always tried to make Christmas very special when I was a child (an only child) and now that both my parents are gone, the whole thing just makes me feel sad. All mum's brothers and sisters have gone too and I am not close to those of my dad's who are still here, except one - my dear unc and godfather who is in failing health. I am not close with any of my cousins.

We try and make an occasion now for MIL, but tbh this year we could give her spaghetti on toast and tell her it's roast turkey and she'd be none the wiser.

[Kim]

I understand how you feel Angie, my parents were womnderful and made Christmas such a special time. They have both gone now too sadly. However, I have my 'children' so I try and make an effort. Will be strange this year though as Adam (my son) will be in Egypt until Christtmas Day and I wont see him until Boxing Day.

[Mags]

I suppose I am one of the lucky ones who has two lovely grandchildren who I adore. We are all going to my daughters for Christmas Day this year and after the "feast" I love nothing more than getting down on the floor playing new games with them ....... of course I always have to let them win!

I agree young children do make Christmas but before Katie and Jamie came along I still enjoyed it when my own 'children' came for the day. I suppose we are fortunate that we have never spent Christmas Day on our own yet......... I can fully understand how that would feel a bit of an anticlimax..