Class of 18. No need for new school shoes

Hi and happy new year to you all!
Back from my self imposed social media break.
I'm loving having DD home. We've just had what I think was the first evening since she's been back where it was just the 4 of us with no extra relatives, friends, boyfriends etc.
I enjoy the busyness and social whirl of Christmas but was beginning to feel like I'd barely seen dd.
She went away for a few days over NYE to a uni friend's house party, and is off to visit another friend tomorrow for a couple of days .

Sorry to hear of dcs and others who have been hit by this awful virus - sounds like it's a nasty one, lots of friends have suffered.

We loved Little Women. I was so glad they made a big thing out of Beth's death.

The cinematography was superb. Especially the beach scenes.

Did your DS enjoy the party *Starfleet?

HNY to each and all.

DS went back to his university city for a party last night. I was asleep before the clock struck. The bastard fireworks woke me up and kept me awake until 5am.

I went to watch Little Women with my DSis a couple of days ago. I cry every single time when Beth dies. This was a particularly good adaptation and although Amy is still a bit of a cow she isn't as awful as she is usually depicted.

No not the doghouse - I'd forgotten about that suspension.

The usual terfy stuff. I thought I was being careful as well.

NotaSpaniel is doing ok thanks. He's lost loads of weight, still very barky in the evenings but seems settled. I wouldn't say he was happy as such but without a tail it is hard to tell. He particularly likes DD and gets very excited when she comes home. Pity she isn't here more often.

DD and her housemates are having a big party on New Year's Eve. I do hope it's a success for them as previous house parties they have organised or been to have been a bit of damp squib. Folk either don't turn up or leave early to go to a club.

Our planned dinner at a friend's house has been cancelled as she has the virus. Fortunately I had not yet started to make the desserts, but I have two punnets of raspberries to do something with.

DD and I are of to see Little Women at teatime. Excited.

Not much happening here either. DD has a horrendous cold virus and is too ill to do anything more than watch Netflix. Her plans for new year have unravelled, and I suspect one of her "friends" is seeing her ex BF.

Was it the doghouse again? How is the PseudoSpaniel doing? Is he any more spaniely?

Not much happpening around here. We managed to start rewebbing the settee this afternoon without needing to bury anyone under the patio so that's something. He's a big strong lad so I can't work out how I ended up doing all the work other than I've done it before.

I couldn't possibly tell you. Cause then I'd have to kill you...

What did you do?

Waves to Ursula

I'm back!

You hadn't missed me had you?

I was suspended

God help you Hardwick! Have to smile at Christmas sometimes through gritted teeth!

My hubby thinks this Christmas will be tense in some families as the election results still divide people!

Hope your DD did okay too. Poor DD's friend has failed a coding module on her eng. Degree 3 times so far! Otherwise a great student.

DD got home late Friday. She missed her flight but DH managed to sort her another one fairly easily. It was just lovely lying in bed on Friday night knowing we had a house full again. Her last exam did not go well, so we’ve had a discussion about what happens if she fails. I doubt it will come to that though. I think it is all relative and for someone used to being at the top of her classes suddenly now being just ‘good’ is a shock. Fingers crossed I am right!

MIL arrives today for a week. God help me.

Yes, kitten. She really did. Thank you.

Aww. Busy DDs not needing their mums. Enjoy her at xmas kitten.

Oh yes. They bring home loads of washing. And house becomes a mess!

Enjoy family Christmas everyone. My DD has been home a few days with a cough after skiing. My DS who is now at work is coming home for 2 weeks ! So looking forward to it. Wonder how long it will be just the 4 of us at this time. Christmas day is around 14 of us though. Enjoy

DS can never find things in the fridge. Before I go out I tell him what there is that could be eaten for lunch because otherwise he'd open the door and declare that there was nothing to eat despite there being three kinds of sandwich meat sitting on the shelf. I have started playing fridge Tetris so I have slightly more sympathy than usual.

Alexa turns some of the lights on/off for me. When I go upstairs my bedside light will be on and I turn the Christmas lights on before I come downstairs in the morning.

Probably. She is in the attic of big Victorian terrace. I can’t imagine going up to bed and turning the lights off behind me. I’m bad enough on my own at home and I’ve got the dog.

Does she leave a light on Ursula?

DD is vegan so most of our fridge is a disappointment to her! She isn't finished yet - Latin exam tomorrow afternoon!

Dd always looks disappointed with the fridge.

She’s on her own in that big house now. Can’t believe how brave she is being.

DS has been back a couple of days, catching up on sleep - very cheerful and laid back apart from complaining that it's much colder at home than he's been used to. We have had the "no food in the house" comment as well - as I watched him fry 4 eggs and make sandwiches with them.....

DS came home at the weekend. I've hardly seen him. He has been either out or asleep.

He rang me at work today to tell me that "there is literally nothing to eat in this house". I laughed and hung up. The fridge is full of food........

Oh yes, the stuff.

He brought back a large bag of dirty laundry (2-3 loads). He has been out three nights in a row (as in getting back between 2-3 am) but has only found time to do one load of laundry.

In general though, he is mostly very good company and is helpful when asked.

I like having DS around the house but I'm not so much of a fan of his stuff. I know when he's away he has only the one room but I have lots of rooms so I can have a special one for coats and shoes. We don't have to share a sink so all the dirty dishes there are ours and can be washed by anyone who is passing.

Earlier today I thought I was going to have to tell him to not use the washer but at least I've dodged that one.