Class of 18. No need for new school shoes

UrsulaPandress you have my sympathies. Our twenty year old boiler had to be replaced during half term. In the last few years we had several periods of time with no hot water /heating while we were waiting for one part or another to be replaced.

Do British Gas carry all the necessary parts with them?

I couldn't say, but I think they must carry a selection. They have always managed to fix any issues that we have had on the spot. We have never been left without a working boiler for several days.

I'm sorry that you are having such a rubbish time

We have just moved suppliers and thought we had boiler cover. But the chap who cane to sign us up forgot to put it on.

Do British Gas carry all the necessary parts with them?

It’s quite character building.

We’ve got no heating. Boiler broke on Thursday evening. Plumber came on Friday. Needs a new pump. Will be here on Tuesday. TUESDAY!!! Fortunately we have the Aga in the Kitchen/Family Room but dear god the rest of the house. Brrrr.

We pay £££ to British Gas, but I can honestly say that it is worth every penny. They have come out to us on Easter Sunday, when we have had 12" of snow and every time we have needed them. I know they get a lot of negative press, but they have sorted us out every time so we are sticking with them.

We’ve got no heating. Boiler broke on Thursday evening. Plumber came on Friday. Needs a new pump. Will be here on Tuesday. TUESDAY!!! Fortunately we have the Aga in the Kitchen/Family Room but dear god the rest of the house. Brrrr.

And because DH is recuperating he is sitting around watching tv and falling asleep. I normally send him to the upstairs lounge to watch sport but it’s too cold. I like to sit at my kitchen table in silence whilst I read the papers and do the puzzles. And watch the birds on the feeder. I’ve had to take to my bed to read. I found an old oil filled plug in heater that is easing the pain a bit. But getting out of the shower to a damp towel is grim.

Dd has been asked to stay on in her job when the temporary Christmas contract comes to end which is nice. Will probably be about 10 hours which is better than a poke in the eye.

Agree silly to waste money on unneeded things. So DH and I put down the clothes items for them when shopping. They know what they want fashion wise.
But we did buy a topical mug each (needed) and a favourite food item each. Will add a couple of other things for fun.

It's getting colder here . Coat and scarf definitely needed. Hope our DC all warm now.

Glad to hear things are going in the right direction health wise marmite. I love swimming!

Nettles I am doing ok thanks. Still bit of a seroma but getting there. Going to try swimming this week.

Ursula I paid for my daughter and her boyfriend to have a weekend in Berlin with some friends for her birthday. She booked air bnb and flights. Just seemed better than buying a lot of stuff she didn't need.

Not doing anything Christmas related yet. Well I made the cake a few weeks ago.

Dd wants a new North Face jacket. I think her boyfriend is coming for Christmas dinner. Yeah! I love having extras. An excuse to go ott.

I was considering buying them a weekend away in a nice hotel. Anyone ever done that so can advise on the logistics?

must add, we are only contributing to those bigger items. Need them to budget!

That's horrible Ursula that someone went home with all your DDs things in her coat. How very thoughtless!

Would love to speak to my DD - she's too busy! just beginning to feel a wee tinge of empty nest that I didn't feel last year. But DS1 is home for weekend so eases it a bit!

Went Christams shopping yesterdayAnyone else doing that? Have decided on a small basket (mini hamper) of things for DC as they need money for ski-trip and game console - how do you spell it? Haha

Awful news about the Bolton fire. I hope everyone is OK.

Visited DD in Newcastle today and had a mooch around the Christmas market. She has made a lovely group of friends and has sorted her year 2 accommodation out already.

Terrible about the fire.

Has everyone has seen the news about Bolton Fire in USL flats? Most people I know in the cities affected are now in second year houses rather than flats, but it is concerning to think that this might have been one of our kids' halls. No USL flats where ds1 is, but no doubt there is cladding anyway

Marmite how are you feeling?
Ursula what a relief to have got through the op. fingers crossed that dog starts to warm up, maybe his affection is the won't let you out of his sight rather than the touchy feely sort.
knot how are you, and how is ds, was thinking of you as dd now embarked on a weaving project and it is like some Hieronmymous Bosch (how do you spell it?) horror. I'm sure there must be a more tranquil ordered approach.

We've just taken the dog for a walk in complete darkness, lucky he is luminous. Spent the day gardening for a relative. Feel much invigorated by dreadful bags of sludge and chopping things up. All a bit more disheartening in one's own garden where the work is never done or satisfactory.

Lol. It’s still a lot though.

And some idiot went home in her coat the other evening so she was stranded with no money, cards, bus pass or keys.

Security went through the cctv the next day and established who it was and she eventually brought it back. But not without nearly 24 hours of stress. Apparently she realised as soon as she left the store but just went home. Who does that?

I was beginning to think she was Hermione Ursula

Dd is working 20 hours not 30. Doh

Ursula I hope your DH has a speedy recovery. He has timed it just right to avoid the Christmas preparations. I hope he is being a good patient, not too frustrated or needy.

Haha florence nightingale and chief elf!!! Female duties. I'm being catered for one day at sisters and few days at ma in law. My contribution is I'm tutoring all nieces and nephews!!!!

She has really buckled down surprisingly. She is either working or doing University work, with no faffing. Lots of 4-8 shifts or 11-4 at the weekend.

NotaSpaniel is doing ok thanks. He’s not affectionate in the slightest and keeps himself to himself. Gets me out of the house. Thankfully 😜

DD has started her job and is contracted to do 30 hours a week

How on earth does she have the time to work that many hours?
Best wishes to your DH for a speedy recovery.

Ursula I hope that he has an uneventful and speedy recovery - he'll be back on his feet just in time for Christmas then? That would be the real issue for me, being Florence Nightingale AND chief elf at the same time.

How is the pseudoSpaniel doing? Is he a Good Dog?

Gosh ursula that's a big op. Wishing speedy recovery and rest for you soon.

You'd fallen off my TIO

DD has started her job and is contracted to do 30 hours a week but only until after the January sales. She has heard rumours that they might keep her on but she says she cannot stand the piped music through the store!

DH has had his double heart bypass surgery after much toing and froing so I am now on full caring duties .