Good Morning All! What are you all up to today?

[lucysmam]

I'm just drinking my first cuppa of the day, in silence, in my kitchen spot. Dd1 is home this weekend to work, and has already left for today's shift. Dd2's still in bed, and the cats have gone back up since I didn't feed them a second breakfast.

I'm off out for work's Christmas get together this afternoon, my dad's paid as a treat. My plan for this morning is to tidy round, hang the single load of washing that's currently in the machine, wrap the last of the pigs in their blankets, then get sorted for that.

I'm going to have my Self-Care-Sunday scrubby everything shower today, stick some false nails with a festive pattern, and put on a full face of makeup. Looking forward to the getting ready...less so to making my way there in the rain, or my sparkly boots on the bus into town at 2pm 🤣.

I'm not staying out late - dd1's meeting me wherever we are when she finishes. The last race is around 3:20, so she should be on her way out by 5 ish.

Dd2 has plans to pre-write some additions to her Health and Social GCSE exam (part of it is allowed re-submission time) and tidy her room (to avoid me going in and doing it 🤣).

When we get in, it'll be pj's and relax for an hour or two with the girls, then probably an early night snuggled up with the furry hot water bottle theif 💤.

What about all of you? 🙂

I went for a lake swim in the rain with my friend first thing - was invigorating and beautiful but I’m still feeling chilly 😂
i came home and showered, dh and ds have gone to football, dd had a late shift last night and is still in bed. I’m on the sofa under an electric blanket MNing and half thinking about doing some online Christmas shopping. I haven’t really started properly yet but I never usually do until mid December so it’s a bit early for me. I can’t get my head around it!
Essentially a bit of a lazy day for me, the boys will be back at about 1 and then will be out again to go and watch our local team and be back at 5. I love Saturdays!

Good morning @lucysmam and everyone

I’m feeling a bit fed up as have had a migraine each day for the last three days out of nowhere. No idea what that’s about.

I need to do dishwasher and laundry and normal pottering about shortly. We are also hoping to start getting the Christmas stuff down from the loft. I need to tidy the living room before I can put the tree up in there. We also have a tree in the kitchen/dining/sitting room but are having a rug delivered on Monday for the sitting area so will wait until that’s down before doing that tree. Planning on keeping it all a bit more simple than normal this year - we have way too much stuff and I go overboard.

Might see if DH feels like putting some plates on the wall in the kitchen. He is not convinced by where I want to put them.

And I need to start some Christmas shopping. Only for DS and DH but I have nothing yet. Well I have a book about Compost for DH but that’s about it! He is so hard to buy for.

Only other plan for me is reading my book.

@Bbq1 Thanks - I generally quite like my job so it shouldn't be too bad.But I'd asked if I could drop to 3 days a week and they knocked me back so I'm worried that I'm going to end up in the same situation a few months down the line. Oh well, one step at a time.

Good morning @lucysmam and everyone. I was awake at 4.20 and up at 7.00 to give Houdini his breakfast. Then I made sure everything was ready for lunch and laid the table. After that I kept Houdini occupied, until youngest daughter and he left to go to soft play about 45 minutes ago.

Then I could tidy up the living room and clean up in the kitchen, and I've just sat down with a very much needed cup of coffee. We're having boiled gammon, mashed potatoes, savoy cabbage and about 3 pints of onion sauce for lunch. Considering neither Houdini nor Mr Dilemma will eat any, that's quite a lot for the remaining 6 of us.... but my family REALLY like onion sauce!

Youngest daughter will pick up eldest daughter's partner and eldest grandson on the way back from soft play, and Mr Dilemma will pick up eldest daughter and chorister grandson from youth orchestra and bring them back for lunch - while I am (hopefully) making sure everything is ready to eat once everybody gets here.

After lunch the two older grandsons will clear the table and Mr Dilemma will deal with any leftover food, while the rest of us have a bit of a chinwag. Chorister grandson needs to get to the cathedral by 2.45 for a rehearsal, and then there will be more shuffling around getting everyone else gets where they need to go, when they need to get there. The Christingle service starts at 4.00 and at least 4 of them will be going to that, the other 2 will probably go home. While Mr Dilemma is dealing with at least some of that I will either clear and wash up, or have a nap, depending on how exhausted I am!

Youngest daughter and Houdini are doing something with eldest daughter, that involves food I think, after the service, so I won't have to do anything about our evening meal. Mr Dilemma and I will probably have something that involves toast.

Youngest daughter and Houdini are leaving tomorrow morning stopping off to see a friend on the way, so that she can avoid driving in the dark as much as possible. It will take her about 6 hours to get home.

Quick update on the thing that was worrying me last weekend.... I have a CT scan booked for Monday which should give us more information.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

@frozendaisy I had a lovely lemon tree that was doing really well until a couple of years ago. I wrapped it really well, but when we unwrapped it all the leaves had fallen off and it was completely dead. I was really sad! Not least because I had researched and bought the hardiest one I could get, and a decent size so it had had a chance to grow, so It was quite expensive. It was a very cold winter that year - but we are in the South West so it was by no means quite as cold as it was elsewhere.

Morning lucysmam and all.

I had a lie in this morning which was much needed. The local theatre I volunteer at was part of our Christmas light switch on last night so I had a whole load of kids to put in costumes then help chaperone them to the High St and back so we could hand out flyers for our panto then some of them took part in a dance and got to officially turn the lights on. It was exhausting looking after other people’s kids in such a big crowd.

Today I’m going shopping with my 17yo who wants to buy some Christmas presents but needs help going into shops because of anxiety.

Then DH and I have a leaving do for a friend tonight. She’s moving across the country to be with her fiancé.

Morning @lucysmam . We've been up since 6, had a lazy morning. Kids are ready, need to pick DH up at some point early afternoon. DS has a birthday party this afternoon and I'm working tonight. Late finish and a busy day tomorrow. Have a good day all!

Good morning, our washing machine sohas been broken this week but the repair man has been out this morning and it is now on for its first load of many this weekend. It is my birthday in the week so we are going out for a meal and some drinks this evening.
I have had a busy week and I have a sore wrist (no idea what I've done) so everything I try to do is hurting but DH has just come home from town with a support strap and that is helping so hopefully I'll try and get something productive done. I have planning to do for work (teacher) which I was hoping to get done today but I think will end up being tomorrow as I just haven't got it in me today 😂

Good morning @lucysmam &Co, as usual I forget about this lovely thread until I sit down for a cup of coffee 😊
We had a bit later dog walk this morning because it was piddling down. ZDog1 refused to leave her bed so ZDog2 and I went out for a wander, DH and ZDog1 caught up with us by taking shortcuts about 30 minutes later- she’d got into a right tizzwozz when she realised I’d gone 🙄
All three of them, DH and dogs, are asleep now in various chairs.
I have tidied out the final kitchen cupboard, chucked out a few out of date by yonks packets etc. It wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined, but I definitely have a very substantial stash in the event of snow, flood or epic storms…..probably about 3 months supply if you add in the freezer contents.
Daft really but we lived for 30 years in the middle of nowhere so it’s engrained especially after the awful winter of ‘82 when I had a 2 year old and a 6 month old baby, no water, electricity or telephone for 3 weeks and melted the snow for water. Seems ridiculous now.
Anyway, I need to set the heater in my Shed to a frost setting, do the bird feeders and sort out something for dinner- we eat at lunchtime here- before sitting down with my crocheting and an audiobook for a couple of hours 😁
Daft dogs picture - they were watching the birds in the feeders earlier.

Good morning lucysmam and all.
Raining buckets here and I have persuaded DH to go shopping for a few things I need for our coven gathering this evening.
That means I can carry on drinking my way through the teapot, bless him.

I have also spent the first part of the morning sorting out the hellhole that is the cupboard under the sink. I've lost count of the number of online things I have watched, each suggesting foolproof and wonderful ways to arrange this area to make it tidy, accessible and orderly… have I cracked this time? We will see.
(Labelled ice cream cartons for tall toppling bottles, smaller ones at the front for pots of this and that, hooks and rails on inner doors for brushes, rags, etc and a tension rod for damp rags, for those who are interested)
Now to do similar for under the stairs…

With no Black Friday freezer luck, I took full advantage of it re Kindle, so now have some fab new titles in my library. Very difficult to tear myself away to do house things.
But I guess I should throw some brunch together. Something involving eggs and black pudding.
Happy Saturday to all.

Oh dear this is conflicting advice

Just back from swimming lessons x3. It's never fun in the rain.

Middle DC swam earlier than usual today so I could get them all done early (usually 2 swim early and the 3rd swims later and it takes half the day!)

We're home for lunch - avo / scrambled egg on toast and a few hours downtime before we head out for DC3 choir performance later (again in the rain!)

Home by about 7pm and will need to do something quick and easy for dinner - pesto pasta with breaded chicken (the breaded chicken was yesterday's dinner but I made a few extra and they are in the fridge ready to cut up to mix in with the pasta later)

3rd episode of Stranger Things tonight.

I've had a busy morning!
I was up early and in Asda by 7:30. Didn't get much, mostly raided yellow sticker veg and bread!
Then popped round to Waitrose to pick up an Amazon parcel. Nothing exciting, a years supply of allergy tablets!
Took the food shopping home, and straight out again to go to the Hotel Chocolat factory/shop/cafe about 20 minutes drive from mine. I bought myself a velvetiser! My christmas present to myself. I've been wanting one for a while, after having a couple round at a friends house. So I'll get that set up this evening I expect. Said friend requested some of the sachets for Christmas, so I got those at the same time. It was an expensive visit!
Then to Boots to stock up on my supplements, eye drops and painkillers. So then hopefully I won't have to go again until well into the new year. It's a nice store, but a sod to park at sometimes, so I stock up when I go.
Then into Poundland for some chocolate for a present for someone. I do my BIL a little gift bag of a mixture of choc I know he likes.
Brief fly into M&S food for a block of cheese, which I forgot earlier. Then home!

I had meant to go to the post office to get stamps for Christmas cards, but totally forgot. I will get them on Monday instead.

Plan for this afternoon is a quick lunch, then it's Operation Christmas Tree! One of my favourite afternoons of the year. We always put on last years 'Carols From Kings' while we assemble it all. We're completely atheist, but like to do the same thing every year. :) I'll also bring out a box of Celebrations I've been saving for a while to nibble on.

All being well, it'll then be an evening of telly in front of the tree with a hot choc. :)

Hello @lucysmamhope you have a great afternoon. After an early start & dog walk, I’m on my way from Yorkshire to Shrewsbury to see my D sis in law, her parents & DNephew. It is very rainy but I’m on the train so it’s relaxing. I have had a very busy week, DS at uni was in hospital on Monday after having a seizure (fairly recent epilepsy diagnosis, still having breakthrough seizures) so was with him for a couple of days then a huge workload to get through in rest of week. So looking forward to seeing my family & lovely Shrewsbury.

Good afternoon Lucysmam and others. I've been up since six after a rotten night's sleep. I had two coffees then a cuppa and a slice of toast. The dishwasher was on then I had a shower, nipped to Aldi and headed to the local garden centre for second breakfast with my pal and her daughter. I'm just home and the washing machine is on with the last of dds stuff- her machine is dodgy. Once that done, I'll do my washings. Then empty the dishwasher. I'll probably do the rest of the housework throughout the day. I might make lentil soup in the slow cooker. Enjoy your day all.

Afternoon all. Was up at 6:30am with dp and a coffee as had a Asda food shop due between 7/8. That arrived and we put it away. Emptied the bins and disinfected them, then loaded the dishwasher and washing machine. Then went to have my nails done. Dp is currently at Tesco as I forgot ice for the baileys and stuffing. Plans are turkey, stuffing and cranberry baguettes, then a couple of Bailey whilst we put the tree up. Ds25 is upstairs gaming.

Quiet weekend this week as next week we're meeting ds20 and his girlfriend in Cardiff, and are taking them for a meal, then off for a wonder around winter wonderland, whilst ds25 was goes out for his works Christmas party.

Dishwasher needs to be emptied and I've just put the tumble dryer on. This evening we're having ribeye, sweet potato fries, peas, onions and mushrooms, onion rings and peppercorn sauce- it's been ages since I had a decent steak. Had one during the week whilst away for work, however it was really poor quality. Dp says I'm too much of a food snob 🤣 also have a load of deliveries due today of Christmas presents. I'm all done except for a few stocking fillers which can wait until next pay day! Don't Christmas cost a bloody fortune!

@lucysmam - hope you have a great time this afternoon and that the sparkly boots survive the rain.

@CharlotteStreetW1 - am sorry for your loss, it’s definitely a real wrench.

@DilemmaDelilah - sounds like a busy day, enjoy and good luck for Monday

It’s a quiet day today, it’s grey and wet out there so no outdoor jobs today. Got another 11 fence panels and posts in over the last couple of days, so I don’t feel too guilty. One more panel to go and then the fencing is done. It’s in a really awkward place and is going to involve cutting out roots of a dead tree stump. After that, the final job is putting in block brick borders around shed and log cabin, then fill with decorative stone. Oh, and wait for a clear bright day to pressure wash all the muddy grime from the new patio.

So today is mostly pottering indoors. One load of washing, some washing up now I’ve had lunch, sort out the litter trays and tidy the front hallway as it’s only small but has become a bit of a dumping ground. I also need to pop to the shops at some point for a few bits - I’ve got it in my head that I fancy cheese and onion toasties for lunch this week.

Not sure what’s for dinner, need to rifle through the freezer for inspiration. A glass or two of red and something on Netflix. I watched Stranger Things over the last couple of nights, a bit annoyed that they’ve split the release dates, I want to carry on with it now!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the day.

I had a little lie in, lazy morning then onto cleaning and put a wash. Downstairs is now done and washed down all doors & skirting before the Christmas tree goes up next Sunday.
Now eating a bacon sandwich cooked by DH with another cuppa.
Will be crafting for a couple of hours for work secret Santa before starting on upstairs and then chilli to cook when DD is home from work.
The washing can wait for tomorrow!

Afternoon all!
I’ve got a rare full weekend off work. Currently still in my pjs watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with snacks. DD18 is on FaceTime to her friend, my other DD is in her room.
DH is out until around tea time so I’m taking full advantage of a pj and sofa day and not doing very much

Afternoon all.

I was out early for my flu jag this morning. Glad that’s out the way.

Been doing some Christmas shopping and making quite good progress I really should wrap some.

Nipped to markies, I fancy making a roast chicken tonight will all the trimmings.

The rest of the day I’ll spend reading and relaxing. I have a long hard week. And need to prepare myself for December madness.

Have a lovely time in Shrewsbury @legosnowqueen Sorry to hear about your DS, hope he has fully recovered and will be back with you soon for Christmas.

Had sausage sandwiches for lunch and will have a roast dinner tonight as are going to the botanic lights tomorrow and want to eat their tarteflette and hot chocolate so need a lighter lunch tomorrow. Put a new William Morris duvet cover on which matches the new curtains. Now DH is painting the walk in wardrobe.

DD has a white tie ball at Oxford tonight. We will be having our roast dinner tonight. We are getting ready for her return next Friday.