It's almost Christmas in July time - Christmas Countdown 2018 part 4

[BiddyPop]

I believe it's day 190

HOW did we get past the 200 mark so fast? And only 12 Days until Christmas in July starts, for anyone who celebrates that.

168

Morning! You can tell the days are drawing in now as the mornings are definitely not as light as they were when I get up (5.15). We're heading rapidly towards Strictly, yay!

I've not been doing the cross trainer so far this week. The heat has taken its toll; I'm knackered. If I sleep well tonight I'll do it tomorrow! I walked from Liverpool centre yesterday to get more exercise and will do the same today.

On train now, off we go!

I'm suddenly wiped with the heat this week - I was managing fine until about Thursday and it's just hit me hard. No exercise really these days (apart from some swimming over the weekend). I'm waiting until after the holidays to rejoin a gym - but I need to do that. I'm torn between the one near work (mornings and lunchtimes are both possible then, or the odd evening going home later), or the one near home (theoretically, mornings are possible before I get the train, more likely evenings especially when I drop DD to Scouts and collect her afterwards, but also weekends are possible too so after Cubs or while DD trains on Sundays)...but I am definitely only joining one. The gym is far better in town, pool is fine in both, can only leave gear in town but home one is grand to transport the gear to/from, and I'll mainly swim anyway but have been known to use the gym on occasion.

DH travelling again tomorrow - he's staying overnight this week (which he needs, he's wiped as well) but that means 2 mornings I am responsible for DD and I (it's the waking up part I'm worried about!). But it looks like I won't have to travel next week - a mix of Yay! and Boo! on that.

Morning all
Have been so busy it is unreal, mostly the Dparents. Yesterday l
took mum to the dentist , did their shopio, made their meals, cleaned the house from top to bottom, changed their beds and then did 2 loads of washing, drying, ironing as well as mums personal care, showering her, cutting toenails, fingernails and painting her toes for her to wear her open toed sandals , ahhh bless her , l felt so sorry for her, for some reason l think it was because it is such a small thing to do for her yet she was so grateful and really otm .
My house is terrible and theirs is spotless .
You know , l may not have them for much longer so my house can go to hell
DH helps me no end to bf, he does the sweeping up outside, the bird feeding, the watering of the plants , filling of the water butts, takes Dad to town for the lottery and pensions and Dads beers lol. He hoovers for me and washes up and wipes and helps me to do the food too , he is amazing. l don't realise how good he is until l write it all down here l don't think l could manage without him helping me .
Am not stealth boasting honestly and we all have our little imperfections , he is a very aggressive driver lol , l am holding onto my seatbelt all the time
Weather is cooler, still lovely but much more bearable thank God
Have a lovely day everyone

MrsM - I feel tired just looking at your list!

My mum came, dropped the DC off, met them at the park for sports day had a picnic while the DC had their packed lunches provided by the school, went back to school with them, went to the Sainsbury's café, my mum had a standard latte, I had a large caramel latte, she went home, had chicken arrabiata and garlic pizza bread for supper, DS2's in bed, DD will go at 8.30. 😋🍊😋☕☕😋🍗😴

Made packed suppers for tomorrow, they would have been today's packed lunches, school didn't say they were providing them until yesterday afternoon, so they're much healthier than normal!

DS2: grated cheese and apple sandwich, chocolate yoghurt, strawberries

DD: chicken mayo sandwich, oat bar, strawberry yoghurt

😋🍎🍫🍓🍗🍓

Hung washing out, laid uniforms out, in bed. 👕👔😴

167

Morning! Still warm, but not quite as oppressive these last couple of days. The DC slept better on Mon night, getting up after 7 yesterday, which hasn't happened much lately! Hopefully they'll do the same today.

Only 5 working days until I finish for my holiday and so much to do! Trying to get on top but things keep conspiring against me. As ever!

Mrs, you do so much for your parents, bless you. Many wouldn't / wouldn't be able to, as not everyone is retired at your age, especially these days. I'm trying to get my parents to come up here, which is kind of working! It just takes planning!

Morning! Yes Fluffy, I agree. I'm a SAHM, but my DC still need a lot of looking after, also, my mum knows I'm autistic but won't stop when she's winding me up, so I couldn't look after her, I'd end up walking out to calm down.

Wondering back in after failing to keep up again...

Am the mother of ds age 3m so the fact we are over halfway in this years Christmas tin is making me giddy with excitement. Obviously he will have no idea what is going on but still, Christmas as a mum, yay!

15 week old in a 28 degree bedroom is not fun!

Drinking coffee and watching BBC breakfast news.

He'll love all the decorations and the lights Sunday. My DC were all much younger for their 1st Christmases. He'll be able to to have mashed up Christmas dinner! 😆

DS ate his body weight in smoked salmon his first Christmas, you will have a great time Sunday :) Definitely go all out with the lights and don't be offended if the wrapping paper is more fun than the presents

I am excited that this will be the first Christmas DS has some understanding, it is going to be awesome :)

Morning all
ahh your DS will make your Christmas Sunday
Hope all ok , weather is still beautiful but more bearable , there is a God !
I know l am lucky to be retired so early , l am so glad l have the time to look after them , l really don't want them to go in a home or hospital, l have seen the rapid deterioration in my NDN since his admission to hospital poor man
Am off to see NDN this morning after a walk round Bryn Bach Park and feed the ducks , taking it easy today , my sister is covering for us with the parents so day off today .
Hope everyone has a lovely day

DS2's been selected for a MN product test. He's going to be penpals with a fictional cat! 😆

Sunday, DD loved the tree (and grudgingly left it mostly alone - but all those sparkly lights!!), and also developed a taste for smoked salmon on her first Christmas. But was utterly bewildered by Santa, presents, and lots of stuff. (She was still at an age where we could dictate clothes though, so she did look cute in a naice frock - now we're lucky to get her out of a tracksuit into a pair of plain jeans). As there were more presents on 26th, for her birthday, there was even more confusion on 27th when there were none....

MrsMad, you really are a very good person doing all that for your DPs and NDN. Not everyone has that support to call on. I hope you enjoy your day with less on the agenda.

Fluffy, I hope you get through your list of jobs and can go off on hols with a clear conscience!!

Quieter day here too for me - I have things to get stuck into but not such time pressures on them as recently (so I am procrastinating and have spent quite a lot of time on MN this week....I'll get started working properly soon). I'm also going printing my HGP pages, to get my lists in order while it's quiet.

I've nearly finished the scarf I started last week. This one is quite a chunky wool, so its' knitted up quite fast even though I only did it on the commute (it also helps that the quieter summer period means I get seats more often both directions so I get more knitting done than when standing!). I need to do a count, as I think I nearly have enough for ladies, but need to do a good few for men - and I've no nice patterned or chunky wool for men, just plain DK in dark colours.

And I am trying to come up with an interesting idea for, well, maybe a Christmas ornament, as a way to make sure the Cubs know how to sew (necessary for their Boatman badge, and camping badge too). But one that will appeal to both boys and girls. Actually, maybe just a plain stocking, that they can stick or sew on beads/ribbon, and then sew (plain running stitch or blanket stitch - depending on skills) around the edge. Hmmm, that might work. But if anyone has a better idea, please shout!

Evening all
Ahh that is lovely for your DS to be a penpal with a cat bless him PSB!
Biddy thank you for your kind words , l honestly think l was meant to be a nurse it is in my blood . I love looking after ppl even if they are hard work and get me really annoyed sometimes lol
When we did sewing in school , they had to sew their names onto a felt Snowman or a felt deer Christmas tree ornament. They weren't very good but they were all their own work BLESS
Very well done on the scarves too
Fluffy great news won't be long before you are finished for your hols and very well deserved m'dear !
Just settling down to watch the footie am praying they win , no really l am , think it is doing everyone the world of good this summer, the weather , England doing well in the World Cup , it is managing to take our minds off the doom and gloom of the fires on the moors and the fiasco that is Brexit/ the Govt . I am sure the economy is thriving with all the extra party food and booze we have bought
Yay Come on Engerland!

MrsMad your enthusiasm is infectious My poor DM had to give up her independence and move to a nursing home this year. She really likes it and they take great care of her but it was a decision that she made herself. It is very strange seeing her in her new setting but she is having a ball people watching and commenting

Biddy one word - Pinterest. It was nice knowing you . You'll be lost forever. There are some amazing ideas for sewn Christmas decorations.

DS is dressed in a full Gareth outfit of shirt, tie and waistcoat watching the match with his dad.

Ahh bless you Woolly and your DM , l am glad she is very happy , such a felief for you . My DM would be fine in a nursing home , like your DM, ppl watching and dare l say it gossiping but my Dd wants to be 'taken out of here in a box' lol so hopefully he will be able to stay at home until then.
England are up 1-0 as we speak
everything crossed
Your DS must look a real Bobby Dazzler bless him
Enjoy !

There's a photo of him all dressed up on the 'Gareth' thread if you want to see (only from the nose down)

for felief read relief mwhahahaaha

I will go see now thank you Woolly

Ahhh he looks so smart Woolly ! You must must be so proud of him
your house is so clean, mine is minging but the Parents is spotless lol

MIL is visiting next week for DD1's graduation. Even my skirting boards are clean. Nuff said. 😂

Watching football and biting nails.
Apologies for being away for so long. The last 18 months have been hard. This thread helped a lot ( thank you all). Ddad died in autumn 2016 then dmum came to live with me, dfil died last summer, dmil then had a stroke and dmum died just before Christmas last year. It's been strange being an orphan in my 50s.
However, I now have my Christmas mojo back and will be on it
Next stop A level results (re-sits) in August.
Thank you all xx

I understand
in bucketloads , well done Woolly now the hard task of keeping it like it !
Congratulations to your DD you must all be thrilled !!