Whizz, bang, pop...remember, remember it's the Countdown to Christmas 2019. Thread 7.

[NoWordForFluffy]

Here we go. I think 6 was the quickest thread yet!

[WreckTangled]

That's what I said to dh!

[ConstantlyCooking]

Good morning all!
Trying to catch up with all the news.
Pleased the mouse has gon.
MrsMad- I am agreeing with everyone else in the house v flat - service charges can only go up and could put off future buyers. Also there is something nice about having your own front door :)

[Mrsmadevans]

Morning everyone 😀
Thank you so much for your support and help with this. Dd2 is absolutely vile about it. I have to tell her though .l can't not look into the ins and outs of a ducks wotsits.
Hope everyone is feeling better and has a good day . Willspeak ltr tell you what happened 🙄

[BiddyPop]

Morning all,

Life continues apace in the BiddyPop household - I'm trying to organise my exam for promotion competition 2 as I failed in competition 1 (I kicked myself coming out for a couple of things, but thought I had done enough to get a 2nd round interview - but hadn't. I was pessimistic going in though as the Chair of the Board has interviewed me twice before and knocked me back).

DD is doing a hockey camp this week on midterm, and we are all going to see 1 of the hockey internationals at the weekend which will be fun (DD is becoming a very strong goalie, which is nice as I was a goalie too, but also enjoys running on the pitch when practical which I was never good at!).

I'm finally getting properly started on my HGP work - DH and I both did a lot of work around the garden and some in the house over the long weekend, and I have made a decision to pull back from work and give home life more attention. I'm collecting DD shortly and taking her to get some gear she needs, and help her with a project at home she's trying to do. And I am bringing my Christmas Cards that I had ignored on my last 2 work trips with me next week - cos I am not doing work on non-work time when I am away.

MrsMad, when we bought, we originally looked at a 2 bed (it was a house but more like a flat with its own front door - tiny, and only 1 front wall with windows as it was a block of 8 done 4 backing onto 4, and we were looking at a middle one so surrounded on 3 sides) and our relatives convinced us that the 3 bed semi-d was much better (and generously loaned us the difference in deposit - we managed to repay it relatively quickly but it was very helpful to getting us over that line). They were talking about the potential for expanding the family in due course, the potential ease (or not) if we ever wanted to sell, and the fact that the service charge was the same for both sizes in that development (annual charge to cover grass cutting, insurance, lighting and other upkeep as it was in private ownership not taken in charge by county council).

A spare room may be needed for lots of things other than a DFriend - and if there is a BF on the scene, DF may well not want to share with others anyway (except to share the costs) so point out to her that it wouldn't be fair on either of them (DD or the DF) in that case. I presume DF is not contributing to the deposit and mortgage, but intended paying monthly rent?

[EmrysAtticus]

Just managed to finish off DS for Christmas by grabbing stuff in the Aldi Toy event :)

Feel like I am really in a roll now (finally!).

[NoWordForFluffy]

I just gave blood in my lunch break. Heading back to work now. I'll be a tiny bit late but they know where I've been!

I'm just waiting for the Aeropress to drop in price again and then I'm totally done!

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I'm waiting on Black Friday deals on a kindle and two Chilly's bottles (has to be branded, bloody kids) plus a handful of vouchers that I buy online and then I'm done too.

I. Will. Not. Twitch

[WreckTangled]

Theorise has scarred dh. He's currently sitting in the kitchen on his own listening. Just listening.

Carved pumpkins and watched two Christmas films at my friends earlier. The dc played upstairs whilst we watched films

[CrazyBaubles]

Sorry, I disappeared completely and it seems I've missed loads.
Work has been good, DH is away so I've been indulging in Christmas films and candles and I'm making sure I have a good lunchtime stroll every day I'm still bloody coughing though

MrsMad if your dd is anything like my sis, be very careful not to give instructions. Dsis will listen to facts / figures / logical info but if you say "you should do X" she just switches off.
Ps I def think she should go for the house!

Well done Emrys - I am so behind I'm starting to get stressed. I'm normally at least halfway done by now but I've made 3 things and bought 2 and that's it 😣

Welcome back Biddy and well done on the decision to pull back on work a little. I'm a very big fan of a work/life balance - work to live not live to work and all that!

Woolly I know it's a pain but my Chilly bottle is amazing, I use it daily (it was a present last Christmas from FIL).

Now, to continue online shopping....

[WreckTangled]

That should say the mouse!

There's a chilly's bottle on the bargain thread for £10 or something in tk maxx

[NoWordForFluffy]

I've thought...do a mortgage payment calculator to show how much she could shorten her mortgage on the house if she overpays by the service charge amount!

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Wreck I saw that tkmaxx bottle on the bargain thread but I suspect the little bugger darling would really like a specific colour. I looked at the Chilly's site and was taken with getting him a personalised one, but not for an extra £10. Then again it would cost me £20 to replace it when it goes missing...

[CrazyBaubles]

Wreck I hope your DH is ok now?

I've just watched the Bake Off final. I won't post too much incase people haven't seen it but I'm happy with the winner. Feel weirdly emotional watching it - let blame hormones shall we?

Going to bed with the Jamie's Christmas book now. My parents are coming for tea tomorrow so considering practising a recipe on them even though DH doesn't let me cook anything at Christmas and we're away this year anyway

[NoWordForFluffy]

GBBO was a bit rubbish this year. Nowhere near as much talent as previous years. IMO, anyway!

[NoWordForFluffy]

Cross stitch is coming on! I'm off for the rest of the week, so a late night for me tonight!

[NoWordForFluffy]

Ummmmm, the count goes down, not up!

56

Morning! First day off and I've woken early, typically. Maybe I'll sleep tomorrow.

No idea about the weather as I'm still in bed. It was cold last night though! 🥶🥶🥶

[WreckTangled]

Dh is now back to thinking it was a rat and that the cat can't have brought it in because it was so big

Woolly I can understand that. I've got one for my step mum so that's bother person ticked off the list.

We're having a day at home today although I think we might need milk. If I don't want to pay ££££ in the village shop we have to drive 5 miles to Tesco. Will have a think.

[NoWordForFluffy]

You'll probably offset any savings on the milk by the £££ spent on other stuff in Tesco. Plus the fuel cost. Go to the local shop!

How big were the droppings? That will tell you!

[WreckTangled]

You're both right but our local shop has all the goodies 😋 (not that I'm allowed any anyway plus we can walk and ds can ride his bike) we will do that.

Flouncy amazing! I'm going to get mousetrap. Love that game.

It was the droppings that made me think it was a rat in the first place. They were bigger than a grain of rice.

[NoWordForFluffy]

I think it was a rat too! 🐀

[Mrsmadevans]

Morning everyone 😀
Wow you have been mega busy here 🤗
Update on house. Dd2 has seen sense re house v flat service charge at last! She met with some sarcasm/derision from ppl because they said what a huge leap from flat to 2 bed house but l said take no notice of them bc some of them are paying it and prob wish they weren't. I feel sad because she wanted the 1 bed so much and it would have been ideal for now. However if anything changes in her life re a partner or a child then you really don't want to have to move when you can least afford it. Future proofing but honestly they are wanting Stab me if l say that any more 🙄😬🥺.
Anyway Dd2 is going to ask about a mortgage , l am feeling a little mean not helping her but she needs to do this herself l know.
Fluffy l am happy with the GBBO result l really liked him. I know the talent wasn't there this year l agree!