Dust off your Christmas mojo, strap yourself in. We're at the business end of the Christmas countdown 2019. Thread 8

[NoWordForFluffy]

28

Morning!

New thread for the new day. Temperature is starting to drop again and it's going to be rather chilly for the weekend and the start of December!

Let's see if we need thread 9 or not!

We've had Christmas food in the house for months and not eaten it! I think it's our first restrained year except for blag Bailey's which is being drunk rapidly!

We have loads of mince pies in the freezer too. And I've at least one more batch to do yet. Maybe 2! I might do a half batch next time.

We're a bit warmer up here and apparently double figures later today. Positively tropical. 🌴

We rarely get snow. If it snows next week then some poor bastard has it BAD.

I think it's about -3 here. Very frosty.

We dint get it heavy here usually, although we have some years. We’re in the middle so you can never be sure. You’re very strong, I can’t last a day with the Christmas food in our house.

We’ve had Christmas music on whilst getting ready for school. I wish I could say it’s for the kids but it’s definitely for me. It’s been great this year with all 4 of them, especially as DS1 and DD1 are older so really understand, and DD2 is starting to understand slightly more.

Morning.

Thank you for dh birthday wishes. I made him his favourite dinner (lasagna) and we went to the cinema last night to see It's a Wonderful Life.

I bought him an echo dot and tbh I've been using it to listen to Christmas fm.

Fluffy, the toes have definitely improved. I still though can't wear any shoes that are tight at the toes. But I can walk and drive, so hey ho.

It's another day of pouring rain today but I have loads of things to try and get done.

I am going to the post office today, to get DB's parcel in the post (for Canada - last day of posting is officially tomorrow). I spent last night sewing (finishing off 2 items that I started in the summer - my original plans for one each for all siblings and their DPs did not work out, I am still only halfway through the 3rd of what would need to be 12 altogether....maybe next year the others will get theirs). And I have now wrapped the presents for DB's family, DSILs family, DUncleIL and half of DBILs family (I need to buy 2 more books that I hadn't realised to finish off). DH must collect something for DMIL and one of us will get the 2nd half of hers, both on Saturday morning, before he travels down for the night and brings all those packages (well, not DBs, they're getting posted). I still have a lot of wrapping to do, but less pressure for handing over, and there are a few more purchases required for a few of those. I need to focus on cards this weekend though, as I am still only halfway through those and my next flight is a bit late to finish them (although if I was diligent and finished them, it would be ok).

DD is at home today, she is completely wiped out with the cough she got, I think she is utterly exhausted and run down so its' hit her hard. But she still got up and went in for all her exams so far this week, just came home and slept every afternoon - we decided she was skipping religion exam today to give her a chance to recover.

Otherwise, it's a quiet day at work going through mounds of papers, so I put up my office tree (I'll try to post a pic shortly). I might even try to do some tidying of the office later as well.....

It’s tiny but cute....🤶

My office is dead. I may also put the tree up! We're not allowed fairy lights but we will have them anyway

Afternoon! Had a cheese and ham omelette, a banana and Christmas coffee and have just eaten a box of chocolate reindeer treats. The family liaison officer at DS2's school rang yesterday afternoon and said he could come in today. He must be okay as I haven't had a phone call yet. DD does Mandarin at school and has a trip to Chinatown on the 18th. They're having lunch in a restaurant and will have to order their food in Mandarin!

Well, I got to midday before the phonecalls started - so I am working from home this afternoon. She just wanted company - and having had some tea (literal) and sympathy, DD has now taken herself to bed for "half an hour" before doing some more history study, and I can check on her (i.e. wake her) at 6pm. I bought 2 books en route home though (for 2 DNephews), so I can finish wrapping 1 parcel needed for the weekend - but I forgot the other book for DNiece, so that will be tomorrow's job.

neros I’m not sure if you have little ones, but on my Alexa thingy they have a Santa bit where they can check the weather and the news in the North Pole and he does yoga and exercise with them. Might be worth seeing if yours does too.

biddy sorry to hear your DD isn’t feeling very well. I hope she starts to get better soon. I love the tree

What do you ask Alexa for that, Jo?

I've spent the day shopping in Leeds with DM and DSis. We do it every year, it's our start to the Christmas countdown 😁

Cadbury were doing a promotion where you can send a 100g bar of chocolate to someone for free! I sent one to DDad He's a postman, he puts in 10-12 hour days at this time of year, so that'll cheer him up.

How's your DD this afternoon, Biddy? Not a great time for her to be poorly, poor thing!

firefly we asked Alexa how many days there were until Christmas and then she gave us lots of options of what Santa could do

He just asked if we'd written our lists yet...

You have to enable it www.amazon.co.uk/HUGO-FM-Santa/dp/B081RX855Y?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I think I might meet myself coming back if I carry on

I've finished all my Christmas crafting projects 😇 and posted everything that needed posting apart from two cards. I even finished my angel for the top of the tree but the kitchen needed hoovering afterwards. That fluffy stuffy is a nightmare and it didn't help that I was wearing a cord pinafore so all the bits stuck to it.

My wreath course was good fun and Belvoir castle is stunning. I counted 20 Christmas trees in the bits that the public could visit.

I've done a clear out of DS's books and his room looks better and DD2 put the first tree up today. Just 2 more to go.

Biddy I hope your DD is recovering. As someone said up thread she is getting the bugs out of the way before Christmas.

Fluffy I hope you are prepared for your office move. Your cross stitch is looking beautiful and you are looking likely to join me on the crafting finished bench.

Jo I try to hold out for Christmas music until 1/12 but succumbed about mid November when I had the house to myself.

MrsMad I hope your mum is still continuing to improve.

Photos below of my latest projects.

Sorry I have been MIA. I had a work trip yesterday and it was so manic I barely looked at my phone all day. Was a good trip but it has seriously cut into my Christmas craft time as we got back late. I got to see (and be a passenger in) some amazing top end cars though

Back in work today and my throat is sore. Bit annoyed it's come up now (I'm always ill somewhere around christmas) as it's my work Christmas do tomorrow and I have a plan to go to Cardiff for winter wonderland and cocktails on Saturday.
Does anyone know if you can suddenly become susceptible to laryngitis if you've had it once? I had a bad bout a year ago and now seem to get it every few months 😡 I barely have a voice at the moment.

Wreck we're not allowed fairy lights either in case we electrocute the building or something but I found USB powered lights (only £3 for 100 multicolour lights) so bought those.

Woolly well done on completing so many projects. Your fairy and wreath are beautiful.

I also wandered through the sales and call centre departments today and Christmas has exploded there 😂 We're talking tinsel and foil decs from the ceiling, lots of lights, paper chains. People have even hand drawn Christmas pics on whiteboards and every team are playing festive music. It's mad but lovely

We're not festive at work. Mainly because there's no staff and babies being born all over the place and no one to go and visit them. Nightmare.

I'm off work now until 6th of jan depending on jury service. Might have to go back to work before Christmas if I'm not needed the full two weeks.

I'm freezing tonight just can't warm up. Also just fell asleep on the sofa.

Afternoon.

Jo I do have dc so will try that. Though dd is only going to be 2 at Christmas so doesn't really understand yet, but DS is 3 and this year is has got it.

I had a wee brandy and ginger tonight and tried to watch the 3rd Christmas prince on Netflix. It was awful! The first 2 were hardly Oscar worthy but this was another level of bad.

wooly I love your projects, they’re gawj. I love a good Christmas song, love that they’re on the radio now.

crazy hope you feel better soon, laryngitis is awful

wreck it’s cold here too, the heatings on full blast and I’m under a blanket but I still can’t get warm.

neros the exercise one is great, I put it on after tea and hope it knackers them out for bed. They like the meditation thing too. DD2 is 3 and is starting to understand; is lovely

Evening everyone 😊
Been busy today so not been on MN much till now. Just had a lovely Shepherd's pie for tea. I did make it, not DH 🤗😋
Wreck would you recommend the film. I do like a soppy Christmas film as long as it's a happy ending 😊, it hasn't been freezing cold like you're experiencing though Wreck. Fluffys is positively warm , double figures nonetheless 😁
Fluffy how did DD nativity go? I am sure he was just wonderful bless him 🤗
Yes my DH is a good un l know and l don't know how l would manage without him ♥️
Hope the work move is coming on ok , it will get done eventually fingers crossed 😊🤞
I have been slowly Hunter gatherer for Christmas and l must say we have been quite good at not eating it this year so far 😅
Nero sounds like your DH had a lovely time. It's a wonderful Life is my very favourite Christmas film 😍
Glad your toes are better today 😊💐
Biddy your poor DD she sounds wiped out , it must be what you had last week, ahh bless her. Well done on all the parcels and l love your Office tree 😊
PSB that sounds a Lovely lunch, am so glad Ds2 is better and can return to school 💐. Exciting trip for Dd2 by the sounds of it 🤗
Firefly girl my Dad was a postman for many years and he was so busy working. He used to get up at 4🤪but he loved his job and he used to come home with all sorts of goodies from the farmers who were grateful to him for being so kind as to bring their papers and groceries up especially in the Winter. It was like that in those days 😊🤗
Woolly bless you sweetheart that angel is just darling and the wreath just lovely you clever girl! 💐😊🤗
Well done on doing all your Christmas crafting projects👏
Mum is doing ok atm. I can see she will need close monitoring if the legs but atm she is ok thank you m'dear 💐

Crazy you haven't got Gastroesophageal reflux disease have ? Only that can cause laryngitis as well as an infection. Hope you are feeling better
now 💐. Hopefully you will be able to make the works do and Winter wonderland 😊
Better shift am going to watch l'm a celeb 😁 .
Have bought a dot for DD for Christmas but l don't have a clue what you do with it Jo 😅
Have a good night everyone 😀

I'm not in the least bit crafty (the only sewing I did was name tapes onto uniform, school costumes (our school did Roman, Greek, Tudor, Indian, WW2 child and Victorian child ! over the years )
Hallowe'en costumes

I have to make a Birthday Cake for DS , planning one of those Badly Done Hedgehog Cakes

Woolly, I'm kind of getting there! I think this Snowman will be my last crafting before Christmas. We're starting to get too busy to get much done.

I've only done white and grey on him so far, so he's kind of dull-looking for now!

Those bad hedgehogs are amazing, 70!

Mrs, DS apparently did well today. But we're going in the morning. 🐑

We're definitely warmer up here. Lucky!

So the school I work in has unexpectedly closed due to a sickness bug so I have a child free day to actually get organised for Christmas! Bit of a relief as am feeling behind.

Mrs for me it wasn't the happy ending I wanted I'm afraid and that's what made it disappointing! I won't watch it again.

70 I'm not crafty either, can't wait to see those hedgehogs!

Food shopping today.