On your marks, get set, go...it's the countdown to Christmas 2020. Thread 1!

[ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]

366

Afternoon.

Here we go again! It feels slightly bonkers setting off again before today is over, but it's tradition, so who am I to argue?!

My dc always have pasta when we go out too! It's annoying but at least I know they'll eat it. Actually last time ds had fish and chips and dd had pizza, it's the first time ever they didn't order pasta.

My two eat pizza everywhere! Or DD will have chicken goujons and DS will have sausages. Creatures of habit, my two (and neither will eat wet food, either!).

Morning!

Thanks for the good wishes. I think it'll be fine if it's only for 6 months, but I know dh already feels like he's missing out. He only really sees the dc on his day off or his holiday.

I'm another who is not fussed on Nandos. I don't really eat chicken out of fear of getting food poisoning.

Morning everyone 😀
Thank you for your kind wishes and patience with DD and my sister 🙄
We very rarely eat out tbh l am too busy wanting to shop to eat 😂
The youngsters l know love Nandos , never been tbh 😋
Fanny, DH sounds truly on the mend yay!
Off to Mum's for another round of visitors 😄
Got my pinny starched and ironed for my waitressing job 😂
Weather isn't very great here, unseasonably mild cloudy and dull but the lighter nights are starting have you all noticed? Yay! 🤗
Have a lovely day everyone 😁😄

Food shopping was expensive this week luckily I didn't use much fuel last week so can swap the budget around a bit.

Also if anyone sees any Terry’s chocolate orange mini eggs and is happy to post them to me I would love you forever I am willing to skip low carb for these but this is how it looked in our Tesco

No idea but chocolate orange is my favourite! I need to try these only available in Tesco (but not ours 😭) bet they're on eBay for £5 a pack!

None in the Tesco Express near me, I won't get to the big one until next week. I'll ask DMIL to keep an eye out, though.

So, apparently while I was feeling sorry for myself over Christmas, and enjoying playing with DS's Lego, I ordered some ridiculously overpriced Lego for me

I love a bit of Lego! Unfortunately I can only do it for about half an hour before my hands stop working and DH has to take over. Mine aren't really into Lego, ds likes it once it's made (by someone else!)

Wreck I'll take a look later for you.

But on another note, I have really noticed a sharp increase in food prices. I used to be able to do my weekly Tesco shop for £40 then get a meat pack in the butchers of £10. Now Tesco is closer to £60 per week and I'm not buying anything extravagant.

It's definitely going up again, I didn't buy anything extravagant and was even not buying things I fancied because I didn't want it to cost too much. Apart from the halloumi burgers I found in Aldi, I did buy those

I do my main shop in Aldi. Usually then go across the road to Sainsbury's but went to Tesco today. £74 in Aldi £21 in Tesco

I think the cheaper place has to be Aldi tbh. l bought some lovely Red cushions for Christmas 2020 yesterday, with Noel in white embroidery for 49p each. They were down from 4.99.
Wreck , I also buy my usual stuff from there most of the time and it is much cheaper than Tesco /Morrisons.
I shop around all the time though , l like getting the bargains
Mum has become very difficult to feed lately. l have been buying meals from M& S which she is enjoying so much tbf. I wouldn't pay it but it's only her, so it doesn't matter anything to tickle her taste buds. We have even cooked her gravy dinners but she leaves them .

Wow mrs that's a bargain!

I just booked sky garden for when I go to London in a few weeks, have wanted to go for ages. Dd is doing young voices at the o2 so I'm going to watch but will have some time in London with my friend beforehand

Sky Garden looks amazing Wreck
The choir concert will be wonderful l am sure , well done to your DD she is proving to be very musical Wreck

Any news on your 9 day fortnight Fluffy ?
just seen the most lovely coat
www.marksandspencer.com/raglan-overcoat/p/clp60371522?image=SD_01_T49_1936_MV_X_EC_90&color=ANTIQUEROSE&prevPage=srp#&gid=1&pid=3
it's only left in size 8 & 10

Yes, Mrs. It's a no go for now for various reasons. To revisit in March.

Does your mum not pay you for the food you buy her, Mrs? It's good you've found something she likes though.

Mrs, your sister is making me for you, how dare she question your mum, if your mum has capacity to be dealing with HER money then it's bugger all to do with your sister, if she's being ripped off then yes, be annoyed.

Been very busy past couple of days, DH had to take the car to the garage as it started to make a funny noise when breaking on the drivers side, not the normal noise it makes if breaks need doing, turns out it was a stone, thankfully, the warranty runs out in May so no charge

Tomorrow is my double shift at the hospital tomorrow, I'm starting to feel tired from working 7 days but hey ho, I'll be fine, teachers training day on the 31st so a day off for me!! I know it's only 2 hours I do at the school, but it's slap bang in the middle of the day, and it's quite physical, setting the hall up, then clearing it all away. I really enjoy both jobs as they are so different

And I've never been to Nando's either, some of my work colleagues didn't know you also get 10% off with the blue light card in Sports direct.

MrsMad your poor mum having to put up with you sis.
I'm confused joe refusing to cash her own Christmas present cheque is a threat though - she's effecting no one but herself with that!

Congratulations Why and MrNeros

Another person here who doesn't like Nando's. Nothing wrong with it really, I just find it a bit boring and very over-hyped.

Wreck DH bought mini eggs today but hid them so I didn't have to get tempted. I'll have to check if he bought those or normal ones and report back.

I find food costs increasing too, but no individual thing stands out. We've tried to counter it by going veggie a few nights a week and I'm getting thriftier and making a conscious effort to plan more and waste less (part diet part environment related).

Fluffy it's a shame about your 10 in 9. Fingers crossed for March.

What do you drive if you don't mind me asking PJ? I don't think you were on the thread last year but I spent a small fortune on mine 🙄 but it is old (mini).

I walked the dog with DH when I got home from work. It was dry and we could see the stars for the first time in ages but it was cold 🥶
I actually really enjoyed it, was refreshing.

Looking forward to cinema tomorrow - I'm going to hopefully relive my youth while watching Bad Boys 3 (Blackwood cinema for anyone local - got both tickets for the price of 1 at vue - £7for the pair of us - bargain)!

We have a Nissan Pulsar Crazy I love it, boot size is fantastic, it's a 17 plate and the warranty runs out in May.

Have also noticed prices increasing, the ham I normally buy in Asda has gone up 15p since just before Christmas

Fluffy . Bah Humbug to the Scrooges ! Nevermind l am sure it will be fine in March and that will soon be here m'dear
Mum does pay her food bills , l meant l wouldn't pay for them if it were me because they are expensive when you have to feed the family but for 1 person it's ok . When we used to cook our meals and plate one up for her then we didn't take anything off her then but she has gone off her food lately, it's not DH cooking honestly lol
PJ you don't know the half of it
That is very good of you to do the 2 jobs love , you are just like Fluffy hard working in that way . Hope you have a good day in work tomorrow. Thank God the car is ok too
Crazy , l know it sounds nuts re the cheque but my Dad used to be the same When my Mum had cooked him a lovely dinner he would refuse to eat it, to upset & worry my Mum. I know it's nuts right but sister knows it upsets Mum and she knows how to get to her. It's cruel .
Enjoy the film together tomorrow and those tickets were a bargain !
Your walk sounds lovely , l love the starry, frosty breath nights
Better shift to bed have a good night everyone