January has lasted for about 5 months so far...has it not ended yet?! It's Countdown to Christmas 2020, Thread 2!

[NoWordForFluffy]

Oops.

I failed to notice we had completed thread 1!

So, better late than never, thread 2!

The cranberry and clementine Buck's Fizz is amazing, isn't it Woolly?!

I think we'll have DH's parents with us this year so we'll get a contribution towards the food from them, which we didn't get last year as it was just us. And I wouldn't need to buy any more than I did last year either really (we still have a fridge full of cheese!). 🧀 🧀 🧀

New Look might be going pop, so I wouldn't risk that one, Woolly. The first thing they often do if they go into administration is to stop accepting the gift cards. Maybe High St vouchers would work well in that case? I imagine they'd be able to be used in all 3 of those places? It gives you a few more options too.

I'm saving my Tesco ones this year too. We'll likely only have a tenner though, I'd have thought. Though I'm tarting between there and Sainsbury's, so we shall see! 😂😂

Here you go, Woolly. Next isn't on the list, but M&S, NL and Boots are.

Brilliant Fluffy. I can get reloadable High Street cards too. Debenhams are on that list too so I can indulge DD2's makeup obsession.

Afternoon!

Hope everyone’s well, sorry I haven’t caught up with everyone, I feel very rude. We had a lovely day with the in laws yesterday. The pub we went to had a wacky warehouse for the DC’s which they loved. DD has got a nasty chest this morning, she’s been under the weather for the past few days, was sniffly but other than that was okay but now her chest is rattling. So we are minding her today, we’ve brought the duvets down and made a bed in the grown up living room for her so she gets peace and quiet away from her brothers😂.

Do you just get your Christmas food shop with the Sainsbury’s vouchers, fluffy?

Glad to have helped, Woolly!

I've not done it before, Mum. I do need loads of dried fruit / baking ingredients / brandy so might get those with it, then save the rest for food etc. I'll judge how I'm splitting it with the Nectar points when it's the half term toy sale / double up on the points.

It won't all be on food as I don't spend that much (assuming I have £240 in December, or would've been on track to if I hadn't already spent some of it on ingredients!).

Thanks, fluffy, I’ve never thought about setting a gift card up. Your idea sounds brill, I’m looking into an ASDA one now.

That’s a ball ache re BT. I use Sky, but had BT when we first moved into the house and they always caused some trouble. I’m glad it’s all fixed for you now, fluffy.

flouncy not fluffy, re my second paragraph. Sorry

BT are wankers. We're with them at the moment, but will be swapping at the beginning of June. Maybe to Vodafone. I'll see who has the best 12 month plan when I swap. 18 months is too long!

BT sent me their renewal deal the other day: stay and you can pay the same price. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Nope!

British Gas are tossers too. They were cheapest when we swapped, but dear god they're bloody incompetent. That's a swap job for May!

Flouncy, it's hard to say no to bargain cross stitches I find. I still have 2 x JC, 3 x Bothy, 1 x DMC and 1.5 other ones to do though. So I really DON'T need 3 more! 😂😂

And, as you know, the JC ones are hardcore!

The car is fine; it sounds happier and drives better!

I'm just waiting for the service quote and confirmation of how much the warranty people are paying and I can then do my long letter to the garage detailing their shortcomings.

Crazy hope you feel better today m'dear that sounds horrible 💐

Afternoon everyone
I have been cleaning today and wrapping presents for my DD1 birthday and my DMum birthday so have managed a
NSD on sundries but a massive spenny on car Ins
Went through all the price comparison sites first, it is true, it really pays off to do this. My renewal in the post from the company l was with last year was £525 and l got it down to £333 with Admiral. Only thing is the online quote wouldn't accept payment , so had to spend ages on the phone to them because it wouldn't go through online. It was definitely worth it though !
Fluffy , DD2 is definitely going for the house , we are visiting again on Tuesday and will measure up then as well.

Fluffy that is a great idea re the Sains gift card 👏👍🤗
Am thinking it's something l might do for DD2 when she hosts us for next Christmas 😂
Hell Will freeze over before she does that 😂
Dd1 is looking at a Peugeot 108 or she likes the Fiat 500, we shall see 🤗🚗🚘🚖🚕

'I might use my points for presents at double up time and the money for food. I'll see how I fare!'
l doubled up my DH's points and we managed to buy presents from the book charts instore it was really excellent. I will do that again Fluffy .
Glad the car is running better for you, sock it to the garage they deserve a roasting!
What a difference in the cost Fanny ! That is amazing!

Mumba hope the DD is better this afternoon bless her , l hate it when the DC are poorly l imagine they have the very worst thing going, that is what comes of being a Paeds nurse for 38 yrs
Wreck hope the car business goes well for you m'dear , we are presently looking for DD1 and it's a lot of worry and what ifs ! Yes have been AWOL from here yesterday , didn't get home till late yesterday evening, by the time we ate our food and chilled for a bit in front of the telly it was time for bed and l hadn't even been on the net !!

Today has been a baking day: Nigella's Christmas muffins (DS adores them!) and JO's chocolate brownies. All rather Christmassy!

How exciting for your DD, Mrs. Have you sent the application off?

Baking looks gorgeous Fluffy, as always l have to say you are a good cook !
Yes, we have sent application form off & they have offered it to her , so we are going on Tuesday for another look then her and l will go to see the Halifax mortgage advisor in Cardiff. We thought it best to see one in Cardiff because DD2 is there all the time working and will be able to pop in if anything needs looking at or signing .
She is looking forward to it but of course it will take about 10 weeks for it all to be sorted before she can move in but l am glad she will move in then when it is longer and warmer days.
DH s cooking us a roast dinner and l am so looking forward to it

I may also steal the Sainsbury's gift card idea Fluffy and Woolly. I always buy nieces and nephews an outfit each for Christmas from there (Tu) in the October 25% off sale, plus I traditionally buy pjs for my auntie and she likes the Tu ones.
Basically I go to the Newport superstore for the sale and buy a lot of Christmas presents and usually a thing or three for me

What muffins are they Fluffy? I've never heard of them but they look delicious.

Woolly I accidentally left a bag of shopping including my M&S festive Bucks Fizz at my mums before we went away for Christmas and she mistook it for part of my dads hamper so I didn't get any this year 😔

I hadn't heard about New Look. I like the dresses from there - not too long for a short arse like me!

I hope your DD feels better soon Mumbassa

flouncy we left BT too - they were over charging and awful whenever we had to speak to them.

I also have a money box which I intend to use this year but it currently has about £3 in it because I keep forgetting!

Thank you MrsMad

My face is still itching and red but is a lot better. Hopefully it'll be presentable tomorrow . But I'm also mid snotty horrible cold / cough somehow and I feel rubbish.

I have powered through though. Dog has been walked (only 2 miles), house is clean (team effort with DH) and I cooked a roast.

Will either crochet or cross stitch after my bath to relax because I really need to sleep tonight 😴

Shit day. Car was a joke. The guy selling it even more so. Have reported to auto trader. Back to square one. Looking at the Astra now. We had one before and really liked it.

Crazy, here's the recipe. They're gorgeous!

In what way a joke, Wreck? Was it a banger?! Astras are reasonable to fix if they go wrong, which is a bonus.

I very rarely have cash, so money boxes don't work for me!

Mrs, are you donating furniture to DD2? My parents gave me their 3 piece suite for my first home!

All the lights were smashed/had holes in, tyre was flat, back bumper not on properly, wheel trims missing. Guy not there when we got there and not answering the phone. Turned up shortly after looking stoned saying he couldn't find the key 🙄