Countdown to Christmas 2021 (thread 2): the end of winter can't come soon enough!

[NoWordForFluffy]

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We stayed up watching Sherlock and now I'm wide awake. I'm unimpressed! 😂

At least we finally made it to thread 2...I doubt we will do as many this year!

I'm going to be intrigued if they try to tell me that my increase is only 5% when it's really, really not (unless the website figures are wrong).

@PussyCatEatingEasterEggs, is there a challenge mechanism in the council do you know?

Not sure. You'll need to get the breakdown. I think the cap is only on the Council Tax element not all the add ons like Social Care, Parish, Police & Fire - and in your case, City Region.
They've also introduced paying 400% on empty properties after a certain amount of time and removed the single person discount above band B (so if you're in a C or higher you get the B discount and pay in full above that)

That's interesting re the discount.

There was some blurb about adult social care on the website. I'll have to see what the actual bill says. The adult social care element keeps DH in a job, so I suppose we can't complain about that bit, as we gain more than it costs!

On another note, does anybody find their DH to be miserable as sin? Mine is doing my head in with his grumpiness. Sigh.

Mine isn't grumpy at the moment but he has periods of being really miserable.

Today is because I said it was possible to wallpaper with the kids here. Maybe if he wasn't such an inordinate faffer he wouldn't be so grumpy about the idea.

They're actually quite happy chatting away to me / on the iPad near to us. Less arguing than if they were playing together!

Fluffy I think it's just your turn.
Although I do have my own faffer-in-chief to deal with, but generally I walk away and do something else often involving a snuggle with a catwhile he's faffing.

One of my superhero skills is spotting faffing just before it starts (DH has warning signs such as walking around the house with a particular expression on his face) so I am often just getting in the shower / walking the dog / going out when it starts 😂

DH can be grumpy but I make fun of him and he shakes it off. Overall though he's probably more positive than I am

I'm just back from dropping off my Mother's Day presents - timed it to so I saw dsis and the dc at the same time. Niece couldn't wait to tell me she has learned a new song and gave me repeated renditions - Jingle Bells Dsis said she thinks niece should be mine as she's christmas obsessed 😂

Hello

Just finished Mothers Day Dinner (usual Sunday Dinner but I have a Sticky Toffee Pudding in the oven right now so yeah bring it on )

Ordered some plants (been hovering on the Garden section) online as I don't fancy battling the garden centres or B&Q and if I buy them small and nuture them I should hopefully save money .
My sweet pea and nastrursium seeds so far doing nought but it's early days .

Mothers Day presents from the DC was M&S showegel and facecare - I ordered what I wanted and they refunded . I don't want surprises or a load of flowers so this works well .

We're having the garden re-vamped -digging up and some paving work, re-turfing and some planting areas . Hopefully it'll be nicer for summer .
No holidays booked this year , don't think I want to risk it .

I'm excellent at spotting it. Unfortunately it generally occurs when the rest of us are in the car, or just before a joint venture like today! Then I've nowhere to bog off to!

Gotta love the Christmas enthusiasts. My kids are in that corner.

Oh, and the kids definitely behaved better for longer today, despite the wallpapering. #vindicated.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone, hope your day is fabulous. Presents and cards from the DC were lovely bubble bath, and a digital photo and frame of our new doggie. Even got a card from him. My DD's card and pressies are on the way as she sent them in the post. DH bought me a lovely card and some really exotic flowers which were beautiful. They are all cooking the dinner at the moment lamb I think believe we have a starter too top secret and rhubarb crumble for pudding.

Totally agree Puss would expect extensive grounds, swimming pool, turrets which I love and staff for that amount.

I've just hung the washing out. It's a tad breezy out there. I think it may end up in @FireflyGirl's garden the way it's going! 😂😂 At least the wind speed should counter any rain which may occur.

Damp and drizzly here today but I'm hopeful of getting my white wash out on the line tomorrow. DS's karate kit needs a wash and he would be devastated not if it wasn't dry for next weekend.

We got food delivered for dinner. My diet is not going well.

Ooh what did you have Wreck? I've had steak, dauphinois potatoes and broccoli followed by lemon tart with lots of red wine.

Going to watch the new series of Top Gear and the last episode of Bloodlands with my knitting - looking forward to next weekend and the new series of Line of Duty

I'm about to start watching Grace.

DS went to bed enthusiastically tonight. He's very chuffed with his room!

Wonderful Fluffy. Let me know what you think of Grace

I had a pulled pork burger, dh had a burger, dd roast beef and ds macaroni cheese!

Fluffy it looks great! Ds would love a room like that I'm sure.

I am looking forward to watching Grace but have put it to record tonight as I am doing a little bank shift where I used to work (from home).

That's the best kind of bank shift, Why!

I'm struggling to get past the casting of John Simm as he just isn't Roy Grace in my head!

Is it like rather short, dark haired Tom Cruise as tall, fair Jack Reacher Fluffy?

Yeah, it is!

I'm remembering the storyline now though, which is something, as it's been years since I read it.

We're going to watch the last episode of LoD tomorrow and then the 1st episode of Grace.

Top Gear was wonderful. 😻

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Morning!

I'm off today. It was for wallpapering purposes, but is now for allotmenting!

The ground sounds a bit wet when cars go past. That doesn't bode well for the darked-on washing! 😂

It's looking bright now, however, so hopefully it'll dry shortly.

It's gone a bit darker here...🙄
I've convinced DH we need to repaint the kitchen, so I think we might be going to B&Q later. I really really miss Homebase 😟 my Credit Card really really doesn't miss Homebase 😂
Have fun at the allotment - don't get trench 🦶🏻
🌞
Oh, and the John Sim thing, is that a bit like Colin Dexter wrote Lewis as being fat, middle aged and Welsh & Elizabeth George wrote Lynley as being blonde haired (the opposite of Nathaniel Parker)?

I suppose they cast for the character, not what they look like, but - while I enjoyed it - it didn't quite work for me. I'd watch the next one though!

The washing is mostly dry, DH says. He went out to untangle it when he got up! It's very blowy out there.