Spring has sprung...let's Countdown to Christmas 2024 (Thread 2)

[NoWordForFluffy]

235

For the forgetful of thinking AKA me tomorrow, repeating the countdown!

I bought similar pots in Home Bargains a couple of years back Fluffy for sweetpeas that like depth and nasturtiums that like to trail .
I put some polystyrene chunks in the bottom for drainage and a couple of holes drilled in.
They do the job well , not £ , and will probably do a few more years (one has a hole in the side but I'll repair it with ducktape and turn it round after growing season )

I planted some nasturtiums out ( grew from seed) and had some that re-planted themselves from seed . They've all flowered and gone that horrible yellow/pale that they do -before the Cabbage White Butterflies got a look in.
So I'm going to feed the remains of what I cut back , plant some new ones and hope the butterflies come back (I saw some last week but they are late this year )

157

Morning

I didn't buy anything from QVC 70, but just had a quick look on amazon for magnetic fasteners and fell into a whole rabbit hole of magnets. There isn't anything they can't do! Also a lot cheaper than QVC. You're right about using it for the ideas.

Love your pots Fluffy - your trees will be very happy in there.

Today will be gardening and ironing (I'm wierd in that I actually don't mind ironing).

Rudolph Day on Thursday and I am DEFINITELY buying something christmassy.

Morning!

70, DH drilled 4 holes in the bottom of each pot. Hopefully that'll do for drainage.

I had some clods of earth which had come out of the lawn when I was planting other things in it which went into the bottom of the pots, then they were topped up with compost. I needed more than we had, however, so DH had to go out to buy more halfway through the job! 😬

It's bathroom / toilet / general woodwork cleaning here today. I managed to clean the kitchen yesterday, after a lot of psyching myself up! I also used my grass clippers to trim the edges again, as they're growing madly and the herbs I've planted need to be in the light and get the rain.

Speaking of rain: monsoon season for about 2 hours last night. Refilled my butt, and watered the plants at the front, so I'm not unhappy about it!

Long as it perked up today, Fluffy.

My nasturtiums are about the only thing that's flourishing in my garden this year. They're all self seeded from one plant I had in the greenhouse last year. Whenever they popped up I let them get to about 6 inches then rehomed them. They're a yellowy/orange colour and are absolutely prolific but they're keeping the rest of the weeds at bay so I'll tolerate them!

My peas have also done well; I've gone for polyculture this year and have interplanted everything. DD disappears into a bush and reappears eating peas or raspberries! That's how I wanted my garden to be, so it makes me happy

I tried a new thing I saw on Facebook called seed snails. They bought packaging foam but I just used old parcel bags and it worked really well. Saves soil, space and water. Will definitely be doing that again next year!

156 How's everyone's Monday been?

First day of the school holidays here. I quite like it, because I can drop DS at the kids clubs whenever I want so we're not rushing to get to school by 8.50am. And it's right next door to DD's nursery which makes it even easier!

Kids clubs are an absolute godsend in the summer holidays.

It's the second week of the holidays for DS Firefly but the first week was pretty much lost to some virus. Thankfully not Covid or flu but it definitely floored him.

I have stashed some Prime Day bargains and I'm beginning to think about Christmas crafting.

Ours don't finish school til tomorrow for some strange reason! Most annoying.

It's DS' 10th birthday on Weds, so he's all out of sorts, as he's excited, which he struggles to cope with.

Fluffy DD1 is still teaching until tomorrow, DD2 finished on Friday and DS finished the week before. Thank goodness they are all adults/nearly adults or I'd be demented trying to keep up.

How did your DD feel about leaving primary school? It feels like so long ago for us.

She seems excited. I think!

It's been all over the shop with the end of term. It's most bizarre!

155

I am looking forward to the quieter roads when the Schools are shut (as I don;t need to worry about looking after school aged DC )

I didn't order anything from QVC Christmas except for some chocolate to bribe my DC into looking after the Cats'n'House when we're away .
DC have no choice they live here , cats live here and they are Family Cats so we all pitch in. But some nice chocolate makes them think I;m being nice .

Once again, the same as always, I find myself frantically packing for a holiday. Last minute as normal. It’s ridiculous. It means I’m up till 12/1am packing for about 3 nights before we go. I have a very detailed list, but we seem to need most of it before we go, so I can’t be packed a week in advance. We’d have no clothes to wear.

We’re off to my parents in my hometown (south east) and then having a few days away by ourselves too. I’ll be at my parent’s for a few days with the DC whilst DH works back here. 9 nights with my parents, particularly my Dad, is going to be extremely challenging.

154 Morning. Checking back in after a few days away. I desperately needed that break!

jennifer good luck with your parents! My dad lived with us for a few months last year and while he isn't difficult to get along with, it was hard going at times.

I think your term ended really late Fluffy - DH finished Friday and his was the last school around here.

He's already written himself a summer job list 😂 I think he was getting in quick before I had chance to assign him things to do.

I'm feeling randomly festive. Assume it's because I've actually relaxed so I'm considering spending part of my evening pulling together free Christmas cross stitch patterns that I can use for cards as I'd rather not spend ££ on kits (although I may still do that) and maybe thinking through some present ideas

I like to give activities to some of the kids so I'm considering pony trekking for niece as she'd love that (depending on prices). Unsure about youngest nephew and absolutely no idea for eldest nephew (he's 15 and doesn't want to do anything apparently 🙄)

Is he old enough to do the rally driving Meeces? Surely that's pretty cool even for a 15 year old? Or paintballing with your DH!! That could work for both nephews!

We've been to a storytime thing (free) at the library this morning and then we've just been pottering this afternoon as the rest of the week is scheduled to high heaven, including the weekend!

I've been trying to sort the garden while stuffing my face with raspberries and peas. In about March, I planted what the packet said was a type of cut and come again lettuce. When they came up they looked a bit cabbage-y but they were oriental so I wasn't too surprised. They all did really well, I planted them in my front planters... They're Brussels sprouts!!! I have 16 Brussels sprouts plants growing in the front of my beds 🤦‍♀️ The neighbours are going to think I'm mad - nobody needs 16 Brussels sprouts plants!

Well, that depends how many normal sized sprouts you get from each one, Firefly! If it's only 3, 16 plants isn't many. 🤣

Do you still have the allotment?

We've been out for a late lunch for DS' 10th birthday (Hickory's). I'm stuffed and sleepy now. 🥱

My school finished mid last week and DC's the week before but our local primary still haven't finished!!! I feel gutted for them. I'm so glad to be done.

Happy Birthday Fluffy DS.

Enjoy your holibobs Jennifer.

I've never thought of growing brussels sprouts, maybe one for next year.

Haven't finished, Magnolia?! When do they get to have their holiday? 😩😩

We had 7 weeks off last year. It's exactly 6 this year. I feel like it could've been evened out a bit!

Are you a teacher?

Jennifer, my mother would be patioised if I had to spend that long with her. Dad would help, I reckon! 🙈🤣

I know!!! I only work 3.5 days a week but I would be tearing my hair out by now if I was still there. I work with kids with additional needs, separate unit but mainstream school.

Same here - I have a shelf life of 2 nights with my folks then I really start to go off. 😂

We do still have the allotment Fluffy. We have a very reasonable 2 plants there, as well as purple sprouting broccoli and kalettes! We are doing very well for brassicas! There's substantially more than 3 sprouts per plant...

Is DS having a nice day? Good timing if they only broke up yesterday 🤣 What date do they go back? Ours are 3rd September, which seems very early especially as we aren't going on holiday until 8th...

Magnolia if you ever get near East Yorkshire, you can have one of my Brussels sprouts plants 🙄

Fluffy can you imagine 9 nights with our mum???? That's a no from me.

Still off sick from work but have done most of the present shopping (not quite all) as it is my last full pay this month. Hoping they will find out what additional illness I have soon as I am fed up.

You've done well with the sprouts if they're not netted. Well done! I love sprouts. Send them my way!

Yes, DS has had a lovely day. Lego and a meal out. Ideal for him! 🤣🤣

8 September for your holiday? Brave woman, Firefly! We go back on 4 Sept.

We're just going through the EHCP process with DS, Magnolia. He isn't going to suit mainstream secondary though, so no doubt most of next year will be spent battling the LEA about a suitable provision for him (he can't cope with big classes, but is academically very able, which narrows the special schools available at secondary).

And hard no from me, Why!

Sometimes I can’t get through a FaceTime call
without having to stop myself from saying something to my Dad. My Mum will be fine. It seemed a great idea when I booked it, but now I am feeling quite concerned. My parents will expect us to be out all the time with them, but without DH, I’ll be doing everything for the DC. It means I won’t get a break - constantly on edge whilst watching the younger DC. And the older DC to be honest. All cramped in my childhood bedroom, no space for anything. I miss my parents most of the time, until I spend a week non stop with them. 🤣

I love Brussel sprouts. Yum. Except when MIL cooked them once - she must have cooked them for about 30 seconds, as they were like eating rocks. I like them firm, but not that firm!

Firefly Rally driving could be a great shout but I think paint balling is an even better one thank you!
Not sure about youngest nephew though as he has a physical disability - but if there’s an accessible one he’d probably love it too (wrestling DH is his favourite thing to do when he’s here).

And 😂 at your accidental sprouts.

why I managed several months with my dad - but he was out at work every day, went away at least once per month and it was ok-ish.
2 full days with my mum would be a disasterand 3 would be one of us killing the other

Sorry you’re still feeling rubbish.

Opposite problem with sprouts here jennifer - my mum boils them for ages so they’re like mush (not that I eat them either way so doesn’t affect me).

Did an unexpected visit to ILs for tea so am only now settling down to festive online browsing.

153 and Happy Rudolph Day!!!

I intend to do some festive browsing also when i get back from the gym.

Bless you for the sprout plant offer Firefly, I shall certainly look you up if I'm ever in East Yorkshire.

Good luck with the EHCP Fluffy, its been tough with places/funding but things might change now with a labour government.

Hope you feel better soon Why. have you done most of your christmas present shopping??

@Magnoliasunrise I have done most of it, apart from my son who won't decide what he wants till the last minute and I haven't bought any chocolates yet. I think we need wrapping paper this year as well.

Happy Rudolph Day. I feel like this merits a random Christmas pic or 2.

Nothing to report here. Was quite successful online with the free cross stitch patterns but may still but a card kit or 2.

Caught my sister while she as stressed earlier and we had words. Hopefully it'll blow over as we don't really fall out but I'm still 😡 at her right now.

Can't wait to finish work today so I can get back to Christmas browsing online!