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

[NoWordForFluffy]

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

126 Morning from our sickly house.😷
It seems DH and I are passing bugs back and forth, starting with my bad throat last week. On Monday DH started with some cough and headache thing which he is beginning to shift but I’ve started with it today.
Could do without it as we’re going to an outdoor gig later 🙄

Hoping are you doing Dubrovnik? We went in August a few years ago and it was boiling 🥵

Agree if you’re going to get a magazine, GH is the one to go for.

Poor you Meeces and MeecesDH - hope you feel better for the gig.

I'm getting a water softener fitted today. Apparently its going to change my life, I'll have lots of lovely sudsy hair washes and my shower will clean itself.

You'll need to report back on that one, Magnolia. I'm all for self-cleaning showers!

Sorry you're not well, Meeces. Let's hope the plague house does one soon!

The dog only wanted a short walk today (40 minutes). I don't mind that! My ankle is still sore from turning it slightly in a dip the other week, so rest / shorter walks / runs are better!

I have visions of you stood on a ladder with a mop cleaning your ceiling Woolly 😂

They do a GH Christmas food one which has the recipes and what’s new. That’s out earlier.
Then the December issue ( which is usually out early November) which has the uplifting features about readers who have done great things or overcome adversity or started their own business sort of thing.
Recipes - traditional and new fangled.
And my favourite bit the Tried and Tested where they blind test salmon,turkey,the sides,mince pies, champagne et al.
It might as well be called We Bought Up Aldi and Lidl because practically everything in the Top 3 is from there.
I read it, think “oh well” and carry on with my lists.

I make a wager with myself who is going to be on the cover.
Small children, cute dog, Christmas tree in full splendour with piles of beautifully wrapped gifts by a roaring log fire . I,m happy .
Nigella Lawson, Mary Berry or ( worst of all) Lorraine Kelly doing her stupid forced laughing face ….grrrrrr.
I have to remove the cover or it irritates me 😡

Mereces. You need to put DH into an isolation bay ( garage will do) and force feed him Lemsip and honey . He’s the reservoir obvs as he keeps handing the germs back to you 😞

70 I genuinely think Covid screwed us both over as my immune system has always been a little bit rubbish but his was v v robust and he never got ill.
Since lockdowns and both having Covid, I pick up some sort of bug every few months and he's been ill more in the last 3 years than in the 15 years before that.

Will definitely consider isolating him as we want to be better before going on holiday next week!

I still have a booklet from a woman and home Christmas magazine (maybe 2015) which contains a countdown to Christmas list starting in November.
I don't generally follow it but it has everything from 'check Christmas card and wrapping paper stocks' and 'don't forget to pick up a few spare generic presents in case you forget someone' to 'pull out furniture to clean under/behind it' and 'make soup/stew/chilli in Nov and freeze for easy family meals during the holidays'

Thinking about it, what I want from a magazine really is just present ideas that are a realistic budget, maybe some basic craft ideas, a few recipes, some hints/tips/tradition ideas, some kind of planner and lots of decorating ideas with a ridiculous amount of pictures of cosy, decorated houses.
Oh and no ads!

Sounds like a career change into Christmas publishing Meeces

why were you peeping in my kitchen window? 😂😂

I might have been Woolly..........😂

why 😱

Meeces - you could call your new Christmas magazine "Poncetastic" as you have pretty much described my favourite MN thread - after this one, obvs.

@NoCheesesForUsMeeces Can you add a section about favourite Christmas memories into the magazine. Everyone involved in the magazine can add bits. Places/foods/gifts/people will be mentioned, and it would make a glorious read 🎄

Hope you feel better soon @NoCheesesForUsMeeces!

We are in Rovinj which is further north so probably cooler but still hot. About to head for a swim in the sea :)

125

DH and I are on the last couple of days so relaxing in the sun and eating more than our own body weights in food .
( eyeballs nice black dress and wonders if it will still fit)

Actually we’re now on the choppy sea again so not so much food tomorrow.

when I am home then I will definitely get my Christmas Planning Head on , I need a while with my list, my computer and a few peaceful hours in the shops without distractions ( that’s between now and December it in the next couple of weeks)😆

Enjoy the rest of your holidays 70 and Hoping, I am very jealous - its bloody pouring down here but I'm leaving the towels out - sick of doing the washing hokey cokey 😂

My Studio and Heritage of Scotland orders arrived so I'm just about to dig through the bags. Not sure what I bought as was ordering after a few wines but I think its mainly Christmas bags 🙄.

I got two Percy Pig hooded towels for DN's in the M&S sale yesterday that were about 70% off.

Our neighbours' washing has been out for a week or so now! We reckon they're having some couple's battle about who brings it in. I think it's been rained on at least 6 times now! 😬🤣

I've just hung 2 loads out in a 6 hour dry window. It's breezy, so should mostly get done.

We have 50-60mph winds overnight / tomorrow for the sodding dog walk so I think that's a wee bit too breezy for putting washing out! 🤣

I hope the water isn't too choppy for you, 70.

They’ve put the stabilisation on the ship so it’s tipping more up/down rather than side-side. It’s a rough bit of water but as long as I keep busy and drink lots ( water not gin) I’m ok .. I don’t drink alcohol anyway , I cannot imagine what I’d be like if I drank on a ship 😲.
Much to the relief of my DH and the rest of the people on board I have not sung any Karaoke……… yet .

I could never survive on a ship 70, I hope it isn't too rocky for you!

Incredibly windy here in my corner of Scotland today. I'm freezing! Bright sunshine though.

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My DD informs me it is rainy and windy - which of course it would be she’s just bought a pair of sandles 😫

I have a slight suntan, probably the first time in ten years, but it looks like I’ll be in jeans and a fleece .

Sigh

We had a formal night last night , so make up , earrings, nice sequinned dress . DH in a suit , waistcoat and tie . We scrub up ok.
casual today

It's definitely not sandals weather here. Sunny but cool and windy. I decided it probably wasn't a "good drying day" as there was a strong chance I'd have to go and retrieve my smalls from at least one of my neighbours.

Air of relief here today - DD got her leaving cert results and did fantastically!! She worked really hard and deserves it - but we know that hasn't always shown in her results. But she's confirmed her course already and DH is out buying stuff as she flies there on Tuesday. She's not going out tonight as the National track cycling champs are tomorrow, so DH organising her favourite takeaway.

I need to go up on Friday to help her get set up (or provide the credit card...). I might bring my cross stitch with me for the train journeys.

Well done to you DD Biddy 😀

@70isaLimitNotaTarget I’m chuckling at the lack of front cover on your Christmas magazines 🤣 Although, if Stacey Solomon appeared on the front of mine, I’d find myself doing the same! 🤣

Congratulations to your DD @BiddyPop

Nooo that idea will be in their heads now . Stacey Solomon and her TV decluttering series with lots of tips to get us ready for Christmas. Her and Joe Swalsh with their mega watt veneers smiling away and their lovely children. I bet she has a dog too .

Lulu would be torn off the cover too
Any of the TOWIE mums

Im ok with Fern Brittan or Holly Willabey (sp)

Fern Britton would be lovely. My parents were checking in at the same time as her at an airport within the last year. They said she was exactly as she is on tv - warm and friendly and chatty. And my Dad usually has nothing nice to say about anyone!!