Here we go again...Countdown to Christmas 2026 (Thread 1)

[NoWordForFluffy]

365

Evening!

I'm a bit tipsy and very tired, but it's been a good day.

Round 2 tomorrow with the roast dinner!

268

Morning!!

Off to the gym shortly then housework, then supermarket. (feels like Groundhog Day)

DH's birthday tomorrow so I will be frosting the cake tonight.

Evening!

@NoCheesesForUsMeeces, I hope you're enjoying being away, even if the weather isn't consistent.

@Magnoliasunrise, what kind of cake have you baked? Are you doing anything nice for the birthday?

One more day at work then 11 off. I'm knackered trying to get on top of everything!

Looking forward to the extra long weekend too , Friday will be dossing about , maybe some tidy up in the house and garden.
The pressure washer really needs to get rolled out and clean the patio slabs .

I've got a list of things I plan to cook.
I have recycled this week, a bag of clothes to the Charity Shop and a kerbside pick up bag .

The roads are lovely during school holidays too which makes a huge difference ,

My baby is 13 tomorrow, 13! I took him to M&S and we were very silly together and he chose a cake. Dh and ds2 and the family take him to breakfast. I’ve got to work but hopefully we’ll do some fun bits over the weekend. Dh is taking him and some other kids to London a week on Friday as his birthday treat. Benefits of dh being a scout leader is that he has no qualms about managing a gang of kids without me!

Ahhhhh, DD is 13 in June. Seems mad them becoming teens, doesn't it? I hope he has a lovely day!

267

I bought DH a fancy belt for his birthday so we have just been into town to change it 🙄🙄🙄. I bought it thinking he'd probably swap so no worries.

I made a plain sponge but with mascarpone cream and raspberry filling, covered it in mascarpone cream and will shortly put strawberries and blueberries on top, it looks quite nice.

He is 50 (my toyboy) so off out for swanky meal tonight, didnt want a big party.

My DS will be 17 in Summer, its horrifying. Feels like only yesterday he was jumping in puddles in his dinosaur wellies.

Time soon goes. My oldest is 28 in September and that does not feel possible and being a granny is quite something as well, when in my head I am 31 3/4 🤣

266

Way too early to be up for a Good Friday Bank Holiday but I took the frozen cinnamon buns out to defrost and put a load of washing on, Carpe diem as they say .

All these birthdays , Happy Belated Birthday to MagnoliaDH and FurForkDS

Next birthday in our house will be mine in June

I was also up early 70 - i don't mind actually coz the house is quiet while they are all asleep and it is nice to have a bit of peace.

I am off to the gym shortly then King of Kings is on at 10.30am so I will watch that while ironing. Also there is a walk of witness with church at some point.

I am a bit hungover so hoping one of these activities will clear my head!!

Morning!

I too have a hangover. Mine hasn't done the courtesy of buggering off yet though, despite painkillers and a dog walk. 😩

I've just been and bought a couple more tomato plants and some chillies. Hopefully they do better this year than the ones I got last year.

I need to make a cheesecake soon, after sorting the kitchen carnage out. DH is a force of nature when it comes to creating a mess everywhere!

I was up early as I booked Ocado and dh booked the electrician to come and put up our Christmas lights. Ocado came but the electrician got stuck and the weather isn’t ok.

currently enjoying Netflix and reading a gay mm hockey romance 🤣🫣

We took down the wreath today! It still looked ok but was starting to lose the odd bit of now dry foliage. I’ll miss it.

I bought some LED chicken string lights , one set in the dining room , the other set DH put in the hall "I'll leave the hooks in place for your Christmas lights" he said . Obviously thinking that I'm thinking ahead !
Finally ! He gets it

265

I made Parsnip Soup ( delicious but I over roasted the parsnips a bit so it was too dark . But I didn't overseason it so that was a win . The recipe was meant to have cream in it which would've lightened it but bleurgh I don't like cream or milk in a soup)
Did some savoury scones , chocolate crispy cakes (for DS) and Sticky Toffee Puddings .
A mahoosive carbohydrate binge but what the hell . It's Easter weekend .

I have some things to go to the charity shop and if it is nice , clean the patio .
Well that's the plan .

Morning!

That was a late night 70.

Looking like a lovely day today which is great news as it is the boat race later today.

We are having our Easter Sunday morning today as we are off skiing early doors tomorrow so I have laid the Easter table with plenty of chocolate eggs. I did not think DD would manage to go 6 weeks without chocolate but she did. So she will be stuffing her face with it today. I will restrain myself till tomorrow.

Off to the gym shortly.

Morning!

I'm currently in the radiology department at the Royal waiting for a shoulder MRI. I hate MRIs (claustrophobic). As long as I close my eyes before I go in I should be OK!

My parents and DH's brother are coming for dinner later, so that will be nice. I might be galloping round a bit when I get back to get it all sorted though!

I’m having an mri today, too! Spine and pelvis for me. But I could do with one on my shoulder. I hope yours goes ok. Mines at 3.40 on a van outside the hospitals urgent care centre. I’m dressed in clothes they won’t make me change out of!

Oh , MRIs are noisy aren't they ? I didn't get the claustrophobia thankfully , had my eyes closed and listened to the headphones voice . They take a while , I can definitely see why people dislike them.

I kept all my clothes on, just needed to make sure no metal wires bra) and take out my piercings .

Good luck with the MRI's ladies. X

It's done. I just had to remove my bra and HRT patch (apparently they get hot!). Must remember to put a new one on when I get home!

I don't have piercings these days, so no worries there!

I’ve only had 1 MRI and I was so out of it at the time I barely remember it (was hospitalised many years ago with acute pancreatitis but had the scan as part of the investigations into what was wrong pre diagnosis (also had 1000 bloods tests, x rays and CT scans). They gave me amazing pain meds so I was high as a kite for a week 😳 and as I’d been in a while I’m pretty sure I was wearing a nightie and gown and nothing else ).
Hope both of yours have gone well and give you some answers.

We are in the airport waiting to come home. I’m ready, and on a festive note, I’ve kept with tradition and bought something for the tree (in this case, a lizard keying that I’ll adapt by removing the big ring and adding a ribbon).

@NoCheesesForUsMeeces I love the adapting keying to Christmas decoration!

We aren’t going abroad this year, we are going to snowdonia, we’ve had it booked for two years as I booked it for last year but my hip and physical health meant we couldn’t go. It’s not until August. Wed usually go away May half term but dh and the kids are going on a 4 day scout camp.

264

Happy Easter y'all
Storm Dave knocked over my buddleia plant overnight (it's in a heavy pot so don't know how !) but of all the plants , this one is the toughest so it is fine .

DH is looking at the sky muttering about going out in the garden.
DS is at the gym hasn't touched his Easter eggs yet .
I am going to dye my hair , nothing drastic , just a root touch up . I keep putting it off till I catch sight of myself in a mirror and think "Eurgh "

Made cakes , fairy cakes with glace icing and sprinkles (no buttercream here thank you ) and I'll get on with dinner once my hair is wrapped up with some Superdugs finest dye .

Hopefully everyone is enjoying today .

Afternoon!

We're (DD and I) at the airport, waiting to fly to Belfast. I'm glad the wind has dropped as last night Dave was fierce and loud! Surprisingly little property damage spotted though, on the dog walk. Lots of small branches and twigs from trees, but not much else. Admittedly we didn't go through the estate though, only the woods, the cemetery and a playing field!

I hate the bit of flying where you're at the gate waiting to board. Rather dull!

We're not going abroad this year either. I've booked Lanzarote for next May half term, but nothing this year as it's a dear do!

We have a fair few caravan holidays booked throughout this year and part of next year (we keep an eye out for the cheapie weekends or when the Welsh school holidays differ from
england as a lot of places are cheap then) plus a ferry trip to Germany in the summer and a weekend Nessie hunting trip with LO. And Ive got a girls trip booked with my dm for a big birthday (it’s my present to her as she’s always wanted to go). So quite busy but nothing long haul or massive.

When we were away I ignored all news etc so storm Dave was a surprise. Made for a bumpy landing but nothing too bad.

Hope your trip to Belfast was smooth and you have a good time Fluffy - it’s a fun city!