Woooooooahhhhh, we're half way there! Countdown to Christmas 2026 (thread 2)

[NoWordForFluffy]

183

Phew, it's a scorcher!

Happy birthday to 70's DD. Best date for a birthday ever!

70 the migraine was stopped eventually. It took an hours nap then feet in hot water, cold packs on face, neck and chest, Vicks nasal stick thing and a second round of high dose dispensable aspirin.

Agree it's not a 'bad headache.' I have triggers (weather/air pressure changes, hormones and too much or too little sleep) but also get some totally unconnected to anything.
2 types - one that feels like hard pulsing behind the eyes, as though my brain is being pushed forward with force from the back and the other which is like a hot poker from top to bottom on one side.
Both affect my vision and are so so painful. Plus bonus symptoms - nausea, sinus pain, muscle tremors/spasms and inability to control my temperature. Am very very rarely sick though thankfully.

Today I'm feeling a lot better and even slightly festive as met a friend earlier and she bought me a present from her holiday - a wooden tree decoration with Italy on it

@NoCheesesForUsMeecesI get vestibular migraines. No idea what causes them but they bring hours of head pain, vertigo and nausea. I'm taking daily low dose amitryptiline to try to prevent with a reasonable degree of success. Only one bad attack in four months. In addition I get "normal" migraines if I eat hard cheese - I wouldn't last long at @NoWordForFluffy's house at Christmas with that affliction 😂

DS met some friends today for a cinema trip. I did a bit of light shopping while I was waiting for him. The stocking fillers are mounting up. It's easy to do when they are adults - we have followed the same formula for about 20 years. I've also added a few £s to my Sparks account for spending at Christmas - either in the food hall or on my DDs stocking fillers undies.

177

Morning! I'm on a train to work, as I now have my office day on a Weds (same as Meeces, I think). It's so clammy and oppressive out there today. We've had what looks like shit loads of rain, but to no avail on the clammy front! 🥵

I'd be very sad in your shoes, Woolly, re the cheese. 🧀 😢

176

I'm having a very accident prone week having driven into a gate and then cracked the oven door slamming it too hard. Just now deciding which one to repair first 🤣🤣. London car repair costs very high so think I will do the car repair when I drive up north.

Think will have to be next month now when I start thinking about Xmas presents.

I suppose this is the time of year you could get away without an oven so the car would be my priority .
I know loads of people use AirFryers exclusively and never switch the oven on.
DS uses ours most .

175
Today there is loads of house work to get on with , but as it is cooler , I can get on with it as I don't think next week will be much fun trying to clean the bathroom in a heatwave

There's an excess of Shed Fur from the moggies who have decided to get their summer coats in now .The vacuum will be working over time .

Soooo, I'm dropping DS and DD in town, going to M&S and then back home to start the tidy up. DH has been arm wrestled into putting the washing out while I'm out ( he doesn't get away from housework )

I’ve missed the first thread so sorry if I’m repeating but I do love the thought that toward the ends of next month, we’ll start seeing the first signs of Christmas appear in the shops. And I cannot wait!

Morning!

I'm glad it's cooler this week. But not as glad as poor FluffyDog, with his Labrador double coat! 🥵

Sounds like an expensive week, Magnolia. 😫 I think I'd do the oven first (not to be contrary, like, but we still use ours!). Luckily our appliance insurance covers accidental damage, so I can just arrange a repair online if I'm heavy handed!

I'm off on Monday. Hurrah!

I don't know whats come over me this week I have been very meh can't be arsed but starting to get my mojo back a bit today. Have returned to the pc hunt and have narrowed it down to 2 potentials but I am second guessing myself constantly - since the fire both me and DH have become quite risk averse and we aren't really sure why as it was a completely unforeseen accident so not anything we did or could have mitigated against, but then I bought the pc and it all went wrong from day 1 had to return it etc and its left me feeling like I must get it right!! I have been managing with this basic all-in-one we bought as an emergency option when we were stuck in airbnb's but it has a lot of limitations that are now starting to get on my nerves so I do need a better machine sooner rather than later.

Yay for new office twins Fluffy 😂 although not this week, I skipped the office due to dental appointment. Painful but hopefully it was my last one 🤞🏼

I can’t remember the last time I switched on the oven. We’re very much a grill and air fryer (or pizza oven) house at the mo.

No Christmas planning here but I do feel as though I’m very slowly getting back to being myself. It’s very slow progress though.
It’s helping that my instagram feed is littered with ‘it’s almost time for your house/the world to look like this’ with videos of lovely Christmas decorated houses and towns. I’m sure I’ll start to feel festive soon-ish so I can start my planning mid August/Sept like I usually do.

174

Saturday <yay>

We're not a football household so it will completely pass us by . Maybe Monday morning will be quieter on the roads though ....?

Costco visit today , nothing exciting . Bin Bags and Non "The Snowman" Loo Roll . (Kirklands own brand usually) and whatever is on my usual list .

Afternoon!

I had a nice lay in today, then took the doggy out for his walk. It was a bit warm, so we didn't run a huge amount (which is good, as I'm still recovering from being a pint of blood down after donating on Weds!) as he was feeling the heat. He kept asking for water and treats so we had a nice stroll in many places. Plus got tangled up in bloody Parkrun whose runners block the entire 12ft path by the finish line and love getting in the way!

I've been to Tesco and we're now on the balcony drinking beer! It's rather breezy, but clammy, so warm enough overall for sitting out!

DH is on his works do so I’m sat in the garden (no alcohol though, pineapple juice with lemonade instead) watching LO blow bubbles and generally be a menace.

Weather is lovely out there but don’t think I’m going to get to enjoy it as once he’s in bed I need to hang up the washing I did today on airers, put the house back together (it looks a bit ransacked as we’ve moved through playing with the garage, kitchen, puzzles and band), have tea and an everything shower.

@NoWordForFluffy
As you're a blood donor ( and for doing so . I cannot as I've had a transfusion but my DH does and my DS when I nag him. DD is too lightweight ) would you consider FluffyDog being a DogDonor?

They need to be fit , good health and amenable to the process .
(I cannot volunteer the cats as they're too old and too bad tempered )

FluffyDog wouldn't get a cup of tea and a pack of custard creams but I'm sure they dish out nice biscuits .
(DS gets squash and crisps for his troubles)

I've not really thought about FluffyDog donating. I'll look into it. I think the barrier may be the amenable part, as he's a healthy doggy who doesn't have anything to do with the vet, other than his annual jabs. But maybe he'd be OK!

I just looked and he may be too light, as he hovers around 25kg which is the minimum weight. I'll see where the nearest centre is, as he travels very badly too! 🙈

I drove to Costco and spend ages trying to park , people were just parking where they liked and blocking the roads waiting for someone to move. So I got fecked off and came home .

Yesterday I cleaned the bathroom washed the shower curtain and bathmat and all the tiles and glass/plastic storage containers .
Today I emptied the pantry , cleaned the shelves , disposed of anything out of date and any cardboard etc .

Now demanding the rest of the household admire my efforts and in the words of Bart Simpson Prepare to be Dazzled .

And DS says I am "needy"

He's still a young lad too .

( I tell my DS he has to TOFTT - Take One For The Team - on my behalf !)

Yes, he's 4 in October (shares a birthday with Putin!). Still a mere puppy!

DH gives blood too, so we're both TOFT!

My cats Gotcha Day ( don't know their actual birthdays ) is shared with MalcomX ( I didn't know this , I looked it up)

They don;t seem to care a whit but I think they'd be less thrilled if they shared with Putin !

More amusingly, it's also FiL's birthday! 😬🤣

His gotcha day has a fair few Z list celebrities' birthdays:

Geena Davis (b. 1956): Oscar-winning American actress known for her roles in Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own.
Emma Bunton (b. 1976): English singer famously known as "Baby Spice" from the 1990s pop group the Spice Girls.
Luke Grimes (b. 1984): American actor best known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the television series Yellowstone.
Billy Ocean (b. 1950): Grammy-winning Trinidadian-British singer-songwriter known for hit singles like "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car".
Jack Nicklaus (b. 1940): Legendary American professional golfer who holds the record for winning 18 major championships.
Christian Dior (b. 1905): Renowned French fashion designer who founded the luxury house Christian Dior.
Stonewall Jackson (b. 1824): Prominent Confederate general during the American Civil War.

I used to listen to Simon Bates on Radio 1 doing Birthday shout outs and no-one famous shared mine .
Now it;s all YouTube and TikTok Influencers
I've actually heard on some of FluffyDogs share-ees !

Bryan Adams shares my birthday. I'm not sure about anybody else famous!

I used to love Simon Bates' Our Tune. Schmaltzy nonsense, but all good radio! 🤣

173

Morning!

It's quite breezy today. One of my poor tomato plants has had its most productive branch come off. Not sure if it was the wind or a rogue pigeon, mind you!

We've been to a doggy field this morning with a friend and at some point soon we need to get productive in relation to the washing (bedding) as our half price electricity starts at 11!

We have a Morrisons order for us shortly, then a Waitrose one later on for mum and dad, as it's easier to get it delivered here and I take it to them, than to guide the delivery driver to their apartment!

I'll do some housework at some point too.

We have the half price electricity deal on a Sunday too .

Our tomatoes are still green but doing well . I bought two plants this time as three was too much yield and I ended up roating and freezing some .

Today is nice enough and a good breeze .
This week is going to be hot .
I am not staying up to watch football and frequent my local pub.