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

[NoWordForFluffy]

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Phew, it's a scorcher!

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

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Urgh it is too hot'n'clammy to be hungry .
I had some overnight oats as they are gentle on my stomach and not heavy or greasy .
Had to wait for our FemaleCat to come in, little pest was sitting on the doorstep looking abandoned even though she just had to put her neck to the sensor to activate the catdoor,

Eventually she came in as her brother was eating all the supper .

Morning!

Ive just got back from taking the dog out before it gets too warm. It's already getting quite toasty out here. Just sitting in the garden with a drink before we have breakfast outside. Making the most of the peace and quiet before I have to start being productive!

We're having our hair cut today, then we will pop to see my parents. After that, it's just attempts at staying cool!

Afternoon! The kids and I walked up to water the allotment and were talking about Christmas. We are in to the “fun” half of the year, summer holidays, lots of birthdays, mine is October half term week, then Halloween, fireworks night and Christmas. Banging.

im worried my sprouts might be a bit early, but I can always blanch and freeze them. My cabbages and cauliflowers are all leaf and no head currently though! Need to thin my carrots tomorrow and pick a couple of narrows and some beans and peas and blinking eat them!

We’ve been busy today and I’m shattered.
LO had 2 clubs this morning and I help run one so had to do stuff while there. Then out got lunch with ILs, home to tidy up etc then food shop at 2 shops (plus a B&M stop for party supplies ready for a club party) before going to have baby cuddles with new nephew. Then home to do LO bath and bed.
And now I’m sorting out bloody gift bags and putting together 20 trophies that for some inexplicable reason have arrived in 3 pieces 😩
And once I’m done I have to get washing in and pair up socks and bag DH to get off his arse and do the kitchen.

😂 at the singing idea 70. I’m not sure neighbour would notice - he has his music LOUD.

How did the keeping cool go Fluffy? It’s been horribly humid here - DH has resorted to what we call the OG fan which is a random tall standing fan my dad bought loads of in B&Q as they were reduced to £10. As far as I know my dad, mum, sister and me all have 2 and they work really well, they’re just not nice to look at.

Have only just rejoined for this year so hello. I don't know if anyone has experience of this brand Oreylo, but they have great trustpilot reviews and currently buy 1 get 3 free. I have treated myself, my sister and to some unknown lucky person (I am sure I will find someone who would love an helix hook earring). They are nickel free which I know a lot of people love. The link is Oreylo - Boldly Different. Designed to stand out

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I went out to do some gardening but avoided the mid part of the day .
I was too old'n'knackered to do much . Mainly cutting back brambles which I really battle with (left some for the birds ) the pyracantha to save the cats getting caught , the bindweed which gets wrapped round and I have to cut the stems to kill it , then unwind .
Got stung by nettles <pah> . Had a snooze on the sofa .

DH is doing the prep work in the hall to strip paper and sand the skirting boards . Then we'll wash down and choose paper , paint and carpet .

Oh, I am sorry, I was trying to share a bargain and curious of what others may of thought for a particular site. I was trying to share something earring related and what I thought was a bargain. Trustpilot is about 4.5,. Did I do something wrong? I have been on here sooooo long, but have switched off for maybe a yr or so, so not sure if I have missed guidelines, just trying to help. Esp in the spirit of christmas saving etc x

This isn't the bargain thread anyway, @mousegiggles1!

70, I get stung by nettles most days as FluffyDog finds them irresistible to 💩 in. 😭🤣

I'm not really into football, but great news that we're into the semi final. I assumed we'd lost as our neighbours let off fireworks when we equalised, but didn't when we went ahead / won! Ye of little faith!

The weather is lovely today.

Meeces, I hope today is more chilled for you.

I did the full kitchen, bathrooms and loo clean today. I was sweating sooooo much! 😫🥵 But at least they're done.

We're on our third load of washing today, making the most of the half price electricity and the weather. It'll finish after the half price period has ended, but the most power hungry bit of the cycle (heating to 60°) will have passed by then, so that's OK. 😁

God, I'm just so rock'n'roll! 🤣🤣

I did my Rock'n'Roll mopping the kitchen and downstairs toilet floor at 1am this morning , then they can dry without being walked on.

Bought some TShirts and Wimmins Big Knickers (Full Brief , none of these thongs or bikini nonsense for me ) as I wanted to see the colours IRL .

Going out in a while to pull up some more weeds for the garden waste tomorrow .
DH is stoicly ploughing through the boring preparation work for the hall. I bought him some beer 'cos I'm decent

I pulled up our finished poppies today. I gave them a good shake over the front garden, but still left thousands of seeds on the path! Our next green bin collection is 27 July as it's every 3 weeks, March to November. The bin is full of poppies now, so we need to remember to put it out!

DH vacuumed and mopped the floors downstairs while I cleaned upstairs. The breeze and heat meant it dried quickly, thankfully.

I like proper knickers too. Hard to get sometimes as shops are cutting costs and using less material!

Sounds like everyone is being productive!

I spent this morning changing beds and putting my a wash on as we have solar panels so our electric is covered by that when it’s sunny.
Then we had the club party/awards which went really well even if it was chaotic (25 3-6 year olds + excitement + sweets) 😳
Then I left DH with a list of jobs and took LO to see my dm. Thought I was getting a chilled couple of hours while LO was in the paddling pool etc but no, walked in to dm very stressed due to some attempted fraud on her account and spent a fair bit of time dealing with that for her.
Did manage a quiet hour when we got home but have since sorted out a ‘random jumble box’ which I chuck things in if they don’t have a home and am going to unload and reload the dishwasher now while DH is ironing.

Roll on tomorrow as it’s my ‘day off’ and while LO is in nursery my only plan is to do 1 load of washing and have a nice everything shower then chill in front of the tv/read for an hour (I will be busy busy as soon as I pick LO up at 11:30 though with an appointment then possibly the farm).

Another full knicker fan here. Sainsbury’s and M&S are my go-to’s for those.

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Everyone's being so industrious I'm in awe that you are all working so hard in this heat whilst its all I can do to stop from turning into a puddle of wax lol

Went to Costco this afternoon and stocked up on a few things it was nice to be in the aircon for a while. We are having our DGS for a holiday next week so we'll be out and about with a couple of Travelodge stays close to some of the venues. Hopefully it won't be too hot.

I can't even begin to tell you how sweaty I was, @Gracesquirrel. It wasn't pleasant, but the cleaning was overdue and had to be done. I saved my shower until after! 😬🤣

I think next week is lower 20s, so possibly more pleasant. We've got one hell of a breeze right now, so it doesn't feel super-hot. Proper burning weather though!

I am sunburnt Fluffy 😩 I got caught out yesterday as we went to the club awards and there was supposed to be a family fun day inside in a nearby community call but they moved it outside. It was scorching and no shade in sight. Ouch.
I did put sun cream on eventually but too late (LO was covered in factor 50 so he’s fine).

I'm really struggling to get stuff done in the heat. I’ve taken to scrabbling around in the morning or after 8:30pm mostly as it’s generally cool enough they. My house is definitely not as clean and tidy as it should be though.

Im going to bed in 5. I am shattered but realised I’ve forgotten to make LOs school lunch (it’s often a DH job as he makes his at the same time but he’s not here this evening).
Will do that then fall in to bed as I’m knackered again. Sigh.

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Afternoon!

Meeces, the sunburn situation sounds ouchy. I hope it's easing now for you!

The dog was super-restless last night as he's struggling with how hot the house stays overnight. Which means I'm knackered today as I was worried about him and also disturbed by him as he roamed round trying to find a cool spot! My tracker says I had 4 hours sleep. 😴

I'm currently having a break before going back to my desk. It's nice in the garden. ☀️

Last week of school woo hoo but I am invigilating next week 😒. Totally forgot I'd agreed to do some Uni resits. Thankfully short days though.

My cat is normally kept in at night but we've been letting him go out at night so he can have some cool wandering. Guess that's not an option with dogs, I really feel for the animals in this heat.

The dog made me go into the garden for a bit last night, Magnolia! It was quite pleasant, actually. He then wouldn't come back upstairs, so DH went out for a stint too!

This is said hound desperately trying to get me to go upstairs to the lounge the other morning! 🤣

Our cats have to come in at night , not because I don't trust them (Ha!) but it's part of the adoption contract .
Couple of years back we had a brazen fox appearing at the patio doors which could easily have barged it's way through the catflap - probably would've got stuck so I'm not sure I'd want to deal with the outcome !
We have to put something heavy behind the door on our side otherwise they sit there activating the door (microchip) and wearing the battery out !

Female Cat was Dirty Stop Out till 1am on Friday Night /Saturday morning .

@NoWordForFluffy your FluffyDog looks gorgeous lovely sleek coat and muscles . Prime specimen. . I bet he sheds fur like there's no tomorrow

Ginger glitter, 70! 😫🤣 It's bloody everywhere!

He's definitely a handsome hound. 😍

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Afternoon!

Another gorgeous day. Warm with a light breeze. Though the odd stronger gust, so that might make interesting conditions for the golf.

DH went to look around the course with the kids today as they've had practice days all week.

The traffic will start to get more 'interesting' from tomorrow as it's The Open proper. I think I'll just have to avoid that part of Southport completely, as well as the town centre!

I'm still tired today. I did get enough sleep last night, but I think one more night is needed to catch up properly!

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Fluffy your dog is gorgeous, love his expression.

I consoled myself with chocolate for breakfast after last night's game. So gutted for the team. 😢 At least we behaved better then Argentina though and now my life can go back to normal.

Afternoon. Agree with everyone else, FluffyDog is so handsome 😍

Thankfully we’re not a football house (and we’re Welsh) so yesterday’s game didn’t feature here - would be slightly different if it was rugby though.

It was my office day yesterday and it coincided with the graduation ceremonies for Cardiff uni so there were people everywhere.
I felt sorry for the boys, most were in suits under their caps and gowns and it was boiling.

I have a stupid throat infection (again) so feel a bit tired but have caught it early. Bloody hate taking antibiotics though.
Luckily, meetings are done for the day so I just need to get my head down and get some work done.

Plus DH is taking LO to ILs for tea so I’ll have a peaceful few hours later. Will probably waste it by tidying up etc but never mind.

Could you tell he's urging me to do something, Magnolia?! 🤣🤣

I hope you feel better soon, Meeces.

I've realised we have loads of tomatoes on the way, plus soooo many flowers. At some point we may drown in tomatoes if they all bear fruit!