Class of '18 Best foot forward through the autumn leaves.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

old thread was getting big....

DS and his flatmates cooked their Christmas dinner today. He was most impressed by the yorkshire puddings made from scratch - I usually throw a few Aunt Bessie's in the oven.

😱. My Yorkshire’s are legendary. Dd’s Flat are doing it on Wednesday. They will probably buy everything ready made. The shame!

Any Dubliners on here? DS wants to go to Longitude in July and I've told him to look at logistics before buying a ticket. Cheap accommodation near Marlay Park is needed. Ta

starfleet Good luck with that. DS1 did his masters in Dublin and it was eye wateringly expensive finding places to stay to visit in South Dublin.

And of course Brexit. There'll be that hard border to scale 😉

I've a lovely friend who lives is Belfast who has offered to put them up if we can't find anything but it's a long and expensive train ride to Dublin every day if they stay with her. I did find a lovely air B&B but there are possibly 4 of them going now and the lady only had one twin room left which was 20 mins walk from the venue. Back to the drawing board!

Ds is home!
Dd very excited to see her big brother after 3.5 months. His case was 28 kilos of xmas cake, xmas pudding, Stollen, tree decorations and dirty washing! So lovely to have him home.

today I am going to go and buy some running shoes from a specialist shoe shop with ds2 (both of us are going to try the Park Run again) Last time I ran a few steps I was seized with a terrible sciatic pain - possibly my duck like running style in the wrong shoes. I can feel the New Year's Resolutions like some dark cloud ahead..better to deal with these strange impulses now and get them out of the way.. Ds2 has the day off after some Year 12 exams, and as ds1 took no exercise when he was doing his A levels I need to try and motivate ds2 before the rot sets in.

Ds1 is so happy since he does all this dancing and walking, it has made such a difference to his mood.

Starfleet I was born in Dublin, but I know no-one there nowadays; Longitude sounds very tempting, my sister lived there for a while and her sons probably know all about it, I will ask them if they are going. Ds1 would have to commute from 1.5 hours away (parents in rural Ireland), but possibly for one day it might be good. I'm not really up to speed with festivals at all. We have Lovebox really near and the Reading Festival but never attended either. This year is going to be the big YEAR of teenagers going to festivals in our house, I've promised myself.

DS has now decided to hedge his bets. He is waiting for the line for Wireless as it's the same weekend as Longitude and if it's similar then he might just go there. I have found somewhere for him to stay close the festival park in Dublin - he's asked that we keep hold of the room "just in case". I despair.

DS1 has already started saving up for Reading festival and for Christmas has asked for contributions. Not really the sort of thing you can wrap up to put under the tree, but I've also got him that giant blanket sweatshirt thing.

He felt a little better on Sunday evening and managed to leave his room to go to a pub quiz with friends, which they won. I'll be happier when he is home and I can judge for myself how well he is.

It’s lovely to have them back for Christmas. DS2 hasn’t been away of course but I’m picking DS1 up on Saturday and I love how he’s grown up into a fine young man.

Have been catching up. Hope marmite and ursula
That you are doing okay. Hope your DS will do well with TLC at christmas break thefirstohn.
Hamilton is on my wish list.
DS home soon. DD home. Hope you are enjoying DC home or looking forward to collections.
Planning first Christmas dinner ever at home with grown up children and MIL. My Christmas cake is too crumbly!! Anyone else cooking and preparing young adult Christmas?

My DS just cooked a student house Chrissy dinner as said up thread. He tells me as he has now cooked Turkey legs he can help me on the DAY! actually, that's more experience than me with Turkey

I’ve just picked the glue out of my hair. Happy Days.

I've not really thought much about christmas, other than the weather! - got a big project on at the moment but just keep adding brandy to the christmas cake.

We are having a quiet christmas at home. I'm looking forward to it.

I’ve only added brandy once. Must do more tomorrow.

Googluck with your big project and belated congratulations on the bursary.

Apologies for my shit typing.

My Waitrose cheat, make your own Christmas cake, is sitting in its box mocking me. I might have the energy to make it tomorrow! Not much feeding will get done though.

I did finish online shopping for DD2 last night so once that is wrapped I have finished.

Just food shop to pick up.

Trying to normalise Christmas for the DC. Just wondering what I will focus on after the 25th?!

No wrapping done, some presents still to buy, no cards written, cakes not yet baked...but actually, if it doesn't get done, as long as presents for small niece and nephews are sorted the rest is less important. Our kids have their present already (laptop) or need to come with us to buy them (suit).

Marmite, I hope you will have new things to focus on after Christmas, be it the next round of treatment or the treats planned for once they are over. X

I've ordered the Christmas food to be delivered on 23rd. I get a vegetable and fruit box and the milkman delivers too, so I just ordered a turkey extra. It will probably last us for a week...and then the foxes will have a feast. I don't make my own Christmas pudding, but I make lovely sausage rolls and stuffing!
I gave up on Christmas cake this year, no one in this house eats it except eventually ME! which is pretty disastrous for my waistline

Marmite spring, bulbs coming up is a good focus I have two Amaryllis bulbs coming up in my kitchen, very slow though. January is very depressing at the best of times. It must be awful feeling so ill and weak. there's nothing much that helps hope dds can give you a lovely smile soon and dog.

ds2 is approaching, I had better despatch him!

He is playing Earth Wind and Fire, at breakfast time [sigh] disco first thing is not my idea of fun

panda I tried to order a present online for small niece (Tap Tap art) only to find that the wretched bank decided it was an out of character purchase as I hadn't bought any toys for so long, and blocked my card. Then the bank fraudline rang twice only for ds2 and dd to decide they were cold calling and put the phone down will have to sort it out today..Moral, buy toys in person and send in brown paper parcels on foot..grrr.
I've written two cards, including one to the milkman who is very sensitive to slights.

Nettles you have made me smile this morning! Thank you.

Our bank's fraud line phoned yesterday as well! DH had booked the ferry for a holiday next year, bought dog food and i was out spending in TK Max. None of it out of the ordinary but better to be safe. At least they didn't block my card.

Hope you have managed to get it sorted nettle!
I'm feeling slightly more organised, Christmas cakes x2 are in the oven! We have a rare night in, so will make a start on cards or wrapping.

Hello all,

Just been catching up on all your news. Been keeping you in my thoughts marmite.

Shanghai - bet you are glad to have him home. We are also overseas (not as far as you) and i wonder how it would feel if ds could pop back for the odd night / weekend. He seems to be doing more than ok with not having that as an option [ !!!

He gets back on Sunday - flying back with his best friend and they are meeting up in Manchester for a night out before their flight home :)

I got distracted when making my Christmas cake and forgot all the spices! Bit late now so am feeding it extra brandy in a hope that will make it taste Christmassy!!! Let’s see.

No supermarket deliveries here but we have wonderful supermarkets and food so all is good. Will be at the large French brand hypermarket at 7 am on 23rd! The cheese counter alone is 30 mètres long.

Then will pick up the turkey from the local butchers on the 24th.

Wishing you all happy times in the coming days as you welcome your dc home and prepare for Christmas.