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

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

old thread was getting big....

marmite -sending you and all good wishes

Curry night tomorrow, so I have made a lamb rogan josh and a delicious sauce for a vegetable curry. Fortunately our outside fridge conservatory is ideal for storing cooked mealswhen fridge space is at a premium.

Thank you for all of your kind messages. I feel lucky to have such a wonderful Dad and Grandad for my children. X

Marmite I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. You always seem so positive, truly an inspiration. I'm so glad to hear you have some nice things to look forward to in 2019.

I had planned to start packing away some of the Christmas decs today but never quite managed to get started.
I agree with you about the Christmas tv this year - we've been watching boxsets instead too. Which is dangerous because before you know it you've watched half a series and the whole day is gone - hence not getting around to packing away the decs!

Sincere condolences Marmite. DM died a few years ago at this time of year and although it was a huge relief at the time, it does make it hard for some of our family now. Your fortitude is inspiring.

HardwickWhite my mum died at Christmas as well. She was very unwell and it was a release for her. It was so long ago that I don't miss her, but what I do miss is how special she used to make Christmas for us, and I have never been able to replicate the magic. I must admit that I don't really enjoy Christmas and New Year. Everyone is so busy seeing their families, and we live too far from both of ours to do the same (no room at the inn, and they won't travel to us), so it is always just the three of us.

Me too Lon. My mum just made it so special. I still have her file of word games but no one to play them with.

We always used to play Mah Jong every Christmas.

So sorry to hear about your dad, marmite. Wishing you good luck with your treatment in 2019.

We are in shanghai for new year (despite the name, we don't live in Shanghai). Visited the natural history museum and watched a show yesterday, cinema and out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner tonight. Ds flies back to the UK on Friday. We go home tomorrow afternoon so washing and packing on Wednesday and Thursday.

So sorry to read about your dad Marmite.
Hoping 2019 is better for you.

I always pictured you in Shanghai - ShanghaiDiva!!! Going to have my mental image 😀

Had a lovely 2 weeks with ds so far and feel lucky to have 2 more to go.

Been reflecting on 2018 today - what a year of high emotions and change. Will look back very fondly on the year as there have been so many good times. And how far we have all come in a year.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a 2019 full of good health, happiness, love and fun.

Just wanted to say Happy New Year to all of my friends on here!

On Active there is a thread about favourite threads of the year. Well this is my favourite thread but I selfishly want to keep it to myself so not posting that in there!!

Here's to a great 2019!!

awww Happy New Year Marmite, may it be the path to good health.

Yes all the best to everyone for 2019. I always sink into a melancholic gloom at this time of year.

Will give myself a slap and another sherry.

Happy new year to all of you. I hope 2019 is a good year and everybody enjoys good health (especially you Marmite)

My household has gone down with the lurgy so we shall be toasting the new year with lemsip, although I can't imagine we'll still be up at midnight.

Me too Ursula. I will raise a glass to you and everyone else on this the best thread of 2018.

Wishing marmite and anyone else struggling with their health good wishes for a speedy recovery, and good health, happiness and wealth to everyone else.

Happy New Year to you all.

No gloom allowed tonight.

Am away for new year with family. First time not here with DS who is partying in uni town. Felt a touch gloomy with young nieces and nephews at winter wonderland (gloomy places!)
But they had a great time.
DD baking a traditional new year cake - European tradition where in laws come from. Is of course our tradition now.
Condolences, good health, cheers to cute puppies and I am trying to imagine Shanghai- can't really but DD is applying for summer placement in Far East so I maybe able to see some of it if I visit!
So many interesting posts. Cheers everyone! HNY!

Wishing you all Health & Happiness.

It's been an odd year but here we are at the start of a new one. I hope all goes well for those who have struggled with their health (both physical and mental).

I have dropped DS off at a friends and then they are all going into the city to celebrate. I'll be going to bed with a cup of tea and a box of biscuits to watch more American Horror Story but will no doubt fall asleep well before the clock strikes at midnight!

In case I don't manage to stay awake, I want to wish you all health and happiness in 2019. You're a lovely lot.

Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you so much for all of your humour, wisdom and company this year, you’ve been a real source of company and warmth!

It's been mad busy here over the last few weeks so I've just caught up. So sorry to here about your news Marmite, wishing you well with the rest of your treatment.
It's been lovely having Ds1 home for these last few weeks, he goes back on Saturday and is planning to take Ds2 with him to help carry the extra stuff he has. The plan is for Ds2 to stay over one night and travel home on Sunday. Ds1 has strict instructions to get him home safely and sober!
I hope you all have a wonderful 2019.

Happy New Year to everyone on this thread. We have come a long way together and may it continue into 2019 whatever challenges and celebrations come along.

Happy New Year! Thanks for journeying alongside each other, much appreciated.

Knackered here today after dinner party last night, and then cooking full English for 14 this morning. I didn't sleep well, as I had half an ear listening for DS to get home, then knowing I had to get up to cook. We had a fun evening, with excellent food - each couple brought a course and much of the non dishwasher stuff was washed by hand by friends last night so I didn't have too much to do. Collapsed in front of the telly now though!

I spent NY (the Moment) in a black cab as I wended my way to pick up dd from a party. She said come at 12.30 but because the streets round us felt to me a bit like location shots from The Purge, I took fright and took the first cab at the taxi rank from the busstop, and then arrived a bit early outside her door. at 12.20 She was not best pleased.
The taxi driver and I watched the fireworks out the window, and said Happy New Year. It felt quite special in a way, NY when you are not really celebrating it, but the world turns..

Today I went for a run and watched Ben Hur. Imagine seeing it on the big screen when it first came out, it must have been incredible, as it was I feel a bit shellshocked by it..What have the Romans done for us indeed..
Ds1 is writing a film script. He says he has no intention of leaving until the 10th January. It feels odd but nice having here and he isn;t really behaving as I imagined he might. He brings no friends over and seems to be treating it as a winter hibernation zone.