Christmas Slatterns are polishing our baubles and writing our christmas lists

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Here you go ladies....

Hello everyone! Cor, it's getting so festive. Our tree is up, "handmade" decorations everywhere .... And both DC have christmas party today, so it's marshmallows and krispie cakes all the way...

Today

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Christmas cards to write and post
• Christmas menu/food planning and Ocado order update
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers
• Empty/Fill/Run DW
• Ironing
• Renew library books
• Warranty claim for dehumidifier
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads
• Hoover/Bit of housework
• Go see builders
• On line banking
• Chickens
• Dog
• To Cousins for tea???
• Reading
• Get fire going
• Make dinner

Christmas ongoing

• Finalise and shop for remaining presents
• Collect stocking filler sweet parcels
• Food generally - meal planning, drinks, treats, crackers etc etc.
• Work on Ocado order/butcher order/wine order

Next few days

• Book Panto DONE
• Krispie cakes for DS?s school Christmas party DONE
• New specs for DS
• Clean DH's car
• Flights for next year?s holiday
• Find Maths worksheets for DS and phonics for DD
• Check photo printing
• Organise some more tea dates for DC
• Start Recipe diary/log
• Fix up lunch at school
• List more eBay

Hello everyone. Doesn't Monday come around quickly. Will catch up with weekend messages in a while, first am going to make my list. Long list for today...

MONDAY
empty and reload dishwasher DONE
check emails DONE
change our bed DONE
one load of washing IN DRYER
email boss re new role
tidy dining room
tidy kitchen
tidy living room
tidy family room
tidy utility room
hoover downstairs
cook bolognese
get some cash out
take DD swimming
check money DONE
pay Dad for cricket tickets IN PROGRESS
gym
shred
weightwatchers points

wrap Xmas presents x 3
speak to nursery re early start on Monday
take nursery Xmas presents
10 minutes sorting in garage

TUESDAY
1 hour admin
clean bathroom
chase up work re medical insurance
write cards for people in village
sort my wardrobe
make doctor appointment

CHRISTMAS LIST
present for mum
present for DBIL
decide if presents bought for DD are ok
write cards for people in village
help DD to write her cards
finish wrapping presents
sort stuff to go to mum and dad's next week

LONG TERM LIST
take old books and clothes to charity shop CLOTHES DONE
finish wrapping xmas presents
get DH to put better shelves etc in kitchen cupboard of doom
sort out garage
sort out wardrobe and my clothes
sort out DD's clothes DONE
make wills
sort out storage in DD's bedroom

Off sick with horrible cold.
Currently on sofa but am going to try to get a few things done as we have total house carnage at the moment. Sorry haven't read through but hope everyone is doing well.

Online shop doing
Clear out fridge
Sort out freezer
Washing
Light fire
Make something for tea
Tidy house ready for decs
Put more stuff for charity shop
Hide presents

Meal plan for the week
Pie and mash
Lasagne and salad
Shepherds pie
Chilli and rice
Salmon and potatoes and cheese sauce

It's so dusty and horrible in this house.
The cupboard that went to mildew and mould is bad again. No mildew as we painted it with anti-fungal paint after we threw everything out, but the wall is dripping and I spotted some mould mites on an old bag.
There just isn't room to deal with it atm, as our room is piled up with boxes, but I'm sure that's what is making me ill atm.

I'm going to look into insulation grants as the landlord still hasn't replaced the terrible windows let alone fork out for insulation.

Anyway, apart from that all is well.

It's exciting now it'd getting so near isn't it Anon.

Hope you feel better soon HMHB!

• up done
• breakfast done
• trim the tree done
• internets doing
• deco boxes back upstairs nearly
• shower and dress done
• put a load of washing in done

+ tidy up, as not enough room to do craft acitivity half

• craft activity - glittering the cards
• shed filling?
• lunch
• kitchen
• library
• photos
• tea
• wash up, get kitchen nice
• tidy downstairs + hoover
• DS bath and bed
• knit

Online shop done
Clear out fridge
Sort out freezer
Washing
Light fire done
Make something for tea
Tidy house ready for decs
Put more stuff for charity shop
Hide presents

Meal plan for the week
Pie and mash
Lasagne and salad
Shepherds pie
Chilli and rice
Salmon and potatoes and cheese sauce

Wasting where is your mouldy cupboard? Having lived in a house that was always going mouldy, that black sooty mould on walls windows etc. It largely poor ventilation. The more you try to seal up against cold the worse it gets. So dry and air flow will help. It cetainly doesn't help with asthma , allergies etc. Hope you find a solution.

Got to
order christmas bird meat etc.
get dgcs toys sorted
write cards
print cards
bank
post dd2s top
dh admin invoices
ice cake
shopping
ktichen

Office is going doomwards again
window ledge of doom spreading

Wasting. That sounds really grim. Can you get a dehumidifier in the meantime?

I'd lend you my dehumidifier if it hadn't just packed up . They are fantastic (when they work!) you can get ones that have some heat in them too so dries and warms for super extra effect....

Anyway, not an awful lot achieved as I had completely underestimated how long it takes to write cards... never mind.

Off to my building site in a few minutes, so quick update before I go:

Today

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Christmas cards to write and post DONE - posting on way to house
• Christmas menu/food planning and Ocado order update
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers
• Empty/Fill/Run DW
• Ironing
• Renew library books
• Warranty claim for dehumidifier being processed, apparently
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads one in now
• Hoover/Bit of housework cleaned bathroom - that will do!
• Go see builders going now
• On line banking
• Chickens whilst at house
• Dog whilst at house
• To Cousins for tea
• Reading
• Get fire going
• Make dinner

Hello Slatterns :) Will have a read through and do a list later, we had a busy weekend and then I've been at the hospital for my GTT this morning.
DS stayed with my Mum and Dad last night! Didn't like it at all, really missed him although we did go to the cinema for the first time in aaages!
Mum is bringing him up here now, should be here in about 15 mins - how daft is it that I'm excited about seeing him? :)

Hello All. Ali you have just made me realise I haven't been to the cinema in 4 years!!!

Maybe a trip is overdue.

LIst for Monday and Tuesday

Washing
Ironing
Shopping for toddler party DONE
Christmas cards
Christmas wrapping
Tidy house
Cards and biscuits to nursery
Write blog DONE
Change fishes filter and add water
Feed birds
Water plants
Help at community centre DONE
Help at theatre
Vacuum cleaner
Buy fusewire DONE
Paperwork and bills
Read accountancy

More than enough there to keep me busy!

Online shop done
Empty dishy
Tidy dining room
Clear out fridge
Sort out freezer
Washing
Light fire done
Make something for tea
Tidy house ready for decs
Put more stuff for charity shop
Get presents out of car done
Filing
Hide presents
Lunch for me doing
Presents for DH and SIL done
Post Xmas Cards!!!

Meal plan for the week
Pie and mash
Lasagne and salad
Shepherds pie
Chilli and rice
Salmon and potatoes and cheese sauce

Oh god, Ali, not daft AT ALL. I always pine if DC go to stay with the GP's, even just for a night. Or even just an afternoon! I count the minutes until they are back. My MIL isn't the best time keeper either, so is always late, and I am bouncing off the walls with excitement (and mild irritation!) by the time they get home! She usually says "I'll drop them back" but recently, more often, I've said, "oh no, save you a journey, I'll come round for them" as I know that way I can get there on time!

Meant to say, Saturday's Times had a Slatterns Guide to Christmas. I don't subscribe to it online, so can't find the article to link but it did make me chuckle.

Rule Number 1 " Remember that it is always acceptable to drink alcohol at 10am on Christmas Day. If you've been up since 5 with the kids, you can probably bring that forward to 9am because in real time it's practically evening". And so on for another 17 rules.

Today

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Christmas cards to write and post DONE
• Christmas menu/food planning and Ocado order update
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers
• Empty/Fill/Run DW Emptied
• Ironing
• Renew library books
• Warranty claim for dehumidifier being processed, apparently
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads one in now
• Hoover/Bit of housework cleaned bathroom - that will do!
• Go see builders DONE
• On line banking
• Chickens DONE
• Dog DONE
• Fill up the car
• To Cousins for tea
• Reading
• Get fire going
• Make dinner

anon

Ali I've kind of had to get used to being without the dc's since I split with H but I still don't enjoy it! Think that's why I try to act like a young free and single person when I don't have them because staying in and being in mummy mode when they aren't here is horrible.

Cake now on profile

Anon - i love it for the first rule alone
Actually DH found an alcohol-free sparkling wine (v cheap too, about 1.50 a bottle) that works brilliantly with nice o.j. for a guilt-free bucks fizz, have bought more in for Christmas :)

This is a mad week, looking forward to it all being over, tbh!

Leftover:

• finish crosswords
• continue with laundry Doing

Mon:

• all up & breakfasted DONE
• DS1 & DH dressed and off to sch/work DONE

(- last minute panic handwash & dry of DS1's white trousers for snowman play later! DONE)

• shower & me dressed DONE
• DS2 dressed DONE
• portage (9.30) DONE
• to sch for play (11.15) DONE
• home for lunch & tidy kitchen DONE

• laundry
• electrician coming for bathroom light
• other stuff?
• collect DS1
• chill out time
• tea x 3 (pasta bake?)
• boys to bed
• early night with my Sky+

Longer term:

• Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private
• get DH to ring his dentist re the boys
• Photos: a) move all photos from DH's PC onto time capsule, b) upload photos of DC to Snapfish & order
• order door curtain for front door; need to email seller about sizes (got measurements); Got recommendation for local place
• clean kitchen cupboard doors
• set up Time Capsule with DH's laptop (delayed again! try this weekend)
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• pile of blankets to homeless centre (some basic shopping first & go through bedding/towels too; Started)
• DS2's new DLA forms; ask on MN, get HV to help, questions for friend with NT 3yr old, etc.; Writing rough notes
• research motability options for if/when we get mobility; Done More
• photos of bits for eBay; Take Photos DONE; Prices from RM DONE; Upload Photos Done Some; list on eBay
• put up any last decorations
• tidy away decoration boxes Done More
• charity shop trip
• bathroom light; Electrician coming today
• buy cat food
• drop off 2 presents to friends

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans
• presents for DB (& his gf?); hat for DB
• get any missing presents; Bidding on ebay
• Christmas cards; DONE
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• Nanny present; Vouchers here & silly socks bought
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up;
• boxes away

Leftover:

• finish crosswords DONE

Mon:

• all up & breakfasted DONE
• DS1 & DH dressed and off to sch/work DONE

(- last minute panic handwash & dry of DS1's white trousers for snowman play later! DONE)

• shower & me dressed DONE
• DS2 dressed DONE
• portage (9.30) DONE
• to sch for play (11.15) DONE
• home for lunch & tidy kitchen DONE
• laundry Doing
• electrician coming for bathroom light Here
• other stuff?
• collect DS1
• chill out time
• tea x 3 (pasta bake?)
• boys to bed
• early night with my Sky+

Longer term:

• Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private
• get DH to ring his dentist re the boys
• Photos: a) move all photos from DH's PC onto time capsule, b) upload photos of DC to Snapfish & order
• order door curtain for front door; need to email seller about sizes (got measurements); Got recommendation for local place
• clean kitchen cupboard doors
• set up Time Capsule with DH's laptop (delayed again! try this weekend)
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• pile of blankets to homeless centre (some basic shopping first & go through bedding/towels too; Started)
• DS2's new DLA forms; ask on MN, get HV to help, questions for friend with NT 3yr old, etc.; Writing rough notes
• research motability options for if/when we get mobility; Done More
• photos of bits for eBay; Take Photos DONE; Prices from RM DONE; Upload Photos Done Some; list on eBay
• put up any last decorations
• tidy away decoration boxes Done More
• charity shop trip
• bathroom light; Electrician coming today here
• buy cat food
• drop off 2 presents to friends

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans
• presents for DB (& his gf?); hat for DB (coming Fri/Sat so need something for his gf asap)
• get any missing presents; Bidding on ebay
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• Nanny present; Vouchers here & silly socks bought
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up;
• boxes away

Online shop done
Empty dishy done
Tidy dining room
Clear out fridge
Sort out freezer
Washing load1on
Light fire done
Make something for tea
Tidy house ready for decs
Put more stuff for charity shop done
Get presents out of car done
Filing
Hide presents done
Lunch for me done
Presents for DH and SIL done
Post Xmas Cards!!!
Buy DVD for DS
Buy xmas tree and decorate

Meal plan for the week
Pie and mash
Lasagne and salad
Shepherds pie
Chilli and rice
Salmon and potatoes and cheese sauce

Can you beleive it. Tesco has no ready made icing...none...not any...at all...off to look up recipe.

Ali, hope your GTT went well, I hated that when I had one. Bleurgh at Lucozade.
I haven't been without DS overnight yet, can't imagine it, but looking forward to it.

The cupboard is the space above the stairs in our bedroom that has been partitioned off with plywood. It has no ventilation and as the house isn't insulated it is very cold which makes condensation worse. Our room is dreadful as it's single glazed rotting window, north facing and tricky to get to the cupboard to keep the door open.
We do have a dehumidifier in there, but it's only a very small one.
I've just never had such problems with a house before, I keep wanting to move, but we do need to give it another year at least.

• up done
• breakfast done
• trim the tree done
• internets doing
• deco boxes back upstairs doing
• shower and dress done
• put a load of washing in done

+ tidy up, as not enough room to do craft acitivity confused done

• craft activity - glittering the cards done
• shed filling? done from the pantry, need to put outdoor toys in
• lunch done
• kitchen most
• library done

+ firemen been to replace smoke alarms done

• photos taken (battery charging before I upload them)
• start a tesco order
• go through lists - what do I still need to buy?
• tea
• wash up, get kitchen nice
• tidy downstairs + hoover
• DS bath and bed
• knit

Good day today, no time for mumsnet .

Anon, like the slattern's guide. Shame I don't subscribe, I'd quite like to see the whole list at this point!

Ali, I miss my DCs lots whenever we are apart

MONDAY
empty and reload dishwasher DONE
check emails DONE
change our bed DONE
one load of washing DONE
email boss re new role DONE
tidy dining room DONE
tidy kitchen DONE
tidy living room DONE
tidy family room DONE
tidy utility room
hoover downstairs
cook bolognese DONE
get some cash out DONE
take DD swimming
check money DONE
pay Dad for cricket tickets DONE
gym DONE
shred DONE
weightwatchers points DONE FOR TODAY
wrap Xmas presents x 3 DONE
speak to nursery re early start on Monday
take nursery Xmas presents
10 minutes sorting in garage

TUESDAY
1 hour admin
clean bathroom
chase up work re medical insurance
write cards for people in village
sort my wardrobe
make doctor appointment

CHRISTMAS LIST
present for mum
present for DBIL
decide if presents bought for DD are ok
write cards for people in village
help DD to write her cards ALMOST ALL DONE
finish wrapping presents
sort stuff to go to mum and dad's next week

LONG TERM LIST
take old books and clothes to charity shop CLOTHES DONE
finish wrapping xmas presents
get DH to put better shelves etc in kitchen cupboard of doom
sort out garage
sort out wardrobe and my clothes
sort out DD's clothes DONE
make wills
sort out storage in DD's bedroom

Merry don't need recipe buy Royal icing sugar all you have to add is a tablepsoon of glycerine (or something You actually don't need to, but I read it as a tip somewhere)
Or fondant icing sugar, think royal is easier to work with though

Asda and Sainsburys all have their own brand, Asda even do a value line of ready made

Need to catchup later your post just caught my eye
making dinner
and adjusting dd2s angel costume can't wait for nativity

Nearest supermarket after tesco is waitrose, will see what they have tomorrow. Thanks for the tip Plum.
Have managed to buy DGCs gifts, local store had lots of similar gifts to those on link. So that is done Rah!
Got to
order christmas bird meat etc.
get dgcs toys sorted done
write cards
print cards done
bank done
post dd2s top bought envelope
dh admin invoices done
ice cake
shopping
ktichen

Office is going doomwards again
window ledge of doom spreading

Mini - I just use normal icing sugar and make it up with water but to a thick consistency and then it will stick to the marzipan. Are you using marzipan?

Wasting - that sounds a nightmare :( Lakeland do a little egg-shaped dehumidifier that is designed for small spaces - you just microwave it to dry it out and go again. Only £10 or so I think.

I am glad I'm not daft So nice to have DS back, he gave me the biggest hug and a lovely huge smile :):)
Feel really poorly again, getting seriously fed up with this cold.

Ali - i think the thought of child-free time is better than the actuality of your DC being somewhere else IYKWIM?

Mon:

• all up & breakfasted DONE
• DS1 & DH dressed and off to sch/work DONE

(- last minute panic handwash & dry of DS1's white trousers for snowman play later! DONE)

• shower & me dressed DONE
• DS2 dressed DONE
• portage (9.30) DONE
• to sch for play (11.15) DONE
• home for lunch & tidy kitchen DONE
• laundry Doing
• electrician coming for bathroom light DONE
• collect DS1 DONE
• chill out time DONE + puzzles
• tea x 3 (pasta bake) DONE
• tv time Doing

• boys to bed
• early night with my Sky+

Longer term:

• Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private
• get DH to ring his dentist re the boys
• Photos: a) move all photos from DH's PC onto time capsule, b) upload photos of DC to Snapfish & order
• order door curtain for front door; need to email seller about sizes (got measurements); Got recommendation for local place
• clean kitchen cupboard doors
• set up Time Capsule with DH's laptop (delayed again! try this weekend)
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• pile of blankets to homeless centre (some basic shopping first & go through bedding/towels too; Started)
• DS2's new DLA forms; ask on MN, get HV to help, questions for friend with NT 3yr old, etc.; Writing rough notes
• research motability options for if/when we get mobility; Done More
• photos of bits for eBay; Take Photos DONE; Prices from RM DONE; Upload Photos Done Some; list on eBay
• put up any last decorations
• tidy away decoration boxes Done More
• charity shop trip
• bathroom light DONE
• buy cat food
• drop off 2 presents to friends DONE

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans
• presents for DB (& his gf?); hat for DB (coming Fri/Sat so need something for his gf asap)
• get any missing presents; Bidding on ebay
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• Nanny present; Vouchers here & silly socks bought
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up;
• boxes away

JKS - yes I agree. I think that if DH and I hadn't got this cold then it would have been better, and also if I hadn't had GTT this morning so we couldn't even sit and have a glass of wine together once we got back from the cinema. I had a glass of water and we went to bed - last of the party animals!
Mum and Dad are going to have him for a weekend in the NY before the baby comes, and we're going to go away somewhere so that we are out of the normal routine :)

You lot and your baking and icing. I can manage Krispie cakes, an approximate apple crumble and a fairly wonky pavlova. All tastes ok, but looks absolutely shit! Me and baking/puddings etc that actually have to look half good just do not go! I would love to be all clever with it, but suspect that as I charge through my fifth decade, I may have missed the opportunity...

Wish I could link in the Slatterns Christmas Guide, it was really quite funny!

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Christmas cards to write and post DONE
• Christmas menu/food planning, treats, crackers, and Ocado order update/ wine order
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers
• Empty/Fill/Run DW Emptied
• Ironing
• Renew library books DONE
• Warranty claim for dehumidifier being processed, apparently
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads ONE DONE, next after DC ready for bed
• Hoover/Bit of housework cleaned bathroom - that will do!
• Go see builders DONE
• On line banking DONE
• Chickens DONE
• Dog DONE
• Fill up the car DONE
• To Cousins for tea DONE
• Reading
• Get fire going
• Make dinner

Christmas ongoing

• Finalise and shop for remaining presents
• Collect stocking filler sweet parcels DONE