Christmas Slatterns are polishing our baubles and writing our christmas lists

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Here you go ladies....

Ali - take it easy even if you're feeling better.

Plum - good luck nailing Christmas

Thurs:

• DH up first DONE
• breakfast DONE & tidy up
• all dressed 1Done
• DH to work DONE
• DS2 & N to pre-sch (last one)
• cafe with other mums (& DS1)
• pet food shop?
• lunch & tidy up (chicken & chips?)
• afternoon?
• SN group party (4-6) (take some bits for tea)
• boys bath & bed

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
• charity shop trip
• buy cat food

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; More Bought
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away

Morning!

Glad you're feeling better Ali.

I hate Christmas.

• up done
• breakfast done
• spatone oj and vits
• wash last nights pots.
• potty and dress ds
• shower and dress
• laundry - put load in, fold dry washing
• music class
• lunch
• town
• feed the birds
• tea
• wash pots and tidy kitchen
• tidy downstairs + hoover
• DS bath and bed

To Do -

• copy CDs onto hard-drive - ongoing
• put stuff up into top cupboard in Ds room
• cakes to make for DN

Christmas -

• SS present
• write cards, then post
• wrap presents
• put paperchains up
• menus for Christmas Eve and Chritmas Day finalised and shopping list written

HELLO LADIES!

Ali - hope you are feeling ok today. we've all been teetering on the edge of a cold/cough thing, it hasn't fully developed. Suspect the minute we ever so slightly take our feet off the gas at the end of term, it will reveal itself and we will all be ill!

New fireplace sounds exciting....

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE - got a lift this morning
• General tidy, make beds etc PART DONE
• Post office
• Christmas menu/food planning Part done
• Table cloth/napkins/crackers GOT,
• Ocado order update Part done
• Tesco wine order
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed DOING
• Finalise and shop for remaining presents PART DONE
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers Started
• Fill/Run/Empty DW
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads, unload overnight wash and more in
• Minimal Housework
• Go see builders
• ORDER NEW KITCHEN!
• On line banking and check credit card bill
• Chickens
• Dog
• Ladies Christmas Lunch
• DC out for tea, then carol singing
• Get fire going
• Make dinner
• DH out, so can catch up another couple of Mad Men episodes

Fanfare. The Clip Frames have arrived. But I cant wee me getting exhibition together before xmas, so it will have to be a new year event.
Sky is looking heavy here, and the electric is going on and off. But I have the fire going and am on my last 'go out and work' day before chritmas.
Have not in any way 'nailed' christmas.
Ali hot toddy without the whiskey obv. and please don't breath / sneeze on me. We are a 'flu free zone until exposed to children well known carriers of disease

'see me' not wee me. Am computer twerp.

Yey for clip frames, about bloody time! Here's now hoping for Purple's boots....

Have difficult conversation with parents coming up today. In short, both DH and I cannot stand my sister. She is a complete nightmare. We suffer her a couple of times a year and we get stressed, we argue before/during/after her visits. It is no fun at all.

DH said last night, I do not want to see your sister at Christmas. he works really hard at Christmas, gets no time off, busiest time of year etc, so the four days are very precious family time. I do not want her here on any of those four days either. However, in order to see my parents, it generally means, sister has to come too.

So today I need to say to my Dad "you and mum are welcome, DH and I simply do not want to see sister". So he will say, well, in that case, your mum and I won't be able to come. That in itself will be upsetting too, and means DC don't get to see one set of GP's over Christmas...

My sister is truly unbearable, but if I dig my heels in, how do I tell DC that they don't get to see the GP's?

As we've moved, I don't have room for anyone to stay so we are talking a visit in a day and done. But DH will freak if one of his four days is being spent with my sister. I will freak too, so it's not just him.. but it's my family, so I am more torn.

Oh what to do. Sorry for offload, but it's on my mind.

That is tricky i would start a thread tbh, there may be others who are in the same situation.

Still all poorly here. Taking F to Dr soon, he still has a hacking cough and now hs blood in his mucous

Have so much to do, but i have no energy, and the kids are too poorly to go out for too long. Grrrrrr, just need us to all be better now!

Morning all. Best laid plans and all that - DS poorlier (sp??) than he has been and now DH at home with the D of D&V - great.
I will go to the hospital but the rest of the day is scratched I think and we will just rest and try to get better.

Anon - how come your sister is part of the package? It isn't as if she is 8 and can't be left at home on her own...
I would put your foot down to your parents - it is unacceptable of them to let the lack of relationship between you and your sister spoil their relationship with their grandchildren.
Alternatively, can DH not suck it up just a for a few hours? I know exactly how you feel - we saw brother and SIL-from-hell for the first time in months at my parents on Sunday. It was a pretty strained day and we will have to endure the same on Boxing Day.

Alice - not sounding good, hope doc can help.

Anon - that is v tricky, i'm tempted to say just bear with her for one day, at least she won't be staying the night, and you could arrange for them to come later in the day to cut down on time?
But if she's truly unbearable and i do understand that she might be, i say stick to your guns.
Presumably your parents could come for the day another time say new year or something, and save some present opening for then? kids love to have extra Christmases IME!

Thurs:

• DH up first DONE
• breakfast DONE & tidy up Started
• all dressed DONE
• DH to work DONE
• DS2 & N to pre-sch (last one) Doing
• cafe with other mums (& DS1) DONE
• Boiler Man here repairing bit of fridge useless twat other man broke Doing

• pet food shop? need cat food asap
• lunch & tidy up (chicken & chips)
• afternoon?
• SN group party (4-6) (take some bits for tea)
• boys bath & bed

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
• charity shop trip
• buy cat food

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; More Bought
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away

Poor you alice, hope you all feel better soon and it isn't too serious for F. Hate it when tinies are poorly, such a worry.

Ali hope you are all ok too. Being ill when you are pg is rubbish.

Anon I have also felt the beginnings of a cold for weeks, those fizzy vit c tablets seem to be miracle workers for me as they really seem to ward things off (must buy some more)

JKS that is how my evening usually looks too but had soooo much to do last night, house was a pit. Have definitely been slacking on the actual cleaning lately, though the gloom seems to be hiding the dust.

Last mopped the kitchen floor last tuesday, that's bad isn't it??

Hope Comtessa is babymooning well

Anon sounds tricky re your sister...bit off of your parents to refuse to come without her too. Thogh I suppose they might think they are bridge building.

Festive - it is indeed somewhat off in my view too. They say that she is family therefore she has "rights". We fundamentally disagree on this, and it is always me that compromises. I always back down in the interests of keeping things calm.

DH and I have sucked it up 2 or 3 times a year (but she has only been interested in seeing us since we had children - before that I literally didn't see her for years).

This time, I do want to stick to my guns. Either, I stick to my guns, upset my parents, upset DC and generally cause tension (though not my fault) or I seriously upset DH and will actually ruin the day before and the day we see her for me, him and therefore DC will sense the tension too. It's largely the only thing DH and I really row about...

Ah well, I have ladies christmas lunch now to think about it... a glass of wine might mean anything could happen!!!!

Freak - do you have the berocca fizzy things? My house hasn't been cleaned since god knows when just abot keeping things ticking over wrt washing (have got 4 loads to do today ) tidying toys etc. My new years resolution perhaps?

Saw the nurse, the blood is just irritation from the coughing and sneezing, nothing serious, thankfully. He is much perkier too (says she who has a baby fast asleep on her lap )

Really do need a list, but think i might go into notepad and break all the stuff into each day...

Alice - that's a relief!

Anon - if you try to imagine things say 1st Jan and you have either a) held your ground or b) given in, again, how does next year look?
eg A; you, Dh & DC have a lovely stress-free time. Your parents have to get over it & your sister may even think why her presence is so objectionable.
B: how does it look?

Think i'm in the dig heels in this year and see what happens camp!

Thurs:

• DH up first DONE
• breakfast DONE & tidy up Started
• all dressed DONE
• DH to work DONE
• DS2 & N to pre-sch (last one) DONE
• cafe with other mums (& DS1) DONE
• Boiler Man here repairing bit of fridge DONE (only £25 quid, fridge man could easily have sorted it himself, stoopid man!)
• lunch & tidy up (chicken & chips) DONE

• pet food shop (need cat food asap)
• try and find something for DB's gf
• maybe fit in charity shop
• SN group party (4-6) (take some bits for tea)
• boys bath & bed
• DH home at some point

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
• charity shop trip
• buy cat food

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; More Bought
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away

Ah, lovely lunch with the girls. My NCT group, we always go out somewhere nice for Christmas lunch, and it is such a hoot!! I see them the rest of the year too, quite often, but our Christmas lunch is something of a tradition now... good excuse to put proper clothes on (and shoes with heels) in the middle of the week, in the day light. .

Tee hee.

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Post office
• Christmas menu/food planning Part done
• Table cloth/napkins/crackers GOT
• Ocado order update Part done
• Tesco wine order DONE
• Wrap presents bought so far
• Do tally of what is still needed DOING
• Finalise and shop for remaining presents PART DONE
• Organise Christmas drinks/get togethers Started
• Fill/Run/Empty DW
• New Year holiday - plan/book food delivery/taxis DONE
• Two wash loads, second to unload and dry
• Minimal Housework DONE
• Go see builders DONE
• ORDER NEW KITCHEN!
• On line banking and check credit card bill
• Chickens DONE
• Dog DONE
• Ladies Christmas Lunch DONE
• DC out for tea, then carol singing
• Get fire going
• Make dinner
• DH out, so can catch up another couple of Mad Men episodes whilst I wrap some presents

Afternoon.

Glad F is ok, though sorry to hear you're all poorly Ali.

Anon, that's a tricky one. JKS has a good idea for how to decide there.

Freak, it depends how grotty the floor is - if it's just a bit dusty, then no biggie, if you've been wiping pork all over it, then get it mopped.

I've done some more Christmas.

• up done
• breakfast done
• spatone oj and vits done
• wash last nights pots. done
• potty and dress ds done
• shower and dress done
• laundry - put load in, done fold dry washing done
• music class done
• lunch done
• town no snowed!
• feed the birds
• tea cooking
• wash pots and tidy kitchen
• tidy downstairs + hoover
• DS bath and bed

To Do -

• copy CDs onto hard-drive - ongoing continuing
• put stuff up into top cupboard in Ds room DH doing
• cakes to make for DN - chocolate! - buy - mini cupcake tins + cases, cooking chocolate

Christmas -

• SS present
• write cards, then post
• wrap presents DS done He?s got quite a lot.
• put paperchains up
• menus for Christmas Eve and Chritmas Day finalised and shopping list written

Hey all. No list today, partly because Thursday is supposed to be my me day and party because I am feeling coldy and not really like doing anything.

NO BOOTS STILL DESPITE UPS RINGING AND PROMISING YESTERDAY

I did get a few bits done but not much really. Hope everyone had better days.

haircut DONE
pick up presents DONE
one load of washing DONE
enquire about piano lessons
check emails DONE
check bank account DONE
read work know how bundle
write extra christmas cards
cancel british gas maintenance contract
post presents to god daughter and DBIL

CHRISTMAS LIST
write cards for people in village
finish wrapping presents ONLY 2 LEFT TO DO
sort stuff to go to mum and dad's next week DONE
write food shopping list for Xmas eve and PIL visit DONE
check and finalise Ocado order DONE

LONG TERM LIST
take old books and clothes to charity shop
finish wrapping xmas presents
get DH to put better shelves etc in kitchen cupboard of doom
sort out garage STARTED
sort out wardrobe and my clothes MAIN WARDROBE DONE
make wills
sort out storage in DD's bedroom
think about cleaner
plan redecoration of ground floor

Purple - this is beyond silly re your boots now!!

Given I don't relaly know DB's GF well do you think a set of 8 lip glosses from Boots (with receipt) will be ok? Will be sending it back with brother anyway not giving it to her directly so will give him the receipt.

Thurs:

• DH up first DONE
• breakfast DONE & tidy up DONE
• all dressed DONE
• DH to work DONE
• DS2 & N to pre-sch (last one) DONE
• cafe with other mums (& DS1) DONE
• Boiler Man here repairing bit of fridge DONE (only £25 quid, fridge man could easily have sorted it himself, stoopid man!)
• lunch & tidy up (chicken & chips) DONE
• pet food shop DONE
• try and find something for DB's gf DONE
• maybe fit in charity shop No parking
• SN group party (4-6) (take some bits for tea) DONE
• DS2 more food at home Doing

• boys bath & bed
• DH home at some point Here
• some dinner for us

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
• charity shop trip
• buy cat food 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; Lip gloss for GF Needs wrapping
• get any missing presents;
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away

at wiping pork over floor - Have you been spying on us?

Have a bit more energy this afternoon, so feel a bit more in control.

DONE
Empty dishy
2 loads of washing washed, dried and folded
3rd load in tumble
4th load in washing machine
Horses
Put air in tyres
Cook dinner (random pasta dish made up of stuff from freezer)
Do washing up

TO DO
Get DD in bath
DD bed
Finish wrapping presents
Write neighbours cards
Wipe down kitchen
Dishy on
Take clean washing upstairs
Put away clean washing
Shower and bed

I am sooo tired. I think if I get the cards done now I will be optimistic about everything else and it won't be hanging over my head.
Don't know when I'm supposed to get to the Post Office though.
Still, with DH here I can pretty much go when it suits me and not worry about taking DS. It was a nightmare with DS in tow last year.

• up done
• breakfast done
• spatone oj and vits done
• wash last nights pots. done
• potty and dress ds done
• shower and dress done
• laundry - put load in, done fold dry washing done
• music class done
• lunch done
• town no snowed!
• feed the birds
• tea cooking
• wash pots and tidy kitchen done
• tidy downstairs done + hoover
• DS bath and bed DH doing

+ re-organise all the presents tidy and move + sort some craft stuff done

• coffee iv

Then -

• cards

To Do -

• copy CDs onto hard-drive - ongoing continuing
• put stuff up into top cupboard in Ds room done
• cakes to make for DN - chocolate! - buy - mini cupcake tins + cases, cooking chocolate

Christmas -

• SS present
• write cards, then post
• wrap presents DS done He?s got quite a lot.
• put paperchains up
• menus for Christmas Eve and Chritmas Day finalised and shopping list written

Wasting - have you thought of using the PO website to order & print postage?It's a faff but might be better than queueing if your local PO is a nightmare.

DH gone to bed early with a migraine and he's got to be at work extra early tomorrow, so i'm watching crappy tv on my own, again.

Thurs:

• boys bath & bed DONE (bath abandoned)
• some dinner for me DONE
• wrap present arrived for DS2 DONE
• wrap present for DB's GF DONE
• watch crappy film Doing

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work
• breakfast & tidy up
• all dressed
• nothing planned for most of the day
• lunch & tidy up
• maybe collect friend's DS if she's held up
• soft play & boys tea
• boys bath (must do) & bed
• me & DH out (sitter booked)

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
• charity shop trip

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans
• presents for DB (& his gf); DONE
• get any missing presents;
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away
• present for DS2's portage worker (just thought of her today, oops!)

Have done cards - woohoo.
am going to watch dirk gently as i love douglas adams. with a glass of something.

Not actual berocca alice but sainsbos own version. They are good shit IMO

lol at wiping pork on floor. DS does drop quite a lot of dinner but it gets swept after meals and hoovered daily...just the mopping I cba with

Grr at lack of boots purple

Wasting I haven#t done cards either...they are starting to hang over me. Although I did make dd do the ones for her teachers and have wrapped their wine so at least won't have to panic about that in the morning.

Bad enough when the DC get you up early but when it's DH? grr.

Just remembered I never paid for my cup of tea at cafe yesterday!! Must pop back there today

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work DONE
• breakfast & tidy up
• all dressed
• go to cafe!!
• nothing planned for most of the day
• lunch & tidy up
• maybe collect friend's DS if she's held up
• soft play & boys tea
• boys bath (must do) & bed
• me & DH out (sitter booked)

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
• charity shop trip

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans
• get any missing presents;
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• extra lights up; Done wreath on door ones
• other decorations up
• boxes away
• present for DS2's portage worker (just thought of her today, oops!)

Morning!

I didn't get my cards done, but I made great progress on it, so today they should be done.

JKS, I'd not heard of that. I'll have a couple of packages too, don't know if it covers that, but I'll have a look later.

• up done
• breakfast doing
• spatone oj and vits
• dry pots
• potty and dress ds
• shower and dress
• laundry - put load in, done
• playgroup
• Range
• lunch
• empty hoover
• either crack on with ongoing or go to town
• ?
• feed the birds
• tea
• wash pots and tidy kitchen
• tidy downstairs + hoover
• DS bath and bed

To Do -

• copy CDs onto hard-drive - ongoing
• cakes to make for DN - chocolate! - buy - mini cupcake tins + cases, cooking chocolate

Christmas -

• SS present
• write cards, then post
• wrap remaining presents
• put paperchains up
• menus for Christmas Eve and Chritmas Day finalised and shopping list written