Christmas Slatterns are polishing our baubles and writing our christmas lists

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Here you go ladies....

Wasting - i warn you it can be a faff, afaik you can do parcels too, but depends on your PO, our nearest one the women are harridans and there's always a massive queue. There's one in the local Waitrose where the women are lovely and even if there's a queue it moves along. Plus you can put parcels in a trolley :)

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work DONE
• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• random kitchen tidying DONE
• open Boden sale parcel DONE

Hope your boots arrive today Purple.
Re post-office, I have a friend who swears that the counter staff are 'dementors'as you get all joy(and your soul) sucked away in the experience. You may not believe this but I have only just discovered 'note pad' on my computer,only been using it 10 years. Its been hiding obviously.

post cards
print btuk cards
buy stamps
do business cards
tidy through
check online shop
wrap presis
buy food mixer
kitchen
washing
BTuk admin
frame drawings
buy picture crd
organise date for exhib.
change bed
bathroom

am not even putting office on list but it is there, hovering in another dimension.
Hope all sick slatterns are taking care of themselves and get better soon.

Not too coldy today so hoping to get stuff done. Am making an optimistic list. DD's carol service at 2pm and that's it for the term then, so this is my last morning to get stuff done!

[not even talking about the boots anymore, am expecting them in Feb...]

Merry, what notepad?? Sounds useful. I have a mac though, perhaps I don't have one? So agree about post staff being dementors. Also, we made an offer on our local post master's house and then withdrew the offer, so I am afraid to go in there at all!! Going to post office is on DH's list, not sure he realises how bad it will be.

FRIDAY'S LIST
admin
defrost dinner
shower
update to do list
tidy DD's bedroom
tidy spare bedroom
tidy our bedroom
tidy DS's bedroom
tidy bathrooms
hoover
one load of washing
put away yesterday's washing
shred
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
pack for weekend
chase up medical insurance

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

Oh my local ladies are definitely Dementors!!

I use Text Edit on my macbook, although i did talk DH into buying me the Office software but I find textedit opens quicker.

Right today is a 'doing day' despite DC being here

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work DONE
• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• random kitchen tidying DONE
• open Boden sale parcel DONE
• all dressed DONE
• last Christmas decs up DONE (except for outside lights)
• go to cafe!!
• maybe pop into Asda for few bits (plus a charity shop next door)
• 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 outside
• other decorations up DONE
• boxes away On stairs
• present for DS2's portage worker (just thought of her today, oops!)

Boots not coming today . I feel so impotent about it. UPS do not care and timberland cannot do anything. Was going to reorder and ask timberland to pay for the express delivery, but they are out of stock in my size now anyway, so will just have to wait. Thank God they aren't a Christmas present, since I ordered them in November. Luckily all my presents did arrive safely in time.

Purple - sure you have, but have you tried finding a complaints line at UPS? or even trying to contact the CEO/head honcho direct? I often see on MN that someone has found the CEO's details to contact, not sure how they've found them though.
Grr for you.

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work DONE
• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• random kitchen tidying DONE
• open Boden sale parcel DONE
• all dressed DONE
• last Christmas decs up DONE
• out side lights DONE
• go to cafe!! Forgot again!
• Asda for few bits (plus a charity shop next doorDONE) DONE

• lunch & tidy up
• maybe collect friend's DS if she's held up
• soft play & boys tea & our 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 DONE

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 outside DONE
• chocs for tree DONE
• boxes away On stairs
• present for DS2's portage worker (just thought of her today, oops!)

Afternoon all

Will catch up later

DCs on a snow day

We are 'snowed' in, well technically we are, but dh is going out to brave it for milk etc and to collect bikes from Halfords so if it gets worse we have everything we need in

Thankfully got nearly everything yesterday, I even got myself 3 dresses,
well 1 is a long jumper, a pair of boots, and ordered a pair too but they might end up as a birthday present in January, and got 3 tops
I have never bought so many clothes for myself in 1 day and Dorothy Perkins had a sale on so 2 dresses & tops came to £52, and my mum had gave me money for Christmas so I am well chuffed
And I'm always in Jeans so it will make a change to wear some casual dresses

Right lack of lists is evident in my house

wash on 1 done
tumble dry
load dishy
hope dh posts christmas cards sitting in front seat of car hoping
wrap presents
sort all smalls put away
Iron & put away remaining clean washing
sort out dd2 & ds's room
empty hoover
hoover
declutter kitchen
mop floor (waiting until dh is safely home and tramped snow in)
make teachers gifts
-malteaser chrunchies
-ovaltine creams
-white choc & cranberry fudge

Plum - that is seriously good shopping, well done! Hope you're alright in the snow, had sprinklings here but nothing settling.

Fri:

• DH up early & off to work DONE
• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• random kitchen tidying DONE
• open Boden sale parcel DONE
• all dressed DONE
• last Christmas decs up DONE
• out side lights DONE
• go to cafe!! Forgot again!
• Asda for few bits (plus a charity shop next door DONE) DONE
• lunch & tidy up DONE
• maybe collect friend's DS if she's held up Not needed

• soft play & boys tea & our 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

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
• boxes away DONE
• present for DS2's portage worker (just thought of her today, oops!)

I have:
posted cards
bought Dh presi
bought myself a food mixer. So am now in cooking mode....It'll wear off
cleared kitchen -largely in order to use mixer.

Well done on dress bargains PLUM.
This will probably be famous last words but - There's no snow here at the mo, just brilliantly sunny cold day.
Now to tackle cake icing

Afternoon ladies! No list today, as been out since 8, and only just in - and it wasn't supposed to be that way!!!

Anyway, we are officially broken up from school. Lovely Christmas Concert at the church.

Re my sister - as ever, I kind of gave in, HOWEVER, there is something of a compromise. Part of my issue with her is that I simply don't want her in my home. I feel invaded. So, Mum and Dad and her are coming here, to do present opening or whatever and THEN Dad is taking us all out to lunch at a really nice local pub. So it massively dilutes the "sister effect" and means she is only in my house for minimum time... So, I didn't actually stand my ground, but I made it clear that it was somewhat under sufferance and it means not too much upset and DH and I and DC will be a lot less stressed about it. AND we get a free lunch .

Had gorgeous carol sining in the blizzard last night. Very festive and remarkably, no one actually got that cold, so I do feel very festive now. Which is perhaps why I figured i couldn't bear a big fight over my sister!

Can't believe no boots Purple . I was following a UPS van today, and just so wanted to flash him to pull over and search for your boots..... STAND AND DELIVER and all that.

My Wine Delivery is held up... but as long as it is here by early next week, then that is ok. And if it isn't, then I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way and go to the shop to buy it!!!!!!!!!!

plum good shopping

anon at you searching UPS for me. JKS haven't been able to find a complaint number, and can't be bothered with spending an hour on the phone when it will obviously make no difference. Have given up hope now.

Well, lots of snow here unexpectedly (kind of). No roads gritted so its like an ice rink, so I've cancelled my mum's night out tonight which is a bit . The pub is too far away to risk on lethal icy country roads.

Did an ok job with list so far...

FRIDAY'S LIST
admin DONE
defrost dinner DONE
shower
update to do list DONE
tidy DD's bedroom DONE
tidy spare bedroom DONE
tidy our bedroom DONE
tidy DS's bedroom DONE
tidy bathrooms DONE
hoover MOSTLY DONE
one load of washing DONE 2!!
put away yesterday's washing DONE
shred
enquire about piano lessons
check emails DONE
check bank account DONE
read work know how bundle
write extra christmas cards DONE BUT NOW NOT SEEING PEOPLE TONIGHT TO DELIVER THEM [SAD]
cancel british gas maintenance contract
post presents to god daughter and DBIL DONE
pack for weekend DONE
chase up medical insurance DONE

CHRISTMAS LIST
write cards for people in village DONE
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

My dh is just brilliant, he went out in all the snow
posted my cards
got milk etc and
neighbour next door wanted 2 jars of Robertsons mincemeat he went to a few shops, none to be found so went to M&S and bought her 2 jars from there, can't believe he braved M&S without me and I hope she liked them, you know how old people are they only like certain things

It is still snowing here, although I live in the middle of the country I live on a main trunk route from airport to Belfast and our road is seriously bad, last night we nearly drove past our own lane

Blardy cold but no settled snow, yet.

Fri:

• go to cafe!! Forgot again!
• soft play & boys tea & our tea DONE

• boys bath (must do) & bed
• DB coming On train
• DB, 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

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
• present for DS2's portage worker

Morning all, DSs not up until after 7 today, yey!

DH & DB still sleeping, lots of frost but no snow yet, everybody seems convinced we're going to get loads of inches though.

Left from Fri:

• go to cafe!! Forgot again!

Sat:

• breakfast & tidy up
• all dressed
• Dad's Group maybe (Dh & boys)
• DB home at some point (give him presents for him & gf)
• lunch & tidy up
• tackle stuff off longer/Christmas lists
• laundry x lots
• hang up all Christmas cards arrived this week
• tea x 4
• boys to bed
• Strictly & 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

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
• present for DS2's portage worker

JKS - no snow yet?? Aren't you another Essex girl? Or I have I got that wrong! You must be amongst the minority in the country now.

We have some, though no new stuff over night. Expecting it later today I believe. Logs arrived yesterday (phew!) as did the wine order (double phew!!).

No list today - some errands to run this morning, keen to get out and get it done and come back and light the fire, but DH still lounging in bed . DC weren't up too early though which was nice. Hope they get some good rest this holiday, they really need it...

DD got her first proper school report yesterday . Ah, that's my girl. Described as "model pupil"... can't quite believe it. Was truly glowing. But she LOVES school with a passion and she is a real get up and get on with it kind of girl, and seems to have embraced it all. I want to blow it up and put it on the wall, I am so proud!

Morning, it is cold, we are going to make brownies

Anon - phew for wine (and wood) order!!
(yes i'm in Essex) Still no snow yet, but forecast to be on its way. DB left earlier than planned as wanted to make sure he got home. He's meant to be flying to south-west Ireland for Christmas with his GF tomorrow...

DH out with boys, I love Dad's Group!!
Then i think settle in with fire & tv later.

Left from Fri:

• go to cafe!! Forgot again!

Sat:

• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• all dressed DONE
• Dad's Group (DH & boys) Doing
• DB home at some point (give him presents for him & gfDONE) DONE
• paper DONE & crosswords Doing
• lunch & tidy up
• tackle stuff off longer/Christmas lists
• laundry x lots WM & TD On
• hang up all Christmas cards arrived this week
• tea x 4
• boys to bed
• Strictly & 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

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
• present for DS2's portage worker

Morning :) Bloody freezing here and we've got 6+ inches of snow. Cars just about getting in and out of the road!

Horrid week this week, have definitely got gestational diabetes and I have to test my blood sugars 3 times a day - fun!
Fireplace has also cocked up - the marble of the hearth has a strange stain on it, so the fitters have put it up but not put the actual fire in - so we have a nice new mantle and surround with a boarded up hole and no fire! Boo :(:( We're having to have a new one made, so it will be mid-January before I have my lovely toasty flames - humph.

Anon - glad your deliveries are getting to you :)

TODAY
Finish Christmas cards
Buy presents for DH's Dad and Nan
Mega present wrapping
Finish putting up decorations
Ring Grandma to organise going to pick her up on Thursday
Strictly

Freezing here too but only an inch or so of snow.
post cards done
print btuk cards done
write cards for neighbours
buy stamps
do business cards done
tidy through
check online shop
wrap presis
buy food mixer done
kitchen
washing
Ice cake done
take up jeans
BTuk admin : make data base, CIS, acc update, filing
frame drawings
buy picture cord
organise date
change beds
bathroom
hoover everywhere
Office but only if motivated

List for the day

Laundry
Laundry
More Laundry
Odd socks

Mainly laundry then..

Ali - sorry to hear about the GD. I am sorry I cannot offer any advice to you, but good luck with the monitoring.

And the fireplace, what a shame.... and for you there.

Seriously properly snowing now (Watch out JKS - it's on its way, if it hasn't already arrived!).

Mum and Dad live very near Heathrow and they have had a foot in 3 hours. . Mum now panicking she won't get out of the house til the new year (a little perspective required methinks!). They aren't in a rural location, they are in a town, they don't need a food drop!!

Anyway, my list today:

• Order new kitchen DONE!!!!!
• Grab last couple of presents DONE
• Defrost poor chickens DONE
• Stack logs DONE
• Light fire DONE
• Hot dogs for lunch Mmmmmm
• Watch trash and sport on TV all afternoon (I imagine!)
• Make either sheps pie or stew for dinner.... can't decide.

And then.....

• Watch Strictly. Oh yes, BRING IT ON!
• Drink Wine.

Spacehoppa - can I chuck my laundry in there ? My washing machine is frozen on the inside and all pipes leading to it similarly frozen. No washing for me for a few days!!!!

Snowing heavily now.

Looks like parents won't make it from Devon, though not planning to drive until Thurs so we'll see.
And DSis says they aren't up for the drive over from France, esp as her DH is currently stuck in Italy with work.
So could be a lovely quiet Christmas here
Db & his GF may end up here though as they're meant to be flying cheap-air to Ireland tomorrow.

Left from Fri:

• go to cafe!! Forgot again!

Sat:

• breakfast & tidy up DONE
• all dressed DONE
• Dad's Group DONE
• DB home at some point (give him presents for him & gfDONE) DONE
• paper DONE & crosswords Doing
• lunch & tidy up (Boys ate out DONE)
• tackle stuff off longer/Christmas lists
• laundry x lots WM & TD On And again
• DH out coal & turkey shopping Doing
• watch snow Doing
• hang up all Christmas cards arrived this week
• tea x 4
• boys to bed
• Strictly & 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

Christmas:

• cupboard stock up; Started
• get DH to sort specific food (turkey, etc.); Started
• check sister's plans DONE
• get any missing presents for boys
• Christmas email & attach letter
• Christmas FB greeting & send letter
• present for DS2's portage worker

Sorry about the washing anonstuffedbird. I have 3 large mountains of washing and a lead time of about a fortnight. Off to look at the 5 day weather as all our presents are 200 miles away. Could be a spartan Christmas Day

JKS I think things are pretty bad down in the Devon direction atm, but we are on the very western edge of Hampshire and it isn't snowing here any longer - I think things are improving. By Thursday the roads will be clear I am sure.
I'm driving up to Hertfordshire to collect my grandma on Thursday and then going straight down to my parents. Determined to manage it, otherwise she will be on her own for Christmas which would make me very :(