Evening all!
Comment allez-vous?
Just diving in and out to say hello to one and all!
Will it give the wrong impression if I say that our alcohol cupboard is perhaps the only place in the house that doesn't need decluttering on a regular basis 
This is very sexist thing to say but I am a bit 
at a dh who can wrap presents Foxes! I am very admiring though! 
Mine wouldn't know where to start - a present actually bought on time presented in a crumpled carrier bag is about the best one can expect from him at Christmas! To be fair, this is always one of his busiest times of year though! Top marks to your dh!!
If it is any consolation, Christmas is making me nervous too!
Dates in diary for entertaining (more specifically, hosting) are filling up and up and whereas I used to handle it all reasonably well, I seem to get more and more anxious as I get older, whereas it should be getting easier 
.
I am still very "rabbit in headlights" at the prospect of what has to be done between now and 21st (when guests start arriving). And all of the stuff that is happening the week before!
Currently sorting dd presents in to two piles; one for St Nicolas tomorrow (when dc here traditionally receive their presents) and one for Christmas!
As usual, I was worried I wouldn't have enough to stretch to both, and as usual, there are plenty and its taken ages to remember where I have hidden them all.
Recovering from absolute hideous but blessedly short gastro yesterday so haven't done huge amounts as still feeling rather weak and wobbly today. Made it to our new old property and it is lovely but there is so much to be done it is ridiculous. We were meant to be able to be sufficiently organised to move in at beginning of month but everything was delayed because of legalities rumbling on and on and on ... and because vendor wanted to stay on for a bit longer too. Now it looks like we will be lucky to have it even basically habitable by Boxing Day. Actually, we'll be really pushed to do that.
On the positive front: I have found my Christmas file which contains addresses and present lists and recipes and vital info such as names of new babies of relatives and friends etc born throughout the year and everything necessary to send out cards and buy age appropriate presents etc (although have done most of my shopping now thank heavens).
Still mahoosively behind with everything domestic. House is a total pit (have done nothing save for dettol-ing door handles and taps and what have you).
And dd is under the cosh with exam prep and doesn't seem to be feeling terribly well again with sore throat and shivers.
Need to make some chicken soup ... .
Sorry - that was a total "brain splurge" and not terribly interesting again.
Hope your dd is feeling better Cotswold? There are a lot of bugs about!
Your lists look v impressive indeed Toostressy
Enjoy the take out Cag Hope inspection prep is going ok.
Hope Dreamingoutloud Wombletor and all newcomers are doing ok!
Big waves to Purple (and the gps) Scuttl Stilliving Blue
Feetheart Dogsbum Greymalkin Newchick Afreshstart Fromwestoeast Honu and loads of fledglings I have inadvertently missed!
And is that Mercury I see down thread? Yay! [Waves]