Swagger Inn thread 163 - it's raining --HBFs-- rain. FML...

[SisterHelenoftheEternalCatchUp]

Emergency new thread, with suitable decorations.
Fill your boots...

Grubby HBFs in leather are in our imaginations residence.
Sense of humour required, and tolerance for domestic tedium.

in its element

Yay for puns and cats with appetites!

Am trying to finish the cards.......

Morning wenches.

Dark and very frosty/icy here. I mean I know it’s December, but I’m not keen.

Did you finish your cards Fancy? He’s keen to know....

Also dark, but not frosty. Just squelchy underfoot.

Today's morning wildlife haul includes two buzzards calling, eight swans a flying, one goose a honking, two ducks a flapping, various chickens clucking (and insisting that it's far too early to get up) but no partridges in the pear tree, or anywhere else.

In other "Why I am leaving my job" news, I got my secret Santa gift... it's a pretty boxed set of... something I am am notorious in the office for not liking. FFS. I choose to believe that it came from the new-ish person who also works part time and only sees me about once a month. And that she didn't bother to ask anyone what I liked. (Any other conclusion would require me destroy all my handover notes and tell them to figure it out themselves.)

Have a good day all...

Afternoon. The oven was indeed in its element and was fine. It might have taken a little longer to get to temperature, but that's ok.

No presents wrapped so no surprise there. However, I did go to town to get a few final bits and pieces. Then this afternoon I did the food shop, but OMG DH came with me to get the Christmas booze. It's a nightmare, he takes charge, puts stuff in the trolley I don't want, has no till etiquette and drives the wrong way round the car park. I'm a wreck by the time we've finished and have forgotten half of what I went for.

Watched Responsible Child last night. It was good though difficult to watch and left me with unanswered questions. The child actor was brilliant, he's the grandson of Shakin' Stevens.

Yay for the wildlife Helen, but boo for the work colleagues. They don't deserve any help from you.

Evening wenches.

Impressive wildlife there Helen. It sounds lovely.

The less said about your soon to be ex colleagues the better. Tosspots.

I read about that programme. Sounds like it was very well made.

Went out for lunch and have only just felt like dinner now.

I also feel like those.

Early night as DH and DS1 will be watching The Apprentice.

All cards written and posted Well I hope they have been posted - DD did that bit for me. Also got a phone call from very happy parents as they received their Christmas goodies from me today, relieved that all arrived safely.

I was properly chuckling at your description of MrA at the supermarket apricot

I can add in a parakeet in a fruit tree helen? We may have to improvise. Boo to the crappy secret Santa present - I did ok this year as they had clearly asked around what I like. Sadly Aramis, Aidan, FafZaf, Armie, Kevin-the-decathlete, Damian, Chris-the-bassist.. were not within the budget, but I was happy with what I got. I'm still peeved at the candle I got one year - I hate the bloody things, not to mention having the second most floofy cat in the land - Buffy will forever hold the title of most floofy

Evening, have been out at SportingActivity Xmas party, which was fun. And now I'm in bed typing with no glasses. We'll just have to hope for the best.

Glad to hear that the oven is working again Apricot, but at MrA's version of 'helping' with shopping.

I don't think that FAF really fits into the whole work-based Secret Santa scenario, irrespective of budget. I think that if I suggested 'Athos dipped in chocolate' as my ideal gift, I'd just get a selection of blank stares. Though FAF is more than welcome to dress up and Santa and invite me into his grotto to sit on his knee I should think that the santa suit would make quite a comfy rug too, once it was discarded on the floor.

PS - hope Wicked got to the cinema...

Morning wenches.

I wrapped a few presents last night. Wenches winning at Christmas.

Hmm yes, cats, especially floofy cats, and candles do not mix.

I like that Secret Santa idea Helen. Which HBF is behind the fake Santa beard? And yes, that elf can definitely stay . Elf on Myself - a different position every day.

In RL news, both DC finish school/college today so DS1 has missed his bus and there’s not much point getting the later one because he’s only on half a day today. It’s not his fault obviously

Did you make it to the cinema Wicked or are you making Kylo wait so he’s extra keen?

No Kylo yesterday, it really sucks, I waited two years Coughing and feeling extremely sorry for myself and no Christmas feeling what so ever. And I have to stay away from the internet to avoid spoilers. #Firstworldproblems

:-( ww, hope that cough buggers off soon

I have woken up with a cough too FFS good job our lists don't overlap, so no sharing of medicinal faf required.

Right, work. Laters......

Elf on Myself I'm not going to the local 'grotto' to check who's behind the beard though - it will only end in disappointment (and being barred from the shop).

DS is off school from today, so he is on the x-box. I had plans with a friend which have been cancelled, so I will have to look at work stuff instead. Boo.

for Wicked - whilst wearing a HazMat suit.

Afternoon. Nothing much going on here, went to the dentist this afternoon, just a routine visit.

Still no presents wrapped.

We started watching Gold Digger last night. It's quite good.

at Elf on Myself.

Poor WW, hope you're feeling better soon.

Evening wenches.

It’s been weeing it down all day. The drive home was particularly exciting what with the pelting rain and the surface water and dickhead drivers weaving in and out of traffic and running red lights. Such fun.

DH has said he’s putting the tree and decorations up. I’m leaving him to it. There’s one box he didn’t get down from the loft. Guess which box has got the Christmas cards (which I no longer need) and the gift labels in it? It’s just going to be easier to buy another roll of labels.

Been wet this afternoon, but ok the rest of the day. Nowt exciting going on though - DS has been on the x-box most of the day apart from swimming this afternoon. I ought to be getting sorted for xmas travelling #1

Watching Jurassic Park, just love Jeff Goldblum in it.

Love Jeff Goldblum

We’re watching first episode of Vienna Blood. Enjoying it so far, although I’ve had to look away a few times.

Watched 2 Watchmen. Still confused and clueless. I've got vague memories of reading the original and of who some people are, but I'm not convinced it's helping much.

And it's bloody late and I'm not remotely packed...

Morning wenches.

Forgot about Watchmen. I’m equally clueless with it so at least when we start watching it again, it won’t be a surprise when I don’t know what’s going on. Tom Mison’s in it so I shall persevere

It’s still weird getting up and ready for work when the DC aren’t going to school. You’d think I’d be used to it after all these years.

Morning
Felt awful last night so went to bed early. Still feeling crappy, but could be worse - ibuprofen definitely helping. Time to get in the shower which should wake me up a bit, laters......

nooooooooooo!!!
Packs HazMat suit for Fancy as well.

Wet and rainy and a bit grim here today. I haven't even ventured out to do the chickens yet. Am a bad chicken owner.

Afternoon. It's been one of the daaaaark days before Cristmas as my dear Mum used to say ominously. Rained all day.

Well I started the wrapping but DD came round with DGS so that put paid to that.

Oh no Fancy, hope you feel better soon.

We're going to the golf club do this evening. I don't want to go.

Evening wenches.

The HBFs are obviously not making wenches feel better. They shall just have to try harder

nope, no idea where she is

Off out tonight to the cinema with BestFriend to watch Cats.