Swagger Inn 170. Autumn is here with a vengeance. I think we'll just hide under the duvet --with HBFs-- until Spring.

[ApricotCrush]

Aaaand, here we go again...

Washing, wildlife, work, with the occasional HBF thrown in yes please and thank you.

*title edited by MNHQ at OP's request.

Have a lovely evening out Apricot - we did similar at Sainsburys today, though I think we didn't forget stuff, so much as couldn't actually get it.

Glad to hear that FancyDCs are all reaction-free.

Most of today was spent being a taxi, with lots of hanging around (aka writing overlooked xmas cards, reading my book, etc). Tonight we have lasagne for tea - yum!

Lasagne

DS & I watched an old episode of Only Connect this evening - had a proud moment when he got the answer 'YMCA' Earlier today DD admitted she has a playlist with Glen Miller & the Andrews Sisters on We agreed that 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' is a banger

Evening wenches.

Dentist here too after work. All fine thankfully. Also went into Sainsburys which wasn’t so bad but the car park (small shopping park thing) was rammed.

Hope you’re having/have had a lovely evening Apricot.

I still remember DS2 getting an answer quite early on Only Connect and was very proud of him . FancyDD showing some excellent music taste there. Unsurprising.

Tree looks not too bad and they remembered the super traditional Star Wars decorations

Work was stupid busy and I suspect it will only get busier as the week goes on so I think I shall be having an early night. So with being late in and knackered, presents wrapped remains at nil.

DH is doing his usual “oh I’ve thought of something else we can get one of the DC/my mum/me” less than a week before Christmas. Very nice - off you go and buy it then, I’ve only been asking you since the middle of November. (We do already have nice things for LovelyMIL by the way).

Morning wenches - allegedly morning as it still looks like the middle of the night out there.

Going to try to squeeze in some errands before work.

Have super days wenches,

Morning all. It's cloudy, but I think I saw some blue sky in there too!!!

That's all. StupidKitten has been killing a potato sack this morning, and SensibleCat is curled up on me while I work. I need to do work Xmas emails today.

Afternoon
The office is quiet today - it's rather pleasant

Supermarkets busy round here too - I am hoping to avoid them now, assuming my Christmas plans go ahead. I do have a small emergency turkey in the freezer just in case......

Evening. We've had DGS here all day so nothing has been done Christmas-wise. I've also got him tomorrow on my own as DH has a golfing day. What the heck do I do with him for 9-odd hours? Answers on a post card.

Lol at CuteKitten killing a potato sack.

Evening all.

How old is DGS now Apricot? can you put him to work cleaning chimneys? Interminable board games? Teach him to play cards? Bake? (I've no idea any more - DS isn't interested if it's not TV or computer screen...)

DH is also chattering on about wanting to pick up last minute stuff here. To be fair, I don't think I've given him any ideas for me, so he's having a bit of a panic. (I don't think he'll be able to get hold of Athos-Dipped-In-Chocolate.)

We also picked up an emergency turkey for the freezer. Unfortunately they didn't have any small ones left, so ours will feed 8-10 people. We will be eating Turkey until February!

Evening wenches.

Card games sounds a good idea as Helen suggests for DGS Apricot. If he’s old enough to concentrate on it, teach him solitaire/patience . Other than tv, nothing else to suggest. Or if it’s nice, give him a broom and get him sweeping up outside

I think shopping is almost finished, couple more things to get. I have wrapped loads tonight but need more paper.

Extra tired so I will definitely have an early night. Probably.

Morning wenches.

Not only did I not get an early night because stupid, but I had a rubbish sleep too and none was HBF related. Still, only two days to go.

Have a lovely day with DGS Apricot. Is he old enough to try knitting? Might as well learn from an expert.

Must brave Asda on the way in because it’s either that or M&S when I get to work. No thank you.

Been foodshopping today, traditional Swedish Christmas food, like cheese doodles, chocolate icecream, oh and pickled herring, salmon etc.

Watching ”The Bakery on Portobello Road”, nice movie, with added bonus Rupert Penry-Jones.

Evening. Thanks for the many and various suggestions for DGS wenches. He's 11 Helen and like your DS would spend all his time on screens if left to his own devices. (See what I did there?) He did ask to go outside to do wheelies on his scooter this morning , so he has had some fresh air but it has mainly been TV and his phone. He's no trouble though and has always been a good little boy.

Ooo, like the sound of cheese doodles and chocolate icecream, not too sure about the pickled fish.

Evening wenches. All round to Wicked’s for Christmas! Not heard of that film, I shall look it up.

Left to his own devices You sound like my mum talking about my two when they were little Apricot

DH is telling me he still has to buy wine and other bits and is sounding a bit, not panicked exactly but sort of panicked. He’s been busy though. Obviously I haven’t. He’ll be fine though - he doesn’t seem to mind going in the shops when it’s busy, whereas I hate it.

Pickled herring is delicious Apes, that’s why we have tons of it at the supermarket, all kind of different ”flavours”

Busy shops are a nightmare Letus

Evening. I don't seem to have posted today.
Lovely frosty morning today - cold and crisp. That's probably why I never actually posted - too busy admiring the outside world and trying to defrost the chicken's water, etc.

Work was work-ish - lots of stuff landing in my inbox from people trying to get their inboxes clear by sending queries to me. Joy. And I spent the day double-fleecing and wearing fingerless gloves (because I couldn't be bothered hauling the electric heater into the room). Then went out to a friend's house for a couple of hours... and came home 4.5 hours later.

I do hope that's not the fermented herring stuff that you're talking about Wicked .
at 'left to own devices'.
DH has also been very busy. To be fair, he has got stuff done - replaced a dripping tap and picked up some presents for his parents etc. Now he's a teensy bit sloshed after 4.5hr visit to friend-with-wine and is trying to play guitar.

Yuk, God no Helen, that stuff is revolting

Bit of a late finish today, couldn't face doing a few final bits and bobs for a particularly disorganised client in January, so did it tonight as it's my last day at work before the holidays.

Bonus Rupert Penry Jones.....

Morning wenches.

I read that as defrosting the chickens Helen and imagined you putting little heated jackets on them. Did you feel the need to put DH’s guitar in a safe place?

Save me some doodles Wicked!

So are you finished for holidays now Fancy? Hurrah if so!

Last day for me today woohoooo!

Morning all (just about).

I sent a work email at midnight Fancy (mainly because I realised the computer hadn't gone into hibernation, so when I opened the lid to sort that out, I saw my inbox. #dedication #stupidity)

Hurrah for last days LetUs - hope it's a laid back one, and not one where everyone empties their inboxes into yours

Glad to hear you weren't talking about the fermented stuff Wicked

Pic from a Swedish supermarket, lot of choice 😋

Blimey ww! Mind you, full supermarket shelves are rare enough lately, never mind the content! The latest thing I am having trouble getting is dishwasher salt

Afternoon. I've spent most of the day sorting this year's photos to put on CDs for the DC.

Those are impressive shelves WW. Looks interesting.

Yay for finishing work.

at little heated jackets on the chickens.

Evening. We are watching Die Hard. Should probably be packing to visit the InLaws. Hmm.