In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

Earth stood hard as iron, my heart like a stone.

Have had glass of fizz and am feeling no pain. Awaiting lash tint.

Gorgeous photo, Rose.
x

Had champagne and heading into town. Any of you want to join me for a drink?

Christmas dinner mark I concluded. Heading home.

Have been snoozing on a sun lounger all afternoon. Will wander into the town soon for wine,tapas and then a meal. Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow and don't feel too sad about the empty places at the table. 20 years on and I still have a weep for my parents on Christmas Eve, it always gets to me.It would be very odd if it didn't.

Packing. Suitcase too big and has breakables. DP unsympathetic. Need advice - do I try to cram everything into a smaller one or pad out with eg my down coat?

Dd and dh down with Festive Lurgy. I was out bright and early to bring tidings of poorliness unto dd's employers (her phone had died and I couldn't locate their number). Have managed to hack through all of a massive to-do list in 2 days, despite fuck-all help from any of my wheezing and spluttering sidekicks. Was struck down with seasonal melancholy this afternoon, but managed to pull self together with aid of a glass of Chateauneuf and some naff olden days Christmas choons.
Have given all livestock bar Stroppdog their presents a day early (pretty sure the hamster, chickens and fish are unaware of the date). Stroppdog keeps presenting his stocking in the hope of it being stuffed with a fresh supply of stinky treats and squeaky toys very soon.

MI, I would go with taking a larger case and padding with coat, as you suggest. Have a lovely and uplifting trip.

Aw Magi.
Glad you are lolling on beach chair. Read that while looking out at Storm Conor and thinking is she bonkers? weljel of warmth.

Done Donetty done done. Just a choc log to run up now for dsis. < passes out>

Have a lovely evening girls ....

for Crem.

I am working on a plan to provide the poor with heat and light by attaching electrical conducty things to Crem the Almighty Perpetual Motion Machine (Hug)

Stropp dog is da best. WAF cat getting his first stocking. dd2 desperate to just get rid of today in slavering giftlust. Saw her list of ways to effect this which included 'help mum tidy' - patriarchy lesson fail although he's done lunch and dinner today and will do cooking tomozz. Also 'Watch TV' and later 'binge watch TV'. Both DDS have been surprisingly helpful and we've had zero spats though the night she be young

And plenty of R&R. Wishing all Crepeys a good Christmas/Hanukkah.
Dd and dh have dragged themselves from their sickbeds to partake of sirloin steak. So they are appaz not as poorly as all that.

Oops, X-post Waf. You should accompany dd1 on one of her jaunts to the coast in the spring, and we could meet for fish and chips and a nice walk on the beach. 😁

Special Christmas Wishes to Stropdog. May his stocking be ever full.

Have cracked open the prosecco, and now CBA to cook dinner.

Borrowed medium sized suitcase from neighbour. DP threw wobbly that He Has Done Everything (fairly true) and I couldn't even pack a suitcase properly (untrue and unfair).

Am feeling unhappy

Am feeling unhappy and unChristmassy and wish I lived somewhere else with other people.

Oh MI, bugger it. Let him steam. You will be out of the country soon my love. All will be well.please don't feel unhappy.

I just want someone to feed me roast potatoes until I fall asleep. ( not happening) > waf

Medium sized suitcase is perfect

I've just made a Dark and Stormy

I did contemplate washing out a can of dog food to drink it out of, but CBA!

Hot ham tonight. I'm fishing around in the gravy for cloves, but my glasses keep steaming up.

Just remembered dd2's present in the garage! Desk chair needs assembling

You must come over here, MI and Crem. I will feed you roast potatoes and make you hygge.

Seriously, it would probably help...dd is kicking off...she has the remnants of this flu bug and is ratty. Probably only a baby puppy for Xmas would sort her out (not happening).

Have just watched Rogue One, which while not remotely festive was very good. Then had dinner in Turtle Bay. Once again, not entirely tradish, but hey... we're 'making our own traditions'.

To rebalance matters, we've left out the traditional plate for Santa and reindeer (we reckon there is also a Phillip and Tony who never get a mention), with carrot, sherry and a Lindt teddy (Tescos was out of mince pies).

Just the stocking and santa gifts to wrap and we're done.

Spent only 12h at home between Germany and cosy cottage, with result that I forgot the presents I'd already bought, wrapped and hidden

We're all a bit ill, so feel justified in snuggling down in front of the fire. Had a lovely picnic-type lunch with beloved friends today, followed by father-daughter table football (Big Fun). DSis1 doing family lunch tomorrow, I've already baked my contribution.

Have a peaceful and restorative time everyone. I'll think of you all as I stroke my imaginary puppy (not to mention DDog, who is having exciting dreams at my feet)

Thanks in part to Herbs' post, I've remembered strategies for dd: pour Prosecco into her; produce wonderful Xmas chocolate treats from M&S; make sure ddog plays with his Xmas toys.