September Dryathlon

Good afternoon gang - not my usual time but not sure I'll get on here later! DD and diva 2 still staying, organising for my dm to spend a couple of days with db (phew) and getting ready for a couple of days in Birmingham! Meeting up with friends and family for a Gin Masterclass tomorrow afternoon, followed by dinner and cocktails. Then overnight stay and the Christmas Markets on Sunday - couldn't decide whether I should go or not but was finally persuaded - I'm always at the end of my phone if my dm needs me I am looking forward to a 'normal' night out

I'm a bit confused now as I had decided not to make a christmas cake this year (being gluten free and stuff not sure I can be ar*sed it's such a faff and the dc/dgc don't even like it) - but now I've read the posts I'm wondering if I should have made the effort - has anyone ever made a yule log...? I'm wondering whether to have a go .....

Anya - I hope you managed to exit the small cupoard without harming yourself Also, thank you - you reminded me that I need to do readings for my mum as well ...

Diva 2 came home with her words yesterday - she is Angel 6 - so now mummy is hunting down an Angel costume for Monday!!! The Christmas chaos season is well and truly under way ....

I do hope the house move is still going ahead Ana - and that everything is falling into place - such an exciting scary fun time to look forward to in the New Year..
roses - just get the dgc to decorate the tree and then you can blame thank them for all their efforts - even if it is a bit wonky
Maggie I think I need to follow your efforts at limiting screen time before bed - but does that include my kindle as well...? DH came up to bed the other night to find me flat out with my mobile on my face blasting out the Archers Omnibus!! It's taken me until today to catch up with it on i-player...
mind you I have been getting a bit worked up about bloody scheming Rob and I am tempted to invite the Grundy's here for Christmas lunch - at least they could bring a turkey ... LOL

Personal training session went well this morning, steps objective achieved yesterday and I'm looking on target for today as well. I need to get a move-on now, a quick shower, some shopping and then time to pick up diva 2 from school - oh man I wish I could bottle her energy

jg, your weekend plans sound just wonderful - I do hope you enjoying it all! DH and I have had a lovely day at the Manchester Christmas Markets today, but it only involved a mug of hot rum punch and a bratwurst in a bun apiece, not a speciality gin or a cocktail to be had. The annoying thing is that as we got off the train in Manchester, I realised my pedometer was still sitting on the bathroom windowsill I swear we walked at least 5 miles (including a lot of back-tracking and confusion when we got lost - twice), but I've no way of proving it

I'm an Archers fan too! Well, I claim to be. We usually listen to the Omnibus while ploughing through the weekend papers, so to be honest we never really have a clue what's going on.

Apparently a Kindle that isn't back-lit is fine and doesn't count as a screen but can still knock you out when it lands on your face I have two, a Fire to read on the dark Winter journeys to and from DGS2's house twice a week, and a bog-standard e-reader that's kinder to the eyes.

Christmas cakes? I love making them, but hardly anyone in my family likes eating them - fortunately I can always find somebody with taste to take three quarters of the cake off my hands, otherwise I would be eating it all myself (and that would call for a heck of a lot of extra walking).

Off to put my aching feet up now for a relaxing session in front of the box with a glass or three of Have a pleasant evening, all

enjoy it all, not enjoying - Anya is quite right about my lax English!

Evening all! Had a rain-free day here for a change so managed to get out and about in the town centre, although the pre-Christmas panic seems to be building up already, it was busy everywhere.

Didn't quite make my steps target but will have a go on the trampoline later - no Anya the room it's in doesn't face the road thank goodness!

Here's a confession - I have never made a Christmas cake in my life! No one in the family is particularly keen, although I used to buy one to decorate with little Christmas figures when the DDs were young...

I have got one string of tinsel draped over the mirror in the living room and one Christmas card on the mantelpiece so far - really must get organised, although I'm with Anya on the tree front, it will be the same tiny one as last year, so much easier to put up and put away.

Not much happening moving-wise, at the moment my purchase seems to be progressing faster than my sale, which is a bit worrying...

Good to hear all your news, jg and maggie - sorry, can't look back at the previous page to see how Anya's doing but hopefully she'll post later!

I forced myself out in the truly 'orrible weather today to yomp a mile up to the crossroads for the bus to town, rather than jumping on at the end of the street (I did ride all the way home though, one can have too much of a good thing ). That and a good trek round the shops buying my last few Christmas stocking fillers got me my target. I have to say I'm well-impressed by my bargain hunting today in Poundland. A shop I never went into when I was working, but I now know its value! Sneer ye not, ladies! Its rainbow nail varnish was recommended by my DD's beauty guru, Sali Hughes, recently, so I snapped up the last four bottles in the shop, along with a cute little cuddly penguin and a snowman bobble hat for the Rotary shoebox. Then I got a voucher at the checkout for £5 off an £8 personalised chocolate Santa at Thorntons. Not for the first time, I was left wondering how on earth they make a profit!

I got down the Christmas decoration boxes today - I have a lot of them - and got quite a few cards written whilst blubbing listening along to It's a Wonderful Life on the telly. I'm starting to feel proper festive, especially now I've downloaded myself an interactive Advent calendar and my Christmas candle's burning on the hearth (DH claims the scent is suffocating him, but he'll get used to it)! Once I get those decorations up tomorrow, there'll be no stopping me.

Everybody okay? I'm assuming you're all too busy with normal life and Christmas jobs to post on here!

Not feeling quite so festive today . Decs still not up and the cards are just sitting hopefully in a pile waiting to be displayed. Up at 6 today to come to DGS2's for the day, I noticed on passing that the freezer door has been left ajar, so it looks like the North Pole in there. Very festive , but I suppose Old Ma Christmas here will have to clear it when we get home tonight (defrosting is my least favourite job and I only did it a fortnight ago ). Perhaps I'll get my steps in marching crossly with bowls of water twixt freezer and sink... Ah well, the day can only get better - hope your Mondays are looking good!

Actually Maggie if it wasn't for the people on this thread, I'd be giving GN a long, long rest.

Sorry you're not feeling too festive, but all that running about with hot, steamy water will give your complextion a boost at least. Just come back from a reiki session so feeling very chilled. Wondering how JG is, as I know life is throwing her lots of curve balls just now.

Had GDs all weekend from Friday school run and until last night, and then GD1 again this morning as she's running a virus with a nasty, barking cough. Had us up both nights in the wee, small hours with said cough, so was boiling kettles to generate steam at 2.00 am & 3.00 am and .......

Usually I'd turn our shower into hot and steamy, but the one here won't cooperate.

Ah! The joys of poorly grandchildren. The snotty noses, the germs gifted to freely and lovingly, the grumps and cuddles and needy hugs

Don't blame you Anya, not all threads are this snarl-free and supportive!

I must look into finding a reiki practitioner in the New Year - haven't got time now - sounds as though the sessions are having a positive effect!

Bummer about the freezer, Maggie, especially as you'd only just defrosted it! Mine's supposedly frost-free, which is a good thing as it's a job I hate.

I hope jg's doing OK as well, I expect we'll hear from her when she's got a few spare minutes with all that's going on at the moment...

Lovely day here today, the sun's actually been shining and no rain!!! Had a quick trip into town to look for something DD wanted but came back empty-handed. I'll have to scour the internet (again).

Still haven't got my tree up, but will try and make the effort a bit later on. Don't seem to have much energy these days, I blame the weather...

I blame old age Ana ( we are the same age, so that does the both if us!)

Of us, eek, hate the iPad.

Oh no, I was hoping it wasn't that! Sigh...

Nowt to do with old age Roses my knees are the same age as each other and only one ached!

I did a lot of 'steps' today looking around the local garden centre, particularly the Yankee Candle Stand, where all the cinnamon votives and melts had been sold. I bought a couple a month ago but have used them up, they were so lovely, bought Christmas Wreath instead, they smell rather nice too.What a trivial life I lead.Came home and flumped into a chair,exhausted and went to sleep with my boots still on.In my defence, had a busy day before I went out, helping Mr R in the garden.
Had two phone calls from different friends this morning moaning about family and Christmas ( a bit like the thread AIBU) made soothing noises but felt actually, they were being unreasonable and demanding.Christmas seems to bring out the worst in some people.
Still haven't done the tree or written any cards.
Am eating less this week, and feel better for it, and am having a dry week as well, so may feel a bit ratty, and the newly purchased second bottle of Baileys is calling..... Must resist ( although as the Daleks used to say ' resistance is futile' !

roses, there is nothing trivial about Yankee Christmas candles. They are delightful. I am using up two half used ones from last year, then I have a new one ready to go.

I've cheered myself up now, despite Frosty the Freezer awaiting my attention when we get home. Ana, when I bought the thing I assumed they were all frost-free now - that'll teach me never to presume!

DGS2 made me laugh today, when he was putting off having the old nappy changed, because "I'm busy doing playing". DH, trying to be helpful, asked who'd made that awful smell, and DGS promptly replied "Nana". That's me outed!

I'm sending your DGD healing vibes, Anya - the only consolation is that they might have got it all over with before Christmas but you might have succumbed to all the germs by then. Keep your head down in the trenches!

maggie our DGS also says "I'm busy!" When asked to do something,( usually playing with trains.) Strange to say, DH often says the same thing to me when asked to do a chore ( usually playing computer games rather than trains.)

Evening gang!!

Just stuck my head in and saw lots of lovely news, well, most of it was lovely - maybe with the exception of maggie's awful smell ...

I've been catching a few of the curved balls this weekend Anya and Ana - I spent Saturday afternoon in a Gin Masterclass in Birmingham - it was the best fun I've had in ages - lots of tasting, making cocktails, meeting new people and generally shutting out the real world!! This was followed by a lovely Thai meal - first time for me! and then meeting up with more family to enjoy the German Market and ... oh yes... a few more beverages

We spent Sunday morning investigating the new Grand Central shopping area above New Street station - John Lewis's was very impressive!! stopped for a and On the way home, we thought we would just pop in to say hello to my mum - arrived to find all the curtains closed, lights on, but nobody at home ...... I was a little worried but rang around a few people and it seemed she had been picked up and taken off to church and a carol concert!! It was all very last minute... I spoke to her later and heard all about her adventure

Sadly, this morning, she called me to say she hadn't seen me/spoken to me for ages and had I forgotten about her ...? She had no memory of our conversation last night or our lunch together on Thursday....and that's the way dementia goes I guess. Enjoying all the good times and finding a way through the bad.... (((heart emoticon)))

Roses and Ana - time to get festive - - my tree's been up for so long already I'm already thinking of taking it down ... - clearly dgd's will never allow Grandma to do such a thing .... Every time I open the fridge door I am greeted by the maltesers advent calendar that diva 2 left behind on Saturday morning - I don't dare open the next door - she will surely know ...

I do love a scented candle at this time of the year so I hope you track some down roses and it sounds like you were talking to my m-i-l this morning - Christmas certainly seems to bring out the worst in her.... I've never known her enjoy the festive season in all the 42 years I have known her - too much expectation just equals disappointment

Good to catch up and share - hope your dgd is feeling better soon Anya - both of mine have been poorly and generously shared their germs - I think the gin helped kill off a few at the weekend - although not suggesting that as a treatment for the little ones

Off to bed now, a bit of a read - have the paper white kindle so I am able to turn the light down on it - is that OK maggie ...? If not I might have to resort to a 'real book' ...
night night

Jg your post was the 666 post on here! ( sound of thunderclap overhead!)
A gin masterclass, sounds like my sort of thing, with many tastings along the way.Gin kills all known germs, and a few unknown ones as well.
Dementia is a laugh or cry situation ( probably a bit of both?)At least you know you are doing all you can.
If I wasn't on Gnet I could be doing sensible things like putting up the tree and writing cards, but you know how it is, good intentions etc.

Yes, I've got about half my decorations up now, rosesarered, and should be finishing the job instead of checking tootling around on GN. But in my defence I broke off to go and give blood and had a re-bleed before I left, so have been told to take it easy for the rest of the day. As if I need telling twice !

I shall be enjoying a glass or two of mother's ruin this evening at my quiz, jg, but it will be far from a masterclass. It will have tonic in it, but our venue has been known to run out of ice and/or lemon, so we could have a drop of Roses lime juice in there instead... Seriously, your weekend sounds fab and I'm so glad you enjoyed it Bless your mum, she loves you so much.

I've managed over 3000 steps today just by putting up the decorations, which called for many trips up and down stairs. I might just scrape the other 2000 before the day is done if I get my backside into gear in the very near future.

checking tootling around? Please delete either word 1 or words 2 and 3!

Oh such long and lovely posts, I wish I could respond to them all but I've just come back from babysitting GDs (yes, on the mend thanks) as it's DS's 43 birthday today and they went out for a meal. This and other things mean I've barely any energy left and falling asleep over my iPad.

Just looked in to say well done and keep going everyone and will try to be more ...whatever...can't find the words...tomorrow x

Oh bless you Anya - a long day - and tiring.
Hope you get good night's sleep and feel a bit more energetic tomorrow. I do think this time of the year is very wearing - even as Grannies - these little ones wear us out with their visits to Santa, Christmas plays, carol services and normal babysitting duties!! But we are up for the punishment pleasure always Take care A xxx

Roses - I didn't hear the thunderclap but I could still be in a 'gin' haze ...LOL Hope those good intentions kicked in today and that bloody beautiful tree is now upright

Oh maggie - I haven't given blood for ages - I used to do it regularly and then I underwent a whole load of dental treatment which prevented me and somehow I never went back.... Hope the quiz went well and the gin sharpened your mind ...

I have managed to do over 7,000 steps today and I didn't even leave the house ...!!!??? I've been doing housework, cleaning floors, cooking and trying to stock the freezer for the before-Christmas visitors - two lemon and lime tarts in the freezer tonight and a beef burgundy planned for tomorrow.... oh and a huge pile of ironing done.... ((yawn emoticon))

night night all

Thank you JG and I did indeed sleep well - one of the best nights sleep in years. Possibly the combination of reiki and the bath I had while babysitting (a rare luxury as have to settle for showers in this rental).

Jan, my reiki person suggested I try Epsom salts in the bath and gave me some to try in a white ziplock bag. When I got to the self check out at Sainsburys it did the usual 'please wait while we verify your bags'. The assistant came across, glanced in my bag (empty but for the aforementioned plastic bag of white powder) and did a double take. He looked at me strengely, then quickly ok'd my bag with his little plastic card

Well done on your 7000+ steps yesterday. You have been very productive

Good on you Maggie for continuing to be a blood donor. I used to do it but gave up about 5 years ago after Vlad the Impaler a particularly clumsy doctor mangled my arm in an fruitless attempt to insert the needle. Put me right off? Am I too old now? How did your quiz go? Fancy getting a GN team to go on Eggheads perhaps?

I'm glad your hanging on in here roses we are building up a good core of whacky interesting posters. And as Ana so succinctly put it this is a 'snarl-free' zone.

DH has volunteered to take GS1 & GS3 to school this morning so what can go wrong?

Well, I feel I could sleep for a week right now, Anya, without the help of your bag of crack Epsom Salts. DGS2 has just insisted we walk home from Toddler Group on this cold and windy day, me steering an empty pushchair one-handedly and erratically along the busy pavement, him bouncing his toy dinosaur along every wall and hedge and emitting loud dinosaur noises, stopping inexplicably to belly bounce every lamppost. Ah well, I do have 7000 steps under my belt now, even though the last 2000 took around an hour....

We should be home tonight in time for a quick wee before dashing to our local history society, where I am on wine-serving and washing-up duty, and then I'm heading straight to my reading group. Both involve wine, and one will probably involve a little zzzz, unless the speaker is either extremely interesting or extremely loud.

Our quiz went well - we chalked up a rather impressive win - but I can't in all honesty claim much of the credit. The Eggheads' reputation would be safe if they were up against me.

Phew, maggie I feel tired just reading your posts! Quizzes are good for ' the little grey cells' but not after too much haha.
Did the Christmas tree today and all the Christmassy touches around the house, as we have DGC popping in on Friday.still haven't written any cards though.Leafed through the Christmas TV Times, with a biro, ticking things I want to watch at Christmas ( an hour well spent )

I was just about to post that maggie's activities have made feel exhausted!

I've spent most of the day trying to get on track with Christmas things, have bought GDs' presents and got most of my minimalist decs up, although am a bit narked because one of my lovely flickering flame artificial candles seems to have given up the ghost - have tried replacing the batteries...

Bought stamps as well, so at least I have no excuse not to get the cards written and sent off! At some point.