Blimey I've just planned what seems a campaign!

Well done. I have to sort my timings out later.

and the strategic fall back plan is???? Sorry!!

A tantrum??!!

whitewave that wore me out just reading it!

We have high winds here and just hoping there are no power cuts!!

A campaign - yes, recognise that, even though DD is doing Christmas for us. My poor OH cannot understand what is happening, even though it is very simple. I have had to draw a sort of flow diagram - tomorrow to stay the night at DD's, Christmas lunch with more family, then home - he just cannot get it! - and now he is worrying that they may not have anywhere for him to wash or shower - they live just up the road and we know their home well obviously! He is studying his diagram to make him feel more secure!

Sounds like a plan ww though not a simple plan! In order to stick to it, my advice is to keep off the sherry/champagne.
Luckygirl..... your poor DH, it obviously feels very worrying for him to actually stay overnight.(Do you absolutely have to?)

Point taken roses - but I am struggling to maintain some sort of normality - we have stopped doing so much and I would like to hang on to what I can - I suspect that next year will be even more difficult. My DD especially wanted us to be there for the children opening their stockings, which will be lovely.

I know he will have a lovely time when we are actually there and my lovely children will jolly him along and take great care of him - and it will be nice for me to share all of this a bit.

I am sure that we will finish up having a brilliant time and I am looking forward to it.

My plans have gone to pot already! I've had the family all afternoon. They've just gone off to find the holiday cottage. I was going to make pavlova shells this afternoon, but ended up using the eggs for adding to a fish pie to feed them all. DH is bringing some more from work when he finishes at 10 pm. So, tomorrow I have pavlova shells to make, Christmas day veg to prep, turkey to prep, and all after having to clean Waitrose starting at 04:00. I'd better go to bed now and try to get plenty of sleep, ha!

Must move my a---s as supposed to be at Marks at 7.30 - 8 to pick up my order. Blowing like mad out and can't really be bothered, but have no choice.

I was feeling a wee bit smug, safe in the knowledge that my Christmas Eve and Day meal planner was on my phone as it is every year, just to adapt slightly to this year's menus. Sadly I've just opened said planner and instead of my trusty list of put this in/get this out of oven/hostess trolley/fridge at such and such a time, there is nothing. A blank sheet. Nada. Zilch. I am not a happy Christmas bunny (or elf perhaps?). Back to the drawing board I go....

I only have to cook the turkey crown on Christmas day morning then jump in the car at noon to take it to my daughters who is cooking for us and that's my plan.

Plans all to pot - DH and I appear to have flu!!

I do a time schedule as well especially after the year I drank too much champagne and got in a bit of a mess!!

I know what you mean luckygirl albeit for different reasons. Because of Gracie (old, and I refuse to put her in kennels any more) I have the perfect excuse to stay at home overnight, but it also suits DH who can be really unsettled away from home. A hotel is fine, but he doesn't relax or sleep well in another house. You choose your "battles" don't you?

Lucky, it's your Christmas too and, as Daphne says, you need to pick your battles!

Interesting that your DH doesn't like staying overnight in the homes of others, but is happy to do so in a hotel DB. Mine is just the same. He says it's because he needs to get up in the night for the loo. I point out that many people our age do have that need, but he's not happy. "Pick your battles" so true.

Just back from Marks -absolutely bucketing down and blowing a gale. Easy parking though and sailed through Marks so not too bad.

Bit tired tonight -early night me-thinks.

kitty what bad luck!! Keep warm and well liquidised - if that's the right word!

We're having Christmas at my DS's house, round the corner, though I shall be doing the cooking as he's divorced. Most of the veg will be prepared/part cooked tomorrow, and I'll cook the turkey crown and gammon at home before we go round there. Thankfully he has two ovens, two warming ovens, a microwave and a steam oven, so no problems juggling everything! Which is why we go there instead of him coming to us

Oh no, kitty, I do hope not proper flu. Fingers crossed for you. Xx

Sorry, that was such a sexist comment - 'as he's divorced' . To qualify that, let me explain that he really has never been one to do much in the way of cooking - though he is perfectly able and did a lovely full roast dinner recently for himself and his boys! Sorry to all you men out there, I really didn't mean it the way it came across!!!

Oh kitty I'm so sorry to hear you're both feeling so ill. Really hope it clears up over the next 24-36 hours and you manage to enjoy the festivities.

kittylester my commiserations, DH and I had it last week. We are over it but I am still feeling wobbly and lacking energy.

Take care; paracetamol was the best thing to get rid of the aches and pains, warmth, fluids and rest.

DH mentioned toilets, creaking floorboards etc when I said we were staying overnight

Flu for Christmas - oh bugger. Sorry to hear that!

DS cooking - he has a small blackboard set up in the kitchen with the timings on it.
More organised than I ever was!