Soop's special kitchen for like-minded folk and treasured pets

Maw that does sound a much better idea and people will not be stressed out buying so many presents.

Call me mean and miserable but I got fed up looking for months for presents for friends who have everything so we agreed to forget about presents. I send one cheque apart from cards- sheer bliss.

All my GC prefer to have hard cash for Christmas and birthdays, but would be disappointed if they didn't also receive 'stocking filler'gifts - jewellery or accessories for the GDs, but the GSs are another matter - 10, 12 and 13 with widely varying interests.

Agreement is that I only give presents to the dgc
( and if she keeps on having them, I’ll rethink that! . She’s 44 and had 3 aged 1, 4, and 6 )

Christmas is a nightmare here, 5 children, 4 with husbands or wives, 7 grandchildren aged 26 down to 9, 1 Great grandchild, another by the following Christmas. If I thought that they`d go for your idea Maw, I`d jump at it!

We did Secret Santa for adults for a few years, worked very well. Last year there was a suggestion from one part of the family that we just bought gifts for children. That was even better . This year we have one adult renegade who wants to go full circle and buy individual gifts for adults. Tempted to just let them get on with it but foresee much negotiation before we come to some sort of agreement. At least the hints from the children are clear - if pricey. How about a return to oranges and nuts in a sock??

I do think the days of MUm and Dad buying the “big”present should be seen as well and truly over. They are no longer starving students while we no longer (in our case) have the disposable income we had when we were working.
A top limit of £10 or £20 if you have a lot of adults to buy for does not seem unreasonable. I set that for my 3 “besties” and also the DDs’ in laws, posh hand cream or a scarf or a necklace etc for the wives, something edible/drinkable for the menfolk. I also keep my eyes peeled for Internet sale offers and 3 for 2 offers in advance. It IS the thought that counts and one should not be thinking “oh dear I can’t afford this”or “oh dear what on Earth do I get for Auntie so and so”!

I only buy gifts for the GC and we take the whole family to a hotel for lunch.

harrigran the meal out must be very pricey.

When my SIL had 3 children only, they received nice clothes from me but when the number increased to 11 it was long before that I decided to give a cheque and hoped that it was spent at the local supermarket so that they could at least have a decent meal instead of the usual rubbish, not recognising the brown, lumpy stuff (mince) or a whole chicken when they stayed with me.

When my DSs were young, we always kept the big presents for birthdays and minor (but welcome) presents for Christmas. That way the expense was spread over the year - although DS2's birthday is a mere 3 weeks after Christmas!

DD was a bit miffed when her SiL suggested that the family only buy Christmas presents for the children. SiL has 4, DD and partner sadly have none.

Hello all.

Just popping in as I sit in Kwak Fit getting a tyre replaced.

The packing is going down a storm .3 lovely young men in shorts have swept through like.locustd. they estimate that they'll be done by 2pm . Then back tomorrow to load the beds and fridge etc.

I'm VERY impressed. They're all lovely .

As for Christmas presents , lovely idea Maw. We have cut down for grownups but my pleasure is to indulge my little ones and long may it last ;-)

Haven't been able to catch up so hope everyone is doing well not too much poorliness and you're all doing well!

N&G Put those three lovely young men in shorts down this minute. You know that you've far too much to do and need to conserve your strength.

oldgoat The pretty box in which the lardy cakes arrived is on my dressing table. Cake scoffed. Pretty box remains.

harrigran I like the idea of treating family to lunch at a hotel. No cooking, no washing up, and time for plenty of blethering. Perfect!

Christmas presents for seven grandchildren ranging from 28 down to 7 years of age. I mentioned once upon a time that they may prefer it if we donated what we'd put aside for them to charity. Needless to say...the silence was deafening!

The washing machine finished it's cycle at least an hour ago. If I leave the contents much longer, I'm sure to discover that at least one item has had a colour run. Don't you just love it when that happens.

N&G couldn’t you find an excuse to photograph the nice young men in shorts to share with us and brighten our day too?
Glad things are going well.
Three rules of moving
1) don’t lose the kettle
2) don’t lose the corkscrew
3) in the event of either 1) or 2) failing, have a local pub/chippy/Chinese or Indian on speed dial.
Oh and don’t pack the phone charger!

Maw

Adding last night's sunset for Granspals who like such things.

moon]

That was meant to be and I shall return tomorrow.

Hello the kitchen! Well, N&G we are on countdown now - queue is forming for the charra as we speak! Glad the packing is going well. Keep your mind in the task in hand, please. If you’re going to let the sight of young blokes in shorts distract you I will have to ask Grampy to put blinkers on you!! Agree with Maw though; get yer camera out!
I have just come back from our new Ikea with DD. We went on the tram - which was a novel experience for her as she is surgically attached to her car - and it took us practically door to door. However, environmentally sound as this is, it only really works if you DON’T BUY ANYTHING!! Although we stopped short at flat pack furniture, we did throw the above advice out of the window somewhat and struggled home with all sorts of space filling stuff. It was very busy there. We had lunch but getting served is a long drawn out business and the cafeteria is so large that by the time we got the food to a table, it was barely warm, but as they say, it filled a hole, and the coffee was good. It was a nice for both of us because we don’t often get to spend a day together and we had a laugh.

I have had it with our Medical Centre.
Why was I told at 1.15 that a Dr would ring me back as a matter of urgency when the whole place, Drs, nurses, admin staff, phones and all shut down at 1.30 (for “staff training”) until it reopens at 8.30 tomorrow morning?
Perhaps the “staff training” could include communication skills.
If I hadn’t gone on line to see if there was a result from 2 specimens I took in on his behalf on Tuesday, we would not have known Paw has had a strong a/b prescribed for a UTI and I imagine the earlier he started the med the better. Fortunately took a chance and called into Boots who had to look for the prescription but were able to give me the a/bs.
I had been ASSURED by a receptionist, yes I mean you Charlie, they would have rung (yeah right, when?) which is frankly unacceptable.
Apparently CQC instruct them to SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY with no emergency back up other than 111 or 999. I cannot imagine what the emergency walk in centre would have been like this afternoon and evening.
I can hardly wait to tell them what I think tomorrow morning. What possible excuse can they come up with?

Oh mawyou give it to them with both barrels Tomorrow x,xx

Morning All. Taking a break from the flipping admin. Have just taken on a voluntary community role which will trigger some more, am I mad? Better get ours under control first.

Maw that experience should be unbelievable, sadly all too believable in a lot of areas at the moment. I hope you can get some sense, an apology at least and above all that your husband is OK.

Your Ikea experience made me laugh, greyd, we've often said public transport is out with an Ikea trip, as you say it's not the big things. We tend to bulk buy things like batteries and napkins, they take up a surprising amount of room along with the things we pick up that weren't on the shopping list Dangerous place . We often avoid the food, it does seem difficult to get to the table with a hot meal unless it is really quiet.

Hope all is going well n&g, definitely hang onto the kettle and wine to go with the corkscrew is always good. Maybe there will be a photo opportunity today? The only reason of course is we would like to see the people who are being so helpful - no matter what they are wearing

Right, onwards with this wretched paperwork. Finance this morning, my least favourite. Mr C has a physio assessment this afternoon so best get a wriggle on. Take care all, especially with the weather tomorrow.

Maw I feel your pain. You have every right to spit tacks. On the other hand, I had a knee X-ray appointment within two days of consulting our local GP. Arrived at just before 11:00 this morning, X-rayed and out again by 11:25.

Greyduster Does anyone visit Ikea simply for "a quick look around"...doubt it. We haven't a branch near here. I think that the nearest is a lengthy three hour drive away. Your trip sounded like fun. It was a day out treat for you and your daughter. If it made you smile, it was well worthwhile.

N&G Deep breath. The moment to embark on your new adventure cometh. I may need to raise a glass of cheer in your honour later this evening. and a plenty.

corner You are about as mad as the rest of us lot. Stay safe when storm Brian comes calling. It is difficult to believe that we're in for yet another heavy dose of wind and rain. There is barely a ripple on the sea. There is not a whisper of a breeze. The ferry is enjoying a calm crossing.

Some years ago Paw devised he needed a new study desk from IKEA and chose an L shaped unit. Our car at the time had a huge boot but when we checked the box measurements it was going to be just too big. So did we hire a roof Rack? Or pay the £30 delivery charge?
Oh no.
(He was working in Bournemouth at the time only coming home at the weekend. )
So.
The following weekend he brought a Skoda Roomster home on a 48 hour free trial having spotted this when getting his car a Skoda Octavia serviced.
We took the back seats out of the Roomster, drove it to IKEA loaded up the desk without difficulty and on Monday morning he delivered the car back to the garage in Poole saying he would definitely think about it when he came to change it

Flipping iPAd!
DECIDED grrr

PS
Issues with Medical Centre sorted out amicably, it always helps not to antagonise people doesn't it?
Still think the receptionist who failed to tell me they would be shut is a prat and their staff training system equally bonkers.

Maw

Away to strip the bed and remke it with sweet smelling, freshly laundered bedding. If I could, I would be like Her Majesty and have someone do the job for me every single day. I love slipping between fresh sheets.

Good night from me. All being well, I shall join you again tomorrow.