MG - The Matrix Re-wired

Memory_Girl

The photos are of one batch - but my biscotti at the end are about the size of my first finger (which is apparently authentic) - not the length of you hand and as wide as two fingers ones that you get in C**tas"

The "logs" were about 12cm by 30 cm and about 1 cm thick before they were baked if that makes it clearer.

I have now finished playing "Fridge Tetrus" - not a stuffed olive can be, well, stuffed inside. Mum's shop of the bird and a duck (for Peking duck in pancakes), plus a bag of cheese from Dad means that we have more than enough for the duration ................... now where is my snow???? (just kidding Universe)

Now to feed the boys and get hem into bed early as they are both looking pretty weary.

MG

clairewop

Good evening

Sorry not been on , been a bit busy running around after everyone,

Still need to make mince pies, put icing on the xmas cake and other bits

Meeting mum to take her to do the last of her xmas shopping tomorrow

groatie_queen

Enjoying reading about all your Christmas preparations folks. I can almost smell all the wonderful baking aromas.

I got my Christmas mojo at work today, courtesy of an 11-year-old boy with CP and learning disabilities, who gave me not one but two wonderful long cuddles. He just wrapped his arms around me and rested there - it was lovely, and his parents didn't mind - his Mum said he loves cuddles but normally only cuddles people he knows well, but I had never met him before - so I felt it was my Christmas gift from the Universe.

Today's other good news which is of the MSE kind, is my bilateral hearing loss is sufficient to qualify me for a concessionary bus pass. Cor, that makes me feel old - even though it's not being granted on the grounds of age! It will help me be a bit more green as well as helping stretch the budget. I hereby claim a Matrix miracle that I was able to quickly put my hands on all the necessary documentation AND a spare passport photo, thanks to MG's decluttering and organising posts. Many thanks MG!!

My final good thing for today is tomorrow is my last working day this year. Much as I love my job, it will be good to have a break. At present the mornings are so dark, it feels like going to work in the dead of night, full headlights on! Ditto coming home in the dark.

Oh, and the phone just rang as I was typing this, and I'm invited out for a meal at friends on Friday evening. This week just keeps on getting better and better!

Gemmzie

Glad to hear the universe is smiling on you today groatie.

MG - I have baking paper at the ready to line the cups! If any of the mixture makes it into the cups that is, no raw egg so they are safe to dig in!! :eek:

I've got my final day off before Sunday tomorrow so lots to do, so here's to hoping for a good night's sleep and a productive day!

crickett1234

Hello Matrix. Apologies... i have been missing in action for AGES...! Have been trying to keep my head above water, and really, really struggling to do it.

Anyway, had my disciplinary today. I walked away with a written warning which will be expunged from my record in 6 months time. It is a total travesty, but it was the best I could hope for. I am not going to appeal because frankly, I don't have the energy to go much further. I have now broken up for Christmas, so I am now going to forget it and focus on Christmas and the New Year.

I have decided to make a few changes in 2012. I am going to stop getting to work at silly o'clock in the morning; I am instead going to get to work for 9am and work through until 5.20 ish - the time I save in the morning, I am going to go to the gym/swimming so I start the day with endorphins and hopefully get fitter and healthier in 2012.

I am not feeling festive, but tomorrow is my final Carol Concert and then my only singing engagement is Midnight Mass. The tree is up, the Christmas Cards are up and the place is looking a bit festive. Need to swab the decks, buy the Christmas food, do a TONNE of baking and cooking, and get into the seasonal spirit. Before I can do that, I need SLEEP though. That is coming next!!

Lots of love to you all.

groatie_queen

Crickett, that sounds like a good decision and plan with the early morning swimming - something positive you enjoy to set you up for the day, and hopefully the endorphins will inoculate you and protect you during the working day.

Sorry about the carp from the disciplinary but I think you're so right to put it behind you and focus on home life, Christmas and living in the here and now, and have a good rest from all the work shenanigans.

Good luck with getting all the Christmas prep done!

greyfox

I followed the discussion over the weekend and am glad to see that the Thread is still going strong. I read it regularly - even if I don't post that much - and would quite miss your "doings" if it fizzled out.

We were supposed to be having our kitchen decorated this week. (Yes, I know it's crazy timing but I wasn't the one who agreed to the date. Divorce was narrowly averted!) Having spent last week doing all the Christmas prep I could possibly do more than 2 days ahead and Sunday clearing the kitchen, the decorator called on Monday morning to tell us he had a lousy cold so wouldn't be coming. Grrr! Monday was spent gving everything a deep-clean and putting everything back again.

Still, every cloud.. Having "Written-off" a chunk of the week, we decided to go to KIng's Lynn for the day. (I had some complimentary First Capital Connect tickets and that's the furthest point on the route, so there is an MSE aspect to this post!) Who should be in the same carriage (up in the First Class end, which we weren't) but a certain elderly grey-haired lady off on her Christmas hols. We'd guessed there was a VIP on board by the number of FCC "suits" on the platform at KIngs Cross, but the penny didn't drop that it was the Queen until we got to King's Lynn! (Needless to say, we'd been far too "British" to look down the carriage to see if we could see anyone.) Something to tell the grandchildren, if I had any. (Actually, as I don't have any children, and will be 60 next month, there's not much chance of that!!)

Thanks for the reminder about Hanukkah, MG. According to my diary the first day is today (Wednesday 21 Dec). Chabad.org gives the dates as 20-28 Dec and - just to add to the confusion - About.com says "Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 20, 2011 (Wednesday). (sic)" ! I polished my late MIL's menorah on Monday and was planning to use it this year but can't find any candles to fit it. (It's a scaled-down version). Will have to be next year now.

If I don't post again before Christmas, I hope you all have a good one.

GF xx

tellmeitsfriday

Ah, payday. I love payday Somehow makes you feel a little bit better about going to work..

Anyway, paid credit card (I use it to get cashback - now that's the MSE geek award to me today!)

Last day at work before my holidays - I have a lot to do, so if you see me hanging about, please tell me to go away!!!

Keep smiling (from miserable damp Devon)

Memory_Girl

She should have been honoured to meet you Greyfox - you could invite her to post on here. All those houses, such a big family - betcha she is feeling the pinch this year too;) Well its all relative isn't it??

Big one is back to school today - but I have been up with the little one since 2am - usual story, three days of cold, not quite at the competent in blow in the nose stage ......................... so ear infection. Off to Doctors at 10 past 10.

Usually you get to see a Nurse for this kind of thing - after all ear infections are pretty easy to diagnose ......... so no idea why he has been granted an appointment with the Doctor.

But slow cooker is on with braised red cabbage and mealie pudding is in the cloth ready to be steamed ............ so early mornings have some advantages.

On Christmas eve we are having Crispy Duck with Chinese pancakes as we have scored a decent sized duck for a fiver - does anyone want the "process" posted as I have a recipe from my mates Chinese Grandma?

MG

greenbee

Memory_Girl wrote: »

She should have been honoured to meet you Greyfox - you could invite her to post on here. All those houses, such a big family - betcha she is feeling the pinch this year too;) Well its all relative isn't it??

I wouldn't be surprised if she was in fuel poverty with the size of her heating bills

Memory_Girl wrote: »

But slow cooker is on with braised red cabbage and mealie pudding is in the cloth ready to be steamed ............ so early mornings have some advantages.

i've had an early morning too... Downstairs is all clean, a load of washing has been done, I'm showered and dressed and breakfasted and OH has been fed breakfast between work calls. Next stop online meter readings and paying a couple of bills, plus dealing with a couple of bits of work admin i couldn't do yesterday because my boss was behind on his approvals.

Memory_Girl wrote: »

On Christmas eve we are having Crispy Duck with Chinese pancakes as we have scored a decent sized duck for a fiver - does anyone want the "process" posted as I have a recipe from my mates Chinese Grandma?

MG

might be a good one to save/schedule for Chinese NY