*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

freespirit66

Evening everyone, hope everyone is well,
FEISTY oh god they do like to drag it out dont they, suppose when they get paid by the hour oh DH doesnt sound too good, hope he sees sense and lets you just ask hospital for advice, even if only for your peace of mind. Oooh you sound a bit more up for doing the cake cases, if they were advertised in the right place i think you would sell lots, so many people are into baking right now ha ha that made me laugh, glad you can relax and work at the same time, multi tasking!!! Those wedding name cards sound gorgeous, right i am being thick again what are seed bombs? I am intrigued.

caitlyn22

Well the meal-planning smugness only lasted until today, when I was crossing the road at FOUR O'CLOCK and remembered I hadn't switched the slow cooker on!!! OH made beans on toast when I got in instead, that's love (and limited cooking ability) for ya!

Saw my mum again, she was a little brighter than I expected, but obviously the antibiotics are knocking it out of her. Her appetite is still good, which is reassuring - this is my barometer for everything, I'm happy as long as she's eating! Took her some wedding pictures I'd had framed but she didn't understand what they were, bless her.

Feisty, pleased to hear your OH is recovering (though I'd not be able to resist a sneaky 'casual' call to hospital about the breathlessness!) I'd find it a bit frustrating about the employer, but I've seen quite a few friends go through similar battles and even when they've been utterly in the right, it's still taken a huge toll on them going through the drama of legal action or making a claim. I think sometimes it's easiest when there's a clear-cut end to a situation or problem, so maybe for your OH this is it. I remember when I was 16 my then boyfriend was made redundant and when asked for the reasons, the employer said "you were last in, so first out". I read up on the law and decided to go to ACAS, who rightly advised this wasn't fair, nor in the best interests of the business, nor my boyfriend, who was an apprentice at the time. Anyway, everyone in his family told us we were being troublemakers (small town mentality!) but the employer eventually settled out of court and my boyfriend got £4k. If the same thing were to happen again now, I'd be much more sensitive to the employer (SME), the bigger picture (my boyfriend was a tradesman so immediately employable) and the time and stress it undoubtedly caused everyone. That sounds like I'm being soft now - I definitely think there's a time to stand up and fight, but equally, not fighting shouldn't always be seen as settling or giving up, sometimes that's the bravest and best thing to do!

I'm new to Etsy so didn't know they did the cupcake wrappers cheaper on there. Could you personalise them in some way? Ones with words/messages would be wonderful! My first thought when you said seed bombs was that if we had married in this country our favours were going to be handmade birdseed gifts like these: http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/birdseed-wedding-favor-hearts-easy-and-inexpensive-diy/ but actually I think you might mean those things embedded with wild flower seeds that you throw away?! Or perhaps something else entirely...I am intrigued!

Haven't been keeping an eye on Tesco/Asda Freespirit so thanks - that's already two I was missing!

Nanamia

:bdaycake: Pinksteps :bdaycake:

So sorry I'm a little late, hope you've had a good day xxx

Freespirit feels a little weird that my night owl buddy is now up with the lark! Still only for a week, it seems to be suiting you tho, you are getting loads done:) well done you xxx
I'm in a bit of a muddle, I like to leave the house tidy (ish) when we go away so do I start now or is it too early? Downstairs isn't bad, well doesn't take much but our bed room and the spare are dreadful -feel a bit ashamed that my poor friend/neighbour has to go into them whilst she's looking after the house! She won't care it's just me! Do I do a deep clean and just keep on top of it or wait? Thought it'd be an idea to follow the fly ladies but failed on Monday
Caitlyn oh you poor love (and of course your DM) sending hugs, let's hope she's very quickly on the mend and there will be no need to move her. Things seem to be looking up on the work front for you xxx
Feisty loving the signature well done it's really coming on. If DH wasn't having breathing problems before he went into hospital then I think a quick ring is definitely called for. Come on girl use you charm you can persuade him it's the right thing to do xxx
Noodles saw some/lots of 1D things reduced in Asda this evening might be worth a look. X

Nanamia

Nanamia household has had a lovely day, filled with love and laughter. Playgroup this morning when two more people noticed I'd lost weight DGD2 was too cute for words, she is such a joy to be around. Then her daddy picked her up and DSiL rang to see if I was free so she called for a coffee and a chat. She is such a superstar and she says the nicest things. Today I was just making the drinks and she said (just from nowhere) "Do you know I'm so glad you are my sister in law?" Aww bless her she's adorable and such an inspiration Bit of shopping as I'd run out of fruit (can't live without it now ha) and over to see my friend (who's recovering) she's looking great too, more chatting, love and laughter I really am so very lucky
Treat day tomorrow DH (much as I love him) is going fishing, a few hours peace and me time I think night night xxx

FeistyFidget

Nana, sounds like you had a wonderful day The weight is just melting off you now! You're doing so well. If it were me, I would start the deep clean/organizing now and then you can just keep on top of it with regular cleaning

Freespirit, I will have another look into it - I had some cute Valentines ones, but I never got round to baking the cupcakes to photograph them! Shop bought felt like cheating, but I know my OCD will kick in and I'll never be happy with my ones.

Caitlyn Those birdseed favors are so cute! Was tempted to make some for an upcoming craft fair until I noticed that they mould pretty quickly! I would be lying if I said that I had never forgot to put the slow cooker on Luckily I've remembered at lunch time so just put it on a high heat, but if you're at work and can't get to it - nightmare!

I need some vegan slow cooker meals as I've completely fallen off the wagon I won't lie, I felt that I needed some cheering up with DH in hospital and food is always my pick me up. Luckily despite eating my weight in comfort food, I managed to drop a few pounds

Seed bombs are basically pulped paper mixed with dried flower petals and seeds. They look similar to bath bombs, but you plant them and get beautiful flowers They are quite eco friendly so figure they would appeal to a lot of Summer weddings. Not sure I can compete on prices again though. I refuse to make one or two pounds an hour for lots of hard work.

I can personalise the cupcake wrappers with pretty much anything. I could even do monogrammed cupcake wrappers for weddings (although these don't seem to sell so well on etsy?!?) I did make an icing stencil earlier in the year which I still haven't put in the store! Photo phobia again

Gettingtherequickly

This may be something to think about as gifts. Was looking on Ebay for crafty type things that I can take to Egypt with me and have a fun time with the kids, and found leather thongs in various colours and quantities at a good price, so will probably make bracelets or necklaces as gifts for Christmas. They are coming from China, currently winning 10m for little over a £ with free postage, so really cheap and plenty of time for delivery. Have previously ordered 925 silver pendants and not had an issue, so they are potentially nice gifts, cheap, and personal.

girlinayellowdress

Thank you for the birthday messages. I just had a quiet day contemplating things. Next birthday is my 50th (highlight to see) so I am setting some achievable personal goals for then.

This afternoon I am picking up some paperwork from my mum to see if i can make sense of some PPI that she is not sure if she has paid. It would be nice if I can claim back some pennies for her and also sort out her finances now dad has gone. The more I can trundle through will make it less to pay out to the solicitors in the end.

Think i'll have a coffee before going though.

freespirit66

Evening everyone, hope everyone has had a good day, sending hugs to all those who need them, these early mornings are killing me :rotfl:i had to go back to bed and slept for 3 hours this morning, plus all i want to do is eat (i am terrible when i am tired i am constantly hungry) and drink coffee (although its decaffeinated so i dont understand that) but it is worth it DD1 is absolutely loving the course.
CAITLYN lol about the slow cooker that is exactly the type of thing i would do glad your mum was a little brighter when you saw her
NANAMIA ha i didnt get loads done today all i could manage was load the DW, and hoover and mop :T all i felt like doing was play mindnumbing games on my phone! I would do a bit at a time, you would be surprised how little and often works and then just keep on top of it, it is surprising once you get into the rhythm of a bit every day, it just gets easier, my trouble is i get loads done one day then the next i have got no motivation grrrrr :mad: I actually cleaned my oven :eek: usually my DS does it for me because it is so low and my knees just cant take it, but when he did it for me the other week i thought i should regularly clean it so it didnt get really bad, you should have seen me i had the brainwave of dragging the dogs bed (a leather square beanbag) into the kitchen then i was spreadeagled on that cleaning the oven :rotfl:IT WORKED ha ha. but because it wasnt too dirty it didnt take long. Glad you had a lovely day with your loved ones
FEISTY hope you had a good day, is DH breathing any better?
GETTINGTHEREQUICKLY what a fab idea, i always ignore the ebayers from china etc thinking i wont ever see item, but if you have used them before that is really handy to know, thankyou
PINKSTEPS glad you had a good birthday, ooh are you going to post your list????
Right night everyone must go to bed or i will never wake up, i am behind tonight

Nanamia

Thanks for the advice my lovelies think little and often might be my best hope, just at the mo I can't be bothere as I always say to BFF things are so much easier when I'm in the mood. I've time if I start seriously this week tickling around each room as usual and concentrating on one room a week then keeping on top of it. If you've any spare motivational vibes can you send them my way pleeeaassee xxx
I lie here in bed posting feeling full of enthusiasm for the following day, only to wake and feel like doing nothing. Need to get my act together NOW.
Had a full day today with DH out, could have got loads done but DD came with DGD2 and we chatted the day away! Tomorrow is taking old lady neighbour to the warfin clinic which takes ages:( Not looking forward to that and should be shop till I drop day so we will see what I can get done! Blooming hek I sound miserable I'm not just fed up I can't motivate myself ha. As DD says its the "way I roll" ha xxx

Pinksteps I'm on the iPad or phone and I can't see the highlighted! But I do hope you share I think you are being a bit hard on yourself you've achieved so much over the last few months and enriched the lives of those around you. Please don't forget that xxx
Feisty bless you the weight is far from melting but I've lost a stone and a half in 11 weeks and its nice that others can see the difference now too, not just the scales
Freespirit hope you've managed to get some sleep you'll be back to normal next week. If you are motivated tomorrow could you blow some vibes my way please? Even every other day would be so much better than at the mo. Thing is I love to chatter, I can't deny it, I'm surrounded by such lovelies and have been reminded on way to many occasions that life is too short so when I get the opportunity to spend time with the people I love I do and boy can you tell by the state of my hovel!!!
Gettintherequickly I can't believe how organised you are planning craft things to do on your hols I too have had a few things shipped from Hong Kong and been delighted at the speed they've arrived. Have fun in Egypt x

FeistyFidget

Thought I was going crazy - swore I had been on to post 'today' only to realize that it's now past midnight and therefore not 'today' anymore lol.

We have the GP appointment in just under 9 hours and I can't sleep Worked myself into a tizzy over finances and have spent the last 4 hours working out predicted annual turnover for this year and figuring out net profit percentages. I stupidly looked at how difficult mortgages are for self employed and then realized that we would be lucky to get enough for a one bedroom flat - not ideal when I work from home. Have calculated that if I hit my deposit target AND get an extra £3k from god knows where (miraculous current flat profit maybe?!) we 'may' get enough for a £150k property. It means throwing myself at the mercy of the bank and begging they take my bank account activity into account (money in and out, no late payments etc) I hoped once I had some positive figures I could relax, but no