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

FeistyFidget

Nana, how is the decorating going? Would love to see in-progress pics Has DH finally come round to the idea of the wallpaper?

Well despite it being a Sunday I woke up at the same time I do for work And as my back hurt, I just couldn't get back to sleep - decided to be pro-active and nail down the final figures for the shop money. It's scary, but not as scary as I first thought. I am now in a bit of a quandary - As of May last year we have been officially debt free (except the mortgage) and I was so chuffed that we'd managed it! Now it looks like I have the choice of getting a loan for £1800 and paying over £200 in interest for the privilege of doing so, getting stuck in rigid monthly re-payments and having to pay an early repayment fee to get it cleared before we apply for a mortgage next year. The other choice is to (almost) max out both over-drafts and be able to pay it back quicker, with flexible re-payments and (hopefully) much lower interest fees. The big danger of this is obviously we will have no (or only a tiny) buffer should the shop sales not take off over the winter months. I have a meeting with the bank on Tuesday and I know that they will force me into a loan.

For the last few months my bank account has been almost £250 lighter than usual and although I knew we'd had a bill increase of almost £100, I couldn't figure out the rest. After needling down every single payment, I have found out that DH has neglected to transfer £120 for one of his bills and I'd taken on paying for the petrol too. I know I sound like a moody mare (as DH is not working due to ill health) but there has been a fair few times that he has ordered himself cheap 'treats' off the internet. I am now quite miffed that these payments add up to a fair old whack and would have greatly contributed to the shop sale price Men!

mrsinvisible

morning, sun shining, washing out and sparkling dew on the (overlong) grass. A robin sitting on one of the chairbacks on the 'patio' winter tubs looking good and the few remaining summer tubs still bravely flowering. How lucky I feel, and priviledged too.
Nanamia, do you get writers cramp? Your detailed replies are ace!
Feisty I know how irritating it can be when 'they' don't follow the script, once he gets involved in the shop though it should change.
Junior-J all this and tinsel too? go you, wishing you well, and pain free.
Freespirit hope you enjoy the cake. it is a firm favourite here. (one even I can make!)
Today I may try to clean out the inside of the car but it is a marathon task.... off I go, bravely into the uncharted carscape well , after another cup of coffee. xxx

System

Morning ladies- IKEA was a bit of a waste of time there was nothing christmassy but we did find the perfect wardrobes, all we bought was a box of cutlery.

B & M wasn't much better they were only putting a bit of tinsel out although if anyone is looking for mens wooly hats they have a really thick one for £2-99.

Thanks for the slushy maker link earlier Ive been wanting to get dd & oh one but wasn't willing to pay full price.

DD starts college tomorrow ,she is a bit nervous but hopefully she will settle quickly.

The house is officially sold stc :T the buyer wants it all sorted withing 6 weeks , he is a 1st time buyer with his mortgage sorted :T

murie

Own_My_Own wrote: »

That is lovely.

I could be MSE, go to the woods and cut a bit of a tree.
Is that illegal ?

This is what my DD and her friend did for their prom decorations. Over a couple of weekends they collected interesting branches and sprayed them white, cemented them into flower pots sprayed silver and strung battery operated (pink) lights (£shop) along the branches with pearl strings and 'crystal' dropper hanging off the branches. They looked absolutely stunning! My dining room looked like an enchanted wood-made 12 one for each table at the venue. They were soo cheap- cost £43 for all of them (although she did go to a local chandelier shop and beg for any spare crystal droppers they had and was given a big bag full!).
At the end of the evening the teachers were all fighting to take one home!
For a winter wonderland theme you could sprinkle with a little iridescent glitter (or silver) as soon as you have sprayed them. And its a LOT cheaper than £30 from hobbycraft!:T

redbooties

Can anyone recommend a good Christmas app I've been searching the App Store but can't seem to find any that I like

nitnurse-not2

Ruth-Honey . I have a quick and easy recipe for mincemeat muffins if you are interested.
Free spirit66. As you are going to be spraying the frame etc today, could you not find a branch similar to the one Pinksteps linked you and spray that too?
Just read further and see Own my own has the same idea.:rotfl:
Murie. Your description sounds beautiful.:j

86 days….Woohooo……..

Own_My_Own

Good morning

Not sure if I'll get Greenleaf up today. Robbie is teething and it's not good. I have already thrown one baby grow away this morning. And I have twinged my back picking him up.
If he improves later I will pop to the Range and get the spray paint. If not, it will have to be tomorrow after work.

24MKshopper

Hi There everyone, ive been reading this thread for days, im hooked!! Any chance i could have the recipe for your mincemeat muffins please nitnurse, they sound yummy! X

Own_My_Own

:xmastree: week 12 lists :xmastree:

Own My Own
Mount Greenleaf in frame
Buy paper cups and make wreath
Make one tree
Buy one household item for winter box

Flowfy
Wrap 6 present
Cook 4 things to freeze
Pick crap apples and make jelly
Plant Christmas hyacinths and put in shed
Go shopping on Friday to Lush and other shops
Plant 2 Christmas hanging baskets

mrsinvisable
Write 10 cards
Buy cranberry jelly
Design adult advent calendars and source materials needed

Crowdpleaser
Buy 3 nog perishables
Mock up candy cane sleigh
Move stuff from wardrobe to locker at work
Clean the fridge ( it's minging :rotfl: )

debndot
Buy more fabric
Tidy the conservatory to store more Christmas items

murie
Wrap another advent calendar full of pressies
Make 3 handmade cards
Clean freezer

Pinksteps
Wrap presents in brown paper, ready for stamping
Tidy/sort craft stash

quidsy
Find candy canes

ALJA
Look on Pinterest for Christmas party ideas
List what you already have and what you still need to buy.

choccymoose
Decide where to go over the weekend of 14th Dec .

FeistyFidget
Finalise gift list, and hopefully buy most of remaining gifts.

mrs-moneypenny
Finish 10 items for craft stall
Start the decoupaged stocking for friend
Cook the Christmas cake

MrsHayes
Investigate what cards/wrapping paper in loft and buy what is needed
Finish getting bits for 4 stockings
Finalise present list

Hanley25
Buy baskets/boxes for hampers
Start making hampers up

pinknfluffy28
Trim and spray all twigs collected today
Buy pots, glitter and lights for them
Wrap at least 6 presents
Get rid on stinking cold !!!!!!!

freespirit66
Find mince pie recipe, and buy ingredients
Find present for my friend
Stock up on cough medicine, paracetamol etc.

madco
Buy at least 10 items for store cupboard
Top up medicine cupboard
Find present for 3 year old girl
Wrap the presents I got this week

Nanamia
Take on NO MORE cooking/baking (doing anything really) for others
Carry on with decorating lounge
Write cards

ELJAYCOCK
Finish shallots
Cook Christmas cake
Write food list

CHRISSYG
Write all Christmas cards
Put Radflec behind the radiators.

pinknfluffy28

junior_j wrote: »

Thanks guys saw a surgeon today they want the bolt in for longer I have been in so much pain head wise this afternoon but more so tonight! My friends did surprise visit me earlier which was great just makes me miss home more!!

Can't reme,ber much again

What is this Xmas magazine you guys are referring too?

I want to make more gifts this year for some originality and money saving lol!

Be back later x

Hope your pain free and on your way home soon hunny, big hugs x

Own_My_Own wrote: »

That is lovely.

I could be MSE, go to the woods and cut a bit of a tree.
Is that illegal ?

Im guessing its only illegal if you get caught! I'm going to be on the look out for fallen twigs etc over the next few weeks to make my xmas day table centre piece and window ledge decorations!

24MKshopper wrote: »

Hi There everyone, ive been reading this thread for days, im hooked!! Any chance i could have the recipe for your mincemeat muffins please nitnurse, they sound yummy! X

Welcome x

Im feeling rather sorry for myself today, I have got a couple of mouth ulcers and a stinking cold! Unfortunately I had promised the family I would make my homemade quiche for lunch and then we could all go (and I quote) "a lovely long walk with the dog"
I am already looking forward to my pjs and a hot chocolate this evening!