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

jakesbakescakes

Picnmix good work!!!
Island mum really feel for you, hen partys always seem to cause a financial stir. I am sure if you had known the whole cost upfront it would have helped you make an informed decision - hey ho. Now if you were to cancel would you get your flights and accommodation costs refunded??? I agree, if you decide to still go it will be worth talking to the other girls to clarify the rest of the costs first. IMO I think girlie times are very important - especially once you have a hubby and family - most people will probably agree that as more and more of your friends settle down you will probably see less and less of each other. You could look at it as an investment in some quality time with your bestest friends and just accept that it is an expensive treat! Could you extend your length of time in UK so that you could combine some visits to other people or places (so you feel you are getting more value for money?) The TTC issue is tricky but personal - of course if you find you are unable to drink alcohol everyone will immediately guess why - would this be ok or does it put added pressure and ill-ease onto you? I guess you need to weigh it all up and decide what's best for you. It really is a tricky one but don't feel bad towards your family-they will not suffer for a weekend of your absence and in my experience, will usually appreciate you a whole lot more on your return! lol! I do hope you can make a decision you feel happy with hun xxx

girlinayellowdress

Finally got a date for my DS to have his legs put in serial casts, 22nd Jan for 4 weeks to start. That means he'll be in plaster for his 16th birthday. I think his main worry is that he cannot go back to his dancing for a while so I'm going to have to think of some things to cheer him up nearer the time. At least I can be a tad more organised now I know when it's going to be.

weeclick

Not enough time left in my lunch hour to read through the other 5 pages Ive to catch up on but really wanted to reply so will definately catch up later!

jem1276 wrote: »

:jMy fitbit one is on order:j (you lot are a bad influence )

I have a large amount of weight to lose and hoping this will help.

Which of the food tracker apps do you guys use to synch up with it?

MyfitnessPal without a shadow of a doubt, its help me lose around 3 stone (of course managed to gain some back on holiday last year but coming off again slowly lol) Ive been a member there for a few years and would literally be lost without it!

FeistyFidget wrote: »

So my fitbit total goals for today are never going to be completed But I didn't actually plan to start until tomorrow - I was just too impatient to wait :rotfl:

Having a wonderfully lazy day with DH - can't remember the last time we managed this! Have even had a root round the freezer and cupboards and made a list of things to be made into meals - hopefully this will secure a cheap food shop More pennies for Christmas!

No chance of getting anywhere near my goals yesterday unless "sitting infront of tv for hours on end" is one of them lol

Hanley25 wrote: »

Update for you all on the little JR. The owner knocked on every door in my street today to find me and thank me for my help. The poor thing has had to have his leg and shoulder removed, he also needed stitches on his head and has had his teeth wired but he is recovering well and the owner was allowed to visit him today. The lady who was bitten is doing ok too. On a worse note the owner of the nasty dogs has said that his kids are coming to visit this weekend and he's going to see how the dogs are with them before he makes a decision on having them put down!
Anyway Happy New Year, just wanted to update you all as I know many of you have been asking. Off to catch up now.

thats awful, hope the dog and lady recover quickly and thanks for the update! That owner needs a serious reality check if it wasnt bad enough that innocent people and animals have been badly hurt to the "test" your children on the theory is just unforgivable!!


Busy day today in work, all back to normal and now got a full week of slacking to pick up on! Determined to start the year right so demanded no carbs at the family meal lastnight (I realise the word demand sounds harsh and ungrateful but not intended us Irish lot seem lost without potatoes and my family near have to pick their jaws up when I say no thanks!) For once it was ok to just have meat and veg !! :beer: No desert either and nothing to drink other than green tea and water (again much to sisters disguist lol) Still really enjoyed it and never once felt like I was missing anything!

had promised I would go for a walk today at lunch but my usual 30 mins was 15 mins plus 5 flights of stairs as I was desperate to get back and enter a few more comps before lunch finishes! Gym tonight after work, same for tomorrow morning, friday morning and friday night is personal trainer!

Really need to sort out the fridge / freezer / cupboards work out what all we have and what sort of meals I can make with them. Bread has finally gone off today (we dont eat bread anymore so this one loaf was a treat for turkey sandwiches and theres still half a loaf unused!) so need to work out what to do for lunches tomorrow. The usual turkey sweet potato bake is the only thing I can think of right now! Started to work out in my head how to sort out the gifts in the gift box which is now full. Ive already sorted niece and nephews easter presents! Sorted out airing cupboard and now have a whole bottom shelf which I can use for storing any items we plan on selling to give us some much needed floor space back!

Looking forward to a real decent declutter over the next few weeks!

freespirit66

kayandy wrote: »

I've seen on here that a few of you suffer from anxiety & depression!! I'm 21 and suffer from both quite badly I ended up having nearly a year from work then when I finally did feel ready to go back ended up being let go due to finishing my training this has set me back quite alot!! My doctors seem to have given up all they do is change my tablets and send me on my way!! I really hope you can try and get through it with the help and support of everybody around you!! Easier said than done I know!!

Oh Kayandy, poor you i can imagine that did set you back a lot! We are all here for you, i have had some lovely messages of support from the ladies on here! So please remember if you are feeling low or particularly upset over something, let us know.:):grouphug: It makes you feel so much better getting things off your chest.

freespirit66

PICNMIX - Well done, keep it up, it is hard but worth it
NANAMIA - I totally agree with FEISTYFIDGIT about your love and support going a long way in your DSIL recovery
MRSBUNNY - What a horrible way to start new year sending hugs and hope you begin to feel better soon
PINKSTEPS - Glad you have a date for your DS op, like you say you can get organised and work around it, aah its a shame about DS 16th but when the casts are off you can celebrate both (for your special memories)
ISLAND_MUM - These hen and stag dos go on and on now, gone are the days of just going out for a meal and drink, and like you say it costs everybody so much, dont feel guilty i am sure with an 8 mth old baby you deserve some time out and let your hair down, with really good friends.

Snugglebunny8

hello all! well all the decs are now down and put away feel a little sad but hey - the place looks clean and tidy! have done an hour on top of that decluttering so feeling a bit virtuous!

re the slow cooker, there is a gorgeous tasty recipe in one of Jamie Olivers' books that he does in a casserole dish in the oven but I use the slow cooker for;

1 chicken leg per person (can use thighs, drumsticks or breasts if you prefer)

two handfulls of fresh basil torn roughly (you can chop and add stalks if you want as well)

one bulb of garlic split into cloves but not peeled

one box or tin of tomatoes, any type, chopped, pureed or whatever you like, or a couple of handfuls of fresh ones

one roughly chopped red chilli, plus salt/pepper

throw it all in, leave it on low all day, serve over mash, rice or whatever you like, its absolutely delish, everything melts into the sauce and its so tasty and easy

also I like to leave a beef joint in all day with a good slug of red wine, smoked paprika, peppercorns, black pepper and a couple of cloves of garlic, the smoked paprika gives the sauce a lovely edge.

We all love curry but if Im too busy working to make one from scratch, I throw a pack of chicken breasts from the freezer into the slow cooker in the morning, leave on low, then mid afternoon I pour in a jar of Pataks curry sauce, usually the Jalfezi, and leave for another 2/3 hours, the sauce really gets all the flavours into the chicken, then just chop chicken up and serve over rice, everyone in our family loves it, and its a really easy 'cheat[' you can leave all day (and pretend you make it ... ) and saves on curry takeout on friday night!!

hope that helps anyone who just got a slow cooker - I also leave pierced baking potatoes in it and they are lovely for jackets in the evening

msgigglewick

ooo shall have to remember the curry and jacket potato ones! 2 of my girls love curry but the rest of us don't. might do them that cheats one instead of buying the frozen ones one day lol

Got another xmas tshirt while up town this morning.. thats two tops out of 4 i need for this year, pj's wasn't reduced yet so will go and have another look next week. (probably miss it lol)

Filled up my freezer with the iceland deals today (mostly fish fingers, turkey steaks, the battered or breaded children breast type food, ideal for children or one of those quick cook nights) enough for 20 main meals for £23 which i thought was rather good! will save me some money over the next couple of weeks, just need to buy fresh stuff and bits for packed lunches, then milk and juice. Will have to remind self there is no room in freezer when shopping now though lol

westcoastscot

Just popping in to say hi - usually make quite a few homemade gifts over the year but am planning on making almost everything this year. Will go back and read from the beginning, but wanted to say thanks for all the fantastic links!
Right, off to make the beginnings of a plan and shall be back
WCS

Snugglebunny8

happy belated birthday ArchieBear!

chirpychick am so pleased you are doing well, Franklin is so gorgeous!!

Nanamia Im glad they seem to have listened and hope your DSIL is feeling better today, it isnt selfish of you not to want to leave her, really hope her road to recovery is starting xxxx

Freespirit I know what you mean, you always think it's just you! Im always so relieved once the postman has been .. until the next day! its lovely to know there are others who understand how you feel and can try and help and support you, I know none of us would wish it on anyone else of course, but any of us that need support have friends here to lean on, lets hope by next Christmas we have all made great strides in dealing with our demons xxxx

FeistyFidget

Okay, will read back through in a bit but just wanted to share my fab news - as you can see from my signature, I hit the sales big time today!

I only have 9 gifts left to buy for the whole year! This includes Mothers Day, Anniversaries, Birthdays etc - When I think that I spent close to £200 just for Christmas presents last year I am astounded. I usually try to make home-made gifts but money is a big factor and as I know it will cost me more to make something then buy in the sales I have done it this way. There will be a few handmade things to add to presents, but I don't expect the cost to be too much

I am chuffed with myself.