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

Nanamia

Hanley how you doing? I can see you delurk my lovely xxx

System

Laurajo wrote: »

I know how you feel white satin..I used to love the st Nicholas fayre I'm york, but it's just so overdone now that last year I didn't enjoy it!

Mind you, york has a Christmassy vibe through all of December with it's christmas market and lovely mulled wine and baileys hot chocolate stalls, walking through on my way home is a real treat!

we are hoping to get to york before christmas ,do you know which is the closest car park to the center ? wouldn't want to walk too far with all my shopping:D

Nanamia

http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/allergy-news/2013/oct/allergy-peanuts#.UoiqIssgGSM
The mystery solved Freespirit xxx

Laurajo_2

CHRISSYG wrote: »

we are hoping to get to york before christmas ,do you know which is the closest car park to the center ? wouldn't want to walk too far with all my shopping:D

Either castlegate by Clifford's tower or marygate down bootham. Watch out though, lendal bridge is now off limits - buses and taxis only, it's caught out a few visitors and is causing general uproar.

I do love york at christmas time, I think it's one of the most festive cities and I'm so lucky to live here.

Peppapig

Thank you so much for the Taste of Christmas idea Ruth - have been wracking my brain for something to do for someone who isn't into sweets and chocolates so that will do the trick perfectly. :j

Laurajo_2

That taste of christmas is a great idea - I'm going to use it for DHs nana, who's in a home and doesn't get out much and is quite hard to buy for x

Peppapig

Nana, what are you like lol. Sounds like the sort of foot in mouth moment that usually happens to me Great news about the win and what good timing too!

Pink, thank goodness they found the embolism and were able to start treatment. Take care and even if you end up going back in it's worth it for a good outcome.

Whitesatin, isn't it horrible when things go downhill like that - it seems to show everything in the worst possible light. When DD1 lived in Germany and we went to the Christmas market in the local town there it was so lovely - great food (OMG the chocolate covered fruit was amazing) and beautiful stalls selling lovely Christmassy ornaments, nobody drunk despite the abundance of gluhwein and just a general feeling of joy and family fun.

Feisty - glad the news is good re OH, sorry the shop hasn't worked out but the lovelies are right - who knows what's in the future for you.

Well, DH isn't too well today so we're having a pyjama day and gonna watch Christmas films later. I've just eaten two little chocolate Santa tree decs in preparation lol. Have finally found the Christmas card list from last year (I was super efficient last year and saved it on the laptop instead of keeping it on the back of an old card like I usually do) so might start to write some cards later too. Have a great Sunday everyone.:)

Hanley25

Nanamia wrote: »

Hanley how you doing? I can see you delurk my lovely xxx

Hi Nanamia. Sorry I do try my best to keep up with reading the thread but don't seem to get chance to post very often.

I seem to be doing quite well with my Xmas shopping. Think I'm practically done. My friend also helped me wrap some the other day. I was feeling really down on Tuesday last week when she popped round for a brew, so she said "I know what will cheer you up. I'll come round again tomorrow and we'll start your wrapping!" She knows me so well I was well and truly cheered up by the time she left on Weds night. She's one of those people who don't believe in doing anything Christmassy before December so it was a really lovely thing for her to do too.

Got a small family dilema too. My brother split up with his wife this year and it's his first Xmas without his 3 kiddies. He picks them up at 6pm that evening. I have invited him to mine for dinner and have told him to come as early as he likes. The dilema is his bull dog puppy. Don't get me wrong he's a lovely dog but very boistrous and my house just isn't big enough for him especially when I know my kids will have toys everywhere that day. He takes the dog everywhere and I had to bite my tongue when he turned up with him at my halloween party. My 2 small dogs were in their beds in the kitchen happy until the puppy ran in. Then I had 3 dogs and 9 kids running riot in the living room while my brother sat and laughed. :eek:

How do I tell him that he's welcome but the dog isn't? I don't want him to feel unwelcome and I really don't want him taking offence and spending the day alone!

FeistyFidget

Nanamia wrote: »

Sorry being missing since Thursday, did read last night but was too tired to post! Oh my word it is quiet isn't it?

Ruth great minds, I did look on amazon after I'd asked you about the Gavin and Stacey special, for some reason I thought it'd be pricey. I'm delighted it isn't, it's sitting in my wish list now waiting for to be bought. So thanks you. xxx
Nic what a really lovely thing to say xxx
Gettingtherequickly wow you should be very proud of yourself, showing such restraint in ikea What were the decorations like? Glad your you know what has gone! I've had to become ruthless in my clearing out to, just have to do it quickly before I change my mind. xxx
Aliaslotte aww your and your grandmas Christmas preperations are going great. I bet you are so excited for Monday, enjoy it xxx
his missus I agree the adverts do mean that Christmas is on it's way. Woo hooo. I'm not keen on I'm a Celeb but DH loves it, so it'll be on! I'm even a bit bored with Xfactor this year
Msgigglewick congratulations on becoming an auntie to Fletcher, but what a blooming labour xxx
Mrs M you really do say the nicest things. Your posts always make me smile Hope they've managed to sort the problems at DS's winter camp, I'd love to do one of those but I'd need a chalet or motor home ha. Happy birthday to you DD1, how many children have you got (you know by now how nosey I am) have your girls all left home? xxx
Pixtotts it makes me laugh, this crazy country things like the wrong type of snow. Although we were in Oz earlier in the year and they came to a total stand still when it rained, heaven help them if they lived in sunny Manchester X
Lina loving the hamper, looks fab X
Pigpen Oooh Delilah is adorable, such a cutie xxx
Feisty aww such news, a much more positive appointment woo hoo, finally some good news for you both. Belated happy anniversary to you, tomorrow's duvet day and favourite treats sounds perfect. Enjoy. I think I've missed something here, forgive me if I'm mixed up, did you only take a short tenancy agreement on the shop? Did you pay all that money, was it for the stock that the previous tenants left? Bless DH for putting his foot down, it is certainly not through lack of trying that you are not getting the footfall. At least you were brave enough to try xxx
MKGIRL I do love that door mat, I must remember to measure mine. I keep seeing festive ones but have a feeling that mine is a funny size X
Debndot the fair does sound good fun, hope you a great time X
Choccymoose it was such a tonic to read your post It's joy and festivity was contagious, please keep it up. I love it. I'm so very pleased that things are on the up xxx
Princess so glad the bathroom has been sorted. How is DH doing? Are you managing some time together? Another one off to the show, hope you had a great time. Photos please and give that nowty madam on the bed stall a wide berth haha xxx
Mrsinvisible well lady, I do hope you've now paid the sleep bill, and manage to sleep for longer tonight. Your trip sounded good fun. Your preparations are really coming along. Bless you what a darling MiL you are is that the DS that's in china? Whilst gazing at your map of Australia DS is left hand side right near the bottom, give him a wave from me too, I don't have miss my gorgeous boy. xxx
Linky I hope you are having a great time Did chuckle when I read DS's reactions to Mia meeting his Dad. Ha, I really hope she was listening and remembers her masters instructions next time she bumps into any strange man in particular xxx
Mint how you doing with your list, have you got any ideas?
Craftymummy Oooh get you, you are doing well. Can you tell I'm jealous? Ha xxx
Freespirit well I'm glad you've cleared up the ground almond mystery, I thought I was going mad. I've been in a few shops looking, came to the conclusion they must be keeping them somewhere other than the baking section. Well how strange, cos there isn't any shortages of flaked or whole almonds is there? Weird. But least I know now. It's a blooming nuisance cos DH loves frangipane mince pies and they were on my list for this weeks bake! DD has done a click and collect asda order for Monday so she's ordered the ingredients I needed for the baked cheese cake you recommended so will try that
My craft stash finally went yesterday woo hoo. The psychiatric unit were thrilled to receive it too, lady even asked if I fancied volunteering ha if she only knew. You will never believe what I said to her, aww I really shouldn't be allowed out. I looked over at DH and said, "oh I've enough to do looking after him, he's a loon" Oh I wanted the floor to swallow me up. I was stood in the doorway of the kitchen on the unit where the patients were chatting away to me and I came out with that DH was appalled but I'd said it then there was nothing I could do. Anyway the member of staff was fine and laughed with me, DH thought I was lucky to escape alive! DD said if I volunteered I'd only be there half an hour before they realised I should be an inpatient.
Went to the ballet on Thursday night, beautiful, aww absolutely beautiful. It was a Matthew Bourne version of Swan Lake (not traditional) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Today, DH said we needed to get out so we had a trip to the seaside It was so good, I needed persuading but when we got there I was glad he'd put his foot down. Does you so good to blow the cobwebs away doesn't it. Popped into a home bargains whilst we were out, it was crazy, so busy, full of grumpy shoppers so glad I'm done now. Also passed a lidl so whipped in for a little festive cellophane. Got the joiner in again tomorrow fitting two more doors, then downstairs will be done. xxx

Nana, we bought the business for 5k rent was another few k for the 3 months and then all the other materials have come to about a k too - The remaining stock is probably worth about 3k if sold for sticker price, but we will be lucky to sell it half price. I will just turn my hand to selling online and through facebook

Nana, what are you like - sounds like something I would have said

pinklady1985 wrote: »

feels like ages since I've been able to get on again!
thank you for all your kind words (regarding pregnancy, blood clot and scan)
we declined the vq scan because of the risk of radiation and thought things were going ok unfortunately the start of the week wasn't going too great and was admitted and they said it was an urgent need to have it now so agreed and discovered I have a pulmonary embolism on my right lung, a second area in my left they're unsure about and one in my leg so started immediately on treatment, have been let out on good behaviour and because I was responding well but unfortunately things don't feel right and I think I will be stuck back in again this week but am so grateful to the doctor who made the call and scares me to think what could have happened.
Hubby has been a star, I've come home to find almost everything wrapped and organised and a list of what's left to get, and he's said if I'm still at home then we'll put the decs up next weekend, cant believe its December in 2 weeks!
I'm off to read back on all I've missed now xx

I'm sending you great big healing vibes xxx

whitesatin wrote: »

I love Christmas but I have to admit that I was put off a bit yesterday evening. Our local Old Town has an annual Victorian Christmas evening and I was looking forward to walking through the historic area, treated to all sorts of tasteful sounds and tastes. The reality was that it was a load of tat, noisy, tinny music, tombolas, people selling daft balloons and light sticks. Kids were scooting up and down the narrow street without a care for other folks' safety. One little girl was almost mown down by some horrible boys who laughed when her balloon burst. I just couldn't wait to get out of the town and won't be going back next year.

A completely different atmosphere to my Cologne Christmas market trip last year.

I will have to try and recover my Christmas spirit before my daughter and I go on our wreath making course in December.

I want to try and do some festive things this year, but this is my main fear too

Laurajo_2

Hanley25 wrote: »

Hi Nanamia. Sorry I do try my best to keep up with reading the thread but don't seem to get chance to post very often.

I seem to be doing quite well with my Xmas shopping. Think I'm practically done. My friend also helped me wrap some the other day. I was feeling really down on Tuesday last week when she popped round for a brew, so she said "I know what will cheer you up. I'll come round again tomorrow and we'll start your wrapping!" She knows me so well I was well and truly cheered up by the time she left on Weds night. She's one of those people who don't believe in doing anything Christmassy before December so it was a really lovely thing for her to do too.

Got a small family dilema too. My brother split up with his wife this year and it's his first Xmas without his 3 kiddies. He picks them up at 6pm that evening. I have invited him to mine for dinner and have told him to come as early as he likes. The dilema is his bull dog puppy. Don't get me wrong he's a lovely dog but very boistrous and my house just isn't big enough for him especially when I know my kids will have toys everywhere that day. He takes the dog everywhere and I had to bite my tongue when he turned up with him at my halloween party. My 2 small dogs were in their beds in the kitchen happy until the puppy ran in. Then I had 3 dogs and 9 kids running riot in the living room while my brother sat and laughed. :eek:

How do I tell him that he's welcome but the dog isn't? I don't want him to feel unwelcome and I really don't want him taking offence and spending the day alone!

Ooh that's a tough one.

I would just explain that it might not be practical to bring puppy. Is he ok being left? Could someone else have him for Christmas Day? It's often not a good idea for puppies as everyone is so excited that they get very overstimulated, it's also quite hard to stop kids winding them up, feeding them things they shouldn't etc.

I don't think I'd be too impressed at anybody turning up at my house with a dog in tow (mind you, we have a house rabbit so would be a major problem if they did!) and think it's a bit off for your bro to assume that his pup would be welcome.

Worse case scenario, could he be crated for at least some of the time, if your brother feels it's a 'him or them' scenario?


Looking forward to next weekend - I tend to do about 40 percent of my Xmas shopping online, however I do like to do some 'proper' christmas shopping, so having a big shopping day next Saturday and will hopefully get it finished!
Then ion Sunday we are going to use up our Range vouchers and buy all new decorations - I always use the same ones every year. Maybe just adding one or two, however as it's our first married Xmas I want to completely rekit. I remember growing up our christmas decorations were mostly those bought in my parents first year of marriage, so wanted to keep up the tradition.

Ho ho ho!