Thrify Gifty Santas Challenge 2013,

Anglea

Hi all

That's an interesting tip about the milk mum2one.

I hope you can finish your degree at some point when it's more convenient and you can get the funds. Your ex doesn't make life easy does he. It must be hassle for him too you'd think.

Susan, your glasses - that was strange how they broke. Lol your experience in Argos. Your OH has 6 tv's !!!

Crikey Mrs Moneypenny, you've been busy lately. Re your comment about having too many plans, I used to be terrible with dozens of projects on the go when I was into crafting, these were in addition to handmade Christmas and birthday cards. I've given it all up now although there are still some that need finishing up 'one of these days' lol.

Bossy, you've got to join in now that you've posted.

Rufus, what age are the boys? Lucky you, craft show in London, I bet you get loads of inspiration.

I sorted my books. My original idea was too ambitious for doing today, there is a heck of a lot of junk in there (old computers etc) that need disposing and there is a tower with plugs still attached I can't seem to unplug and it's all at the back of the desk which is hard to access. Plus there are plastic bags of stuff I moved from other rooms and large plastic boxes of my stuff (shudder at the thought of finding new homes for all of that).

Friends - I've already had the obsessive admirer try calling straight off his plane today - I'm ignoring him and the one of the texters has been accusing me of avoiding him. I am pretty certain he's very upset I didn't meet him yesterday nor reply to his disturbing messages last night. I finally got in touch this evening and told him I'll always be his friend but have been busy at home.

Before I got into the pub social life I spent years as a virtual recluse as I couldn't deal with the constant outpouring of problems from people I'd meet, usually strangers. I think the only reason I have allowed the texter to do it for so long is because there is an attraction between us.

mum2one

Anglea wrote: »

Hi all

That's an interesting tip about the milk mum2one. One of my friends has her shopping delievered and gave me the milk tip, that way you get the slot you want.

I hope you can finish your degree at some point when it's more convenient and you can get the funds. Your ex doesn't make life easy does he. It must be hassle for him too you'd think.

No probs - the milk tip came from a friend, as once you have something in your trolley, that lot is yours.

Get there eventually, I was a bit lazy this yr as there was a chance that there have been more court action, but its too risky for me to go down that route (he's breeched the court order 20 times) - but there not serious enough breeches....... he has never seen Miss Hoodie, she doesn't want him, although I have always said if she does I'll support her. Its like having a thorn in your side that you can't remove.
Plan after xmas to look into the financial side and see whats around. The good thing taking break, mums had her arm op, dads waiting for his appointment for shoulder and Miss Hoodie last yr at primary, so its worked out for the best,
xx

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all

i agree Bossy now youve posted you have to op in and 'chat' more often.

hope all are well

took DD1 out for a meal last night was really nice just having some time with her and DH.

almost finished stitching the star, need to think how im adding the name next.
had a look at my prechristmas brithdays,
got niece sorted apart from hairgrips and door sign
sister sorted
DD1 fella- not sure may be alcohol
DD1 - fave rugby club sweat shirt
DS1 - again not sure now hes working he buys want he wants.
special friend - have got quite a bit squirrelled for her but WANT to get the stocking made for her as well

rufusdog52

Anglea, My three boys are 13, 12 and 11

Anglea

Hi all

Thank Rufus for telling us. I'm struggling to remember back to when mine where that age. Do you give them pots of gold in the hampers as well?

Mrs M, glad you had a nice time out with the meal, and you are doing well with your present ideas.

I'm hoping DS doesn't want to go out later, we are chilling out at home after a prolonged lunch and I feel like getting on with some more sorting out this evening. I've already had the texter trying to get me out this afternoon including the idea of going to a nightclub later (read dingy place in village) but I really don't fancy going anywhere.Apart from the fact the texter always disappears home about 5pm when he gets into one of his states so DS and I go alone to the club.

Last year instead of giving pots of gold to the boys, I put the contents in two fancy bowls on the Christmas table, for all the family to enjoy. This was better because DS1 has gone off chocolate the past few years and DS2 gets loads of choccie as presents normally.

I'm having various thoughts about Christmas dinner after reading mum2one's challenge.

I need to speak to ex. In the past when his father was alive, both our families (my parents, his, and his brother) would have dinner either at his mums house with even more relatives or at mine even though we had seperated. It's because our families were always very close from years back, the dads playing snooker together. After his dad passed away, a relative had ex's mum and brother to stay, ex came to mine. Now his mum has just gone into a dementia care home, so I'll ask if his brother/mum wants to come to mine like before or if there are any other possible plans. When it was a lot of people I had two tables, so need to know well in advance as I have no idea what happened to the 2nd table.

SugarSpun

Anglea I was thinking about your clingy texter earlier on. One strategy that can deter people who fall into a pattern of over-reliance is to say something like, Oh that sounds terrible. What are you going to do? to put the focus on self-help rather than your help. Would that be an option?

Anglea

Hi Sugarspun, thanks for your comment, have you had many experiences with these kinds of people?

I do that approach. It doesn't work for long because as soon as the slightest thing goes out of sync he goes in sabotage mode. So this week there were already a few bad consequences after he went out. Today after he asked to meet I asked him what about trying his therapy techniques instead of going to the pub again but he said he preferred to go out as everything was going wrong for him. This has been going on for well over 10 years!

How is life at home for you now?

SugarSpun

It's an aspect of my job to deal with learned helplessness It's difficult when people start self-sabotaging, it's always tempting to suggest they go back to sensible coping strategies, but then you risk putting yourself back in the role of caregiver which is unfair to you.

We're muddling through, thanks. Baby is 2 weeks old and aside from a terrible problem with wind is doing brilliantly. DD is a little unsettled but is constantly kissing him, and parents are tired but doing the best we can.

emmad5689

Hi all, this is my first time posting and was just wondering if there is a list of ideas and link to instructions anywhere? I'm making my daughters reindeer dust and am going to possibly make some santas sleighs with chocolate bars, want to make some homemade fudge and some xmas decs with the girls to put into peoples presents but other than that I have no ideas and was hoping for some inspiration please xxx

bossymoo

Anglea wrote: »

Bossy, you've got to join in now that you've posted.

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

i agree Bossy now youve posted you have to op in and 'chat' more often.

:wave:
Ok I have got some werthers vodka and xmas pud brandy "cooking" in my airing cupboard. I've all sorts of toppings bought in for hm choc slabs and I need to get some more jars and make more chilli jam before the chillis turn. My *ahem* trial jar appears to be half empty :whistle:

I've been non-thrifty and bought two new elves - we had a heap of fun last year but my youngest is now 3 and I think she'll get even more out of elf magic.

I've asked inlaws and my mum if we're doing the usual (they all come to me from Xmas eve for a few days) and had a resounding "yes!"

I'm getting there with the kiddies presents, and I don't have a huge list of people to do for, so its more about making a fun time for us rather than loads of presents.

Can you tell we like Xmas here?