The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

ivyleaf

I see nuttyp, thanks for explaining. Sounds as if your new manager needs licking (or kicking) into shape!

Not sure what we're doing today. I think we need to go to PAH so i can get a voucher for a neighbour who gives us any pouches of food her cat doesn't fancy (for instance, if her cat suddenly decides she's gone off rabbit flavour Whiskas for the time being, we get the rest of the rabbit flavour pouches from the box! it saved our bacon earlier this year.

monnagran

Hope everyone had either a peaceful or productive weekend. It has to be one or the other, both is out of the question.

Spent some time yesterday sticking all our cards to walls and doors with low-impact masking tape. I do it every year. This morning came down to find that we were shuffling through cards lying all over the floor. It was like walking among Autumn leaves but less poetic - as was my language. So I have spent this morning sticking them all back up again, with muttered threats about the fiery flames of hell (or at least the recyling bin) for those who detach themselves again.

Was going to investigate the heights of the attic in seach of other decorations, but after the debacle of the cards have decided that they will BE the decorations this year.

Am drifting happily about the place with no sense of the impending doom that will descend on Christmas Eve when I realise that nothing is actually ready. Ah well, sufficient unto the day................

Hope all poorly ones are feeling better and no-one is allowing themselves to be unduly stressed.

x

Softstuff

I think I may have gone slightly insane, but other than that, am fine

Went grocery shopping over the weekend twice. I had a $50 voucher at one shop, so that particular excursion ended up costing $25. Had $100 voucher for the other shop, so ended up spending about $15 there. Thing is, the house wasn't empty of food before I started. The freezer is full, my tiny fridge is half full, the pantry in the wardrobe is heaving. So why have I gone insane?? Because I'm wondering if I have enough food in :rotfl: At least thanks to getting all the vouchers (for free), I haven't overspent even if I've overshopped.

Not sure what gets into me at this time of year, but my food insecurity goes into overdrive. We have guests coming tomorrow for a bit of a party, then on Christmas Day we only provide desserts (which apart from the mince pies is done) and other than that, it's only the husband and I, so I need to calm this down somewhat. If anyone ends up running out of food this festive season be sure to pop by, there'll be plenty here. At least none of it will be wasted, other than what will be used in a day or two, it all has long dates.

greenbee

Softstuff - I live on my own and currently have a full undercounter freezer indoors, a full chest freezer and a half-full undercounter freezer outside. I'm slowly trying to run down stocks (oh, and my cupboards are full of pulses and carbs and stuff...) but it seems to be going more slowly than I'd intended!

Softstuff

greenbee wrote: »

Softstuff - I live on my own and currently have a full undercounter freezer indoors, a full chest freezer and a half-full undercounter freezer outside. I'm slowly trying to run down stocks (oh, and my cupboards are full of pulses and carbs and stuff...) but it seems to be going more slowly than I'd intended!

Well, I feel better now Greenbee.... in fact, maybe I don't have enough food yet.... maybe I should pop out later

burtha

Hi.....just thought I would let you all know that tonight (just) I have finally put the tree up .....:j:j ..... Only have to ice the cake ,make mince pies, plus loads of other stuff lol managed to wrap most of the kids presents yesterday, before working last night in pub ,and have managed to loose a bag of gifts ,to well hidded by dh ,may find them hopefully before Thursday .....
Work was crazy today ,the way the system has changed makes it impossible for us to have ready prescription s until the day they are due ,means patients have to wait in shop ,not something they are used to doing ,so today we were still doing Fridays plus everything that came through today ,tomorrow will be just as bad then Wednesday ,we will have 3 days worth of prescriptions in one day , the only reason I am saying all this is our patients most of them are lovely ,some are getting a bit stressed ,..we do sort things out for people ,and go beyond what we should do ....so please be kind to us ,we understand that meds are important ,but screaming at us when its not our fault ,will not get your prescription any quicker ...sorry twist over
Right better go to bed ,work ,kids, shopping,housework,dogs,life all needs to to be done tomorrow xx:rotfl:

wondercollie

It's become a tradition in our house. I hide my presents too well, and around New Years, every one winds up getting a present as I find my hidden stuff.


Having said that three years ago, I bought my youngest a Gene Simmons Christmas tree ornament (who'd have thought KISS does Christmas balls?). Still haven't found it.

Softstuff

We have so few places things can hide here, that when I purchase a gift, it has to be immediately wrapped and then kept in plain sight! My husbands bedside cabinet is off limits to me, he pops my gift in there and generally wraps it Christmas morning when he remembers :rotfl:

This year I wanted a yogurt maker (after a dozen attempts changing every variable, I've still not managed yogurt and we eat enough for it to be a good investment). We went to the electrical store to look and there was one there that looked nice. Thing is, I know the lady who works there, so I had to take it over to her to negotiate the price down by 20%

I've made 33 mince pies. Do you think that's enough yet???

savingqueen

Morning all

Every year I struggle to find all the pressies too. I try and think up different places to hide them and then well you know the rest. DH likes to see each child's pile for their stocking, partly to see if they look equal and partly because otherwise he wouldn't know what's in them and he's a big kid. Every year he sources a couple of fun bits for their stocking as well. This means I can't wrap them until all finished which is generally a few days at most before the big day.

Stayed up too late last night wrapping and still not done with the kids but getting there. Grandparents send money so I have those gifts to wrap as well as cats gifts. In my wisdom bought DH lots of little bits, stuff he needs and couple of tiny treats and a pound shop joke one so they all need wrapping as well.

Food is bought , took the kids to get last bits yesterday - DS10 said "I am NEVER doing that again!" Turkey defrosting in fridge, would have preferred fresh but need to stick to budget. I have really pared down our festive food spend this year and DH hasn't complained, he is on board with balancing the books so much more nowadays.

Boys have a friend over after lunch but I am being assertive and packing him back home before teatime so I don't have to magic up food suitable for a very fussy child. Cards still not up but washing pile going down. Dinner already cooked for tonight (2nd portion of lasagne from yesterday) but lots of chores to do and really cba, feeling so sleepy, need a dose of get up and go!

WELL DONE BURTHA!

SpikyHedgehog

wondercollie wrote: »

It's become a tradition in our house. I hide my presents too well, and around New Years, every one winds up getting a present as I find my hidden stuff.


Having said that three years ago, I bought my youngest a Gene Simmons Christmas tree ornament (who'd have thought KISS does Christmas balls?). Still haven't found it.

KISS does Christmas ornaments? Oh my goodness, I need to buy something more for our tree! But it I get them for DS2, what can I get for DS1? I can feel a trawl of novelty decorations coming up - luckily for the budget, I can't get a gene simmonds bauble in time for this Christmas (or not of ama zon) :rotfl:

Tree still not up, DS1 having been at work or out with friends, and I don't do lofts so can't get it myself... He wasn't meant to be in work till 2 today, but then got asked to work from 9.

Still, the cat likes all the extra space created by my moving stuff to make room and not filling it up yet She does believe the Christmas tree skirt is a play quilt for her that I kindly put out once a year (old cat thought it was a comfy cat bed) and is most indignant when I put presents on it.