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

Possession

A friend near Gatwick is flooded, poor people going through that on Christmas Eve of all days.
I won't be on perhaps tomorrow, so Merry Christmas to all, I hope you stay safe and dry.
VJ's Mum if you have dates, pit them and make marzipan dates. Even better if you can put a bit of royal icing on top. I used to make marzipan dates every year for my Grandad when I was growing up, it was his favourite and always my job.

savingqueen

Hello everyone

Plodding our way towards Christmas. Meant to meet up with a group of friends yesterday, some of which I haven't seen all year but just couldn't face it so sent my apologies and then DS7 started dashing in and out of the loo with a poorly tummy, obviously not meant to go. He has hardly eaten for 2 days but is drinking and happy in a quiet sort of way. Hoping he is ok for tomorrow.

Stayed up til the small hours waiting for boys to fall asleep to wrap their gifts. At least tonight we only have to wait til they fall asleep to get them all out again. DH has popped to local shop to get bread and milk and I am going to have a hoover and clean and tidy round. Then its veg and yorkie prep and mince pie making and family TV later.

Our lovely neighbours just knocked with a pressie for the kids each and asked if they could pop in tomorrow. Hoping to shut ourselves away completely but actually will be good for the boys to have some other people to wish Merry Christmas too with the lack of wider family around.

Postie also knocked with a birthday pressie for DS7 - only a month late - from DH's sister and Christmas gifts for DH and I (don't usually do adults) but nothing for our boys?? DS9 piped up, mum it doesn't matter as we have lots of presents already. He gave me his last advent chocolate today (insisted I had it) and saved pocket money to buy his little brother a book. Both boys have saved 2 weeks pocket money as usual to donate to charity and both have researced and chosen different good causes. Proud of them.

I hope everyone is safe and well with this unseasonal weather. Keep warm and cosy and sending extra big hugs to anyone in need of them.

Not feeling festive to be honest but feel peaceful and calm so thankful for that. I am thinking of you all and on case I don't get back on here...

Wishing you all peace and joy at Christmas

Pops - hope you are reading as my message very much includes you and I echo Mrs LW, please post if you feel able, miss ya!

Mrs Chip - I would love to see you post again if you are reading and would like to. Thinking of you and sending my very best wishes to you.

take care my friends
sq

stiltwalker

Afternoon all - hope everyone has survived the weather. Sorry, been MIA for a few days but still reading along as the dreaded lurgy struck - touch wood we're all better for Christmas though but been a mental couple of days catching up and getting ready for Christmas. Think I'm all done now bar the actual cooking. We have my parents coming to stay this year (first time my Dad has not cooked Christmas dinner since before I was born!!) and they will keep the children entertained and play with their presents with them while I cook with DH as my commis chef!


It's the village Christmas Carol service at church this evening and the next time we go out will probably be to the village Big Breakfast in the village hall on boxing day morning - it's become a lovely tradition in our village for all celebration times of year - the village puts on a breakfast and all are welcome for the grand cost of a quid a head! and we all sit around in the village hall together.


Hope everyone has a lovely day tomorrow - much love and Christmas hugs from all the Stiltwalkers XXXX


ETA - Not surprised you are proud of your boys SQ, what lovely young men!

fuddle

Weather left it's mark here, although no one has been hurt I don't think. A tree fell on a major road and pulled the electricity cables with it. Add in Christmas Eve shopping/workers leaving to get home early and it seems its chaotic.

Hopefully calmer for when I have to go working this evening but that's ages away yet as the girls and I have been making a big gingerbread man biscuit and parts to make a gingerbread house. We're looking forward to assembling and sweety decorating!

Merry Christmas

Mrs_Chip

Hello Everyone!

Thanks SQ for thinking of me - you propmted me to post! Your boys sound well-grounded and thoughful , a credit to you!

All good here in Chip HQ, gearing up for this evening, Mr & Mrs OG coming for supper, then back again tomorrow for lunch. As much as possible is already cooked, and I am just wrapping pressies while OH is out doing his volunteer driving..

Weather here has been horrible, but thankfully no flooding or disasters, so sorry for all those who have been affected.

Pops - everyone wants you back, please post if you feel you can, but if not enjoy your day tomorrow and all the lovely things you have planned.

Fuddle - so glad everything has sorted itself and you and your family are so content!

Sheila - So pleased you seem to have got things sorted for you and OH, hope you get some peace tis Christmas.

Cornish Chick - have an extra special Christmas xxx

Have a lovely time to everyone, too many to mention, do eat too many sweeties Mar!!!

:xmastree::santa2::xmastree:

SDG31000

Just popping in to wish everyone a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.


I'm waiting for the hoards to arrive as we have 15 here for dinner tonight. All the presents are wrapped even if I only finished the last of the 18 stockings and the last bag at 2pm. The turkey is defrosting and tomorrow is going to be as relaxed as I can make it.


I'd better go and finish the trifle and attempt to hide it from everyone else


Much love and Christmas wishes, Diane xxxx

[Deleted User]

Afternoon Toughies, DD2 and bump arrived safely this morning so we are all gathered in. They are sitting reading in front of the woodstove and I've been in the kitchen preparing all the veg for tomorrow, soon be time for carols from Kings which is something I love. Had a lovely walk round the village this afternoon and everywhere smelled fresh and piney, definately green was very nice. I hope everyone was safe after those horrible winds and the wild rain yesterday, not at all nice for anyone. I wish you all a wonderful christmas, whether you're in a crowd or on your own, I wish you everything that is good and peaceful and happy and comfortable, I wish you joy, MERRY CHRISTMAS with love from Lyn xxx.

jpscloud

Just dropping by to wish all the toughies a safe, merry and peaceful Christmas. Have a good one all!

kidcat

Evening toughies, its bedlam here today, the cleaners didnt turn up again yesterday so we have been left trying to do all we had planned and all that should have been done as well. I ditched any ideas of an immaculately cleaned home this morning and am now just making sure its tidy! Oven is sparkling though.

We had booked a late lunch out which turned into a very late lunch as there was an error with our orders, so instead of being home for 3pm - we didnt get food until after 3pm!

Have seen some awful pictures of the weather all over and its truly heartbreaking. Please all stay safe through this horrible storm.

A friend of mine discovered today that her grandchild isnt her sons child, three years they have loved and cherished him, paid a fortune out to the mother in order to have her allow to see him, and today she has lost him, devastating at any time, but seems so much worse today.

I am counting my blessings and figuring that what the heck if the place isnt spotless and the food isnt prepped, at least I still have my children.

ginnyknit

I agree whole heartedly Kidcat, as long as we have our children and grandchildren nothing else matters. This is the third year we are without our other grandson. Dd's OH came with a little man called Harrison who we took to our hearts. His Mother ( I use the term loosely) had us running around picking him up day and night and we fell in love with him then she stopped us seeing him. DGs has a lot of his mannerisms and the same fingers ( odd but true) and we miss him so much. despite trying everything we as a family have no contact and it hurts especially at this time of year. His toys sit untouched and his clothes have been passed onto Dgs.

Am sat here in a totally quiet house, relaxing as OH sleeps. All presents are wrapped and Im now going to knit till its time for my hot water bottle. DD has her new curtains up and they look fab, so glad I got them done. My Mum is over the moon with the throw I machine quilted for her and is sat reading her new books inbetween ringing me to check Im ok

Wishing everyone a lovely day tomorrow however you have decided to spend it. Whatever happens be good to yourself and have a day off from the stress. Thank you all for another year of tremendous love and support. xxx