Nice People Thread Number 10 -the official residence of Nice People

chewmylegoff

SingleSue wrote: »

Very busy and exhausting Christmas.

I took on the lionshare of cooking yesterday at my parent's as they really can't cope with it all now but despite my back completely breaking down part way through, my brother and sister in law were as much use as a chocolate tea pot when it came to helping out!

Same story today when we went round for the traditional boxing day evening buffet and party, I had offered to cook the buffet with help from the others but apart from mum, no other help was offered.

Mum and dad have said next year that we will all go out somewhere for Christmas day dinner as they can't do it and I certainly can't do it on my own.

I got some lovely presents...and lots of chocolate! Ex hubby outshone me on the presents front to the boys but the boys didn't complain about my contribution or sneer at it. Talking about presents, my youngest nephew loved my pressie, purchased for the grand total of £1.50, he thought I had spent about £20 on him and my sister told me off for spending too much on her today...her present cost £2...but she didn't know that!

James was chuffed he managed to pick up 5 hours of work at his old part time job today, the extra money will help him keep going until his next grant/loan payment.

I hate it when people don't help out at Christmas dinner. That's what it's all about. I always do all the washing up and then clean the kitchen after Christmas lunch. Even for selfish reasons it's a good thing to do as it gets you moving about after you've eaten four metric tons of roast potatoes. It's just rude not to do your bit to help.

My parents are getting a bit to old to manage it all really - not the cooking but the stress of it all. Hopefully I will be able to host it next time but we will need to move as there is no room here.

fc123

michaels wrote: »

For 24 hours only (SFW):

.

They are so big now, I have a memory of them all being small...esp youngest. Nice Vid




Just got back from lovely day at my sisters who lives in the perfect house and is always, a perfect hostess.


Brothers new partner has now moved from aus to live here (with him) for 6 months....they have known each other for over 18 years and she is the one he should have married in the 1st place....except the Aus thing meant it never really took off all those years ago. Now they are reunited....have been for a while and she's fabulous, just slots right in.


Back to work tomorrow but am taking a small niece out on a special day out to Winter Wonderland on Saturday. She is 8 and never really gets to go up to town much plus a day out without the others makes it more special....just a treat for her.


I booked Ice Kingdom and my Godson was coming up from Brighton to go too but the trains are all mucked up so not coming now

chewmylegoff

michaels wrote: »

So 364 days a year Aus wins out but when it comes to Christmas it has to be the sort you grew up with - I can't imagine the best Christmas roast being that attractive if it were 35 degrees outside and light until 10pm

I do every other year in Brisbane.

Pluses - OH has a big family and they all get much more excited about it than my family. Backyard cricket and other silly games etc.

Minuses - it's bloody hot and humid and for some reason they insist on staying outside despite the perfectly good airconditioning. I am usually exhausted from the heat by 2pm. The food is always terrible - things like luncheon meat and supermarket pasta salad seem to be the staples. I think they just don't care what there is to eat as long as they can get hammered in the sun.

Nikkster

SingleSue wrote: »

I would look exceedingly silly (more so than most people do), in a onesie.

Not as silly as me in my crocodile onesie I bet

Sue, parents should be for the whole year round, not just for Christmas. I expect no matter what your ex bought the boys it wouldn't change how they feel about you/ your gifts. Form everything you've said, they're much smarter than that

fc123

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

I love onesies.

We bought some navy /fairisle one for son last year and he lives in it. DD has an assortment but got a new Mickey Mouse one for Xmas from her friend. I think I did something wrong when they were small..........that they now like to lounge around wearing romper suits.


One niece got a bright pink cat one with a tail that is attached by Velcro (for H + S reasons I guess) and wore it all day.


I don't own one but do feel I am missing out a bit.....

Generali wrote: »

Well Christmas lunch was horrible. 14 there.



Oh well, we plan to be in England for next year which means dinner with my Mum. Roast rib of beef (done medium rare at the very least) with all the trimmings.

I am guessing that you didn't cook it....

Nikkster

fc123 wrote: »

We bought some navy /fairisle one for son last year and he lives in it. DD has an assortment but got a new Mickey Mouse one for Xmas from her friend. I think I did something wrong when they were small..........that they now like to lounge around wearing romper suits.


One niece got a bright pink cat one with a tail that is attached by Velcro (for H + S reasons I guess) and wore it all day.

Mine has a (non-detachable) tail.

michaels

fc123 wrote: »

One niece got a bright pink cat one with a tail that is attached by Velcro (for H + S reasons I guess) and wore it all day.

Or perhaps just because it is uncomfortable to sit on?!

I am still waiting for you to design your 'FC Juniors' range which the DKs will only be to happy to model for free.

chewmylegoff

Nikkster wrote: »

Mine has a (non-detachable) tail.

i wanted one with a tail and little ears on the hood but alas i just got a boring plain one. i wonder if it is allowable for dress-down fridays.

Generali

michaels wrote: »

So 364 days a year Aus wins out but when it comes to Christmas it has to be the sort you grew up with - I can't imagine the best Christmas roast being that attractive if it were 35 degrees outside and light until 10pm

It's not that it was the 'wrong' meal more that it was a crap meal.

TBH, I'd be happy with some nice, iced seafood, some salad and bread rolls and a seasonal fruit pavlova (stone fruit are great at the time of year: peaches, plums, cherries and nectarines).

It's that she managed to get her mother to go to Costco and spend $600 and we end up with some dried up, partially reheated roasted red meat and a tiny salad wasn't ideal.

It was the quality of the food not what we actually had that was at issue. I like a summer Xmas as it goes, it's just a bit weird in the run up: Xmas always catches me by surprise here.

lostinrates

There is no point trying to have a roast w/ trimmings in heat for Christmas lunch IMO. I remember it from childhood and it was awful. Mind you I am not sure barbecue Christmas were 'right ' either.

Gen, you would on the money, nice seasonal food where you are. There is no reason you couldn't make it symbolic if you chose to....

On onsies...my dogs were wearing them and you lot used to snigger at me. Hurumph. They are practical on dogs too. Dog dog however cannot wear hers since her leg breaks .she seems to find them uncomfortable. She used to hate coats with fastenings but now she is tolerating those.