The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

Hard_Up_Hester

I spent an entertaining afternoon watching a local AMDRAM pantomime, 'Dr Who Saves Christmas' 5yo DGD loved it, 8yo DGD was the funniest part of the show and she was in the audience not on stage. Cynical? Much? She had me in fits. It was like watching the show with a stroppy teen.
I always told my children that Santa fills the stocking and all other gifts are bought by someone, this helps by limiting children's expectations. I know people who have got into a lot of debt trying to provide everything their child asked Santa for.
My daughters have told their children the same thing, so when the pantomime villain 'The Destroyer' announced that he would kidnap Father Christmas so children would not Christmas presents this year.
All the children in the audience were booing the Destroyer enthusiastically, DGD sat there calmly explaining that kidnapping Santa merely meant there would be no stockings, the presents would still arrive!

elona

Hester

I told my four dds the same thing!!!!

Softstuff

Ivyleaf, I was reminded of cards the other day when my MIL was posting some. So I managed to do 1 to send here in Australia by post, but so far haven't managed others. I like the idea of your pompoms, pompoms rock.

I'm excited for you with the kitchen Camelot, we'll need photos.

Floss, any leftovers of that bread and butter pudding?

Hester, I told a friends kids that Santa sends an invoice :rotfl:

monnagran

Hester, that's hilarious.

I took a school trip to see the ballet 'Cinderella' once. I sat in front of a mother with a small boy. As soon as it started the hissed conversation went thus,

small boy: I can't hear anything.
mother: You can hear the music.
s b : But nothing's happening. Why aren't they talking?
mother: They are telling the story through the dance. Just watch and you will see what is happening.

Much later, and yes, it was boring.

small boy: (sigh) It would be much quicker if they talked.

Reminds me of the boy who watched his first ballet with some amazement. After a while of ballerinas twirling around on points he was heard to say, "Why don't they just get taller girls."

Well, 42 cards written. 10 more and 4 letters to write then I can start on parcels. Every year I vow that this is the last year. Next year I will prune the list down dramatically. But I never do. These are all my lovely friends and many of them go back to school days. I am not prepared to let 70 years of friendship slip out of my life. I know that it's only once a year that we are in contact but after all these years that cntact is precious. Ecards are just not the same. You can't keep an ecard until you write the next year's card so that you can ask if the latest grandchild was a boy or a girl and what colour did she decide on for the bedroom curtains.

I have cut down a lot on presents though. Only children and very, very special people get a gift now and that is likely to be something small. I am refusing to contribute to the madness.

Next week I will be making jars of Clementine Marmalade and then biscuits and brownies to go in the tins and jars I have accumulated. That will be most of this year's presents sorted.

Crumbs, look at the time, I should be asleep.

Night, night

x

mardatha

What a lovely sensible person you are monna xx

monnagran

mar: would you care to have that printed in large letters and illuminated?

My friends and family need to be reminded from time to time.

Floss

Softstuff I didn't get round to making it It's a Nigella, and involves making caramel & adding cream & bourbon, and as a glass of wine had been partaken I decided not to risk burning the pan! It will be done today instead, as it doesn't harm for sitting waiting to go in the oven

I've got a selection of handmade & homemade gifts to collate & wrap - soaps, pot-pourri, teacup candles & various flavours of biscotti (the last two things to be made this week while DH is away ) DH is making chocolate truffles too, since the success of making them as favours for DS2s wedding

ivyleaf

OK then, I guess the pompom hat will be staying Thank you.


Hester and monnagran :rotfl: about the performances! I made OH listen to Hester's panto story, and was going to read him monna's one about the small boy, but he is managing to convey without saying a word that he would much rather be left to read his copy of Vintage Road Scene in peace.

Floss that bread and butter pud sounds luuurrrrvely :drool:

Hard_Up_Hester

We viewed a one bed place today, made an offer but it was rejected, never mind something else will come up.
Also had a funny conversation with a neighbour as we were leaving the house this morning.
Her 'Going anywhere nice?'
Me 'We're going to Rugby'
Her 'Who's playing?
Blank looks from me, then 'Rugby the place, not a rugby match'
Her 'Oh well, someone has to.'

Softstuff

Floss, I was sold on it before, but now I'm drooling!