santas Challenge 2016... Gifts, chat, challenges

springdreams

crazy-cat-lady wrote: »

Also been making a load of soaps again. Everyone says they'd make nice presents. So they might be stocking fillers for people yet. Again, because I suddenly have loads of extra time. Loving it. Wish I knew how to put up a photo of the ones from last night but I'm clueless. Quite proud of them considering I've only just started.

Feeling quite giddy and festive.

Hmmm. Maybe this will work. I am completely clueless about how to do this. So if not, ignore me completely!

http://http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/gemmawatt/library/Mobile%20Uploads

The soaps are lovely. I'd be more than happy to receive some of those for Christmas / birthday.

Here are instructions to easily upload photos.

Use Tinypic http://tinypic.com/

1. Browse - locate your photo
2. on Resize - select Message Board 640 x 840 on the drop down
3. Copy the security words
4. wait whilst uploading.
5 When uploaded copy 2nd line (IMG)
6. Paste here

mum2one

Home safe from travels, Morrocco was an amazing experience, we did a tour of Marrakesh by night on a horse drawn carriage - it was so busy was manic,

Miss Hoodie has now discovered her liking for bags - she came home with a ysl, Prada, Michael Kors, Chanel, Chanel make up bags, Michael Kors purse, she even brought Nanny Hoodie a Mulbery Purse, I got her a Michael Kors bag...

We were about 20 mins from the main square, so went in a couple of times on the shuttle bus, (£15 each way by taxi.... no were moneysaving), managed to get into a disagreement with the receptionist... We had been told that if we needed to go anywhere on the complex to ring for the golf buggy - when we did ring for it, we got a mouthful. so a complaint went it... to keep me quiet they offered to pay for the room to be kept on to 630pm last day (ngt flight back) worth £70 so yes plz...

We did witness a fight - 2 men fighting over a sunbed, (they werent English!!).

Weve just had a week in Wales, - it was nice quiet break, toddled around a little found the beach cafe we tood dad to last yr, (mum loved it - we had promised dad we'd take him back), found another beach cafe, - Bailey loved it... they have him a sausage).

xx

chanie

mum2one pleased to read you are safely back from your holiday and that you had a nice time. Me and Miss Hoodie have a lot in common, as I love bags too. When we were in Greece (this time last week), I was teasing my Mum saying that everyone will think that her Michael Kors bag is fake, as I saw lots of people with them and all the shops were selling them.

mum2one

Hope everyone ok and enjoying the warm weather, don't forget the sun tan lotion....

On break 3 of the summer hols, had last week in north wales - 1st family break without dad. Thou to be honest we had a lazy week, this week were off to Devon, originally meant as a make memories trip - but we're doing it for dad, thou I have m5 traffic - added 3 hrs extra to the journey xx

Anglea

Hi everyone,

Wow mum2one, Miss H loving her bags, and not just one either, all the posh ones lol

So you don't mind packing, unpacking and laundry on a frequent basis with all your holidays? When I used to go on family holidays long ago I spent all year dreading all the palaver packing for us all etc I even hated doing it when I was on holiday alone.

crazy cat lady- the soaps look really good.

katiehound - how long before your next cruise?

Do any of you have emergency bags at the ready in case you have to leave your house in a hurry (bug out bags as they are also called) or keep supplies in case of distasters etc ?

I used to do all this when the children were born after a male friend always bought up conversations about 'worse case scenarios' and showed me rope ladders etc I don't know if his paranoia started after having children too because having babies in the house is a responsibility you never had before or he'd had some kind of trauma earlier in life because he was taking all this to extremes eg motion sensors in the house even when family were in there.

As I grew up in the days of 3 day power strikes, food shortages and also had relatives who I stayed with in the holidays that lived completely off the grid, hunting, no electric, no water supplies, no shops, no medical centre so I used to have all the knowledge but it's long gone.

But apart from emergency bags near the front door there are so many other smaller kits that could be useful - on public transport/car and major unexpected delays........this happened twice over the previous weekend on the Saturday the bus station toilets were locked and no buses going in or out, no taxis available. After eventually managing to get home the next day something else happened whilst ex and I were taking DS2 back to his residential home so we had big delays and ended up having to get out of the car and walk to our destination which was totally unexpected and dangerous because the traffic was down a narrow track enough for one car but was closed to traffic going our way.

I know mum2one has mentioned various emergency situations in the challenges but different ones to the type I have written above.

So apart from the Christmas prepping I'm also going to start building up other supplies.

How are you all?

Katiehound

Hi Anglea

To answer your question I don't think there will be any more cruising this year! I should have been in Greenland now- withdrawal symptoms!

I had been thinking of looking for a late cruise deal for November..... however the consultant wants to discuss the other knee (meant to be the 'good' one!) when I see him late next month so I think operation on knee 2 is on the cards. I understand they leave about a 6 month gap- that would be beginning December at the earliest, but they don't like you travelling much beforehand- DVT risk and catching germs of course.

Mid Sept will drive to stay with a friend in Norfolk- the first time I have been out of this area for more than 3 months- again you are not meant to travel for more than 3 or 4 hours for 12 weeks (DVT ) Following week drive to Ireland but I have made certain I have a good break en route to Holyhead and a cabin on crossing. Going for 4 weeks- that's the dogs' holiyers too!

Getting a bit stir crazy to tell the truth. With 2 aching knees- for different reasons I get a bit fed up: good days and not-such-good ones. At least I am swimming a lot, started sewing duvets and collecting items for the shoeboxes but no great interest in attacking the house. Oops, can't think why!

Had a sickly dog this past week- nice little vet's bill. He seems a lot better thankfully.
Other than that things are ticking over!

freyasmum

crazy-cat-lady wrote: »

It has been suggested and nobody ever listens. Everyone complains it gets very expensive and the chances of getting things you actually want are so small..most presents get recycled out of work. But it carries on anyway.
This is birthdays though, not christmas. So, no, it isn't like we can do a secret Santa for them. You pretty much HAVE to buy for every person, especially if they buy for you.
So i always have a cupboard full of sanctuary, Baylis and Harding, Champneys, soap and glory..etc stuff. They end up cheap in the sales, so it's not like i'm spending more then a few quid on each one and they all get a fairly decent set.

Christmas, there is a secret santa. So that's not too bad. But, again, there are people separately from that who insist on buying extra, and the whole thing starts again.

I know you've just had a wee girl (congrats again!) so this isn't relevant to you right now, but it might be in future, or it may be to someone else...

In my old job, we had a birthday club that you could opt in or out of. At the beginning of the year, the names were put into a hat and you would buy a present for that one person. So you got one present of a slightly higher value than you would if you had however many people buying for you. And it worked out cheaper than buying x amount of smaller presents.

mum2one

A late santas challenge - August,

Bank holiday ...
The last bank hol b4 xmas, there be all the shops offering special deals, bonus points, free gifts, always worth looking around b4 buying, as always it's only a bargain if we need it...

Diaries
Shops are not starting the 2017 diaries - but be careful as 90% are the mid yr ones - great if your following a school yr, not so normally.

Christmas stock
Some bargains to be had as I've found esp down here a lot of the ships are clearing out last years xmas stocks - one card shop has £1 rolls of xmas wrap at £1 for 5 rolls, even if it's sellotape / ribbon / all helps out.

Christmas prep - food etc
Nowa the time to start adding extras on to the groceries - maybe do a list of what extras you need for xmas - tick off as u go - also compare prices may be some better deals on, don't forget add in toilet rolls - more visitors....

Christmas prep - part 2
Cards - don't worry u don't have to write them yet, have lists ready whether it's post / hand deliver / work / street / with prezzies / relatives - this way u can see what stamps u need - spread the cost.

Christmas presents
Check your lists - have u brought any gifts just incase and not listed them, see what u need, have a little list in ur purse so if u see a bargain u can get them.

Household monthly checks
Check the smoke alarm -
The washing machine - run a 90c longest programme - no washing / no powder - gives the pipes a steam clean.
Car - oil, water etc

Miss hoodies cleaning corner.
As were still in warming weather - gives the shed / outside area a spring clean - that way when you pop everything away for winter it's just pop in and I haven't got to worry about empty boxes etc

Me me me corner...
Have a little me time - have a treat - as Mse as always - spend no more than £5 whether it's a book, bath bomb, bottle of wine - take me time xxx

crazy-cat-lady_2

freyasmum wrote: »

I know you've just had a wee girl (congrats again!) so this isn't relevant to you right now, but it might be in future, or it may be to someone else...

In my old job, we had a birthday club that you could opt in or out of. At the beginning of the year, the names were put into a hat and you would buy a present for that one person. So you got one present of a slightly higher value than you would if you had however many people buying for you. And it worked out cheaper than buying x amount of smaller presents.

That's a great idea. I will suggest it when I go back. They do secret Santa so it shouldn't be a problem arranging it. The only problem is they also then buy presents as well as the sect eat Santa and you feel obliged to buy back for them and then the whole trap starts again. So can see it being the same with birthdays. They're a pain really, but they mean well.

crazy-cat-lady_2

Bank holiday ...
I haven't seen a lot of sales online. Might be looking in the wrong places. Any good ones spotted?
ive been in the Debenhams and M&S sales and that's about it, and bought some nice presents to put away. And also a treat for myself now the bump is going and I'm getting back into my old clothes size again. A jumper for £10 reduced from £70. Bargain!

Diaries
card factory has all their stock in. Really good prices and a good range, the ones near here anyway. I got two calendars for a pound and also a handbag diary and a big chunky one for £1 each. Usually get them before this point in the year. They were late in. Everyone thinks I'm weird for buying them early. Though to me this isn't early. So I'm glad you're all weird along with me

Christmas stock
Not seen much about yet. If anyone sees any good deals please mention it. I'm not getting out and about as easily as I was with the baby here. Time wise it's a bit tricky. But tesco near is have started putting Christmas things out already. So been for a nosey there.
Have already got about 30 boxes of cards! From last year and whenever else I've seen them on offer and put them away for future use. And 12 or so rolls of paper plus tags, bows, ribbons.. But always nice to have extra. Got a few boxes of crackers I. That were very reduced last year and go with the colour scheme. So that's another thing sorted.