The Final Furlong

savingholmes

Can relate to treats calling you from the fridge. In my case its a snack drawer right next to my temp desk... Oops. I wonder who planned that?

Dottles1

Oooh I wonder Savingholmes (she says whilst stroking chin !)
I popped over to see GD3 yesterday as it was her birthday and the rain stayed away long enough to do outdoor present giving.  She asked for some things to brighten up her university room as she will be going back mid January and will hopefully get to stay there till the end of the semester with a bit of luck.  I also bought her some make up as she is no longer earning and finding everything is running out.  It was good to see her and she was planning a walk out with her mum and step dad in the afternoon.  Not much of a party but she seemed quite happy.
I'm definitely on count down now to finishing for Christmas wit many of the students ending until January I'm looking forward to a few quieter weeks.  I'm definitely feeling ready for it.
Last night I made a vegan "macaro-no cheese" which I saw mentioned in one of the other diaries.  It was delicious and I had a couple of portions for the freezer too.  It is quite rich so I think I will have it with some green vegetables next time but will definitely put it on my list of recipes.  .
I keep wanting to bake some biscuits and have been gleaning new ideas from cookery programmes so I think I may get my books out and bake at the weekend.  That voice will be calling me again Savingholmes !
Tilly are about to go out and deliver our cards to the neighbours, killing two birds with one stone.  I don't send many, a couple to family members who I won't get to see which I took to the post office at lunchtime along with a small parcel of chocolates for friend L who lives in London and I haven't been able to visit this year.  She is spending Christmas on her own this year for the first time and I thought it would be a nice little addition to her goodies for the day.
Well the cards won't deliver themselves so I will get off my ample behind and get at it.
Have a good evening all
Dottles x

savingholmes

Nice you got to see your GD. We are too far from family here for casual visits. 

Dottles1

That's a shame Savingholmes but the ones you do manage will be so precious.
I don't know where the time has gone, I've been so busy doing this and that.  Anyway I finished working last night and all presents are wrapped and cards written and delivered.  I'm doing a couple of present deliveries this afternoon and the rest tomorrow.  Most groceries have been bought though I need to get some salad veg while I'm out  today and tomorrow morning will consist of housework ad bed changing. I have to have clean sheets an PJ's for Christmas Eve (remind me how old I am).  DD2 sent me a surprise bottle of red wine through the post yesterday so I enjoyed a glass before bed and plan to do the same this evening.
I have volunteered to arrange a Zoom meeting for myself, friend P and our two older friends over the next two days so I'll be on the mobil talking them through it as neither is too keen on IT. Should be fun.
It all feels a bit strange this year doesn't it and I find myself tearing up at news items even though I'm looking forward to a quieter festive period.  I'm still confused by the conspiracy theorists who think the government are doing all this to "restart society" and can't bring myself to get into debate about it.  We just have to keep on keeping on don't we?
I hope you are all up to date with your preparations whatever you will doing.  I plan to enjoy some new recipes, read, watch films I've never got around to and read.  Sounds pretty good to me.  
Now I have to try to persuade Tilly to venture out into the rain for a walk, wish me luck (I had to physically pick her up and put her outside last night!).
I will pp back later or tomorrow morning to catch up.
Keep warm and safe all.
Dottles xx

Sun_Addict

I can’t believe some people think the virus is a conspiracy after so many people have lost their lives. It’s been a very strange year that’s for sure and one we won’t forget in a hurry. I’ll also be enjoying a nice glass of red tonight and putting my feet up for a few days of relaxation. Have a lovely Christmas 🎄☃️🥂

beanielou

Have a happy time dottles when it comes.x

Chrystal

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Christmas and New year.  XX

Dottles1

I know Sun-Addict but as my grandma used to say, there's nowt so queer as folk.  Thanks Chrystal and Beanie.  Well all is now done apart from making up my bed and delivering a few more presents.  I'll be having a glass of red wine and finding something festive to watch on the box this evening, feeling suitably festive.
I hope that you all have a wonderful happy, peaceful and safe Christmas and we can catch up again when it's all over.  
Take care everyone and a merry Christmas to you all.
Dottles xx

savingholmes

Hope you're having a relaxed, pampered break.

Dottles1

Good evening and a Happy new Year to you all.  I've had a week off everything including IT but I'm back and raring to go. Well I'm now in tier 4 as are any others and and have spent some time this afternoon emailing clients that all meetings are to go online again.  I know there is to be another review on the 13th  but I'm not expecting anything to change this month at least;  I'll just wait and see what happens.  God news is that friend L in London has had her 1st vaccination with the second due on 21st, evidence that the vaccine is getting out there.  I'm now waiting to hear about friend S in Formby as she is also on the vulnerable list.   
Did everyone have a good Christmas?  I ended up having lunch at DG's then came home to have an online game of Pictionary with the family which was chaos but fun.  I spent a couple of hours with my bubble on NY Eve having an Indian meal then home by 1000 and finally watched the count down via face time with DD2.  All in a it's been good and I've taken the time to catch up on sleep, reading and watching films.  
Tilly and I have been out in the snow this afternoon.  It was so good to see all the families out having snowball fights on the top field.  There must have been about 25 snowmen including a family with a dog wearing glasses and all were wearing masks (the snowmen).  It felt like a little bit of normality in these strange times.
I'll be taking the tree and decorations down tomorrow before I start back at work; it feels a little bit sad as I've loved the gentle glow of the lights in the evening/  I might find somewhere to keep a set of lights up for a while longer.
I have barely spent a penny over the holidays and have a fair bit of food left and have written a 2 week food plan so won't need to buy many groceries for the next couple of weeks.
I'm looking forward to getting on with this year now and hopefully we will move towards a better place by spring.
Take care everybody and keep safe as always.
much love Dottles x