* Step into Christmas * & 2020 - It's the 2020 Christmas Chatter Thread

Redredrobin

Hubby went for an interview this morning and was offered the job , so happy for him . It’s a complete change of direction for him but it’s what he wants to do and will be amazing at it .

How is everyone doing ? Hoping I might get back to work soon but won’t know probably until next week . 

Christmas wise a few bits bought so coming along nicely , finally found my “ safe place” and the missing gifts. Lol .

Stay safe x

Peppapig

Congratulations to DH REDREDROBIN, that’s great news.

Spendless

Hi everyone
Also dipping in for the first time this year and just having a little catch up.
Unfortunately I lost my job the first week fo lockdown. Project I was working on was stopped. Gutted because I'd only just been taken on by them from the agency on a short term contract and was earning more, had the part-time hours I'd always desired and could have a free travel pass for DD's college. Wasn't offerred furlough and sadly as my line manager retires in a few months I don't see the project getting back up and running by then. Can't claim anything as have a working husband and don't qualify for JSA on contributions because didn't work last year due to daughter's ill health. Will have to look as and when all over, though thoroughly expecting a recession.
Oh dear that's not very Chrstmassy -lol. Daughter had her 17th birthday inlockdown and managed to negotiate a more expensive present plus a half birthday later this year. Should be glad it's not her 18th she wanted compensation for. In order to bulk out her presents I had to raid myChristmas stash, which wasn't that large anyway. Most would have been for her though anyway - she's just got it early. This week she and some friends all did a pamper box, secret santa style so you gave and received one box each. Mostly using unused and unopened items from round the house eg we had body lotion and other toiletries and then we bulked out with sweets etc. I delivered and collected around the town and DD was really happy to talk if briefly to her friends in person.  She also had good news earlier this month as she has got into the National Youth Theatre on her first try. It has to be done online this year not the fortnight residential she should have had, but she's really happy about getting in. 

Husband has been working from home. We had a summer house built years ago that has electrics and has been used over the years but has been a god-send. DD has been doing college on-line. but it's a musical theatre course so some lessons just can't be taught sufficiently that way. Whilst she's been using space all over the house for college have been thankful that DS decided to stop at Uni. He's coming home next week though as the last of his housemates are also leaving. 

At the beinning of the week my Dad went into hospital feeling unwell. Several hours later he was discharged with pneumonia. As he also had a cough, they told him they were also classing him as having the virus but wouldn't be testing him because the results took too long to come back??? WTH is going on, how can official figures be correct when there's cases like my Dad? His options to be tested were to go to a drive through, but parents have taken the advice not to go out at all to the letter so won't go out to do this or get a home test. First time he tried there weren't any left, but waking early the following day, he got on-line, spke to a Dr and got one sent out. He's now awaiting the results. Thankfully 96yo Nan in a nursing home, they have had no cases. This has been confirmed to my Mum by both a Dr and the care home manager. 5 years ago when she went in, Mum had to chose there due to affordability rather than the place that was her first choice. Having to go to a smaller care home has proved to be like so many things in life a blessing in disguise. 

RedRobin - How old is your DD? During my de-cluttering I dug out an enomous stocking that we've never used that has 24 small pockets on the outside so it's an advent as well. Was thinking of doing this for her this year but wondering what sort of things to put in. 
 

Redredrobin

Dd is 23 , her advent is an eclectic mix of books , make up And tomorrow two Harry Potter colouring books I will also add sweets nearer the time . Once I get the books tomorrow I will have 17  out of the 24 I need . She is a big Star Wars fan so have ordered Bb8 fabric to hopefully make her a little make up bag too .Aldi have a lot of Harry  potter stuff on sale from tomorrow, I ordered the fat quarters online but didn’t see the books .

vulpix

Hi Everyone,
Stunning Birthday ideas for your Husband PK.

Congratulations for you husbands new job Rrr.It's heartening to hear someone land their dream job.

Spendless I am sorry to hear your job news. I think the current situation will be a catalyst for a lot of changes for everyone in the future.I think people are really thinking about whats important in life.We all know already that it's family.

I haven't seen my family for an age.I have a back log of Easter,Birthday gift bags in the spare room.
My son landed a new job yesterday.He is a teacher,sadly I don't think he will ever get to return to his old school to say goodbyes.
I have spent my time recently pulling a perfectly nice kitchen to bits and slowly redesigning it.I got rid of the American style fridge and replaced with undercounter fridge and freezer.I also got rid of a church pew,moved the table and now have a kitchen island. More work and expense,but I always enjoy a project!
I actually had an idea for Mr V's Christmas or Christmas Birthday ( so selfish!)Whiskey stones.It's a start. I can't usually think of anything at all.
I think this year Christmas will be extra special for us all.
Hope you and yours are all keeping well Vx

Treasurequeen

I hope everyone is doing ok? 
my grandad has dropped a hint for his gift this year- a weather vane. I bought him one from Wilko about 5 years ago and it flew off in the last storm and broke. So I’m on a lookout for a bargain. 

My grandma has asked for smellies so I will buy some throughout the year. I found some French soap in my local eco shop so will buy her a bar when I’m next in there. Just got to figure out what each bar is in English. Im going to make her a bottle of my luxury nail and cuticle oil nearer the time along with a homemade body scrub.

Tu clothing are going to have a reduction sale online (not sure if in store too).  

princesskitty29

Hi all, well despite being in lockdown I’ve had a very busy week or so! Mostly to do with DH’s birthday and Wiggle’s behaviour! DH had a great birthday, I was so worried beforehand that there would be pockets of time with us sitting around not knowing what to do and DH getting down, but the day was so busy between breakfast in bed, phone calls, him visiting his parents (from a distance), present opening etc. I didn’t actually get to sit down and show him the video montage until 3pm and the cake had to literally be squeezed into the day! I was so relieved. DH didn’t make me feel like this but for some reason I felt a huge responsibility to make his birthday go well! I had nothing to worry about.

 

Wiggle has been fine for ages but his behaviour in the last couple of weeks has taken a nosedive and it’s been very draining. I’ve been putting it down to missing school and lack of interaction, but actually last night DH and I also realised it has coincided with his hayfever symptoms coming out as well so could be a mix of both. We’ve decided not to send him back to school on Monday, we’re going to leave it a couple of weeks and re-evaluate the situation which the school are fine with.

 

I haven’t had a chance to look at any Christmas planning and I’m now onto planning Squeak’s birthday which is in a couple of weeks and Father’s Day. Oh, I also realised I haven’t done the Pinterest page – will get onto it ASAP!

 

chanie DH had a great time thank you.

 

Redrobin congratulations to DH on his new job.

 

Spendless good to hear from you! Sorry you lost your job, that must have been so disappointing for you, I hope you can find something that works for you again in the future. I loved your DD’s idea of swapping hampers with friends! I hope your dad is feeling better now? We also have a case that leads us to mistrust official figures – DH’s great uncle died a few weeks ago, he was 98 and in poor health and a little while before he died (at home) he spent some time in hospital. He was never tested for covid, I don’t even know if he had any symptoms, but they put that as the cause of death on his death certificate because there ‘could have been a chance’ he contracted it whilst in hospital. So they don’t actually know, he could have just died of natural causes and old age! It makes you wonder how many more deaths have been put down as covid with no evidence of it?

 

vulpix you do love a project don’t you?? I wish I was more like you, I always have lots of ideas of things to do around the house but I never seem to get around to them! We have said we're going to paint our front door this weekend, it is currently black and we've bought a nice sage green for it, so watch this space!

 

Treasurequeen oh it does make things easier when you know what to get people! I’m now wondering if a weather vane would be a nice thing to get for my in laws.

Redredrobin

Anyone anyone planning to do a little Christmas sewing I’ve just placed an order with Elephant in my handbag they have some lovely Christmas fabric and stunning Christmas panels ideal for making sacks .

Furlough is finally coming to an end I go back to work June 20th never thought I would be happy to be going back ! 

Struggling to get on top of another episode of vertigo but not having much luck , stop the world I wanna get off !

Hubby has made a raised planter to use up some of his random bits of wood and it looks great just need more compost luckily a local garden centre is doing deliveries so hopefully will get more this week , then plant it up .

vulpix

Hi,Have nothing much to say but noticed the board was very quiet.
RR hope you are feeling better before you have to go back to work.Vertigo must be grim.
Well the weather has changed which is a relief for my garden and the surrounding countryside.Fewer tourists too,we have been overwhelmed recently.
My pointles but expensive kitchen changeround has halted until we can get a joiner in to fit the new worktop. I don't miss what was there before with the exception of the big sofa.I have always liked a sofa in the kitchen diner.
I have bought a little silver trinket box for DS GF for Christmas.I am still finding things to sell like last year but on a smaller scale.I have decided that as I sell something the money will buy a Christmas pressent. I buy all year round as and when I get an idea or see something. Christmas is never a financial shock that way but when I come to look at my purchases later in the year...hahahaha I wonder sometimes what I was thinking.
Hoping you and yours are all ok. Vx

princesskitty29

https://pin.it/268QVXV
Hi all, i've just created a Pinterest board for us all to share, the link is above just hoping it works on here?