+++ Whoops! Here comes the cheese! +++

KeepOnKnitting

Maybe your fellow residents can be responsible for pre-planned prep? So request the day before that x number of carrots are chopped by 5pm or something?

I fully support using cash to make life less difficult at this time. I know my mum did something similar when we lost my dad, partly to deal with the changes in her life, but also partly as a grief response. It won't be forever that things are this raw.

New improved jumper stock sounds good.

dawnybabes

I still sometimes write from both of us - it’s just a muscle memory ! One year my card to DH said love DW and DH - i refused to waste money and buy a new one 🤣🤣🤣

EssexHebridean

That does sound like a good deal from H0mefire Redo - agreed, not the cheapest way, but convenience definitely wins there, we favour buying in bags as well, not least as we don't have anywhere convenient for a kerbside delivery! 

WelshmansDaughter

Do what you gotta do, Redo. 

astrocytic_kitten

Sometimes the cheapest way to pay is with money, Redo. You've been so productive and on top of things, and instead of getting a rest there's now Christmas on top of everything else - just do what you need to to get through everything intact. I'm sure neighbours would understand no card this year if that's just too much. 

redofromstart

Hurrah! I finally have my bread maker (which got refunded yesterday so I ordered a new one) so I can have a play with that later.  

Hurrah! I also went and picked up the parcel which UPS had been failing to deliver for over a fortnight. This means that the big presents are both here and ready for wrapping which takes some stress off.

While I was out I went to MrS and bought a large frozen whole turkey, and used up some points.  Not sure how I will get it in the freezer but it will feed us, the various visitors and the animals for several days.  I generally like cooking so this isn't a huge stress, and its something major off my list.  Will need to find something suitable to brine it in.  Worst case is I just shove it in the oven for fourteen million hours and serve it with pre-prepared veg.  

I haven't done anything about cards yet, and know that nobody would think anything of me not doing them, and I have got as far as finding bags for the few things I need to post. I have put a few decorations up -suitably understated but there is something tremendously cheering about fairy lights. 

teapot2

Definitely do Christmas your way particularly this year, sounds like you are well on the way to that

redofromstart

In a moment of cunning plan I opened the cards and just wrote our names in each of them. Need to go back and add words but it at least meant that the unnecessarily complicated bit is done. I will finish those off later so I can post/deliver them when I take Doglet out for our fair weather village circuit.

Bargain of the day yesterday was a fairly local one (for anyone who has a Central Co-op) in that they now have a scan and save App which I finally got round to trying. It applies App discounts as well as member prices which meant 35p each for 3 x chocolate oranges, 65p for 3 x mint matchmakers and £4.50 for 1 box of Continental. It limits how many you can buy but I thought very good value indeed. I am sure there are other bargains to be had if I look properly. They also do a £5 each referral code if you introduce a friend. 

It was actually sunny for a bit yesterday and it was lovely to take Doglet without her protesting at the cold and wet , and then to do an hour in the garden afterwards. 

astrocytic_kitten

Glad you found a way to get them done.

Off to add mint matchmakers to my online shop…haven’t had them in ages but have now decided they’re an essential

Cheery_Daff

Good plan on the cards Redo. It's not the same, but I often find it better to write difficult emails in stages - first draft always in a notepad document rather than an actual email. Takes away the initial fear somehow. I hope you get through the rest of the card writing OK, I imagine there are going to be many little moments of sadness through the festive season xx

I lost £13 worth of co-op points recently 🙄 They did send notification, but I don't live near a co-op any more and completely forgot when I was in the relevant town. Not got my act together with using the card again, and certainly not the app. I could get behind a 35p chocolate orange though!!