O/S Daily Monday December 8 2025

Gers

ScarletRibbons said:

Taff, I sound like a grumpy old so and so on the subject of Christmas gifts for the 2  youngest grandchildren,  I know I do, but it grieves me to see the amount off stuff they get, then the next day they probably wouldn't remember who gave them what.
As you say, it's not special any more. One of them has a birthday in January, but I don't buy 'big' presents for birthdays.
Right, I'll give it a rest now!!

I'm with you too!  Seeing a photo of my Aussie great-niblings Christmas gifts under the tree a couple of years ago grieved me.  Four children, three under four and piles and piles of mostly plastic toys which they soon discarded.  Now I tend to send their grandmother money to spend on camping trips or other experiences - same with my English nephews. Do stuff rather than buy stuff!

When do you go to Venice @Ruby?

YorksLass

Morning all, thanks for today's start @Scarlet and @-taff for the carol.

Yesterday's rain arrived bang on time as forecast and became heavier as the day went on, accompanied by gusty winds in the evening.  Although I've seen them before, I watched two films - Jingle All The Way in the afternoon and The Holiday in the evening.  I think they did the trick of making me feel a little bit more Xmas-y.     

Today is set to be dry and bright but I'm having a stay-in day as there's quite a few things need doing around the house and the sight of some welcome sunshine always helps get such tasks done.  I need to add a couple of things onto tomorrow's grocery order and rummage in the tool box for sticky hooks for a couple of Xmas decorations.  Dinner tonight is a beef stir fry with noodles followed by the last of the fruit & jelly.

@Izzy - We had volley no.2 of fireworks around 5.30 pm.      Why, I ask myself.

@Coxy - I think the film you watched may have been a re-make of Wars of the Roses with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner; the original was probably better.

I hope all our poorly people are getting over their various ailments, especially the little ones.  Try not to stress too much over the upcoming festivities, it's very rarely like the adverts!  Take care, stay safe and warm.  X

RosyRed

Morning all,thanks for the carol Taff. Scarlet glad I jogged your memory  - mince pies made and sampled. I think I didn't roll the pastry thin enough though. It is quite sticky and I ran out of flour to help roll. I had some pastry and mincemeat leftover so I made a small pie and added some of my frozen chopped up apples, which we ate after our tea. Enough of the pork left to freeze for another time too. calamari tonight and I'm going to cook a mackerel a friend gave me. Not had it for years!

I've been busy researching birds, I saw what I thought was an egret in the river down the path - just stood there.I even thought someone had put a garden ornament there but when I came back it had moved nearer.I didn't think it was a heron as it was skinnier and white.Typically I forgot my phone.Googling , certainly looks like one but they don't seem very common in the North.

I hope you all have good days and poodles feeling better 

WickedLady4

Morning all

I'm with the rest of you regarding toys for grandchildren. Ours get so many so I give a small amount of books, socks etc in a stocking then send money to DD to put in their saving accounts. Luckily they are both young and usually prefer the unwrapping to the actual presents!

Am just waiting for DH as we're taking the car to Harpenden station, where DH is meeting friends for a Christmas lunch. I'll get the train from there down to St Pancras and have a mooch around before meeting other friends for a Christmas Lights walk early this evening. DH will join us at some point and then we can travel home together.

Off now - love and hugs to all.

TravellingAbuela

Afternoon all. I stuck to my word and started wrapping all my presents at 9.30 and threw the towel in at 1.30. The remainder can be done another day when the orders I am waiting for have been delivered.  I followed TIFF's advice and put on a video of Christmas songs to listen to whilst wrapping. I'm not sure it actually put me in a festive mood but it was nice to hear some forgotten old songs anyway!

Can I join the Bah Humbug brigade! But with my DGDs now 15, 17 and 21 the days of getting far too many toys are long gone, but now it's toiletries and make up. They could re-stock Boots between them the amount they get! We are fortunate they are all girls as buying for boys once they reach their teens must be a nightmare. I can't see them appreciating toiletries!

After a sandwich and bowl of soup I now plan an afternoon in the land of sloth. I'll do a search for an easy watching film to watch and probably fall asleep. TTFN again, take care x

dp1

Hello everyone, a late one from me
Scarlet Ribbons - could you  buy them vouchers for a day out? for the cinema, ten pin bowling, climbing or trampolines..if they like that sort of thing. Something that is a present for after Christmas.
People assume I spoil little one but I always say I spoil her with my time more than actual 'things' - except for books, though they mostly come from Ebay or charity shops.
Talking of little one...why did I say she was better? She was fine yesterday till about 5pm when she'd told DD she had a pain in her tummy, by 6pm she was screaming with the pain...DD rang for an ambulance and they were at the RVI in Newcastle by 9pm.
They thought it was appendicitis at first, but she's had an xray this afternoon which shows impacted poo  (sorry if TMI)...though apparently that can cause appendicitis. Medication through her feeding tube tonight and then fingers crossed, the pain has eased in the morning, in which case it isn't appendicitis.
I've felt in such  bad mood all day, thinking of the things shes going to miss out on if she needs her appendix out - hopefully better news tomorrow x

weenancyinAmerica

I agree about the too many presents at a time aren't really appreciated. Too bad you can't spread it out a little and give smaller presents - Boxing Day, New Year's, 12th Night etc.