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Post by irist on Dec 23, 2020 15:30:24 GMT
Afternoon ladies. Such complicated arrangements we are all dealing with at the moment. Gifts to be left in a garage; sitting in a different room from a family member who is changing bed linen. Let's just hope by next Christmas we will be able to smile about it all. So, so pleased for you, Aly. At least you now know for sure that you are moving. Sorry to hear about P's health but hopefully in the New Year you will have better news on that front too. Onwards and upwards. I've spent the morning giving the house a good clean and tidy. Changed my bed and washed the linen which is drying on the radiators. I sorted OH's bed the other day. I've vowed not to do any more laundry until the New Year. It will only be us here so a little dust here and there won't matter nor will an overflowing laundry basket . Just need to put the gammon in the slow cooker later tonight. I'm going to slow roast the beef too then rest it before slicing ready to take to daughter's on the big day. Think it's just stopped raining so will nip out and get some more logs in for the fire. Enjoy the rest of your day.
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Post by brightspark on Dec 23, 2020 15:39:49 GMT
Ooh Aly, let's hope things go a bit more smoothly from now on. Looking good currently. If you a moment, can you pop in from time to time - keep it short if necessary, but just to let us know everything's going well.
Tina, enjoy your day with your friend from Aberdeen, and I bet you're looking forward to getting a new pc...sounds like it's time !!
Iris, you can now relax having finished all the relatives preparation. I must say I love having the family with us, but am I alone in finding it quite tiring, just organising and pleasing everyone? It's going to be a lonelier Christmas this year, but less tiring, I reckon. Still we may catch a glimpse of the family when delivering their gifts to their garage !!
This morning I iced our daughter's cake - she has bought some cake decorations, so she asked for just a plain white, and the children would add the decorations. They have made a gingerbread house - in the photo it looks like they've bought up a sweet shop !!
We've just had our Christmas delivery from Tesco. Unfortunately the brandy-flavoured cream I ordered was out of stock, and this time they didn't substitute, which is a bit disappointing. I do have some mascarpone, so that may be my replacement - not the same, but hey-ho.
Aly, the Aria blanket looks like a lovely project that you can just pick and make a square when you have fifteen minutes to spare. With all my stash, I may be able to do something similar, although currently I am attempting to crochet some more slippers for me. crochetdreamz.com/crochet-slippers-free-pattern/ I thought they looked reasonably easy, although it took me a while to create the stitch shown - I have mastered it now as I really like the look, but I think the slippers would be fairly easy to create, whether knitted or crocheted - with thick yarn, or two thinner worked together, which is what I'm doing at the moment.
Have an enjoyable afternoon/evening, x
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 23, 2020 20:27:38 GMT
Well, had anything but a good Day. My Washing Machine packed up, just after my Bed was stripped. There have been non stop Family leaving Things for other Members, it has been awful. My Friend, was only dropping off my Computer, Val, not visiting, not allowed, and I had to keep her at the Door. She had her own House to check on, as at the Moment she is staying with her Mother in Aberdeen, as her Mum is registered Blind, and has just lost her Partner. Will write more in the Morning, so tired. Night, Night x
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 24, 2020 9:54:54 GMT
Morning Girls, lovely Morning here, full Sunshine, whether it will last, is in the Lap of the God's. My Son, managed to get me another Washing Machine, but it can't be delivered for a Week, so the Boys are doing my Washing between them, even so I will be washing my Smalls, and things like Tea Towels by Hand. My Daughter, has just washed all my Bedding. I have a couple of Clothes Maidens, that can stand Outside when it is sunny. The small bits and Pieces can par dry Outside, then finish off in the Dryer. I keep thinking, I don't need this ! But, needs must when the Devil drives. The Christmas Cake came up yesterday, and looks good, going to decorate myself, with all the battered Ornaments of yesterday, well, not myself, personally, the Cake ! lol. Some of them , in fact, most of them are from when the Children were small, now they are Pensioners! Never managed to fill the big Freezer, which I usually do, for Xmas, so it is threequarters empty, Daughter, has asked if she can put any Bargains she gets in there, as she only has a small Freezer, a bit inconvenient, but have said 'yes', but my Stuff will have to go on top, Iam only a Titch, and can't reach the Bottom. The Man who has moved in next Door, is wasting no time in shaping his new Garden, he has cut down the Holly Bush, next to our Fences, and the Rowan Tree at the Gate, the Fairies won't like that! In fact, to sum it up in one Word, the Garden is bald, so he is definitely doing it his way, and making himself a Vegetable Plot. He first has to take up all the Gravel, and that will be a Job and a half. Well, Girls, got to go and wash my Hair, might give my Anatomy a treat while I'm at it, seeing as it is Christmas Eve ! Be back later. love Tina x
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Post by Aly on Dec 24, 2020 13:44:36 GMT
Afternoon Chaos reigns. Headed out early to get the new tank. Whilst en route had it confirmed we are signing the acte de vente on Monday at 5.30. Had to set up the new house insurance as here you cannot complete without evidence of it. The insurance company have been brilliant and sorted it out today. We are planning to move next Wednesday or Thursday. Spoken to Orange who say our new connection will be 15th January so if I am absent you will know why. Managed to change my address on my NatWest account. Many more to do. Need to get the dogs booked into the kennel but will arrange that on Saturday. They already sense something is going on and will be better off out of it. Threw some icing on the cake and it is what it is. It will still be good with a mug of coffee. Having to remove a wall in the cloakroom to get the old tank out. Touch and go whether it will all be sorted before our buyers arrive. The new tank cannot be fitted until next week anyway. Buyers are staying in a Gite until their furniture arrives. That could take a while with the chaos moving lorries. I know moving house is always stressful but this is ridiculous.
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 24, 2020 14:42:30 GMT
Great News that you at last have a moving Date, Aly. Of course we understand you will not have time to come on here until you are more settled.x Just had a nice Surprise, answered a knock at the Door, it was three People from the Church down the Road, with a Hamper. It was massive, Soup, tinned Veg, Puddings, Marmalade, Nescafe, Teabags, and more, even a Present, a Diary and Pen. I am definitely writing a Thank you Note. Second Son, just brought my Dinner over, and he is going to make me some Meals up for the Freezer, so that's good, as my Legs are really bad at the Moment. He has taken my Washing away with him, and will bring it back tomorrow, when he brings my Dinner.
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Post by irist on Dec 24, 2020 19:56:21 GMT
Evening ladies. Sorry you are still encountering hiccups with your move, Aly. 2021 has got to be more peaceful for you! Will be thinking of you. How lovely to receive a hamper and good to have some meals prepared for you, Tina. Shame about the delay with your washing machine but sounds as though you have the situation under control I've almost finished the prep ready for tomorrow - just have to make the beef gravy and put the ribbon on the cake. I've cooked some small sausage rolls, yet another tray of mincemeat slices, pigs in blankets, Yorkshires, some parsley and thyme stuffing (OH has gone off sage and onion ). Daughter is doing everything else so I can sit back and relax. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and here's to a better 2021.
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 25, 2020 13:43:17 GMT
HAPPY CHRISTMAS, TO YOU ALL ! let us hope 2021, is better. Am waiting for my Dinner to be delivered, around about two oclock. Made a special Xmas Bird Bag up, Cheese, oysPork Pies, xmas Cake, Cranberries, you name it. Oh, and the Boys, bought me a Bird Station, so a very happy Bunny. Enjoy the rest of your Day. Love, Tina x
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Post by irist on Dec 25, 2020 18:31:22 GMT
Thanks for your good wishes, Tina. You really do spoil the birds in your garden. )
Hope you are all enjoying your day however you are celebrating. We had a delicious late lunch with the family and are now back at home for a quieter evening, leaving the young ones to have some time together.
Going to watch "Call the Midwife" and generally relax now.
Bye for now.
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Post by brightspark on Dec 25, 2020 19:22:37 GMT
Happy Christmas to you all, too.
Kindness is all around us, and today we were subject to it.
Our two cars are both suffering from faulty brakes - one of which is due to a strange sensor on the car as it has had new brake pads fitted. The kindness was that when our neighbour knew that we were due to take all the gifts to our son and daughter, and grandchildren, she gave us the keys to her car, and we drove 35 miles each way in her car, just to give some Christmas cheer to our own family.
On that lovely note, have a lovely relaxing time if you can.
xx
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 26, 2020 10:24:44 GMT
Morning Girls, miserable Day, but it is Winter, and as Shakespeare said, " if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind!". As I said, the Boys bought me a Bird Station, and are going to put it up for me, as soon as the Weather allows. I also got a big Stone Frog for the Garden, I love Frogs, and have Froggy Things everywhere. Enjoyed my Dinner, and believe it or not, had red Cabbage for the first time, was a bit dubious at first, but loved it. Daughter's Cake was a nice Flavour, but could not see a Cherry, now know am nit picking, but do like plenty of Cherries, so am going to be compelled to make either a Fruit Cake with plenty of Cherries, or a Cherry Cake, think it will be a Cherry Cake. But not today, just chilling. Carer will be here any Minute, to put my Socks and Shoes on, so will be back later. Have a great Day, love Tina x
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Post by Aly on Dec 26, 2020 12:54:36 GMT
Afternoon Yesterday was very quiet here but plenty to do. Gite is ready for buyers who arrive later this evening. They are super excited to finally be moving here. Have bought them a housewarming present and card which I will leave in the Gite. Planning on doing Sunday roast for us all tomorrow. First time in ages I have had to buy a whole chicken. Still no hot water in the main house but hoping the plumber will fit the new water tank early next week. My friend is coming on Tuesday to finish laying the flooring. Will be glad to see the back of this year but things are still far from normal.
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Post by ambersparkle on Dec 26, 2020 13:59:34 GMT
Glad to hear from you, Aly. Just been chilling, as I said I would, lolling about, doing a Crossword or two, buying a couple of things I needed, can't remember doing nothing, but could get used to it, maybe not, one Day is enough , keep thinking of things that need to be done. Think we will all be glad to see the back of this Year.
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Post by irist on Dec 26, 2020 16:39:18 GMT
Afternoon ladies. A lazy day here too, Tina. We just had some cold roast beef with a jacket potato and some homemade red slaw for lunch. It just hit the spot after all the rich food yesterday. I'm surprised you've never tried red cabbage before, Tina. Did you have it braised with apple and spices? It's one of my favourites and will use up the remainder of the one I bought in this way and freeze it down for use later. Just watching Mamma Mia - Here we go again! Light, easy watching with the songs of our youth (maybe not quite youth but younger days ) We are due gale force winds this evening and heavy rain overnight so no let up for us, but I think it's sweeping across the country so hope you all stay safe. Hope your tank is fixed soon, Aly and you can concentrate on your move. We had a set of dominoes given us yesterday so we may get those out and have a game later if I can drag OH away from the jigsaw he's being doing for a while. I'm going to take the decorations down over the weekend so I can tidy up before the workmen arrive to start on installing the new heating. I hope the weather improves because they will be working outside and inside. We will have to abide by Covid regulations for tradespeople working in our home. We will spend most of our time in the study with the small logburner keeping us toasty. However, we will have to work around the men when it comes to meals, etc. I'll have to go around regularly sanitising door handles and works surfaces too. It will add to the fun!
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Post by brightspark on Dec 26, 2020 22:49:44 GMT
Have had lots of phone calls and two Zoom calls today. It is great being able to chat, but time seems to zip along and before you know it, it's bedtime.
So, at nearly 11 pm, will bid you all a goodnight, and sleep well.
Stay safe, and stay well, x
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