It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

[Dancing Queen]

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

I've got Xmas music blaring out ( Michael Buble at the moment ) what better way to get you in the mood for the 'Festive' season.

[oldbluefox]

Christmas decs have gone up this morning and starting on Christmas cards tomorrow so we're getting there.

[Kaziebelle]

Not got the decks up yet but the present wrapping is gaining pace and the card writing is about to commence

[Stephen]

BAH HUMBUG

Currently got the missus standing outside trying to sell the real Christmas tree...............for a profit

[Dancing Queen]

Christmas decs have gone up this morning and starting on Christmas cards tomorrow so we're getting there.

You're not very organised Foxy, I posted all my cards this morning

[Boris+]

We are pretty much all done and dusted. Cards have gone, decorations done, all gifts wrapped (and some already either sent or given).

Anything 'fresh' required for 25th has been ordered and paid for - so we can sit back and relax a bit. Just as well we've been organised - you never know what's around the corner.

Em

[emjay45]

Most of the cards are done just a few more to go. The decorations are up so it IS beginning to feel like Christmas. I usually play Christmas tunes to get me in the mood too.

[Frank Manning]

You are all very quick off the mark. There are still 18 days to go, we have received some cards, but we haven't put them up yet, because we still have Sue's birthday cards up from yesterday. I doubt if we will put the decorations up until next weekend, and I will start on the UK cards in the next couple of days. (By the way thanks to Brenda and Phil; your card arrived today.)

We walked down through Bournemouth Gardens this morning, and there is one of those temporary markets around the square, complete with two goats, two sheep, a couple of ponies and some various caged birds. It still didn't seem very Christmasy, although there was a lovely teenage lad (13 or 14 I guess) playing rock and roll on the piano and singing quite powerfully.

[Quizzical Bob]

It's only the7th December. I shan't get excited until Christmas Eve, after it gets dark.

[Delboy]

Lorraine has decorated the mantelpiece and the mirror above with garlands and lights, tomorrow after watching our grandson play rugby, I will put up the Christmas Tree and decorate it, lights are inbuilt. Garland is already on the front door.

Then if I have time will put up the outside lights, if not will do it Monday.

Visited a garden centre today in Braintree, mainly to have a cup of tea, as all the coffee shops in the Freeport Outlet Shopping village, were packed with large queues of people waiting to be served. Could not believe the cost of real Christmas rootless tree's at the garden centre, as much as £70. Although we have a number of presents wrapped, we managed to get a few more today. We have received a few Christmas cards and Lorraine has written most of ours.

Thankfully we have had our 6 ft 6 inch artificial tree for a number of years, and it still looks good, and according to Lorraine outstanding after I have decorated it. Think she may just be saying that, as last year was the first time I had decorated it, and now appear to be lumbered with the job.

[Frank Manning]

Our local students had a party last night which kept the neighbourhood awake. I have just been over to have a word with them, and they were very nice, but in the midst of it all, an illuminated train bearing Santa came down the road blaring out ' The rising of the sun, and the running of the deer etc' Soroptimists at about 130dBA, which rather detracted from my talk with the students.....bah humbug!!

Never mind only two weeks and the nights start drawing out again!

[Andrea S]

DQ, What a lovely heading.

Did it take you back to being a young girl again joining in with your hairbrush in your hand.

I havnt heard Fairy Tale of New York yet, that is usually the first song bursting out of the radio at this time of the year.

Like others my Xmas doesn't come together until after my Birthday but today I walked through the Xmas market and seeing excited little ones was magical..

[Silver_Shiney]

It's only the7th December. I shan't get excited until Christmas Eve, after it gets dark.

quite right, too, sir!

Midnight carol service, followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows

[Dancing Queen]

DQ, What a lovely heading.

Did it take you back to being a young girl again joining in with your hairbrush in your hand.

I havnt heard Fairy Tale of New York yet, that is usually the first song bursting out of the radio at this time of the year.

Like others my Xmas doesn't come together until after my Birthday but today I walked through the Xmas market and seeing excited little ones was magical..

It certainly did Andrea, I was ironing and singing along

[GillD46]

We have - had - a voyage booked on QM2 next week, so are all completely ready for Christmas, house decorated inside and out, gifts bought and wrapped, cards mailed, food ordered etc. All hunky dory! Then my mum gets offered the sheltered housing she has been waiting months for and needs to be moved in next week or she loses it,

So bye bye QM2 and hello a LOT of hard work, down sizing her home, moving her in, disposing of possessions and clearing/cleaning her current home! Just as well I was prepared for Christmas, i certainly wouldn't have time to do everything otherwise!

[Jan Rosser]

Gill there will I'm sure be plenty of cruises to look forward to but you only have one Mum and helping her to move and settle into her new home is definitely the right thing to do. Hope everything goes okay for your Mum - I'm sure she will appreciate all you are doing for her

[GillD46]

Jan, there was no question of us going once this offer of a flat had been made. Annoying losing the money, very, but she needs us, and at the end of the day, it's just a cruise and that's hardly important. But so glad I'm prepared for Christmas because as a serial hoarder, her current flat will take quite some sorting

[Delboy]

Went for a ride tonight to the takeaway to get a Chinese, and it would appear around here, lots and lots of people have put their outside lights up today. Some great displays.

Our daughter came round earlier today and brought with her 2 large boxes, a number of carry bags and a black sack, full of wrapped Christmas presents.

She said it took her 4 hours last night to wrap them, the reason she brought them to us, was to keep them from our 3 grand children's prying eyes (they were away at a sleep over last night).

I did not look to see if mine was there, honest.

[Onelife]

Hi Gill,

I’m not sure whether I should be happy for you that your mother has got her sheltered housing or commiserating with you because it couldn’t have come at a much worse time...a mixture of both I would presume?

There comes a time when we look back and ask ourselves whether or not we did right by our parents...I’m sure you will have many more cruises to look forward to in the future.

Chin up

Regards

Keith

[GillD46]

Hi Gill,

I’m not sure whether I should be happy for you that your mother has got her sheltered housing or commiserating with you because it couldn’t have come at a much worse time...a mixture of both I would presume?

There comes a time when we look back and ask ourselves whether or not we did right by our parents...I’m sure you will have many more cruises to look forward to in the future.

Chin up

Regards

Keith

Oh the cruise doesn't matter in the slightest, like I said to Jan, it's just a cruise. I am rather daunted by the enormous amount of sorting out ahead, but we'll get it done and yes, many more holidays, God willing.

[Kaziebelle]

DQ,I think it's you who is too organised lol it's not normal to be so far in front already,you're supposed to wait until Christmas week and rush around like someone demented lol

[Stephen]

Our local students had a party last night which kept the neighbourhood awake. I have just been over to have a word with them, and they were very nice, but in the midst of it all, an illuminated train bearing Santa came down the road blaring out ' The rising of the sun, and the running of the deer etc' Soroptimists at about 130dBA, which rather detracted from my talk with the students.....bah humbug!!

Never mind only two weeks and the nights start drawing out again!

I can see how something like that can rather take the edge off your dressing down Frank, but I can see the funny side

With a BAH and HUMBUG

[Jacknian]

Gill, your attitude does you credit, I know a few people who,would not be as philosophical,about losing out on a cruise or the loss of the money ! I hope your mum has many happy years in her sheltered accommodation, they can be lovely social places., and hope you have a lovely cruise soon.

[Dancing Queen]

DQ,I think it's you who is too organised lol it's not normal to be so far in front already,you're supposed to wait until Christmas week and rush around like someone demented lol

The only reason I'm so organised is because the week before Christmas the only rushing around I'll be doing is from bar to bar on a ship

Five more sleeps then it really will 'begin to feel like Christmas'

[Boris+]

Hi Gill,

I take my hat off - in admiration. I really do hope that all goes exceedingly smoothly, and that in amongst all the work that you will make a little time (at least a little bit of time) to 'spoil' yourself; you truly deserve it.

So in the very short time you have before the move begins in earnest what about getting some choccies or favourite snacks and a special dvd or favourite girlie sort of bath stuff (wine, bath oil and candles). My suggestions might be wrong, but the sentiment is there - go on, if you get a chance to plan a little bit to spoil yourself, do it.

And, yes - there will be other cruises, but they will be cruises on which you know beyond any shadow of a doubt that you have done your best.

I'll be thinking of you.

Em