Happy Christmas

[Onelife]

Being such a miserable day here in the lovely Shropshire hills I thought what could I do, my wife suggested that I do things round the house so I’ve just completed peeling our second “eye watering” batch of home spiced pickled onions (8 jars in total) This afternoon we are working together (this could also end up in tears)) making our Christmas Cake.

So, are you having a lazy day or are you being productive like me?

[CaroleF]

I suppose it's being productive to a certain amount. I have two items I've bought on line to return to two different retailers. Now the majority of retailers have decided it saves the planet if we print our own return labels, it's a pain for me as I don't have a printer. I have had printers in the past which don't seem to work for very long. So now when I have to have label printed I email it to my daughter and she prints it for me. Anyway now there seems to be an excellent arrangement between some retailers and Royal Mail in that I don't need to print a label but I can arrange for Royal Mail to collect my parcel, they bring the label and what's more it's free! This is really good but the hoops I had to go through in order to achieve this, I really felt like hurtling my laptop across the floor, I didn't! Each time I tried to add my address to a form the dratted thing disappeared and I couldn't see why. Eventually I realised, my mistake, if I'd scrolled down the page I'd have seen my address was already printed - these things are too clever. Then when I got to the bottom of the page and I just had to print 'Submit', I clicked on it and nothing happened. So I had to go and check that I'd filled in all the required information. I seem to have done, then I noticed it tiny print it said, 'Dots not allowed' but there weren't any dots, other than in my email address. Eventually I noticed on one empty line that I didn't have to fill in there was this miniscule dot. I swear I hadn't typed it there, anyway I was able to delete it. Then, miraculously the form was submitted so I got there in the end.

I try to avoid having to go up to the Post Office as my arthritis makes walking too far difficult and I know my sister-in-law will take parcels for me but I don't like asking too often so this pick up system works well for me. I just wish it wasn't so stressful!

As for the rest of the day, is it going to be profitable? Well I've submitted an Ocado order without any problems. I'm researching recipes for old favourite puddings as I'm going to do a family meal next month in lieu of not doing Christmas Day any more but having done more than 40 Christmas lunches over the years I'm afraid that's come to an end. I've asked my daughters for their favourite puddings I used to make them and so far I've been asked for Lemon Ice Box Cake, Pavlova and Apple Cake. I can make those in advance and freeze two of them so that's what I'll be doing over the next few weeks. There are things I ought to do to make the day more profitable, like some filing which I may get around to. The weather is dismal and not looking to improve so I suppose it's a part productive, part lazy. I might try to find something good to watch this evening.

[Onelife]

My Gawd Carole...I’ve started pulling my hair out just reading your printing woe’s…We’ve had the same issues with printers, we’ve had those that work for a few months and ones where we have to spend hours trying to connect printer to the computer. My solution is to leave the wife in the study, lock the door and wait until she’s sorted it.

Your cakes sound yummy!

[Mervyn and Trish]

If I tried that I probably wouldn't see her for five years. She's not that technical.....

[Stephen]

If I tried that I probably wouldn't see her for five years. She's not that technical.....

Where do I get one of those printers

[Ranchi]

Carole, have you tried using the app? I’ve had a couple of things picked up by our postie and although I had printed the labels myself I’m pretty sure he could have provided a pre printed label n

[CaroleF]

Which app Ranchi? I had to do it through the two different retailers which both had arrangements with Royal Mail.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We bought orange juice this week. Came in Christmas design carton. Expires 5th November.

[Stephen]

It’s far too early for the C word to be mentioned.

[Onelife]

It’s far too early for the C word to be mentioned.

We had 60 National Trust C.C arrive today…I didn’t know we had that many friends,family

[Mervyn and Trish]

I can see you're planning ahead, get 5 years supply at once.

Don't forget to post H&M's soon. The post can be terrible to the USA.

[Onelife]

I can see you're planning ahead, get 5 years supply at once.

Don't forget to post H&M's soon. The post can be terrible to the USA.

Good, that makes me feel better…at £6 for 10 who needs family and friends.

......

I see your mate Will wants to use of his public platform to campaign against homelessness….may I suggest he gives up one of his four homes and makes someone really happy for Christmas.

[Stephen]

I can see you're planning ahead, get 5 years supply at once.

Don't forget to post H&M's soon. The post can be terrible to the USA.