It's Friday!

[louby loo]

Hi everyone! ....and welcome back Gezabel 😁

I've been away for my Christmas break with the family.   Had to laugh as at one of the activities - toy making- GD made (a kit form) reindeer but they didn't have any brown paint... the 12 year old  'elf' running the activity was amazed that I knew exactly how to make the 'best reindeer brown she had ever seen'  I didn't let on why I was so good at it 😂!!!

Sunnyday- I would have loved to attended your wreath making workshop, but I'm off to Wales on Thursday... Kent would have been so much closer and i think it would have been fun!

I'm watching strictly and really admire Chris and his amazing skills at picking the dancing up, also I have warmed to Pete. I didnt really like him at first but he has impoved so much- whilst the other remaining celebs where already pretty good to start with.

Have a good weekend all.

[Gezabel]

So lovely to sit and have a little catch up and see what you are all up to.

Sadly, i can't join in with Strictly thoughts as i am not a watcher! Confess to being a bit of an I'm a celebrity fan!.

Love the old knitting book fro 7d - i have some of my Mums old patterns somewhere and they bring back so many memories. Especially a pattern for a white cardigan with detailed flowers up each front. I vividly remember her knitting if when i was about 6 - we were due to go to a circus (now that's a whole new discussion with tigers in cages etc) and i was desperate for her to finish it in time. Funny how things bring back such random, vivid memories.

My beautiful longed for grandson who arrived after are the third round of IVF (following 2 rounds ending in miscarriage) is a delightful 8 month old who is busy living life to the full, not so keen on the teething lark but his new found freedom of crawling has thrilled him. He literally started yesterday and overnight the speed has upped several gears!!

Oh i wonder does anyone know when teachers begin to correct children's spelling? My granddaughter has just gone into Year 1 and writing and Maths are her absolute favourite maybe with the edge of favouritism going to the writing. She loves  is to spell words herself which she does phonetically. The latest word sounded out with such concentration is SCWIROL. Her explanation for spelling squirrel was it starts with SC so that's and S and a C - oh! it;s got a W in it so it must be SCW and then its i so SCWI and then it's ROL so squirrel must be spelt SCWIROL!!! The pride on her face was indescribable!

Hope you all keep safe and warm

[Cait]

I’d have thought definitely by year 1 it could be written correctly at the bottom of the writing along with a ‘well done for trying’

[sunnyday]

Good morning - 'tis Friday

How is everyone?

Hope louby is having a great time in Wales!

Gezabel - I love your granddaughter's phonetic spelling - that's a great effort for a tricky word!

Wreath making went well yesterday - kept it very small this year - just the regular knitting crew.

Must write my Christmas cards today! Still lots of pressie buying to do too - I really have no excuse for being so disorganised.

Take care all x

[louby loo]

On 06/12/2024 at 09:37, sunnyday said:

Good morning - 'tis Frida

Hope louby is having a great time in Wales!

 

Hello, I'm still here! 😄     We decided to bail out and have rebooked for January. Weather forcast very bad, and we were visiting family along with a few Christmas Markets, many of the markets now cancelled due to the forcasted  high winds and rain, one family has Norovirus, Andy has a chest infection - so figured it was best not to go.

I do now however feel like I've got an 'extra weekend' thrown into the mix. Very relaxing with nothing planned, I may make a few cards I think. The downside is I now have to decorate my own Christmas tree as the plan was for my GD to do it as a 'surprise' for us while we were away. Still a bit early for me to be honest but it's now up and looking rather strange undecorated at the moment 😂  Please note- I like to talk about, and plan Christmas early, but I'm not one to put a tree up in November 😂😂😂!!!

I spotted Trekker -from old - posting somewhere else on the forum and I've suggested visiting this thread for a catch up. Mind you- it she starts at page one it will take to the new year to get to this page!

Still very quite here and I hope everyone is ok.

Have a good weekend, and I hope it's not too 'wild and windy' for all (can't believe I'm writing that sitting here insunshine and clear blue skies at the moment!)

Cx

[sunnyday]

Hi Louby

Wales - yes, good decision - by complete coincidence we have a friend supposedly coming down from Wales tomorrow, travelling by train with Mr S picking up from the station in our nearest town...I can't see that he is going to be able to do that, but we haven't heard anything from him yet, so we will see.

Good luck with the tree decorating - I am still trying to decide whether we will even bother - I want to, but we are not here for Christmas and to further complicate things we have a granddog staying from 28th and her bed goes in the same place as the tree 😂 I know I could put her bed elsewhere but don't want to 'confuse' her 🤣 could be that I am over-thinking this!

Would absolutely love to see 'Trekker' and anyone else joining in here - let's hope that happens.

 

[Mouseketeer]

Hi all, hope everyone has had a good week, feels like we’re on the home run now 🙌

Lots of cancelled events here too, take care, batten down the hatches and stay safe all …… jumped out of my skin when the Gov alert red warning came through, though the beeb weather still showing yellow warning 💨 

[Gezabel]

is it just me or are the days just going by faster and faster. One minute it's Monday and then it's Friday. Sadly the weekends also pass very quickly!

I am not Christmas ready - nowhere near - no tree up and still lots of shopping to do.but no doubt i will get there.  Looking forward to my Granddaughters nativity - she told me she has "SUCH an important part to play" and when i asked what it was she said (bursting with pride) ' I am one of the girl travellers and there are 3 girl  ones  but only 2 boy travellers'

You may remember some time ago i posted  a pic of an aran cardgigan i hade made for her - time marches on and i have taught her to knit - she is busy doing a scarf for teddy! Just garter stitch at the moment but it's going ok and no holes so far :-)

I hope you all stay safe and warm particularly with the dreadful weather that is forecast.

Oh i meant to say that i have joined  a gym!!!!!!!  Four months before my big 70 birthday (better late than never)  If any of you kind of fancy it but haven't done anything about it i can highly recommend Gymophobics they have branches is many towns up and down the country. There are no super fit lycra clad people about and ages range from 16 to 92 at the one i go to, and yes that is ninety two !!  I go three times a week on the way home from work and feel physically and mentally SO much better for it. I had to give it a miss temporarily following cataract surgery and was surprised how much i missed it.

 

 

[trekker]

Hello - its me!

Just popping in. It's been a while since - no idea why really.  Definitely quieter on here isn't it?  Anyway quality rather than quantity counts I guess 🤣 

Wind is picking up outside so I've duly got out my torches and so on 😬 

Hope everyone is well and staying safe.  

Good to 'speak' with you all again.

 

[Mouseketeer]

Hi Trekker, good to see you, sadly it is quieter, I think the FB Tap group and other manager groups took over 😞 hope you haven’t needed your torch, it seems rougher now than earlier 🤞

[sunnyday]

I was convinced that our friend from Wales would not make the journey - Mr S has just had a text saying "train delays but should be in town about 2:30 - 3pm" 🤦‍♀️ he is not staying with us, Mr S is just the 'taxi driver'.

Hope that everyone is okay x

[sunnyday]

Famous last words - he has only just reached Paddington 🤦‍♀️

In his defence he has a very good reason for coming down this is following a family bereavement 💔

[louby loo]

On 07/12/2024 at 14:12, sunnyday said:

Famous last words - he has only just reached Paddington 🤦‍♀️

In his defence he has a very good reason for coming down this is following a family bereavement 💔

Yes, we felt our trip was more 'frivolous' just meeting family and freinds for some Christams markets etc.  I hope he finally get here safetly.

 

It seems a lot windy-er here now! Watching SCD and have heard a few pots and things going over outside.

[Gezabel]

hope you are all staying safe. I have never known wind so bad. I literally got blown off my feet this afternoon no real damage but quite scary to be unable to stay on my feet!  I hadn't planned to go anywhere else over the weekend and just as well as my village is now cut off by fallen trees - our amazing local farmers will be out to remove ASAP.

I am feeling kind of festive and thinking about 'things'  I think we all have our traditions as to how we spend Christmas and perhaps do similar things each year. There's the presents, cards, food etc etc to sort for the big day. I am not particularly religious (no offence to those who are!) and i was just dwelling on what it all means for me. It may be a bit of a cliche but for me it isn't about presnts etc (although i LOVE putting thought into what to buy and seeing people's reactions) it's about time with those closest to me.  Christmases come and Christmases go but this year it is an extra special one for us. It will be our first Christmas as Grandparents to three beautiful children. I am so excited i feel just like i did as a child at Christmas many moons ago.

Stay safe folks wherever you are 

[Mouseketeer]

On 07/12/2024 at 20:38, Gezabel said:

Christmases come and Christmases go but this year it is an extra special one for us. It will be our first Christmas as Grandparents to three beautiful children. I am so excited i feel just like i did as a child at Christmas many moons ago.

Totally agree with you, I was very much at the bah humbug,  ‘what is the point in all this’ stage until our grandchild arrived and it so worthwhile again, have the best time 🎅🏻 🎄 🎁 

[Cait]

Well it’s Friday, and my day for sanctuary duty at church.  Cleaning the brasses and filling up the candles - oil ones these days except the Advent wreath.   Others go vacuuming and polishing, flowers etc.   It’s only every couple of months as it’s a good rota, we do two Fridays on and then six Fridays off this year!   

[sunnyday]

Good morning - 'tis Friday (Cait got in first 🤣 but I have to say it, would feel unlucky not to)

Cait - your Church cleaning team/rota seems a lot more organised than ours - we were down to just three of us when we carried out our 'Christmas clean' - never mind, we did a super job, so good to look back as we leave and see what we had accomplished...

How is everyone - when do our working friends break up? This is the only time of year that I do miss not being at pre-school.

Been a funny old week here - two funerals for friends - both on the same day - that was all very sad.

Other than that I have been fairly busy but nothing more than my usual routine.

Have youngest granddaughters end of term performance with her drama club on Sunday, Monday will be 'carols on the green' with her primary school choir so really looking forward to both of those events.

Poor Mr S - he waited in all day on Wednesday for an 'oxygen risk assessment' thing - one of those 'anytime between 8am and 5pm' type arrangements - guess what 'someone' (hangs my head in shame) had the wrong day 🤦‍♀️ so he had to repeat the process yesterday...

Still need to buy for both of my lovely daughters-in-law - I feel a Next online order/delivery coming on 😉

Wish we could have a little sunshine to replace this horrible 'grey' but at least it's not forecast to be blowing a hoolie for this weekend so I will settle for that!

Take care all x

[louby loo]

Morning all.

Lots of church cleaning going on! (and not by me 😮 ...I used to be on a rota when I ran the rainbows though)

Sunny day, Ive finished until 7th Jan😂 now 😁  Party yesterday, and staff meail out last night.

I've decided I need to make an effort to decorate the tree now, it's been up over a week sitting sad and bare... although that said,  we have new** neigbours three doors down and they have lit up the missive oak tree in their garden so I recon I could have got away with not having a tree this year as we can see it from our living room!😂

** I say 'new neigbours' , but the funny thing is they were our neighbours three doors down when we were in our first house almost 45 years ago!

cx

 

 

[Gezabel]

On 13/12/2024 at 08:35, Cait said:

Well it’s Friday, and my day for sanctuary duty at church.  Cleaning the brasses and filling up the candles - oil ones these days except the Advent wreath.   Others go vacuuming and polishing, flowers etc.   It’s only every couple of months as it’s a good rota, we do two Fridays on and then six Fridays off this year!   

Ohh! church cleaning - you just sent me on a trip down memory lane. My Mum used to clean our lcoal church every Wednesday and when i was on school holidays i went with her. I remember they used some hideous concoction with paraffin in to put on the wooden floor - it was then gone over with a huge electric polisher. I used to clean the candle stands and loved picking off all  the dried dripped wax!  Actually the best bit was going to a little cafe afterwards - i can lieterally remember skipping down the street!!! Thanks for sparking some long forgotten memories 

[trekker]

Bit late but thought I'd check in and say hi! 👋

Decorations and tree all complete and enjoying the cosy feel of the twinkling lights in the evenings.

Did a bit of a present inventory today and feel like I'm practically done - which came as a bit of a surprise really 😁 so just the wrapping to get to now.

I don't finish until Christmas week and then back on 2nd as in nursery now...I do so miss the days of term time only pre-school!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sunnyday]

<whispers very quietly> the sun has come out of hiding - whoop!

[louby loo]

On 14/12/2024 at 13:18, sunnyday said:

<whispers very quietly> the sun has come out of hiding - whoop!

...but not for long - back into hiding tomorrow!

[Cait]

We are getting some amazing sunsets.  

[sunnyday]

Wow! Cait that is just beautiful

[sunnyday]

Good morning - 'tis Friday

Hope everyone is okay?

Take care x

[louby loo]

On 20/12/2024 at 09:11, sunnyday said:

Good morning - 'tis Friday

Hope everyone is okay?

Take care x

Morning 😊

All good here- only I promised to make the GD a 'unicorn onsie' for Christmas -  currently seriously wishing I hadn't made that promise though!!  Best get back to the sewing machine... 😂

xx

[trekker]

Hi all

Just started my wrapping today - after a last minute shop as I wasn't happy with some of the original presents I brought.  Need to knuckle down and get the wrapping done this weekend now.   

I'll do it while I watch some Christmas films and sip hot chocolate - starting to feel holiday-ish now and ready to settle down and do not very much for a week (one more shift to work on Monday though) ☺️🎄

Hope you all have a great Christmas !

 

[Cait]

Well even though, for obvious reasons, Christmas is seriously pared back here, the wrapping still took over 2.5 hrs because I’ve just got little things, but obviously lots of them!  Granddaughter has the usual amount of course 

[Gezabel]

Well, if i haven't got it now 'it ain't getting got' !!  Off to London tomorrow for a wander around the Christmas markes and a trip to Covent garden.

I was just thinking about Christmases of old and my memories of my childhood Christmases. I thought it would be interesting/fun to share a memory of a childhood Christmas or maybe a family tradition that is still going strong.

For me my abiding memory is off Christmas over 60 years ago. Father Christmas used to deliver presents on my bed. I have a vivid memory of waking up and wriggling down my bed to feel with my feet if ther was anything on my bed. If there wasn't i went back to sleep and if there was the whole of the North West of England must have heard me shout 'Mummy, Daddy he's beeeeeeeen!'

When my Grandaughter arrived in September 2018 i was at a garden centre with her and her Mum in the December. We went into the cafe for a cuppa and found they did a 'festive afternoon tea' and that day was the start of a new tradition. Each year we go to a different venue for a festive afternoon tea. During COIVD we managed to get a takeaway one and eat it in the local park. As she has got older the venues have changed. Last year we went to a rather smart local hotel which was wonderful. Yesterday saw us enjoying an amazing teas in an old fashioned train carriage. Anyone looking for a fantastic  venue in Suffolk to celebrate an occasion, I can highly recommend Carriages of Cambridge. We had our 2024 festive afternoon tea there yesterday - it was utterly amazing. There was a fairly large party in our carriage who were celebrating a 60th birthday. My Grandaughter decided to sing me some of the songs from her nativity - when she finished they all cheered and gave her a round of applause. When the waiter arrived with a birthday cake we joined in singing Happy Birthday. All in all a great day.

Oops went of a bit of a waffle there !!

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, enjoy your celebrations. If anyone finds this time of year rather tricky for whatever reason, my thoughts are with you and hope your journey through this season is not too difficult or painful xxxxxx

[louby loo]

On 22/12/2024 at 13:47, Gezabel said:

Well, if i haven't got it now 'it ain't getting got' !!  Off to London tomorrow for a wander around the Christmas markes and a trip to Covent garden.

I was just thinking about Christmases of old and my memories of my childhood Christmases. I thought it would be interesting/fun to share a memory of a childhood Christmas or maybe a family tradition that is still going strong.

For me my abiding memory is off Christmas over 60 years ago. Father Christmas used to deliver presents on my bed. I have a vivid memory of waking up and wriggling down my bed to feel with my feet if ther was anything on my bed. If there wasn't i went back to sleep and if there was the whole of the North West of England must have heard me shout 'Mummy, Daddy he's beeeeeeeen!'

When my Grandaughter arrived in September 2018 i was at a garden centre with her and her Mum in the December. We went into the cafe for a cuppa and found they did a 'festive afternoon tea' and that day was the start of a new tradition. Each year we go to a different venue for a festive afternoon tea. During COIVD we managed to get a takeaway one and eat it in the local park. As she has got older the venues have changed. Last year we went to a rather smart local hotel which was wonderful. Yesterday saw us enjoying an amazing teas in an old fashioned train carriage. Anyone looking for a fantastic  venue in Suffolk to celebrate an occasion, I can highly recommend Carriages of Cambridge. We had our 2024 festive afternoon tea there yesterday - it was utterly amazing. There was a fairly large party in our carriage who were celebrating a 60th birthday. My Grandaughter decided to sing me some of the songs from her nativity - when she finished they all cheered and gave her a round of applause. When the waiter arrived with a birthday cake we joined in singing Happy Birthday. All in all a great day.

Oops went of a bit of a waffle there !!

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, enjoy your celebrations. If anyone finds this time of year rather tricky for whatever reason, my thoughts are with you and hope your journey through this season is not too difficult or painful xxxxxx

I love the afternoon tea tradition! We do similar but in April (on my late mum's birthday) However we do have to 'ditch' the GS as he has no table manners whatsoever! 😂

Did you go up and see the lights?  If so was it good ?   We were going to go yesterday too. I'd planned the Southbank, then Covent Garden, up to Carnarby Street then home - but too cold and windy for the two little ones so did Christmas crafts instead!

x