The all new Chatbox!

[Enfys]

Happy Birthday to B, Oma. Hope you have a lovely meal.

We both slept I late, I didn’t wake up until 9.30! Had a lovely long chat to DS and DIL on FaceTime then went for a very short walk just up to the common and back. P hurt his back when he was in hospital and it’s still playing up, otherwise he feels fine.

Dry cold and frosty here, but lovely sunshine so we are tucked up inside in the warm enjoying the sun through the windows. Feels very cosy. Have a good Sunday everyone.

[Mimi]

Good morning all , I was up late last night so that I could secure a Christmas grocery delivery slot. the lines opened just after midnight and I was able to book the Saturday before Christmas but now when I looked all the slots have gone so for once I did the right thing.

We were going to do go to a Christmas fayre this morning but as its pouring with rain we have hit that idea on the head, OH wants to sit with his feet up after lunch watching a film . I have to say that sounds like a good idea as its horrible outside at the moment.

Nan2 I still have a few more presents to but, OH is proving to be very difficult to buy for this year, he doesn't seem to want anything , I am hoping inspiration will strike on Friday . I am meeting eldest DS on that day, he has an appointment at the hospital and I thought it would be nice to keep him company and then we are going into town for a coffee and a bit of shopping.

Have a good day everyone.

[Gemini]

Gem when husband and I got together the boys were (mine x 1 and his x 1) 9 years old and the eldest (his) 10 years old. As the time went on it was the ten year old that gave me the most trouble. Screaming rows, horrible behaviour etc. Now it is all very peaceful (although as you know I do not see my natural son anymore) and last year the eldest telephoned in tears (then aged 43) apologising as he had been telling someone about his teenage years and realised how awful he had been!

it can be exceptionally difficult......

Zizi, one family has a girl of 15, boy of 10. The other 2 boys, one at uni (so not there all the time) and one in the 6th form. Sometimes they all get on reasonably well, other times not.They have had problems with all 3 older ones in the couple of years they have all lived together. The 10 year old has been no problem whatsoever. Knowing his personality I think it will stay that way, but we can't know for sure once those hormones kick in!

[ZIZI]

Gem with us the boys all got on fine as long they were not nicking each other’s clothes and shoes in teenage years it was just us they didn’t like much! You should have heard the furore when I introduced semi skimmed milk instead of full fat into the house, you would have thought I had just let off a nuclear weapon! Towels were another thing especially with the step sons. Husband had not really bothered with such fripperies as matching towels and I insisted that the right towels were in the right bathrooms NOT left wet on the beds, down the end of the garden, chucked on the stairs in a heap etc. Husbands socks went missing all the time (as did mine as long as they were plain) and as they grew up even my lady razors were not safe from teenage beards. I have many stories - It was an interesting household.

[ZIZI]

So we went out to dinner last night with a friend and we are out to lunch with another friend today, yesterday was ex-wife of passed friend and today is widow. It has chucked it down this morning. I sent husband to the supermarket while I tidied up so I am guessing he got very wet. There is not a lot of cover between here and the supermarket.

This morning I was standing at the kitchen sink washing the coffee cups when this hairy little spindly hand came through the Louvre after my hand cream! Didn’t know monkeys were into hand cream did you?

Tomorrow is our last full day here so it will be a lazy one and we will go out to dinner early evening. There are lots of good restaurants around here.

[Oma]

Zizi maybe it was a lady monkey with a hot date later and wanted to look her best with soft hands

Well my Babies have just gone home and the sitting room is like a bomb hit so I'm having 5 mins before I clear up .

Lunch and Cake ate and at least 6 rounds of Happy Birthday sung very loudly
DS cant make the meal tonight but at least he had time with his Dad and ate cake

I packed them of with sweets and lots of hugs and kisses then had to be a Zombie chasing them to the car amongst lots of squeals lord knows what the neighbours think of us the children squealing and us walking around like the living dead hahahaha

[Clover]

Mimi I was up at 7 and the first thing I did was bag my on-line grocery shop Christmas slot.

[Nanto2girls]

Booked my slot as well Clover.

Ordered the last 2 Christmas presents this afternoon.

Phoned my sister in law in Lancashire and had a lovely chat with her.

[Gemini]

Enjoy your last day Zizi. Re the stepfamilies topic, maybe it needs it's own thread?!

Nice for B (and you of course! ) to see the GC today Oma.

Well done on finishing Nan2.

Mum visited this afternoon, and more Christmas shopping delivered to her.
OH did her Christmas shopping whilst I am was at mums. A jacket for each of the great nephews. Some people have it easy don't they ?

[Avo]

Feel much better today,we went to Grafham Water with the dog, all wrapped up warm to blow away the cobwebs. Came home and and made macaroni cheese with bacon, anchovies and sun drenched tomatoes. Managed to keep it with me! Progress 🤪

[Gemini]

That's good Avo I would like that meal - minus the anchovies!

[Plantaholic]

Haven't had macaroni cheese for years Avo, comfort food.

[Nanto2girls]

Pleased to hear you are feeling a bit better Avo.

[Oma]

Good to hear your on the mend Avo take it easy for a day or so xxx

Well we back from a lovely family meal at a very nice Indians ,

Brian had two cakes ,1 large chocolate cake with 63 on and a small lemon cake with 1 on , we were so busy laughing and talking we got no pics
never mind it was a very good night

[ZIZI]

Haven't had macaroni cheese for years Avo, comfort food.

Here in Barbados Plant it is on every menu although not quite the way we make it at home