The all new Chatbox!

[ZIZI]

I dont have a sore throat anymore but I have one swollen neck gland and I don’t know how many times I have sneezed today although I don’t feel that bad. Husband is coughing and still has a sore throat. I think it is a trip to the chemist tomorrow., we have spent t too much on this next couple of days to have it ruined by snotty noses!

I looked up the robot things and from the reviews I think they do an OK job but I get the impression they are not a real substitute for a proper sucky up thingie. Thee are some very cheap ones and some extremely expensive ones. I think I might just invest in a better stick sucky upper than we currently have rather than a robotic one.

Eldest son just called from New York. They are flying to Florida shortly to join the others. He is like a big kid. They have walked everywhere apparently and seen loads including ground zero where he put a flower for our friend who died there, that was sweet of him as he only met him three times also we did not ask him to do it. Had a little tear over that. They are all worn out. At least the kids will probably be very quiet, as in asleep, on the plane!

I have just sorted out the wine for the Christmas boxes. I have an enormous wine rack to choose from. We don’t drink a lot of red so had to buy that in but I have some lovely whites. I did have a bottle of chateau Nauf de pape (which is probably spelled wrong) which eldest son likes a lot. It was a freebie in my wine club delivery during the summer. Other than than that they have a mix and a bottle of fizz each plus some stemless wine glasses. I will have to wrap them when we get back. Still got one thing to get for Ben but decided to leave it until after Christmas rather than race around.

Husband in kitchen making spaghetti bolognese for dinner (mine is better but if he wants to cook tonight I am happy to let him).

[Daisy]

Zizi - I hope the lurking lurgies disappear - as you say you don't want to be poorly over Christmas. It sounds as though the family are enjoying their holiday - and how lovely of your eldest DS to remember your friend at Ground Zero.

Nanto - it's hard to resist goodies at this time of year because you've always got the excuses "I don't want to run out" and " I'll get this, just in case"


We had a problem today - one I can't ever remember having before! We had arranged to be at our niece's for tea and mincepies at 3 pm. It's about a 40 minute journey, but knowing how bad the traffic can be we thought we'd leave at 2 pm. Being us, of course, it was actually 2.20 when we left - and we got there at 2.45. Fifteen minutes early! We have no idea what the etiquette is for such unusual circumstances - we're never, ever early! Do you wait round the corner, wait outside or risk waking them up by ringing the door bell!!!

Anyway we had a lovely afternoon - caught up on lots of family news and a good journey home.

This morning I did the apples for an apple pie and got everything ready for mince pies tomorrow. OH took Eva round delivering the last few cards - stopping to chat with the world and his dog on the way, of course. I also polished my halo (desperate to make sure I'm on Santa's Nice List) and nearly finished the ironing - just a tablecloth and a couple of bits and pieces left.


While I was in the dining room engrossed in the ironing the clock struck 12 o'clock and then quarter past. It's a Westminster chime, so the ¼ hour is Ding-dong-ding-dong. But this went Ding-ding-dong-ding-dong, and the first Ding was slightly out of tune. After a minute or so it dawned on my that the first Ding was the doorbell, which goes Ding-dong!!! There was nobody there by then, but a bit later our neighbours called round and said they thought I was out. I don't know if they thought I was mad, daft or just doddery when I explained!

[Oma]

Daisy I can just see the confusion on your face when you realised about the clock and door bell

Zizi my Niece has had a robotic hoover for a few years now and loves it , it is set to go around before they come in from work , but it doesn't get into corners or really close to skirting's .
She has to do them at weekends .

We had visitors after lunch then I did my ironing

,I then spent a good while with my hand in iced water after I managed to steam iron 3 fingers
It is one of these high pressure tank steam irons and its extremely hot , The pain was unbearable for a good hour or more
I had a blouse on the end of the board and put my hand on top of the blouse just as I pressed the jet steam totally forgetting what I was doing
Now have 3 very sore blistered fingers and finger nails , but the intense pain has gone , Stupid me

Worst thing was I could feel the pain and was saying ouch but still had finger on the boost button , I couldn't seem to register to either stop steaming or take my hand away

[Oma]

I sometimes worry about myself its 4.25 am and I have just cleaned the oven out

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning on Christmas eve ladies.

Oma, i have one of those steam generator irons,and they are extremely hot.

A pile of ironing for me to do today,then polish and hoover in the conservatory.
I'm not doing much cooking today.We got 2 ready meals in Asda yesterday.
Chicken tikka with pilau rice for hubby, chicken filled yourkshire pudding for me.

[Oma]

I love that Graphic Nanto its so cosy

We popping to shopping centre for them opening , don't need food shopping B wants a battery for his watch ( the same one that caused the super glue accident )
I want to go in Wilko and that's it ,
Nursing sore fingers so not sure I will get my gloves on but it seems quite mild out so may not need them
Have a good day ladies xxx

[Daisy]

Good Christmas Eve morning, ladies.

I have had an early start as well. I woke up at 5 am and was wide awake so I got up, finished the ironing, arranged some flowers I'd been given, did some washing up, including giving the pan from the breadmaker a good cleaning out - the paddle had taken a great chunk out of the bottom of the loaf I'd made last night! I'm ready to go back to bed now, but no rest for the wicked - I need to finish tidying up and run the sucky up thingy round, bake a gammon for Wednesday, make mincepies and an apple tart, plus, possibly a birthday cake for GD2. We're going round next door for a cuppa later, and have friend coming for drinks tonight, but it's fantastic that I haven't got to prepare 2 cwt of sprouts for tomorrow!!!

Oma - your fingers must be so sore! Leaving your finger on the button is understandable, but silly! I haven't looked inside our oven, therefore it doesn't need cleaning. If I don't see it - it doesn't need cleaning.

Nanto - I could just settle down in front of that fire for the rest of the day!

Zizi - how was the spag bol?

[Mimi]

Happy Christmas Eve everyone, it’s time to hang out your stockings.

DIL is coming later today to pick us up and take ourselves, two huge bags of presents, an assortment of nibbles and goodies, wine , my pillow, a hold-all with our clothes in and my vegetables steamer ! There are so many coming for Christmas dinner it’s going to take hers and mine to cook enough veg for everyone.

Have a lovely day everyone

[Daisy]

Mimi - how lovely, being chauffeur driven. You sound very organised.

When we go to DS1's tomorrow I think we'll be struggling to get everything in the car - Eva might have to share the boot with some of the stuff!!!

[Clover]

Good morning.

Everyone seems to have their day well organised.

Oma there’s no hope for you. Cleaning an oven in the middle of the night and with an injured hand Still I suppose there’s no changing you now.I really hope the hand gets better soon. It must have been agony.

Daisy I had to smile at your “ding dong”dilemma.I trust your neighbour understood.If Eva had been home would she have let you know someone was at the door?

Mimi andDaisy I’m sure you’ll all squeeze into the car. It’s amazing what you can get in when you’re determined.

Zizi have a fab time at your posh hotel .Enjoy theluxury.

Have a good day everyone and take care.

[Gemini]

Good morning and Happy Christmas Eve to you all!
Lovely graphics Nan2 and Mimi!

I just want to thank all the lovely members who keep this forum alive and vibrant. I know you all think Admin, with the help of mods, do all the hard work. We do do a lot of work, but without your posts, there would be no point! I hope next year maybe some of our lovely members who drop and read but never post, will talk to us again

Oma, I just have no words for 4am oven cleaning - and Daisy ironing

Enjoy your day everyone!

We are present delivering today. As I never see my GC on Christmas Day I decided I would on Christmas Eve this year. First we are going to DD3, in town, then out to DD1 and GS, then on the way back to DD2 and the GC.
Before that I must ice the Christmas cake and make some buns and choc rice crispie cakes to take to DD2s for Boxing Day tea.

[Oma]

So glad we went to shopping centre early to get parked up by 10am not a parking space left , people driving round and round ,
Getting out was even worse , Badly designed means only one way in and out onto a roundabout ,
Took 20 mins just to get out as the roundabout kept getting snarled up .

DD just dropped dog off they have gone to Metro centre , good luck to them

[Plantaholic]

Just got back from Waitrose, bit of a mad house made more so by a charity group singing carols just inside the doorway so the trolleys could not get in or out. DD collected the turkey and some puddings she had ordered, GD and I did a few bits that I wanted. Have the blinis, trifle, bread sauce to make this afternoon. Having pizza for dinner, couldn't be bothered to think about a meal this evening. GS2 is coming home this evening but he has to work at the hospital tomorrow so he is going to drive in.

I love the pillow Mimi, I have to have my own pillow.

I hope we have our old friends back in the New Year Gemini.

Daisy I hope Eva doesn't help herself to some of the goodies in the car. Have a lovely time with DS and family.

[Mimi]

Bags packed , DIL’s cheeses sitting in the fridge till she comes , cat sorted out with neighbour , just waiting now till DIL arrives so there is only one thing to say

[Enfys]

Good afternoon everyone. Very mild here again today, we just popped out to our local garden centre only to get out really after a couple of funny days at home. It was quite busy but loads of bargains, so I picked up a couple of stocking fillers and something for GS in Australia. dD and DGD are going to,see them in January so it can go in their case.

Had a weird time a couple of days ago, funny pains in my arm and I had vision of being carted off to A & E, but luckily it wore off and I think I’d pulled a muscle or had a trapped nerve after carrying heavy bags when I went,shopping with DD. It’s much better now but I admit I panicked a little bit 😱.

DD has a nasty cold so we are keeping our fingers crossed she is OK for tomorrow as we are going there. We really don’t want DH to pick up anything before his op 🤞

Nice post Gemini, but it’s down to you at Admin that keeps us going too. It’s like chatting to old friends when I come in here, more so since I’ve met some of you now, so a big thanks from me 😻


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