🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

I'm so glad that naughty Peter Kay brought a smile.

When Andy the Chaplain popped by I asked if any of the 3 nearby churches (no longer called Citadels) were having Carol Services and if so, did he think anyone would come and take me to one?

It was a shock to learn that the old fashioned carol service is no longer held but a sort of bash crash group will belt out some modern stuff durng a regular Christmas Day service. No thanks.
Not for someone who remembers the Sallies Brass Band marching up our cobbled street every Christmas to play proper carols to everyone's delight.

Various churches have left leaflets in my mail box telling me I would be so heartily welcome to join them for Carols by Candle Light and mince pies afterwards but I know from long experience that I am less than welcomes if I need a lift.

When Karen and I went shopping, we parked near an elderly lady sitting on a folding chair outsie the laundrette.
She was a busker but couldn't sing for toffee and her mumbled repertoire and desultory strum on a guitar, consisted of 'I Saw Three Ships' over and over again.

Karen and I made donations and I called out Happy Christmas. Neither of us were acknowledged in any way.

Almost everyone who passed threw a coin into her dish.
Finally, she picked up what was clearly a sizeable haul, went into the laundry, collected her clean, dry and folded goods and shuffled away.

My cyncical mood was lifted when once again I was waiting in a carpark while K went marketing. Everywhere is so crowded, even a pre-paid package takes ages to collect.

It had recently rained but the sun was shining and the huge trees all along the periphery were waving wildly in the strong, southerly wind.

As I looked up, I saw the massive Totaras were all a-spangle with droplets like a thousand diadems.

Trees, magical trees never fail to lift my spirits.

That's so lovely Kaimoana
Trees 🌳 🌲 blowing in the wind.
And brass bands.
I'll bet I can persuade my electric piano to play brass band music for me.
Just when I thought my world couldn't get any more manic, the
hospital phoned to tell me I'm
booked for the hip replacement on December 31st!
I was gobsmacked but if I turn it down, it could be months before another vacancy.
So that's my NY plans to go south scuppered, the plasterers return, the next Helper all to be postponed.

One good thing, because it's holiday time someone may be able to bring me home.

I have now cancelled my turkey because the Christmas Dinner is so scaled down but will see if I can find an organic chicken somewhere to have instead.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Good grief...I seemed to have copied everything rather than my post... I've asked GN to remove it. I really haven't been at the Chenin Blanc .....

Well...slutty housewife who has booked in to stay until after the New Year had to be given her marching orders as without warning a bright yellowish thing appeared in the sky and oh my goodness did it show up that the domestic goddess had gone on a sabbatical. Dust dust and more dust. The wine rack resembled an ancient cavé in deepest France. Does anybody actually hoover the inside of their tumble dryer on the Sunday before Christmas....one tradition that I will not be repeating any year soon. In fairness I had just tumbled a dogs blanket. Talking of dogs who I blame for all things covered in a layer of dust and the occasional waft of wet dog. Having persuaded DH that it was a really good idea to take the carpet washer up to the top of the cottage and wash our bedroom carpet...In all conscience when big lumbering dog ( not naughty puppy or the dark destroyer) puked on it at 4am it had to be me that leapt ( well it felt like it) to clean it up. Now I can deal with major motorway accidents but sick is a no no and I actually needed tea afterwards. Sod and his law that she didn't do it yesterday morning before DH lost half a stone restoring the carpet to a light grey. I made it up to him though by suggesting a pint of Doom bar at the pub ( unheard of). Ah well seeing as how well the Dom God performed yesterday I've let her stay on and given her a Christmas Pinny and she's made Chicken Liver pate in-between making her own wonderfully scented Christmas pot pouring by dehydrating all manner of stuff in the air fryer. She's asked me to pass on a salutary Christmas lesson though....always check you have actually picked up and used the moist toilet tissues and not the general multi surface wipes. Ouch. I'll be back to read and catch up later.

Thank you for explaining Naughtyneine, my curiosity is always most peeved when posts are withdrawn!

And Golly Gosh Grammaretto! What a shock! Fantastic news - really! New Year celebrations in hospital high on morphine! So, you'll be all bionic for the new year and ready to go in a few weeks. You'll be all fit by spring clean time! Congratulations - and I hoped you've sourced a nice tasty organic chicken.

Mamissimo how lovely to have a picture of Spud again. He’s grown so much. What a lovely looking little lad he is. Sounds like you’re in for a busy Christmas. Hope you manage to relax a bit yourself .
Glad Aoife is back home again. Hope the tummy troubles are over now
Ixion good to have news of Cherry. I do hope she’s home again soon.
Kaimoana Gubbins is certainly getting some sightseeing done. She’ll be able to run her own tour company soon.
I didn’t know you watched Peter Kay. I like him. Love this clip too. Thanks for the link
Nfk oh dear. You had a poo day didn’t you. Sorry but your description had me giggling, I could just imagine it,
Yes the carol service was lovely thank you. I enjoyed it.

Grammaretto my goodness that’s a good way to start the New Year with a new hip, shame you had to cancel some lans but good idea to get it done while you can. Hope all goes well
Naughtyneine thank you for the lovely tale of life with the domestic goddess, I’ve been re-arranging the dust here today. Hovered the carpets then had to spend ages trying to get some tape unwound fro inside the hoover where I’d sucked it up by accident.
Night night all sleep well.

I'm sitting looking at my Christmas tree inhaling a disgusting smell of burnt egg.
I was chatting to NZ DS when a siren like noise started up. Oh God I thought, something is burning. At least it wasn't the pavlova which is cooling in the oven. I put an egg on to boil for my tea and forgot all about it. 2 tv programmes later......
At least the smoke detector works. 🔥

You sure had a pooey day Nfk. What civic responsibility you have! I don't think I would have dealt with it so well, particularly in a high wind. You deserve a 😇

You're right Doodle. It will be good to have the operation soon and get it over with. I'm so glad you enjoyed the carol service. I'm hoping there's some music in the town square tomorrow evening like there used to be but maybe not. My Swedish friends have invited me to theirs tomorrow which is always nice. Glög and lots of fishy things.
I managed to buy a chicken but the cream had all gone.

I enjoyed your tale of dusty woes Naughtyneine though I'm not sure I know who the characters all are.
You may need to enlighten me 😆
Are there several dogs or just one hairy one?

Jeeves may I have a chenin blanc s'il vous plâit

Our local supermarket occasionally indulges in 'sheep bait': nonesnsical offers some patronising ad agency thinks will impress.

This one is a doozy. "Limited Edition Washing Up Liquid'"
Wow, must rush out and buy before it all goes.
Sadly, I'm sure many sheep will fall for it.

You've probably heard we downunder spend Christmas Day barbecuing on the beach. [hollow laughter]

I can't speak for Oz but it's very unlikely here.
The forecast for the next few days is rain, wind and only intermittent sunshine. normal weather for December in fact.

I've just made a nice big pot of vegetable soup to warm me up.

NN when you've finished explaining your post to Grammaretto maybe you'll enlighten me. I hardly understood a word - and I haven't been at the grog either .

I once (maybe 3 or 4 years ago) bought a "limited edition" washing up liquid. It was the same price per ml as the modern packaging but was (almost) the white cylindrical bottle we all knew and loved!

It seems I should have saved the whole thing to sell on later - or maybe just the bottle once I'd "enjoyed" the contents

😱😱😱

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176359501072?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=176359501072&targetid=2361041767663&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046424&poi=&campaignid=21701203342&mkgroupid=170248984071&rlsatarget=pla-2361041767663&abcId=10027101&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1Km7BhC9ARIsAFZfEIuH1jF4TMWFlhGR4juBhWmVpIU6UhtDg1HbPv35OdYW8XaCE_OncakaAqBkEALw_wcB

Meant to say, good news about the hip Grammaretto!

I shall spend another half hour finishing the decorating of the tree which went up yesterday and then my own domestic God can wield the vaccuum!
Back now to spanakopita production ahead of 26 of us going over to my daughter's for a family jolly at lunchtime!

Gosh, Grammaretto, not much notice there! Or was it a cancellation, maybe? Great to get it out of the way, you will be up and running now for Spring and new beginnings.
That's two Lobstars with 'hips', let's not have a third ...

Whether your gatherings are small, modest or vast (looking at you, NS!) I hope all is going well and that you can enjoy the festive spirit as you cook, bake, shop, clean, wrap, launder, visit, host, decorate...
And for those travelling, stay safe 🎄

Ooh NFK....I was with you every step of the poop story and winced at the temptation to lick your fingers...

Grammaretto...Slutty housewife is the usual resident ( alias Naughty Neine) but just sometimes I want to wear the Domestic Goddess crown ( it doesn't happen often!!!). I have 3 dogs....The small pony ( Cane Corso) who thinks she is a Yorkshire Terrier and tries to climb onto the smallest of areas totally ignoring anything that might be in her way.

Next is the Dark Destroyer ( labrador cross) who can shed a tissue in 10 seconds especially if it's on a newly hoovered carpet.

Finally there is the Naughty Puppy
( Springador) who has introduced an in going mantra to the house that goes....Finlay don't do that...Finlay what are you eating now...Finlay NO...Finlay drop it etc etc.
All 3 should actually be bald given the amount of fluff they produce.

Kaimoana... That was a lovely description of the start to your day. I hope you do get to a Carol Concert and the season of goodwill stretches to you being given a lift.

Doodle... There really are no words to ease your sadness....I wish there were. I do hope that your precious memories bring you some joy in the coming days. He will always be with you...just out of sight for now. ♥️

Cherry.... Yay...maybe home soon and some proper food. Onwards and upwards now..sending you a cwtch.

One lobster out of hospital and another going in...( I hope this isn't a pre requisite of being a lobster😱 as I'm not too keen on having my hip redone just yet... I'm on the list though).
I know it's short notice Grammaretto but at least there is less time to panic and you'll be up and off come Spring time.

MamaM....I hope Aifoa...stays well away from anything dodgy over Christmas... Thank Goodness for insurance.

Not Spaghetti...is your Domestic God available to rent? Flip if we are not careful we will back in the bad books of the post police for sexism. Eek.

Do we have to leave anything out for Jeeves? Mince pie, carrot... Whiskey. I'm giving him a tray with festive treats for you all. It's a magic tray so whatever you want will be on there along with my wish for peace and joy for you this Christmas time. Xxx

NN thank you for your Xmas wishes and I hope you have a lot of 'ho ho ho' too.

I've been thinking about that old busker and wondering why, at this of all seasons, I wasn't kinder about her.
She obviously wasn't the usual confident busker who sits in the shopping area, often with an amplifier and backing tracks.

Maybe her pension too has been cut. Maybe she was busking to make enough money for food – or the laundrette. Maybe she didn’t acknowledge our greetings because she was ashamed.

Karen was critical too but she hates Christmas so much she’s not even giving gifts this year and grumbles incessantly from late November. I’m not blaming her for my uncharitable reaction because I love Christmas and usually like listening to street singers, they cheer the place up.

Christmas Day will be quiet, just me and the birds but we’ll have a traditional Yorkshire Xmas breakfast on the deck.
The Internet cites all sorts for this treat from French pancakes to Full English but in Bradford, no true Yorkshire tyke would contemplate anything other than pork pie and pickles.

DS bought two pork pies in Yorkshire for this very purpose but confesses they didn't last the journey! .

Ooh Grammaretto that turned out to be scorched egg not scotch egg.
Hope you’re out enjoying your evening with your Swedish friends. What are you doing over Christmas?
I haven’t bought any Christmas goodies this year although I have treated myself to a box of magnums (ice cream Kaimoana not guns 🤣) and 6 packets of crisps.
Kaimoana yes I do picture you all on the beach. Shame the weather doesn’t sound too good. Perhaps you could sit in a deck chair with your sunglasses on and pretend you’re sipping a cocktail rather than hot soup
I remember a couple of years ago you made your own pork pie for Christmas much as I like them I don’t think I could face one for breakfast,
Notspaghetti, 26 of you 😱. My goodness that’s a lot to carer for. Do you all help out. How lovely to all be together though. Hope you have a lovely time.
Ixion I hope you and yours have a good Christmas. Time to give the Pom poms a rest till the new year,
Cherry hope you are soon up and about again. Not sure if you’ll be home for Christmas or not. Sending you all good wishes for a speedy recovery and getting home soon
Naughtynein thank you for your lovely funny description of your furry friends, Jeeves will be thrilled with whatever you leave out for him………that’s if he’s still standing after drinking all the dregs left in the bottles. If he comes your way send him to Grammaretto with his drink trolley please
Im off to midnight mass soon (it’s 10pm but midnight somewhere)
Thank you all for your caring support this last year and thank you for all your Christmas wishes. I hope you all have a peaceful Christmas and enjoy it in whatever way you’re spending it,
Much love and good wishes to all of you xx

Happy Christmas to you all. Hope you enjoy the Christmas festivities whatever you are doing. We are having a quiet couple of days before family descend at New Year.
May 2025 be a healthy and happy year for us all. Strange isn’t it how your wishes change over the years and as we get older good health is usually our main thought. Have a great time and hope Father Christmas brings lots of goodies!

I'd like to reiterate Jan's good wishes for the new year - May 2025 be a healthy and happy (or at least happier) year for us all.

Today I'm sending love on Christmas Day and hoping that the peace and joys of this period touches us all whoever and wherever we may be.

We had a big family gathering today and were delighted to have a call from our "absent" son in the Philippines who called us over WhatsApp at a few minutes to 4pm to wish us a "Merry Christmas" at midnight (his time).
It was really moving to feel as though he had dropped in and brought his love to the gathering.

Yes Doodle, we all took food to share We had sushi, various winter salads, samosas and pakora, my trays of spanakopita, quiches and French onion tart, filled Yorkshire puddings, crudités and dips, cheeses and biscuits, a charcuterie board and other meats, there were two types of fruit cake, chocolate brownies, florentines, trifles, mince pies, lemon tart, fruit salad, a tray of Indian sweets, raspberry and almond tart, ice creams fruit on kebab sticks...
So yes, nobody went hungry!

Sending all Lob-stars my very best wishes and thanks for being you!

That was some gathering NotSpag and how wonderful that your faraway DS was able to be with you. Thanks Technology!
I chat to NZ DS probably more often than to the local ones.

I didn't get everything done yesterday so must push on.
Df, the one who stayed here while her house was flooded, came and we chatted for hours while peeling chestnuts. She will drive me to the hospital on Monday.

The Swedish evening was delicious 😋 and a couple announced their engagement. Both older than me, I hope they are doing the right thing....
😅😂

Happy Christmas to the Gang.

Thank you for sharing and supporting, listening and advising, the joy and the tears, fun and laughter.
👂🌻

Happy Christmas 🎅🏻 🎄 all.
*Ive been to our sons today and had a lovely time. Son picked me up because he wanted me to have a drink and relax. It worked well and I’m so relaxed now I’m struggling to stay awake. Hope you’ve all had a good day.
Love to all and thank you for all your kindness.xx*

How thoughtful he is Doodle
Sleep soundly in the knowledge that you are loved
😴💤

We have just returned from our youngest daughter's home for our Christmas dinner. We took a puff pastry crescent of "sort-of" sausage etc (as we are vegetarian), spiced cranberry sauce and a big nut roast cooked in a savarin tin (to festive it up!)..
We ate so much we definitely don't want dinner! 🤣... and will shortly be joining you in the land of nod I think Doodle!

I don't know how my mother-in-law has survived two days of wild festivities! - given that I was driving and so just had a small glass of fizz at 2pm... and she didn't turn a glass down all day!
I daresay she would say we have no stamina!

Tomorrow, if she doesn't want a visit we will retire to the sofa with a book and/or a good film I think!

I know I am blessed to have a family, including my independent and loving-life mother-in-law but more than anything I realise how lucky I am to have my dear husband.
Sending the very very warmest to those who are not so fortunate.
I hope you are only alone when you want to be 💕

I've never seen a white, cylindrical bottle of washing up liquid NotS but that sounds like a genuine limited edition.

It was very moving to hear about your son's surprise call from the Philippines. I didn't know whether to smile or wipe away a tear

Glad you had such a lovely time with your family Doodle and enjoy a few glasses of Xmas cheer.

I didn't open my bottle of Prosecco after all, preferring to 'spend' my meagre sugar allowance on a mince pie soaked in brandy.

Yes, Doodle many people have told me they couldn't face pork pie for breakfast - then they tuck into bacon, sausage, black pudding, eggs, beans and more.

I shall spend Boxing Day appropriately: sorting out boxes to take to Hospice; re-arranging others so Gubbins can have a special corner in the garage for her doll's house; art equipment; water play & pool; dolls & and all their accoutrements.

I could do with a hand Jeeves if you're sober

The family in Edinburgh all have head-colds

Notspaghetti your Christmas Day sounds lovely if a bit tiring.
Thank you for your nice post. Yes treasure every second with your DH. I’m going to younger sons today then this evening the rest of the family arrive so we get to spend time together. Lots of dogs and lots of people.
Grammaretto I hope you had a good day. I found it very enjoyable but tiring, perhaps that’s just me getting old
Kaimoana funny I hadn’t thought of the comparison of pork pie and bacon and eggs. Yes I suppose it’s not that odd if you look at it like that. I must admit your plate looks nice and I like your little Christmas plant behind it. Hope you enjoyed your mince pie and brandy.
Sorry all the family have colds. Something they might find happens a lot in this country.
Are there any of the elders gatherings coming up soon?
Dont overdo things in the garage. We don’t want any accidents, if Jeeves has sobered up I’ll get him to pop over.
Cherry, Ixion, Nfk, Jan and Mamissimo and anyone I’ve missed wishing you all the best and Cherry get home soon please
Sending love 💕and hugs to all xx

Naughtyneine hope you are having a peaceful Christmas too*