Just back from the last walk of the day, my other dogs never went out this late, I don’t like going out at this time myself but Chloe won’t go down the steps at the back like the other dogs did so I have to take her out. Don’t feel safe going out this time of night and Chloe would run a mile if anyone came near me. Heidi would guard me with her life.

A very dark one here today but at least dry.

I seem to have caught up now.. I just need to find a nice front door wreath. Tomorrow I am going to Aylesbury with Pam so maybe find one there.

As so many shops closing down I seem to be buying more and more on the net. It snice to see things though.

Nana .. Is it a lunch out today.

HH .. Are you still baking Christmas bits.

Dave.. Yes its not good going out after dark.. you could trip up . Do you have bright torch.

Sym.. Enjoy your walk with your friend.. then have a lovely lunch.

Have lovely day whatever you are doing..A very dark one here but at least dry.

” Whoever is happy will make others happy too .” Xxxx

Hello!
Quick post, busy day … plumber came early and hopefully has sorted the pipe, the house absolutely stunk afterwards, had to have windows & door open! Went out for a late breakfast, then did some shopping. Went to a couple of farm shops but couldn’t get much there. Made some more brownie trees to take to my friend’s tomorrow. We had good news again today, youngest son has got on okay with his occupational health assessment, that’s the last thing done now, hopefully he’ll get his contract through to sign & he can celebrate!

Afternoon All…
Walked in the country park this morning with Andrea, it’s easy as Oreo can go straight off his lead. Andrea is so tiny he is very strong for her, meeting up there tomorrow too.

Xmas lunch was ok, very busy over a hour to wait, it was all pre ordered so it should have been quicker.
I have booked premier inn for Louise and Sheila for lunch on Tuesday but I am going to cancel and I will do something here. The food is not good when it’s gets so busy, you forget.

I have been shopping got some more Xmas bits, Charlie’s frozen veg stuff, grouse whiskey .. few things for when Sheila and Louise come.
Veg very cheap at Lidl next week .. 15p a bag of most veg.. looks like Charlie shopping again!!😂

Hemmy..
Hope you find your door wreath, I like to look really, on line you never know the quality you are getting. Enjoy your day with Pam.

Dave..
Hope you get your season pass and meet up with your friends.

Hedgehog..
Hope your son soon gets his contract, it would be nice before Xmas.
Sounds like he found your sink problem hope it’s sorted.

Jean x

Evening!
Dave- nice to have the speedway season ticket bought, & you can look forward to going again next year! I love Home Alone & the Die Hard Christmas film, but that’s it, haven’t watched any others…What did you get for Denise?
Jean- shame about your Christmas dinner! It’s nice to not have the work but I’m sure your food will be nicer when your visitors come.
Hemmy- did you find a wreath? And hope you had a nice day out…
Had a lovely catch up with a friend this morning, popped to Mum’s to drop cake off expecting her to be out, but she was in tears, missed a Christmas meal as she couldn’t get a lift, we would’ve taken her, she usually goes with friends! She’s got so stressed over everything but finally let me help her, so we got her cards all sorted, she seemed better by the time I left, it was really upsetting seeing her that bad though, I wish she’d accept she needs some help 😢
On a positive note, I’ve lost another half a pound, & missed lunch as I was so busy with mum!

Good afternoon everyone. Xxxx

Another damp dark one here today … at least its easy to get about with no ice or snow. .
Looking forward to the 21st when the nights start getting lighter.

A nice day out yesterday .. I think I have all the presents now . Will just do a big shop next week .. We are out Christmas eve for my Bday meal then again Xmas day. .then Kristy will go home boxing day as its her Bday
I am not bothering with cooking a ham this year .

I am still hanging on to the 2lbs from last weekend. Better pull my socks up. lol

Dave… Lovely gifts for Denise she will love them.

H H ..Well done on your loss this week.. .. not easy with treats about.

Nana.. Hope you are having a good day.

Sym ..Never found a wreath .I might just get one from Tesco and add too it..I have plenty of pretty conifer in the garden. ..Yes lots of disappointing eating places now.. It s best to just stick with a few tried and tested ones.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon… just going in the garden to play with Pip its getting darkish already.

“Friday is nature’s way of telling us to take a break and enjoy life.” . Xxxx
.

Dave… Its very hard now.. .. I think its best that we all just enjoy what we want to eat don’t beat ourselves up and enjoy it .. and start again In the new year.

We all know we can do it when we put our minds to it. Just having a glass of wine and crisps .. It is Christmas but once a year thank goodness lolol Xxxx

HH I may well cook it all, give Denise a rest. Hemmy is very tempting to eat and start again after christmas.it was my son’s birthday this week and my daughter’s birthday a few days after yours. Then Denise as her birthday the first week in January and my birthday is at the end of January. So it’s difficult to lose weight the next month

Afternoon All..
Up and out early.. I stayed the same this week, a few ounces up.
I went for lunch there were three of us, very good food and very comfortable today with who I was with. I wasn’t looking forward to it but all was well.. we had a good talk about these ‘secret’ groups.

Hemmy..
Shame on finding a wreath but hopefully you can make one. You are very busy with eating out over Xmas but making it very easy. I have never done a meal out on Xmas day.

Hedgehog..
Well done sorting through your clothes, Katie has been going through hers too a suitcase full up to now. A big worry with your mum, just take a day at a time.

Dave..
Well done on loosing, difficult when you have a lot of birthdays and Xmas… just start again when you are all clear, or push a few fasting days in were you can. I love my orange smarties.. I haven’t seen any this year.

I can’t believe a month is nearly up since my op hoping to get the all clear on Thursday…🤞🏻

Jean x

Just got drenched taking Chloe out, she’s stopping at every lamp post and corner.Always does this when it’s chucking it down. I’ll try and leave the choccy alone but getting weaker by the minute 👿👿😈👿😈.

Evening All..
Two good walks a good dry day, temperatures up a bit.
Cleaning and faffing before my visitors Tuesday.

Hemmy..
Your lady sounds fun, nice walking with different people. Good you sorted your tax returns not a good job to do.

Dave..
You have had the bad weather we have been lucky..

Hedgehog..
My checkup is at my own opticians 4 miles away I will drive..then I will sort a date out for the other.
The light parade sounds lovely, enjoy.

Jean x

Good afternoon everyone, feeling under the weather today. Feeling sick and I was sat on the toilet with a bucket on my knee. Not had anything to eat had a cuppa but that made me feel sick. So just water don’t know if I’ll try food later. I will take Chloe out she’s not been yet.

Afternoon everyone, not too bad a week for me last week as I managed to lose half a pound.
We we’re supposed to be going to visit our Newmarket friends for a curry this evening but my OH is unwell with an upset stomach so we’ve cancelled it.
Dave hope you start to feel better soon.
Jean it’ll be nice for you to see William over Christmas hope he’s able to fit in with the plans in place.
Hemmy I’ve never eaten out on Christmas Day other than at family members homes. My sister always eats out at a favourite pub near to her.
Hedgehogs it’s so sad how things are with your mum, Christmas can be a stressful time can’t it.
Enjoy your evening everyone.
Nana xxx

Evening!
Poor you Dave, I hope you feel better soon, an unexpected FD 🤗
Jean- have a nice day with your visitors tomorrow…very annoying with the pastry! I do some new recipes grams & some old ounces, can’t convert one to the other very easily though! Poor grandson, is he really upset?
Nana- hope hubby feels better soon too, shame to miss your meal tonight. Is his back any better?
Hemmy- what have you been up to today?
The tractors were brilliant yesterday, very late though! Have been to see youngest son today, & got the Christmas cakes iced, will leave that to dry for a couple of days & then decorate them. Going out early tomorrow with my friend & her dog.

Nana..
Well done on your half a pound off, you are so regular with it.. hope hubby soon feels better and you don’t get it…

Dave..
Hope you are soon feeling better.

Hedgehog..
My pastry was balanced both ways so I joined it together, it should be ok.
His partner did this about 6 months ago, no one knew and he was very upset, she came back after a week. She left this time and told him she would tell him Friday if she was coming back or not. He got the first flight out. He won’t be taking her back. He is already planning ahead .. he would like to go to the mines to work for a year, make some money and come back home UK and buy a house. Still things change.
I don’t like Christmas any more, I had such fun with Steve over Xmas. I can understand your mum especially when she’s not good either.

Hemmy..
Well done on your pound off you do really well. I have had a good fd not hungry at all.
All ready for tomorrow, quiche to build and bake and trifle topping to go on.. pastry all well, resting in the fridge. I will do after walk..

Jean x

Good afternoon everyone.Xxxx

Its a very dark day here but at least dry for walking Xxxx

Feeling tired today and I cant be bothered with much I will be glad to see lighter nights again.

Tomorrow Chris and I are going to Banbury for a light lunch and M&S for some last bits. Just got my clothes ready .. bright red sweater and jacket hopefully cheer me up. lol

It will be lovely to see Kristy on Saturday till Boxing day.. ..have a nice rest from walking although at the moment she looks full of cold .. hopefully though its just being non stop busy with Xmas events.

Nana .. How is hubby ..

Dave.. Lol Lovely to hear you back to your gadgets .. you must be feeling better.

H H .. Did you have an enjoyable walk with your friend. How is Mum .

Sym.. Hoping you are having an enjoyable day .. I bet that quiche is lovely. I haven’t made one for years.

Enjoy the afternoon everyone.. Just going in the chilly damp garden with Pip..

Not being lazy, just being in an energy saving mode Xxxx

Evening All..
I have had a lovely day with Louise and Sheila, the food went down well. I have got out of the entertaining mode…

William is home he goes back on the 2nd January, I am going up on Saturday to see Jacqui so hoping he is in.

Dave..
Good you are feeling much better. Lots of smart stuff it would be too much for me.

Hemmy..
It all went well.. I make a mean quiche most people enjoy it. Bright and cheerful for tomorrow.. I like red, possibly more a mucky red as I call it 😂
Enjoy your day.

Hedgehog..
Yes all happy in the Jacqui household, tricky getting home on the train he thought a suicide on the track, over 5 hours to get home from London, usually a couple of hours.
Good you have got your tree, get you in the mood…

Jean x

Hemmy it sounds very sweet 😬 I will let you have a go first!

I usually I bring mine to the boil twice throwing the water and foam away after each time, then bring to the boil and simmer until cooked, then leave in hot water let it cool down.

(If there’s fat around the edges I take it off while it’s hot and put back in the water to cool down.)

Jean

I would try it for Denise I don’t like gammon myself. Had a couple of hours bowling today. Had a drop off rain but not too bad I did get soaked this morning taking Chloe out though.Cant believe how soon it goes dark. Three more days then it will start getting light again. Roll on summer.

Good evening everyone a wet one here again. Its been so nice having the dry days

A lovely afternoon in Banbury.. A light sandwich lunch at M&& .. always so fresh.

Got some last minute good buys .. I think The White Company must be closing down as 50% of all stock.. Found a lovely sweater for Kristy

Feeling tired now.. when I got back at 4.30 I had to go straight in the garden and play with Pip as he had been such a good boy… really though could have put my feet up with a cuppa. lolol

I have just had fish and chips from the van that comes to the village.. So not a brilliant eating day lol.. But you have to sometimes don’t you.lol

I really wish I could get into the spirit.. I will have to pull my socks up.lol

Nana what are you up to today.

Dave.. I used to do the gammon years ago in the oven.. But covered it with a mix of honey and mustard .. I think that probably is nicer kept basting it with the lovely juices.. Denise is soo lucky . that she has her very own chef..

H H How is Mum.. Lovely to have a break now from Home start till New year.

Sym…Glad all went well yesterday its different entertaining alone .. Lovely to see your Grandson I bet.

Enjoy your evening everyone. You’ll get there, just keep going Xxxx

I love haddock and chips and the chippy I go to also does a lovely cod or plaice.Denise like plaice best. It a great chippy but it’s a 10 minute drive.There is normally a queue down the street to get in depending on the time but still get served very quickly. There are about 5 people serving you. So done in no time. They do chilli,I keep saying I’ll try it one day. Only problem is it’s about 1000 calories for fish and chips so don’t go very often. Andy it’s not like your used to be years ago a cheap meal.

Good afternoon all.. it s cold windy damp day here.Xxxx

We were out 2 hrs walking over the fields.. so not much else will be achieved today.

I still cant get into the Christmas mode.. everyone I meet says the same this year. maybe come Saturday when Kristy arrives I might.. At the moment though she has a cough and cold.

Egg chips and beans this evening

Dave.. No Fish N chips not cheap now.

Sym… Hope all went well at the opticians and you got signed off.

H H and Nana .. hope you are having a good day.

Better get on and do something lots to do really. lol

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” Xxxx

Evening!
Jean- that will be lovely to see William! Well done getting your money back & good you might be able to get the other side done quickly…
Hemmy- I don’t feel very Christmassy either! I think that the weather being so mild doesn’t help, it doesn’t seem like winter! Hope that Kristy’s cold is better before she comes…well done with the bargains too!
Dave- if we have fish & chips I have either rock or fishcakes, don’t like haddock or cod…
Nana- hope you’re okay, did hubby keep his bug to himself?
Re gammon, my dad used to make a lovely coating with brown sugar, not sure what else! When I went veggie I really missed it…Mum still in quite a tizzy, we’ve done some jobs for her, been busy & finished the Christmas cakes, saw a friend today, she gave me some lovely picture frames she’d upcycled. Took the freebie tree to son’s as well, he’s pleased with it. Need to do some cleaning tomorrow!

Morning All..
A very chilly walk. Heating kicked in over night it must have been cold only second time this winter.

Operation booked for 3rd January 8.30 so I am pleased with that and with the same surgeon.
So now I am keeping away from people as I don’t want any bugs! Just seeing William on Sunday.. might take my mask in case anyone else is there!

Hedgehog..
I am ready and waiting now, everything to do with Xmas done.. I might fast Monday I will see.
Nice you can move on the old tree and picture frames sound lovely. Poor mum she sounds quite bad hope it passes after Christmas. I have just cancelled the Christmas Eve carol concert it gets very busy, can’t get bugs..

Dave..
It’s funny how they find the hot water bottle even under the duvet, Charlie is never far away from it.
Poor Denise not getting to bed.. do you have a downstairs loo?

Hemmy..
Hoping Kirsty is feeling much better and doesn’t pass it to you…

Hair cut at 1.15…

Jean x

Afternoon!
Dave- poor Denise, probably doesn’t help her back on the sofa every night…hubby doesn’t like turkey so always do him chicken.
Jean- good you’ve got your other eye booked in, will be nice to get through that & get it all over with! Hope you keep clear of bugs- it was at our Church carol service our neighbour caught covid last year…
Hemmy- hope you have a nice few days with Kristy!
Nana- are you having a takeaway tonight?
Have cleaned the kitchen & the oven, the bathroom & cloakroom, & delivered a couple of the cakes today, very busy! Mum was much happier, she’d had a nice Christmas party yesterday & was full of that. Unfortunately has managed to go overdrawn with one of her accounts but wasn’t bothered!
Easy dinner tonight, I’ve done enough!