IT鈥橲 NICE AND TOASTIE IN BED, I REALLY DON鈥橳 WANT TO GET OUT.
Clean white cotton sheets, the fluffiest of quilts and a dreamless, still and beautiful night tell me to stay in bed for the rest of my life. The wrinkles would disappear, one might even become thin, it wouldn鈥檛 matter if one went bald, no one would see you. The world and it鈥檚 worries could wait outside your door for as they liked, for such trivial things matter not to a 鈥渂ed bug!鈥
I know I have to get up, I can only remain the incumbent of my pit for the time it takes me to compose what is known as The Monday Blog and after that it鈥檚 time to face the music. What tricks and little games have you for staying in bed for, 鈥渏ust another few minutes?鈥
The weekend really was鈥
鈥ar too swift. It flew by like a windowless express train. I seemed to barely actually do anything and hey ho, here comes the week again. Friday night is most of which I can recall 鈥 a fine and hearty dinner round at some pals鈥 house. Italian meat ball lasagne no less, totally mouth watering, (I had three huge helpings and could have had more!). This was followed by some shamelessly smelly cheeses, a splendid creamy St. Ager taking centre stage, all of them smelling like your older brothers bedroom after he鈥檚 failed to open the windows for a year or two. Why are some things acceptable when others are not? A curry before it鈥檚 consumed pongs much the same as after it has been discharged, yet try telling that to someone who has to follow you in the khazi the next morning. They鈥檒l have none of it for sure.
The conversation over dinner wended it鈥檚 way, as it does, until it rested upon an inlet that was entitled 鈥 鈥淐hristmas Do鈥檚.鈥 A friend of mine was to attend his 鈥渄o鈥 the following day. It was dinner bingo and disco and reindeer racing rewarded with an overnight at a hotel.
His wife tells us she is 鈥渆xpected to go,鈥 under duress, or at least that鈥檚 how it sounds, as she describes her attending as duty bound. Whether this is true or not, I couldn鈥檛 figure out, would there be more protestation were she not invited ? I suspect so.
Another diner stated that her company鈥檚 policy was 鈥渁bsolutely no partners.鈥 No ifs, no buts and definitely no partners. This is a strange one, good idea or bad idea, or was it really the case at all ?
I鈥檝e heard of this would be rule before, in fact I may have instigated it myself in the past, yes I鈥檓 almost sure I have. Now, who and why do companies decide such policies? I reckon those who are involved in the decision who鈥檚 involved in the decision don鈥檛 want their own partners there, so they use the rest of their employees as an excuse. When then questioned by their spouses over such matters, they simply reply that this is just how it is and they have little or no say in the discussion. All very fishy indeed Monsieur Poirot !
So tonight on the text, what makes a good works Christmas do, is yours great and do you look forward to it or is it something you dread and if so why ?
One of the best 鈥渄o鈥檚鈥 I ever held was a night that cost me peanuts, it was in a Turkish restaurant- fifteen pounds a head it was. I gave the staff cash instead, which they loved, if people wanted to go on for a drink afterwards they could and the vast majority of them did.
Simple, no pressure to enjoy one鈥檚 self or impress and anyone could leave whenever you wanted to.
Our first chrissimouse bash is tonight, so watch this space.
Advent calendar day one on Friday鈥 Holidays are comin鈥欌olidays are comin鈥
x.
Comments
Morning all!
Christmas Do's!
It's worse when you have a Christmas do and you're the singly and have to find someone suitable to take with you. I have this problem for my "do" this Friday. We're all going to the last of Darren Maddy's benefit do's as our celebration of Christmas and my up-coming Birthday. It should be a great night out but it's a case of who to take? I could take one of my mates, the lodger for instance which I know would be great fun and I can get squiffy and not have to worry one bit, plus the fact that he knows us all so is accepted company. Or I could take a "date" which is really dangerous as the chances of being in a sober state coming home are minimal so therefore it could all end up in a world of hurt. Part of me is a bit fed up at the idea that I never have a date to take to these company do's (to be honest our company do's consist of about 5-7 of us and our respective partners and we all know each other really well) and being expected to be on my own and on the other hand I've seen what it can be like if the "other half" is in a bad mood and can spoil it for one of us.
Any suggestions?
Happy Mondays
Luv
Lynda
-x-x-x-
Christmas is coming, and I've started to get that christmassy tingle. However, has anyone seen 'Neopolitan' choccies for sale anywhere? It's not Christmas in my house unless there is a bowl of these on the coffee table. Humph!!!
It's like Christmas without satsumas or carol singers with wooly scarves.
Unimaginable.
Mornin' Chris, mornin' all,
You really got me thinking on Christmas parties. The real issue is that we all like our works dos different. Some want a flash meal and overnight, some want a few drinks. Some want partners there, some are mortified by the thought of their work colleagues meeting their partners (or t'other way round).
The bigger the department or company, the more first choices there would be and the bigger the problem gets. The only real answer is for us all to be self-employed and just have a party with ourselves. Everyone gets to do EXACTLY what they want.
Back in the real worls, and in order to be sociable, why not run a couple of options? Could look something like:
1. Bowling and a few beers without partners
2. Flash dinner, posh hotel, overnight stay with partners
3. All you can eat Chinese restaurant buffet without partners
4. The boss flies everyone, with partner, to the Bahamas/skiing/whatever for a weekend.
You run ALL 4 parties...everyone chooses one.
You cost them all up, and if you choose any of the cheaper options you get the cash difference to the most expensive.
Everyone gets close to what they would choose, everyone has the same spent on them, and everyone gets to do the party with people that like the same things.
The only people that don't like it are those whose partners are desperate to go but they don't want them to...difficult to expalin away.
So the only problem is if that's most people...ah, I see my argument falling down...
Good morning fellow bloggers!
It's a cold and blustery Monday and I would have paid millions to have the pleasure of staying in bed this morning. No such luck though.
I decided this weekend I'd like to be a bear - hibernating for the winter. Imagine, February: your alarm goes off, you press the snooze button and get another 6 weeks in bed. Heaven!
My work Christmas Dos are lavish affairs - a dinner dance. Too formal methinks but good nonetheless. However I do find that many an argument breaks out between couples after too much alcohol and dancing with the wrong people.
I agree with you Chris; a much smaller, informal night is much more enjoyable. A few years back I worked for a small company and we had a do at a Greek restaurant. The night ended up with dancing and smashing plates..... and not because I'd danced with the wrong man!
Happy Monday everyone.
J x
I do without a cup of tea so I can stay in bed just that little bit longer. Means I get to work and MUST have three mugs of tea before I can talk to anyone. Nearly civil now!
Have a happy Monday.
J
Good morning all
I agree Chris, that lying in bed of a morning is one of life's simple pleasures. After Ravel brings us our first cup of tea and the morning papers, Dolores and I often spend the next 32 minutes reading about yesterdays news. As I subscribe to several magazines, I often have something else to occupy myself whilst Dolores heads off to the shower. My other tricks and games designed to stay in bed longer are not suitable for a family-oriented blog. Suffice to say there are plenty of giggles at least 3 times a week. Well, maybe not quite that often any more.
Re: Christmas parties. At the Institute we have a policy of allowing all staff partners to attend. Most years that means very little in practice, as all our staff (bar myself and Dolores) are single. Denise is still trying hard to find the man of her dreams, but even her video plea has fallen on deaf ears.
Last year's party was a disaster, unfortunately, so this year I think we'll change the format. Essentially what happened was this: everyone (except Denise, who was excused) was asked to bring one dish to the table. I put together a playlist of my favourite 1980's pop music and Ravel was commissioned to perform some traditional Bulgarian dances. But things didn't quite go to plan. We were all very busy right up to Christmas Eve undertaking our annual survey of the parasites of the local fish population. Everyone thought the others would make something, but in the event only Ravel (who was new to the staff and therefore not involved with the complex survey) actually managed to produce anything on time. What he turned up, though, was like something out of a children's horror story. The starters he called simply 'Rabbit Offal Goulash with Pigs Marrow on Ryebread'. The mains was 'Whole Mackerel Goulash with Crushed Potatoes and Fermented Sprouts, whilst dessert consisted of something he called 'Dry Winter Crackers with Sweetened Snail Cheese' (whole snails, pureed with castor sugar) for dessert.
I made it as far as dessert before feeling queasy. The eager young cook, though, seemed really pleased with his output, and I was reluctant to appear ungrateful. The first mouthful of snail cheese didn't taste so bad, despite the slime, but the second contained some shell. I took it out of my mouth and recognised it as belonging to one of the African land snails we keep in the lab for experimental purposes. Horrified, I ran to the lab and found all our African-snail tanks empty. In his eagerness to please, the young Bulgarian had harvested the infected snails and pureed them en-mass for our dessert. I'd been so busy collecting fish that I hadn't paid any attention.
In a fit of near uncontrollable anger, I confronted him and asked how he could mistake snails in the lab for edible snails. He told me, in broken English (he had not long been with us), that in his forest home, all snails were edible. He thought we just collected the snails from the local streams.
It took me three months to replenish our snail stocks from suppliers in four African states, ruined our calendar of experiments and destroyed Christmas. This year, we're buying in a turkey from Tescos and all home-made food is banned. Ravel has pleaded to be allowed to perform his dances. I'm still thinking about it.
regards
J McC
Mornin all,
I've had a great weekend, but I've consumed rather too much alcohol and food (including some St Ager cheese like you Chris), so i'm going to try and have a very healthy week - lots of exercise and not too much naughty food.
On the subject of Christmas dos, I am not invited to my husband's and (he says) he wishes I was. He's quite shy and I like meeting new people, so it's more my thing than his really.
I serve lunches in a primary school and we (the dinner ladies and cleaning staff) aren't invited to the staff Christmas dinner, although we are allowed to join in the Secret Santa and the little party they have on the last day. I think they probably think we wouldn't know which fork to use!!
My neighbours had 10 of us for an early Christmas dinner on Saturday night, we all had great fun and finished the night with a game of Buzz, but obviously it was a lot of work for the cooks; when they come to mine i'm afraid I only provide nibbles!!
I'm starting to feel Christmassy already, i keep waking up really early with butterflies in my tummy!! When will I grow up?!!
Love Em xx
I'm only 18, and the idea of a lifetime of Christmas do's terrifies me. Especially if one is not allowed to take a partner or friend.
The 'do' at my workplace was last weekend, but I didn't go because its hard enough trying to think of conversation from saturday morning to saturday evening never mind the night as well.
Reading the beginning of your blog makes me want to go back to bed. Maybe I will after my lecture. Hehe.
#2 Chris Russell, its not christmas in my house until my mum has decorated everything that stands still for more than ten seconds. She's WILD! Its always nice finding choccies secreted around the house though.
Love to all.
x
Morning everyone
Well I saw Casino Royale on Sautruday night and it was fantastic! Daniel Craig is a great James Bond and his performance was 'real'. By far the best Bond since Connery.
Christmas 'do's'......Our office (Property Management) is off to Dublin for the day next Monday. Our boss closes the office for the day, pays for us to get to the airport, breakfast, flight, day bus ticket for Dublin, lunch, dinner, flight home and taxi from airport. All we have to do is go and enjoy ourselves! 3 years ago we were in Amsterdam -0 same deal - no partners though just us.
A week today.........
Morning All.
Christmas Do's eh?
We are going to same place as last year, and menu is same as last year. No doubt, the same people will get drunk and fall over (not me surprisingly).
Sad thing is, I'm now considered one of the more maturer ones in the office... oh woe is me, over 40.... and I think there is a standard of behaviour which is expected of me, which I try so very very hard to meet. I've got to be so careful, one drink over the top and I'm off, completely irresponsible and totally off the wall. My poor husband, I'm sure he dreads these nights.
But then again, he can talk. There was the night he went for a chrissy night out and came home in a taxi, via the police station.. erm yes. Least said about that the better. never quite got over that one.
Lovely weekend. Husband away camping and for the first weekend in months my son stayed at home with me and my daughter and the three of us had a ball. Well I say the three of us. I really enjoyed myself, being MUM, they didn't complain so I can only imagine they enjoyed themselves too.
Have a lovely week everyone.
MOre later
DWNB
christmas doo! Our head office which is 200 miles away had theirs on fri! (it's still Nov for goodness sake!) none of us went, it would of meant closeing down the office at midday to get there in time, so we will be having our own little get together on the 20th at the local italian with a few bevvies later.
This is is quite tame in comparision to the last few we've had, due to my boss (party leiasion) leaving in the summer.
However it does seem to fit the mood at the moment.!
I'm really looking forward to Xmas this year, it's our year at home we do a round robin with his lot, my lot and then a year at home, and it's our 1st year in our new house, and I get to pick a real tree instead of the plastic one we have when we aren't going to be home for Xmas........ yep getting a bit excited.
As for the staying in bed thing, well I have a friend who I stay in bed with while I'm at work! If either of us is having a bad day we mentally tuck ourselves back in bed with a big brew and watch naff films. it helps us through the day which is what counts even if it is a bit silly!
Morning Chris, Morning Friends !
Couldn鈥檛 wait to get out of bed this morning. I have anticipated Monday all weekend. I had a really restless nights sleep thinking about it. Even though I thought I was ok about things the odd insecurity crept in over the weekend. Now I just want to get things over and done with. My hospital appointment isn鈥檛 until late this afternoon, I can keep busy at work all day....
Christmas. I love Christmas. I love Boxing Day the most. Spending time with my wonderful wonderful Grandparents. I鈥檓 really looking forward to Christmas this year. Not just because I always do but because I鈥檓 really looking forward to a break from work. I鈥檒l do the same as I always do on Christmas Eve, help Mum with everything. Meet friends for a walk at the Arboretum, dinner with friends and my parents and then I鈥檒l scoot off to Church on my own. I love coming out of Church about 12.30 at night and driving home getting out of my car and walking to my front door. Those few moments are so peaceful. The rest of the year never seems so quiet as in those few moments. Its really kind of magical. I don鈥檛 know why.
Christmas Do's. This year just my boss and I are going to dinner together. We are booked at a nice little place tucked away in Egham and will have a very civil affair. We are lucky in that we have lots of lovely incentives throughout the year, Paris, Days out, etc etc. Its nice just to relax and have a good meal and a good chat at Christmas.
I am the only single person in our company. I don鈥檛 mind going to these things alone. It is nice to have someone there just for you but I鈥檝e always been a social creature so cope quite well.
I think it varies greatly from company to company. When I worked in the US we were all flown to Cancun for a long weekend as an end of year "Thank You" for working so hard. Its nice but I would much prefer to do what we are doing this year. Go minimal, send a Christmas E mail to all of our clients instead of cards and donate the savings to charity. Brilliant !
Right then loads to do so I鈥檒l say cheerio for now.
Still welcoming all those positive vibes !!!!!
All my love
Tracey-Ann x x x
P.S - JOANNIE - I鈥檒l get that recipe to you ! :) x x
Tracey-Ann #12
Haven't forgotten you, busy, busy.
Good luck this afternoon.
Loads of positive vibes coming right at ya.
:)
Gosh - I'm amazed at how many of us are single - is this representative of the country or is there something about blogging (and Chris's Blog specifically) that appeals to singles!
Hmmmm wonder what it could be.....
Jx
Tracey-Ann will be thinking of you ..... have been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
You're right about that return trip from Midnight Mass - yet it's so noisy on the street's going to Church; I suppose that's because it's usually tipping out time from the pub's?
Wanted to say thanks for those Christmas gift idea's a bit back. I am having a goat and bike from one of my sister's! I keep seeing the goat riding the bike though!! I know.... they're looking at the strength of my medication as I write. I asked for the goat but she has decided that I'm also having a bike, unsure who is going to ride it and in which country but it's a UNICEF thing so maybe it's for the Princess Royal to use when she next goes visiting?
Anyway I'm supposed to be off sick so will get off here and go back to feeling unwell.
Lyndyloo:About the Christmas "partner" thing - take the lodger - you say everyone knows you're single at the moment and he/they know each other so I would have thought... Problem Solved!
Have a good day all. MW.
Tracey-ann,
Good luck for your hospital appointment.
J x
Howdo everyone.
It's only after today that we in this household can begin to turn our thoughts to Christmas. I know it's been looming large for some time but, in our house, it'll be forever on hold until the 27th November "hump" has been surmounted.
Reason?
3 years ago today our baby daughter died in our arms and it had been so "full on" for the 13 weeks before, we just seem to relive the time and it has to be out of the way before festivities can begin. There must be so many people out there in similar situations where an historic event around this time of year marks a cut off point in the Christmas countdown.
As for Christmas do's, I think I've lived through the whole gambit of them over the last 25 years or so. From Xmas eve do's in the office (often the worst and most dangerous in my opinion) to lunch time in the local (which are the best because so little is expected of them) to the lavish, one upmanship type of do at any posh and seasonally overpriced establishment one cares to mention.
Hi christoff lammie pie
How you doin?
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Still in bed suffering a bad hangover so don't want to stay in bed for the rest of my life, although that feels not that far away!!
Completely agree with you about fancy dress "whats the point" don't get it either.
PS
WHATS HAPPENED TO YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY, WANT IT BADLY "NEED IT PLEASE HELP"?
Hey Chris and all!
I cant really complain about christmas parties! We get two and its free food, free drink so to me its all good!
Monday monday! The weekend drifted by for me too, and here we are again with a winter cold and pile to do on my desk but my head is still in sunday!
My nearly three year old is still determined that he will not be potty trained! Lazy boys huh! Nearly a year in trying but he is stubborn as a mule! Any tips welcome!
I must go swimming tonight, isnt it awful when you have planned to do something, but dont want to at all but there is this underlying guilt like not doing makes you a failure!
em26xx
Good morning all!
It was only a matter of time till we all started to talk about Christmas!
Christmas do's are very strange! Where I used to work we would have the Dinner Dance after christmas as more people would go. A lot of people wouldn't take partners because they don't really know all the work friends and are basically a pain!!
The dinner dance is a funny thing. You have a horrible meal (when you are catering for over 200 people the food is never that good!) the MD speach, some stupid quiz, and then the disco... Oh the disco! Managers husbands getting very drunk and dancing with the shirts off and anyone possible. I would like to point out that i am not making any of this up, i went to 3 of these things!!!
Then you go home and talk about the night for the next few weeks!
oh my god Izzy #8 I've just been on your blog! you have the same birthday as me!! glad to see you love waking up to terry as well! bless him
Dear All
It's been a wee while since I last blogged. We
had a family crisis in that I discovered one of my uncles had been made homeless and was
living on the streets. I took him home with me
and with the fantastic help of my brothers, sisters and their husband/wives we have got him
housed, my brother-in-law decorated it for him, my sister made his curtains and between us we
furnished and provided all the essential items.
He is my mothers brother and from a family of
thirteen its only him, his brother and sister-in-law who are left :-( Now we know where he is he will have regular contact with them and us and will also have a family to spend Christmas with.
.........I was out shopping and when I saw him walking towards me I couldn't believe my eyes.
Whilst this has a happy ending for him, it saddens me to think how many poor souls are out there with no chance of getting help :-(
Tracey-Ann I have been following your progress and will keep sending positive vibes for today xx
Although I haven't contributed I have kept up with the blog, thanks to all of you who made me smile xx What a great bunch you are.
Chris - I know what you mean by not wanting to get out of bed, I was exactly like that this morning and kept hitting the snooze button :-)
Would like to comment on the sheets, strange you might think but here me out, especially our lady bloggers. I have always gone for the crisp cotton sheets, however being menopausal night time is a difficult time for us females, because of the night sweats, sounds awful I know and trust me it is! Anyway I was told that cotton is the worst type of bedding and I should try flannelette, its all to do with the threading of the fabric, bit too technical for me but I tell you what they are brilliant since having them on my bed I have not had any night sweats (I hate saying that its conjurs up such an awful picture). Apparently they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, and they are just soooo cosy.
Christmas do's - We have employees only, which suits me being single, I probably wouldn't go if the invite was extended to partners. Although I get on with everyone there would still be that awkward moment where I would feel like a spare part :-) We usually have a evening do but this year we are having a lunch which means we get a half day and after the lunch everyone is free to do as they wish.
I love Christmas and also have my birthday on the 5th, my Mum bless her never started anything to do with Christmas until after my birthday and I have kept the same tradition :-)
The day after my birthday I put up my tree and decorations, I love making it a big event, playing christmas carols, some mulled wine, mince pies etc I'm so excited now :-) This year I will be the first I wake up on my own on Christmas morning, I usually visit my sister who lives in Berkshire but I've decided to stay in Scotland this year. It will be a bit strange, but hopefully Santa will leave me a wee gift and I will have a glass of Champagne to wish myself a merry christmas before going to my other Sister for delicious food, wine, fun and laughter :-)
I must get some work done now, but before I do I will just check to see if Keith has posted his joke :-)
Take care all
Love Mary xx
Hello Chap and Chapettes and the lovely Chris
Good Morning
Christmas Do鈥檚
Personally, I prefer no partners鈥 I think it restricts the festivities amongst colleagues 鈥 I treat Christmas Do鈥檚 as an opportunity to speak to people you wouldn鈥檛 normally, and thank the people who have helped me over the year.
I prefer an informal meal and a disco鈥limey, I don鈥檛 get many opportunities to dance these days ( apart from sometimes, when the feeling takes me, with wild abandon I put on my MP3 player and dance to my hearts content around the kitchen/livingroom 鈥 prompting HUGE embarrassment to my daughter), the boppier the song the better!
Bed
Being able to stay in bed is a joy when children are around, but daughter loves a cuddle in the morning, so as soon as 6.50 ticks on her clock, she rushes in and as a family we have a huge cuddle for 10 mins until we have to get up and start the day鈥
Mega P V鈥檚 to Tracey Ann
Pain au Chocolat
Love Caroline xx
P.S Cathmel - I鈥檓 up for a blogfest..(has to be dancing!) but I鈥檓 new to blogging/commenting (4weeks now), do I count?
P.P.S watched David Attenbough 大象传媒1 last night 鈥 those dolphins were great!
someone has just irritated me and i felt the need to share!
So i offered to see my ex on thurs as he seemed about down, i offered this on friday, he didnt reply so i thought this was completely fine as i always said it was his call as i always said it would be.
So I arranged to swim with my mother. He today asks me for coffe and i said i would pop round after work as i was swimming later on and now he rants about how i am terrible at keeping dates but he isnt having a go.
I hate people ranting at you and then saying they are not having a go so they look good all round and you cant even say anything back!
arrrgghh!!
em26xx
well i only usually blog once a day and here i am on my third!
Mary #22 I liked your story, i love it when people just get together and help, no politics or complication, but just keep it simple and get it done!
em26x
Afternoon y'all
Great blog Chris; bed is my favourite place in the world - its warm, cosy, safe, you can laugh and giggle, eat, drink, watch TV, talk, listen, play and of course sleep! Most important piece of furniture I think!
Had deep and meaningful chats with the bloke over the weekend, was really good and he has been secretly branch polishing it would seem, so I feel a bit guilty for doubting him, but still wary to see how long it lasts, but suffice to say I was swept off my feet for the weekend!
I'm so excited for Christmas! I'm spending it in Egypt, one week on a cruise and one week in a hotel! So I will be missing all Christmas do's at my job, but have to go to the blokes one in Birmingham. Just 6 of us (including partners). Me being the youngest, I think I will drink and nod where appropriate or laugh on cue (will be easier the more I drink!). Partners or no partners for Christmas do鈥檚, I don鈥檛 really mind, as long as everyone has a good 鈥榮afe鈥 time!
Christmas at mum and dads means lots of nuts in small bowls scattered around the house, and how many chocolates I can sneak off the tree and blame on the dog!
My trick for staying in bed longer was to set my alarm for 7pm, so was woken up at 7.50am to realise I had had 50 extra minutes in bed! I think I am already loosing weight due to the missed breakfast and flying round the house like a woman possessed!
Mr McCrumble, if you even invite us bloggers to a 鈥榙o鈥 I think I may decline!!
Tracey-Ann, the quiet at Christmas, I know what you mean. I love going outside in our street and just listening to the silence, you can see the glow from everyone鈥檚 windows and the street feels so warm (even in the cold) and happy for the only time in the year. I love it. Thinking of you lots, good luck xx
Re my comment #15 - apologies ... have remembered the P.R. is Save the Children... I suppose they could let her borrow the bike if she wanted though.
Bye all!
MW.
christmas do's!!!Here in Oz there is a double whammy around christmas--its sunny and christmas(just weird) and on top of that we are being thrashed by the Oz cricket team so you go in any pub,they hear your voice and thats it endless abuse!!I've just joined the Oz police and their xmas do is a three day weekender in Bali--beats the Harp public house in Charing Cross- take care
Mornin' Chris et al
Why is it that on the weekend I wake up at 7am, bright and breezy and restless, yet as soon as Monday morning comes around, the alarm goes off at 6.30am and I can't even open my eyes ....... it's just not fair!
Re: Christmas do's - there are only seven of us where I work - all fellas except me which should be heaven but you haven't seen them - and we're going to an "all you can eat" Chinese buffet this Friday (1st Dec), sans partners. The boss is paying, which is nice, but as I live miles from the office I've got to drive myself home so only two petite sherbets for me before it's diet Coke for as long as the excitement lasts!
The company where 'im indoors works (ooh, what I'd give to be able to name and shame) doesn't give their staff any sort of Christmas 'do' at all. If they want to go out they have to organise and pay for it themselves, so this year, in their infinite wisdom, they're going to the same "all you can eat" Chinese buffet exactly a week after my 'do'. They do, however, include partners - lucky me!
Their company makes one concession to it being Christmas - they give each member of staff a box of apples .......... I used to work there with him so last Christmas we got two boxes of the damn things. Still, they came in handy when we went to the local horse sanctuary!!
Tracey-Anne - those positive vibes are piling up for you here and fingers are crossed that all goes well - we're all thinking of you xx
jillygoat xx
ND # 17 - I can't even begin to imagine what Christmas must be like for you after losing a child at this time. I am so, so sorry.
A friend of mine lost his father a few years ago on Christmas Eve due to a sudden heart attack - he was only 59 - and although time has helped them to deal with Christmas, they feel quite differently about it even now.
Wishing you peace at least.
jillygoat xx
Good morning gorgeous Christoff Lamby Pie and wonderful entertaining and interesting bloggers,
Its beautiful up here in scotland at the moment;- the sun is shining and for once I am glad I left by very cosy warm comfy bed:- however some afternoons I want nothing more than to return to it (or the sofa) with a cup of proper cocoa and a great cheesy movie like singing in the rain or shrek (I'm with you Becks #11)
Christmas Do's - well at 38 I've had my fair share over the years from the office based ones where everyone snogs people they shouldn't and then everyone else spends the next year talking about it to the boring boring christmas lunches where no-one wants to be there and everyone spends their time moaning about the food (not enough, not good enough etc)
My favourites were
1: taking over the downstairs of a curry place in teddington where we took our own music system and music and had a fantastic time.
2. I worked for a charity organisation with about 50 staff, aged from 17 to 84 (volunteers included) and we used to go for a meal at the local nightclub followed by dancing till you'd had enough... EVERYONE came and EVERYONE joined in with the dancing; and there was flirting but no inappropriate behaviour (or very little) and it was always just the BEST Fun.
I am the boss at my current place so we are going out for a meal and then everyone else will go out dancing and jollying and I will retire gracefully and soberly as unfortunately the boss can't get drunk - it's just not done in the world of social work.... :-(
As for partners - I prefer a do with NO partners- not sure why, although my other half dearly wishes he could take me with him to his:- its a bit like what you said Em M #7 he's shy I'm not and he keeps saying what's the point of dressing up if I'm not going to be there.
Ho ho ho hum.
Love
Em sk xxxxxxx
p.s. Missed most of Friday's show - just had time to dance round the living room to Rick Astley with my man, before he decided he wanted to talk. We had half an hour of him wandering past the radio turning it down and me wandering past turning it up. And then I gave in. Its the only bad thing about finishing early on Friday. I miss the show. In any case back to work now; well actually not off to lunch now - going to the new local huge asda to buy my first chrissy pressies...
p.p.s We are already excited about Christmas. The three of us sat and watched home alone yesterday. CAN'T wait - am desperate to hear my favourite christmas song on the radio for the first time.... The Pogues and Kirsty McColl, Fairytale in New York -
toodle pip.
em
x
p.p.p s
didn't realise how long that one was until I previewed it.
Sorry
em SK
Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier each year. I'm not complaining though, there's not enough of that festive cheer in this world. I'm a teacher and we started rehearsing the school production weeks ago. Every year it reminds me of the line in the Paul McCartney song 'Wonderful Christmastime' - Children practising all year long.
#8 Izzy - Crimbo sounds like fun in your house. No sign of any neopolitans though!!!
Hi Chris,
Felt exactly the same this morning busily pressing the dreaded snooze button, my dreaming brain convinced it was justified.
Like a Zomblie got in the car and chugged along the M62 listing to the balmy poetitions on about toll charges for car drivers again thinking but dont we pay way over the odds with road tax and petrol as it is, I commute 50 miles round trip per day and it costs on av 拢50 per week which is 1/5th of my wage, there wont be much point it bothering going if it goes up anymore.
Love listening to old wogan on the way and of course I get here and blog about my place of work and I feel so much better
Mornin' all,
I'm hanging badly today following a really heavy Saturday night. I really don't go up to my local (where I know just about everybody) as it's a really cutsie little pub with wholesome decent folk and real ales and I tend to turn into a strumpet every time I go there and that's not a good idea right on my own doorstep. Something about real ale (which I really enjoy drinking) has a 'wenching' effect on me and I start flirting outrageously wiith just about all the men. Thankfully most of them are long-term friends but for those who don't know me.......it's not a good look is it? My flirting is harmless and involves lots of 'Carry On....' style double entendres and saucy remarks and most people see it as good old fashioned harmless fun - exactly as it is intended. However I have unwittingly upset a barmaid or two in the past when I have taken the attention of men that they have their eye on. How awas I supposed to know?.....I'm forgiven now but I still get the odd frosty reception.
Anyway Saturday night was a special occasion - long-term rock and rolling friend and neighbour Joe was celebrating his birthday. My son (also Joe) plays on the same Sunday league footie team as him and most of the team were at the pub too. I said I'd go for ONE (like you do) and to say Happy Birthday to me old mucker but the pub had a 1am licence that night so I was well in my cups by midnight. My house is known as party central as it accommodates large groups of people really well - long through lounge, REAL WOOD laminate floor, sprawling comfy sofas, first class sound system that miraculously neighbours never hear and moi. Perfect. My son (21) wanted to invite some friends over that night but had to firmly resist his pleas (which I hardly ever do) as I had my friend Charlotte from Glastonbury staying for the weekend and I wanted a quiet catch up time with her. Plus we were looking forward to an early start for our long woodland walk on Sunday morning.
To cut a long story short (mostly because I can't remember much of it) by 1.15am I'm standing on a chair in the pub announcing my address and saying the party would be there straight after the pub. The landlady gave me a bottle of red for getting the most difficult customers out of the pub all in one go and that's not the first time it has happened. 18 of us landed at mine and I went to bed at 6am. My son was up for footie at 9.30 and noticed four of the team (including their amazing goalie) were sprawled on my sofas. After failing to rouse them effectively he left them there and asked me if I try to get them to the match on time. I fell straight back to sleep and was woken at 1.30pm when my son returned from footie with a long face saying they had lost 7-0 as they had played with only 9 men and that included the two subs! They had not lost a game yet this season. Joe was really stroppy with me as if somehow it was my fault. To make things even worse he handed me a massive holdall with the dirty kits to be washed (luckily only 9!) which I had offered to do the week before. As I had been been smoking fat cigarettes and taking most turns on the karaoke machine the night before I had no voice to object with and so I just locked myself in the bathroom for an hour in shame. :(
By the time I made it downstairs the expected devastation was surprisingly absent and I happily tucked into a scrambled egg, smoked salmon and granary toast breakfast served with copious amounts of tea-potted tea courtesy of my son. I was forgiven. This was all shared with a third of the local's Sunday league team and a good friend from Glasto reading our Tarot. It's forecast that I shall remain indoors next weekend and the team will win 3-1 sporting the brightest , freshest shirts they have ever seen!
I hope that Monday is as kind to all you lovely people as it is being to me.
xxx Debs xxx
partners at christmas doooooos
the decision is often made on behaviour, it is cheaper to pay for partners to be there rather than pay the bar bill for all those numpties out for the night on a free pass
being a partner at someone's christmas dooo is horrid, i don't really want to know the person my partner is at work, i wouldn't want them to know me at work either. you all end up being on your best behaviour. not good fun.
best ones are small and intimate in my experience, team of five (or 3?), down the local italian, good food and wine followed by more wine and later some wine.
the worst thing about corporate christmas dooos is receiving the menu in july, i don't know what i want for my tea tonight, let alone in 5 months time.
x
ND (17)
So sorry for your loss, and yes there will always be a hump to get over it will get less painful, but it will always be there.
My mum lost her mum on Christmas Eve 35 years ago. She died in our house, in my mum's bed, with my mum, her sister and my dad with her.
My sister and I, being only 7 and 10 respectively were ensconced in front of the TV watching West Side Story. I couldn't imagine what was going on to distract the adults enough to let us sit and watch this racey film.
Every year mum slumps towards Christmas, it is an awful chore for her, and tho she tries it is so difficult for her to lift out of the depression. We could all be depressed with her, but we don't, we try to chivvy her along and have a blast, but I always have a wee quiet moment when I think back to that Sad Christmas and wonder at the strength of character that allowed my parents to let us have our presents and enjoyment, before having to tell us that our beloved Gran had gone the night before.
Hold Everyone Tight, at least once this Christmas.
Helen
ND
I am so very sorry for your loss, I lost my nineteen month old niece which literally broke my heart and still stabs be, but your own child.
As a mother I know it is always ourgreatest fear. I truely hope you have a great christmas.
em26x
Afternoon Chris
This morning was a particularly 鈥楳ondayish鈥 one wasn鈥檛 it? Over indulged just a wee bit over the weekend, 鈥榞ymed鈥 once on Sunday morning but spent the afternoon undoing all the good work helping a friend celebrate her 40th, so this week is going to be full of hard work in the gym and on the squash court and not a beer or bottle of wine in sight.
Probably.
So, Christmas is but four weeks away. We love all things festive, but it鈥檚 impossible to get into the mood while the weather is so, well, unChristmassy. We experimented with putting on some Christmas songs over the weekend and it felt all wrong. I鈥檓 not sure that I could ever get my head round Christmas in Australia, I mean, barbeques on the beach while listening to Let it Snow?
Must dash. Worst bit of the week is over now. Roll on the weekend.
Peace.
Hey all,
Christmas "dos" are just an excuse for resturants to charge you twice the normal price for food that is half as good as usual. As a result our office do is usually a trip into town for a few beers (am yet to find a pub which increases it's beer prices just for the festive season), and it's a definite "no partners" rule - who wants them in toe when there's all that mistletoe around?!
N
x
Afternoon all
On this blowing wet Monday morning I would love to spend a few more minutes in bed, but only delaying getting up to a cold house (as parents will not put on heating till they get up, not for much longer though house of my own may be on its way) might as well move as have to exercise daughters pony so I might as well be cold, wet and blown over.
Regards
Njimie's mum
Surely the best invention ever - to help you stay in bed that little bit longer - is the snooze button on a digital alarm. Mine has been used that much the word "snooze" has worn off the button!!
And another addition to this is that you just can't get out of bed on an odd number on the digital alarm, i.e. can't get up at 6.57, you have to wait until 7.00am, and if the snooze puts you out of flunter, your just gonna have to wait until 7.10!!!
Cheers, hope your out of bed by now!!!
Laura
ND #17 - Sorry to read of your loss. My thoughts are with you
Mary xx
Hi Chris, Everyone,
Well what a day, woke up real early this morning again and it hit me...back to work. Booo! I've just spent 16 fantastic days in South India. Travelling around visiting tea and spice plantations, looking for Tigers at the Periyar Tiger reserve, travelling the backwaters, and generally having the time of my life in this fantastic, magnificent country. The people there are so friendly, they can't do enough for you; can't wait to go back and visit again. It's just a pity that the time went past sooooo quickly, but it's highly recommended.
I came back to discover Christmas is well and truly upon us, our Christmas dooooo is only three weeks away, partners are allowed, but most people tend not to bring them, or tell them that they aren't invited. Talking to them it sounds like they have never brought their partner with them, I think it allows them to be naughty if they wish. Strange really, I don't dislike going; it just annoys me when you sit there, and someone comes up and say's ahh I've been trying to speak to you all week, lets have a quick 15 minute chat about such and such project, and how's the development of blah coming along. Sorry, but it's a party and I'm not interested in talking about work! That's the only thing that annoys me.
I was at a party a number of years ago when someone from the senior management made a very unreasonable pass at a new girl who had started working for us, needless to say she wasn't too pleased with this pass, and after pulling her skirt back to where it should have been she slapped the aforementioned Director...on Monday morning she was seen with puffy eyes after she had been crying. She came into work and was issued with a written warning for hitting this man! Amazing, there's always two sides to an argument, and you could say both are in the wrong, but she shouldn't have had a warning over it. Oh well, it must happen at countless companies all over.
Still it's a time to have fun and enjoy this magical time of year, lots of hangover are forecast for December of that I have no doubt, but enjoy it and stay safe....
Be good!
Daniel
Chris, what can i say... i have one of the least comfortable beds EVER... it uncomfortable, lumpy, even downright painful BUT, and here's the twist, try getting me out of it in a hurry. the house could be on fire and i'd still struggle to move! in fact i can assure you that when i do move, that duvet is coming with me!!
Dave
Afternoon bloggers,
I needed no help staying in bed today as Mrs B decided that I was too sick to go to work and confined me to bed :-(
Christmas鈥︹︹ah Humbug, parties 鈥..my favourite :-) To be honest I loved Christmas whilst he kids were small as there is something magical watching kids faces light up! ;-)
I will be back later if I feel better :-(
Keith
x
P.S. here is a little joke for you :-)
Spiderman and Penguinman were looking at their watches, waiting for Superman.
鈥淗e鈥檚 not normally late鈥, said Spiderman. As he spoke, the clouds parted and Superman landed.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 your excuse then?鈥 asked Penguinman.
鈥淲ell it鈥檚 like this鈥, said Superman. 鈥淚 was flying over the desert, making good time. When I looked down I could see Superwoman kneeling down without her costume on.
I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to give her a surprise.鈥
鈥淒id it give her a shock?鈥 said Spiderman.
After some thought Superman said, 鈥 Wellllll not as much as it did to Invisible man.鈥
Thanks EM26 x
My Mum was always the person people would turn to for help and she wouldn't have done things any differently, that's how it has always been despite any family feudes.
He had been homeless for over a year but he
still visited the cemetry on my Mum's anniversary (her 6th) and put a beautiful plant on her grave x I'm sure my Mum guided me in his direction.
Mary xx
Let's face it....even an uncomfortable bed can be more comfortable than getting up!
J x
Now I'm back there is no stopping me :-)
Keith sorry to hear your feeling unwell xx I'm sure Mrs B is giving you lots of TLC xx Sending you this {{{{{{hug}}}}}} to help you feel better xx
Thanks for today's joke, I enjoyed the nun one the other day xx
Well, there are so many different strands here that I can relate to today.
Christmas past :0\
Even though I left home 19 years ago, my sister and I would always return for the festive season, with and without partners for shorter periods of time each year.
The reason being my father lost his mother around this time of year and was prone to bouts of depression during the festive season.
Apart from my easy going mother we are pretty strong minded/oppinionated people and doing the enforced confinement routine wasn't healthy.
Eventually after one very loud argument at the Xmas dinner table with my sister in her room (she would have left but the ice was a couple of inches thick that year) and dad in his room fuming, I went downstairs to an undecorated house, no cards no tree on boxing day to my mother who had officially cancelled Christmas.
With the other two sulking we had a fairly pleasant day together but it was the last family christmas for a long time. What a palava!
We take each year as it comes now and keep things simple, the older we all great the less we expect and the easier its become. The more we appreciate each other too.
Christmas Present :0)
This year I am totally festive already as I have chosen the winner of the colouring competition for the under 10's where I am temping. Lots of rudolph's covered in glittered with cotton wool snow etc, and a real delight for any bah-humbug!
I am also responding to all the letters the local children are writting to Santa, so spreading my own bit of magic dust the year!
Ho!Ho!Ho!
Jenner - Santa's little helper x
unfortunately i am a bah humbug every other christmas - and this is one of them: when my girls spend christmas with their dad. i know its only fair, but he barely bothers with them for the rest of the year and other times that he has them is when there is a family gathering and he wants to look good. we don't have the every other weekend arrangement - he just doesn't bother! so this christmas is not one i am looking forward to, despite going to my brothers house - it just isn't the same without my kids. We are, however, having christmas eve and christmas day on the fri and sat before christmas. i imagine there a so many mums (and dads) everywhere in this position, but it always feels so lonely without them on christmas day.
we are not having a christmas do this year with work, instead, we are all going to go out after christmas, when things have calmed down a bit and employees and partners can both make it: it's the first time we have done this and i think it will be just as good - something to look forward to post christmas!
Afternoon all.
I felt I just had to blog again to thank everyone for their messages of comfort and indeed sympathy. It is 3 years now since we lost our daughter and what I really wanted to do was highlight the fact that for a lot of people the approach of Christmas is tinged with, shall we say, mixed feelings due to previous experiences.
For ourselves, we knew we only had our little girl on loan as she was born with a condition incompatible with life (Trisomy 13). We were told she would possibly live for 2 months and was with us for 3. We are honoured to have been chosen to look after her during her short time in this world.
Thank you all again.
ND No 17 - you have put my whingeing in to perspective.....!
i was so sorry to read about your loss xx
Hi Jenner #19 - how thoughtful of you to reply to
the Children's letters, imagine the delight on their face when the read their letter from Santa awwwwe xx I remember as a child asking why
he never replied and Mum saying it was because he didn't have time to gather all the presents for everyone and reply to their letters too, receiving a gift was his reply xx
Afternoon all,
But what about the bread machine? What did you get and how was the first loaf?
Kate
Mr B - you are indeed a sick man!!!!! but very funny.
Hope all who are poorly are feeling better soon.
MW.
Mornin' Chris and all...
Firstly, Tracey-Ann....I have been thinking about you all weekend and positive vibes, as we speak, are flying across the Atlantic !! xx
Bed - yes the snooze button was the best thing ever invented!! I have my clock set 10 minutes ahead so when the alarm goes off - I know I have a ten minute grace period - after pressing the snooze button 10 times that is!!!!
Company 'dos' - I used to work for an ad agency and the parties - wow!!! I dont think it is a good idea without partners. Things happen after the 7th beer or wine (or even none)!! There was a lot more than flirting going on. Either give everyone a bonus for all the hard work or easiest...pick a day and invite all the staff and whoever they want to bring (or not) and go have a nice meal, as you did Chris. Then there are no expectations and if you dont want to go, you dont have to. No pressure or expectations!!
ND # 17 - my heart breaks for you......such a difficult time of year.
Have a great day everyone.
Big Un...I hope you feel better soon - hot toddy's in order???? Great joke though :-)
Joannie xxx
My companies reason for not allowing spouces, is one of cost....pure and simple
the best do I ever went on involved a day of clay p. shooting, tank driving, quad bikes and archerery (not all in the same field!)
Back again...I forgot to tell you about my weekend.
Saturday night, I went with two friends downtown Toronto to watch the annual cavalcade of lights.... 100,000 bulbs lit up!!! It was fantastic, then there was an awesome fireworks display. We then went and had pizza... the weather was perfect, a bit chilly but not snowing or raining. A great start to Xmas.
KATO - I know what you mean about Xmas without the kids, been divorced for 8 years. It is extremely hard every other year when you dont have them so I know exactly how you feel. Enjoy your family and friends and make the most of the time you do have with your kids. They have a hard enough time with it too so I have always made the time I have with them as special as I can. Practice some new traditions with your kids - it makes the time even more special. Example, every Christmas eve, we make a gingerbread house and decorate it. We laugh and have great time (they are both grown up now).
Joannie xxx
Am currently working in a team of one.
I have just decided that Gavin has got the right idea, and I've made an executive decision that our, and I use the word loosely, Christmas party will be in Bali.
It will be entirely partner free (had a bit of a set to with Mrs Moose last night...oops).
There will be compulsory book writing...the party will last until it's finished.
The hotel will provide crisp white cotton sheets...I fully understand (well, as fully as a male moose can) the opposing views but I am fortunate enough not to be, nor ever likely to be, menopausal.
It will be a tee total Christmas party - exotic fruit juice cocktails will suffice.
Sunbathing and swimming are compulsory daily activities.
The snooze button on the alarm will be set for a 14 minute gap (long enough to actually fall asleep again). Tea will be served in bed after 6 rings of the alarm.
Goulash (of any kind whatsoever) and snail products are banned...well, except for snail cheese...although how they manage to milk those little suckers is beyond me...I know, you have to milk the udders not the suckers.
Broadband internet connection to be provided in all rooms for the sole purpose of streaming radio 2 and blogging...Wake Up with Evans - I bet I'm not the only person to think that's not so shabby an idea...although probably for very different reasons from you laydees.
"Moose, moose...wake Up! You've been asleep at the keyboard again..."
Whoa, not sure what happened there for a moment. Very strange dream about some snails...although I think I should call it a nightmare...there was something in there about fruit juice cocktails too...
Late today been busy, busy, busy....we've got auditors looming on the horizon!!
Had a good weekend - we won the quiz on Friday night and took home another brace of bottles for our Xmas collection. Met my 2 year old nephew for the first time on Sunday - what a star. He was born withe a cleft lip and pallette and has been through several operations in his short life. He also has to have speech therapy an has hearing impairment in both ears but what a jolly little boy - so full of fun and I learnt all about Bob the Builder!!
Our Xmas do is no partners. We have a meal at lunch time followed by Secret Santa and a quiz. I'm beginning to dread the gifts that I have to go home with - my husband wonders what I get up to in work as the last 3 years have involved a mug where an exotic man loses his trunks as the liquid inside (the mug) heats up, a devil costume and some edible knickers!!
After the meal we descend upon the town and are still to be found travelling the streets in the early hours of the morning looking for a taxi. Yippee!!
Luv n stuff
Claire xxx
PS ND #17 - really feel for you. Can't imagine what losing a child must be like so I won't pretend that I do. Thoughts are with you.
Hi y'all,
Sooo didn't want to get up this blustery morning, snuggly wuggly and desperately tired after a school do on Friday night in Chiswick and a wonderfully zany wedding on Saturday in oh-so-stormy Dorset. What a mad night that turned out to be. Dressed-up to the nines, copious amounts of champagne and vodka/cranberry and beautiful people is just asking for trouble. Both my partner and I (tho totally loved up) took the opportunity to playfully flirt and then berated each other the next day with sore, sore heads. Such a mad, fun night tho'.
Well, had to get up (all overslept) and drop 3 kids off to school. For first time in long while, I didn't go in my pyjamas, and how fortuitous was that?! My car died on me outside last school and I had to walk home to call RAC. Dodgy tracksuit bottoms and care-in- the-community cardie with crocs so not a good look .but infintessimaly better trhan pjs.
Train in to work 2moro, hope Clapham go slow is sorted.
ND#17. So sad for you. God bless.
Enjoy a warm Monday and a fruitful week.
Au revoir mes petits choufleurs.
Kazza xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi all
Had a lovely time reading all your blogs this afternoon thank you its nice to see you all care for one another too. Christmas do's I am off next week to my partners not sure how I feel about it as I hardly know them and I know one lady there is trying to capture the attentions of my other half (all to no avail I may add) so it could be very interesting.............
Our first christmas without my partners mum this year we lost her in March to Cancer so its going to be a difficult one but, as ever, we will get through it Im sure.
Anyone plant the potatoes earlier this year? Chris you said they be ready for xmas remember? I do keep looking at the bins I planted em in and wondering whats going on in there lol
Happy Monday everyone
xx
Has anyone else found the shops to be subdued with their Christmas music this year? I finished my Christmas shopping yesterday in Canterbury and usually, even at this time of the season, the usual old favourites are being churned out at top volume, but there was nothing!
I was strangely disappointed!
jillygoat x
Hi All
Works Christmas do's can be heaven or hell! I have been to both.
Family wise this year we cannot all get together on the big day. To avoid the treadmill of this year my parents, next your yours, my husband and I are going on holiday - we asked my parents to come to but they cannot afford it and we cannot afford to pay for them. Also my sister cannot get home to our parents for the Christmas holidays due to her partners work. So we are getting together on the weekend of the 16th and having a full non25th Christmas. To misquote Alice through the looking glass 鈥 A very merry unchristmas鈥. My sister and her partner will be there for the weekend and the 6 of us will have a good time. The day will be as per our family's usual Christmas day full - turkey dinner and trimmings, lots of good things to drink, and plenty of Christmas tunes and games. As a family we held Christmas in January a few years ago and had a wonderful time and it was much better than the actual Christmas day we had a month earlier. It goes to show that its the people that make a day a celebration and a holiday - its not about the date or time. So if you cannot be with the right people on the 25th have an unchristmas instead.
Have a good evening
CateDx
ND I just read your post. Sorry for your loss - today much be really hard for you. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
CateD
I'm feeling very bah humbug too. We sat and discussed out 'do' and decided drinks in the office at 6pm - I am planning to be home in pj's by 9pm. Really can't be bothered. Too many hard times this year. Sorry for being a misery. Maybe it's just Monday blues and I will be waving the tinsle around by Friday.
Hi everyone!!
My very rich medical consultants subsidise our christmas party so us poor NHS nurses only have to pay a tenner to attend. All partners have to pay full price and that normally puts them off - apart from the odd controlling person who wont let their patner out on their own and are prepared to pay 拢50 for the pleasure of attending. I am single so am not bothered either way!! This year we are going to an Indian Conferance Centre called 'Baylis House' in Slough (yes I work in slough but don't live there thank goodness).
I love Christmas sooooooooo much. My ex husband hated it so we had a tree and not much else. So the last 5 Christmas's my house (that he has not set foot in) has had more Christmas decs and fairy lights than the B & Q christmas display aisle!!! My kids love it - we have our advent calenders ready for Friday. On Christmas Eve we attend a childrens mass and I watch my girls dressed as angels participate. It's obviously going to be a sad Christmas without dad but as he loved Christmas so much I'm sure he will be watching down on us.
Tracey-ann lovely to see you bloggin today. let us know how it went this afternoon
#17 ND - really appreciate you sharing about you hard times. You are among friends here. You are another blogger added to my prayers tonight
# 22 MWK - What are heart warming story. I;m glad to hear some positive news
# 23 Caroline - the more the merrier. you are now on the official list
Love to you all Catherine
MWK #54
I do feel very lucky that I get to write these letters this year. I am temping at a local visitors attraction, a petting farm that caters mainly for the young children and families and they always have a post box for Santa.
I try to make them as personal as possible responding to any questions they ask such as 'how are you?' or 'why do you wear red' so that the children know it has been written especially for them. If we get more than one letter per household I do make sure that each child gets a different letter although there a few standards I use.
It's difficult to know how to tackle some of them, like one little girl aged 8 who asked for 'some beer for daddy' .......
Adding pictures and sealing each envelope with a red rubber stamp of a happy Santa definitely brings great joy to me, and I would love to see the reaction they get when they arrive at their destination.
Not bad for a temp job - eh?!!
I think I might drop a letter to Santa in the Royal Mail this year, kind of like a festive asking the universe type thing. Who knows the wizards might respond!
Just wanted to say hello to everybody.
Saturday was a miserable day in more ways than one, but we took ourselves down to the village Christmas market. It was interesting looking at the traditional Swedish crafts, but it was all quite low key. The thing we most enjoyed was sitting round an open fire in a wooden building (stuga) eating freshly made pancakes (made on the open fire) with a cup of gl枚gg, very warming.
We're looking forward to our 3 lads coming over on their first visit to Sweden and to our new home on the 6th. We might cook ourselves an early Christmas dinner of roast moose while they are here. I haven't seen any turkeys for sale yet. I'm missing the mincepies which I usually start eating as soon as they come into the shops. I'd make my own if I could see some mincemeat.
Well done Chris for not buying a breadmaker. try Delia's recipe for quick and easy wholewheat bread from her complete cookery course book. I make it every second day and whilst waiting for the yeast to do it's 'thing' I make some scones. In fact I made some bread and scones earlier and was so engrossed catching up on everyone's comments the scones ended up a bit over done.
Must finish as the show is about to come on.
Thinking of you Tracey-Ann hope it all went well.
ND- a difficult time for you and brave of you to share it with us.
Hope you're feeling better soon Big Un
Aternoon Chris n All,
Yep thats the weekend gone n monday is following far too quickly.Its a conspiracy!!
Did get a nibble @Mulberry Chris.V yummy.Cant beleive I hadnt popped in before as two mins down the road.Olives in chilli oil took my head off!!
Better looking now!!
Xmas do's.We have one at the local pub{might have to be a 'berry' diff one this year now}.Local is v handy for getting home.Living out in the wilds of sussex/surrey you have to mind the wooly bears when staggering home?!
A well known softwear Co dont bother with Crimbo atall........Humbug! Hey but they do spoil the staff the rest of the year.
I have Christmas @ mine with my daughter and invite all our friends who dont have anywhere else to go.....its the only time I can get someone to eat my cooking{joke} I think........
Off to cook dinner,keep playing the good music guys,lv fi.
Sorry........bac again.
Just logged off cause thought someone was knocking at the door.
No one there but help!!!! the neighbours are putting up .......the outdoor Christmas decs!!!
Its like Las Vagas here and it gets earlier each year!
So when you hear the planes are getting confused on thier way in and out of Gatwick just pop down our way and check out the new runway!!
Can I do 'humbug' for this one??
lv fi x
Jilly goat
I was in Canterbury on sat too. I noticed the same thing cept in Next. It took me an hour and a half to park and by that time was in no mood for good will.
Good thoughts and pos vibes to all of you suffering at the moment. I hope 2007 is a better year for us all
x
Happy mondays Chris and Bloggers,
I love, love christmas and thanks for the reminder about Friday's door opening. Am feeling very tingley and just a bit too excitable but also...............................
Am feeling a bit bad about the grump I threw about our christmas bash being changed to "PARTNERS" as well!!! Nothing to do with me being the only singleton and then being asked shall we book Clare in again (my lodger) who came with me last year!!!.... My reply...."absolutely not, indeed I may not even be available, there may be my partner... I'll let you know" Flouncing off in a huff!!
Does anyone know why all year I am a fairly well balanced, happy (most of the time) individual who gets really upset because she doesn't have a partner to take to the christmas party?? Because I would love to know. I caused a bit of a fuss and feel very silly!
MWK.. what a wonderful thing for you to do, sending a massive hug to a fine lady!
To Anyone who has lost someone; I keep a little space in my heart that they will always occupy, it's theirs and always will be. It keeps them always with you.
Good night xx
Hi Babes - me with long face.
Just wrote heaps, then pressed enter and it all disappeared. Am so dejected that I'm going to bed to dream that the Blog Fairy might retrieve it from blog heaven.
Boo - hoo :(
^ ^
0 0
' O '
' '
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Nighty - night
Myra.
Marshie
Take no notice - they obviously opened mouth before putting brain cell (one) into gear.
You may just turn up with the gorgeous George Clooney just to show them.
That'd be just brilliant - care to join me in my dream - I'm taking Kevin Costner to my party and I hear he's bessie mates with George Clooney, so I'm sure if I can put up with Kevin,
you can put up with George.
As in the words of the brilliant Kirsty McColl - Girls just wanna have fun......
Go girl - give em hell.
Kind regards and hugs to all fellow bloggers
Myra.xxxx still upset about the blog I deleted.
Hi Chris
Just been catching up on the blog.
Read that 11 and 22 are your favourite numbers. In numerology those numbers are referred to as master numbers and cannot be reduced. eg 11-2 or 22-4.They are considered to be special numbers. Thought you might be interested.
Debbie
ND and Tracey-Ann....thinking of you both and sending love
Gaby
x
in my room my parents have had a roomswitch and i have now got a double bed, it is far too comfy for getting up from and i can't figure out why i would want to get up from the wondeful bed to face the cold, grey world outside
at about 5pm on Wed 27th December Bob Harris played a track of "a brilliant guitarist" first name Bob. Can we know his name and title of the track and album please,happy new year.