Six months

[Brian71]

My daughters girls are 12 and 5ys,  the 5yr old has spina bifida.   If it were just the 2 girls that's no problem Julie.

However, there are my 2 sons,  their partners,  their children so another 5 grandchildren, making 7 in total, and then there's pressies for the 6 parents (ie sons, daughter and partners)   Xmas is a very expensive time...lol

Ann used to begin buying things for Xmas from around now or even earlier,   she did most of the grandchildren with the odd contribution from me,   while I always gave the adults an envelope at Xmas containing about £100 each,  it used to be £50 in the old days,  but it's risen and risen every year.   Like I said...an expensive time,  this time I may just bung them 30 or £40 again...lol and if their not happy....too bad...lol

Also, as the bank of grand-dad,  IME it's hard to buy one a laptop, and not end up having to buy one for the others too occasionally as they needed them for school.   IOW it was most unwise to have bought that 1st one.

[Julie Magson]

Ah! Could be a tad pricey then! I used to be like that but agreed many years ago that we wouldn't buy for adults at Christmas time , just the children- I think everyone was relieved once the first person suggested it!

[Karena]

Ouch Brian that's expensive.I just allocate a set amount for each then that's the budget I usually have a good idea what they want and they know its not going to be laptop priced.
Have to get a head start this year though as I,m going away early December until January so have to leave them with parents.

Got a couple over the weekend at steampunk fair.Thought of you while I was there Julie.

Christmas cards I stopped doing because I couldn't bear the thought of writing just my name.Most of my friends are on fb so I just made the suggestion that they and I give the money to charity instead,I usually make a few pagan new year ones for those that actually appreciate them.

Hubby I often do that with the gardening see a ray of sunshine leap out of bed then discover its raining by the time I get ready.I was lucky this morning though and managed to walk my guest before it started..He is a strange one,decides whether or not he wants to go and which direction get it wrong and he will just sit down and refuse to move. Maybe feeling neutral is exactly that a chance for the brain and emotions to have a rest for a while.

[Julie Magson]

Ooh steampunk- lucky recipients! 

[Brian71]

It is Karena but it's all coming to a stop this xmas.  The laptops were usually birthday presents spread over 3 or 4yrs,   they have all had one now, when it comes to replacements their parents will have to pay.... bank of granddad has run dry...lol

Enjoy the Steampunk Fair....it sounds fun...

[Hubby]

I haven't got a clue about Christmas presents. I used to give Margaret money, then she would ask for more, and this would go on until Christmas Day when she had presents for everybody. I don't even know half the people she got them for. I am going to have to have a sit down with my daughters and make a list and, even then, I know I will miss people off.

Then there is the Christmas card conundrum. Every year Margaret would add and cross people off the card list. It was all very political and beyond my understanding but we would get enough cards to fill at least three strings across the wall. I doubt if I will get enough to fill the mantlepiece this year even if I spread them out. 

Not much done today again. Morning cry then off to counselling, home for tea then out yo seem ate do gig. Only orange juice to drink as I've decided to go to work tomorrow. No point being at home if I can't do anything.

[Karena]

They're Ann stokes prints Julie.My daughter loves her pictures.

Hubby cards are a bit of a conundrum ,for the sender its wanting to say they care and havnt forgotten about you,but they're not sure whether happy Christmas is appropriate ,and I have seen people here become upset and angry over people doing that,so it is a valid dilemma.That's why I opted out,saving hurt for me and solving the dilemma for them.Good idea to talk to your daughters about the presents but really don't stress about it.You will know the main presents between you and you can always get a supply of chocolates wrap them and keep labels handy just in case you get any surprises.Make sure they're ones you like though so they won't go to waste if you don't find a home for them.

[Hubby]

I like the idea of the supply of chocolates but I might slip a few bottles of JD in there as well and hope nobody turns up to claim them 

I had a really long day in work today made worse by the fact that I have somehow got one if those colds that has you bunged up, dripping nose, tunnel vision, dizziness, headache, etc etc. I think it's called ... Man Flu!

But, get this, even though I've been close at times I've not had a single cry today. I even managed to think about funny things Margaret had done and hold back the tears that normally follow.

Of course I'm off to bed now and I know I will have a few tears then but going all day is a big of an achievement.

[Brian71]

Sorry to hear about the Man-Flu hubby,  hope it clears quickly for you,  also good to hear today was not too bad,  same here too.

I don't think the tears have been too bad for me this week,  I think the last session was Monday or Tuesday for me,  mainly because my minds been on others things more.

[Karena]

Man flue is terrible wrap up and use some of that spare JD to make a hot toddy.

[Hubby]

Even for man flu this is a bad batch. I went out this afternoon to meet up with some old friends and we went for a meal by the river in Chester. I was feeling pretty groggy to start but as the afternoon wore on I started having terrible dizzy spells. I was meant to be meeting up with some workmates this evening but had to call it off. I've been lying on the settee feeling generally sorry for myself and every time the slightest part of me touches snyghing cold it sets off a crazy amount of shivering.

I have been really tearful as I remembered how Margaret would pamper me when I was like this with seemingly limitless cups of tea and hot toddys. There's nobody to do that for me now. 

I have made myself a JD hot toddy but it wasn't the same. Now I'm in bed hoping it improves overnight as I have to go into work at seven. Unfortunately there is no way out of it. 

Have a healthy weekend everyone

[Brian71]

Feeling for you matey,  I hope you shift it quickly.

[Julie Magson]

Sounds like flu which is horrible. Make yourself a flask and some sandwiches and a hot water bottle. Have you had a flu jab at all?

[Karena]

 :hug:sadly its times like this when the missing really ramps up.For me the first time was when I fell down the stairs (sober) and realised that if I had hurt myself really badly i was no where near the phone and it would be 48 hour at least before anyone noticed I was missing.
I try and keep my phone on me all the time now.Even just moving round the house.Its not the same but just keeping pamper stuff to hand for colds flue etc helps.hot water bottle,honey,ribena and lemsip always in stock here.plus Keith's baggy old fleece and a cozy blanket.
Hope you feel better soon.

[pennyking]

Hope your feeling better soon x