Today I've mostly bin...

[gill216]

You let D use the washing machine?
C. can but only for his own stuff because he just puts the lot in regardless of colour. Same with the iron. He does his own because the iron only has 1 temperature in his book. Red hot.

Just made a quick fruit cake and a rice cake. Scones and savouries next. There are only 2 of us xmas day but my friend invited herself and her OH for boxing day after the afternoon pub get together. I think I will end up with more than just those 2 once she tells them all . Cold meat and pickles + a pan of new potatoes and whatever else I can find as necessary. Good job I've got a spare freezer. I think that everyone and his wife has bought chestnuts, sausages and marshmallows to cook on my fire so I might as well have them all at once.

Love it really!

[giraffe]

S ironed his way through three episodes of Breaking bad this morning while I was out socialising. My list of jobs to do before Christmas fills an A3 sheet of paper stuck to the front of the fridge. We have managed to cross a few things off, but still plenty to do tomorrow.

[Bunnylump]

I've got masses to do, but need to go and visit my elderly neighbour in the horrific Watford General, which will involve battling through the traffic and the one way system near the town centre. Poor love has been sent there over Christmas. OK so the food might not all be ready but some times there are more important things to worry about.

[giraffe]

...cleaning and tidying. And more cleaning and tidying. All finished now, although I am absolutely shattered, not helped by Lally's new mattress being delivered this morning (No I didn't request delivery today, I told them some time in the new year would be fine ) The delivery man hoisted it on his back as if it was really light, and offered to take it up to the bedroom, but I said he could leave it in the hall. BIG mistake! It weighs a ton and our stairs are a very awkward shape (the reason I said he could leave it to us as we are used to manoeuvering things round the corners). I thought we were wedged halfway up.

We're off to church in a few minutes for the carol service.

My new year's resolution is to try to keep the house as clean and tidy as it is now! (Not likely to make it to the end f January on that one)

[Bunnylump]

OK so that's New Year's Day done. Last guest of the season gone. Can I PLEASE stop cooking now??

May also need to detox / stop drinking for a couple of months, too...

[SparkOut]

Having the one bright prospect for ages extinguished.


Someone say you'll make up the team for Only Connect and cheer me up.

[Scurra]

Having the one bright prospect for ages extinguished.

I'm with you on that one.

Someone say you'll make up the team for Only Connect and cheer me up.

I think paulman said he'd be interested, but I haven't spoken to him about it for a while. I'll ask him again.

[Bunnylump]

I would, but I'd just let you down. I truly am just a total numpty when under pressure. Can't think straight, can't speak coherently. Wish I wasn't like that, but I am. You know I am a joiner-inner and would always shift heaven and Earth for my friends, but I just couldn't do this. Scurra did say to me once "Well, you could just come along to be the person who talks to Victoria" (vote of confidence there in my puzzle- solving ability?? ) But I couldn't even guarantee to be able to do that. Sorry to be so utterly useless. I'd love to cheer you up!

[LAT]

Oh dear. Too many sad people around.
Hope things improve for everyone.

[Wulfruna]

.... being told that my plaster needs to stay on for another couple of weeks (though that brings it up to the 6 weeks I was originally told to expect). But at least it is now replaced with a lighter weight silicon cast, which is better than plaster of Paris. They have also given me a sort of slipper with a firm sole to wear under it so that I can now put some partial weight on it and can shuffle around instead of having to hop on one leg all the time. I also now have crutches rather than the frame, which also improves mobility a bit........ though not enough to resume cooking!!!!
When my thoughtful son gave me Neil McGregor's book on Germany for Christmas, I did not think I would have so much time spare to read it . Sadly I shall not now be able to go to see the exhibition at the British Museum before it closes, which was going to be my treat for January.

[Bunnylump]

Oh dear, Wulfruna, it must be driving you crazy. Is Mr. Wulfruna doing all the cooking then?

[SparkOut]

Dealing with a very contentious go-live day which ended up being aborted due to missing replacement of obsolete equipment. So go-live has now been rescheduled for tomorrow, and not by me. So... in the end, it would have been just as reasonable for me to be in Germany right now, taking an overnight stop on the way to Austria with scurra for the European meet up of MIT puzzle hunt team.
Grrrrrrrrr

[Bunnylump]

That is REALLY annoying.

I'm feeling really fed up too, but for different reasons. Having spent 6 days completely laid up with hideous lurgy, it's JUST starting to go - managed to walk to the end of the garden and was only coughing for 15 minutes (and believe it or not, that is an improvement!) I have spent so much time lying down that now my back is going into spasm. Also, we've just had a policeman knocking at the door, apparently next door but one has been burgled this afternoon.

I desperately need some good news to cheer me up. So far 2015 has been pretty awful.

Anyone got any good news?

[maisie ladybird]

Sorry, I can't think of any good news

SparkOut, what a nuisance!

[eirian]

good news? tricky.

We're all wishing each other a *quiet* new year - since last December we've had:
Wulf breaking her leg
my Father in Law going into hospital with UTI (on top of all his other health issues, which meant they had to be v.careful what medication they gave him due to all his others..)
at work:
sister of my old boss has had a brain tumor
one of my staff has breast cancer
mother of one staff member has died
father of another staff member has died

and that's not including all the other seasonal illnesses.

Hmmmm....

However, Redfraggle's book is fab and doing really well, but you know about that already, Bunny.
I've also managed to fill 2 of my vacancies in my team at work. (although obviously my friend with the breast cancer is missing long term now). They are both fitting in well and picking up the work quickly which is definitely good!
I won't mention the fact that one of them has a slight (presumably health) problem - he stinks! Now *that* conversation wasn't the easiest (definitely one of the trials of being a manager), but at least he's got some deodorant. Just wish it was just BO! (we've got some airfreshners now and are going to Fabreze his chair each evening once he's left!)

So yes, there does seem to be a shortage of good news, but if it'll cheer you up, I can report that Thomas is one of the best readers in his class and is really good with numbers & shapes. He's turning into a real pedant - keeps correcting me when I use words like 'loo' instead of 'toilet'!

I do hope things pick up for everyone - especially Sparkout


PS. Yes, Mr Wulfruna is doing the cooking - and did a fab job of the Christmas dinner when we were there

[LAT]

Hmm yes.
That sounds a bit like my last few weeks only different facts about different people.
Roll on 2016!

[Bunnylump]

Oh dear, Eirian! Sounds like you've had a pretty depressing and difficult couple of months too! I know what you mean about the challenges of a management role - I had to have that same conversation with a man I used to work with. One day I actually had to send him home and tell him (sorry, disgusting, so spoilered in case anyone is feeling delicate or eating) tochange his underpants and wash himself in the nether regions. That conversation will remain with me for a very long time.

I also had two new staff who started on 5th January. Goodness knows what catastrophes have befallen them having been ditched with me being off sick all week. I had only just started to train them! I just know that when I go back next week there will be complete pandemonium.

Redfraggle's book is, indeed, a bit of good news. It seems to be a great success so far, so I would like to congratulate her on that. I'm sure that it will go down really well with any early to mid teens and will be keeping my fingers crossed that it goes from strength to strength. In case anyone missed it, here's the link.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Selkie-Pact-Jud ... elkie+pact

Pleased to hear that Thomas is doing so well at school - but we knew he'd be a smart young man with such a clever mum! Just watch out for that pedantry creeping in. Don't let him have too much extended contact with Uncle Scurra!

[Laura]

Well, after falling and breaking his hip and arm, my granddad spent Christmas and New Year in hospital, suffering from hallucinations and delusions. He's now been discharged and has finally conceded that he needs to be in a care home, he needs to sign a power of attorney form, he needs to have his bills paid by direct debit etc. etc. All of which things have been driving my mum and I mad because he's been so stubbornly resisting any help or support. So now we can relax a little bit, at least on a day-to-day basis, knowing that he's being fed, dressed, helped to move around etc. and isn't lying helpless on the floor unable to reach a phone.

I know it may not sound that cheery, but for us, it's good news!

[Bunnylump]

Yes, I can see that. My Mum was FIERCELY independent and refused help of any kind. She was so stubborn that it actually made it really difficult for us to support her. I've already told my children "OK so remember that I'm doing this for you now / paying for this for you now because when I'm an old lady, I WON'T be like Nanny. It's over to you to run around after me then!"

Anyway, glad you have him safe and sorted, Laura. That is good news.

I do have one item of good news (if you can call it that.) A week of flu and I have lost 9lb in weight.

[chazzie]

Laura - can completely empathise with what you are saying .... I have two close friends at the moment going through the trials of getting their parents to understand they do really need help, but trying to find the best tactics to make their parents come up with the idea themselves!!!

So Bunny - are you feeling better now?