ChaoticMusings

Maddog · Go Outside

Is it too early to say the C word?

Vam · Go Outside.

Syl wrote:
Definitely not too early to talk about Christmas now....just 3 days away.
We went to a garden centre today, all the Christmas lights and decorations were half price. I got a brilliant red berry runner, really thick and substantial, it fits the full length of my 10ft fireplace, well chuffed.

😊 Sounds lovely! What are you doing on the big day?

I‘m out on Christmas Eve, at a do I didn’t have to organise (for a change!), so I’m really looking forward to that. I think you can probably guess what I’ll be busy doing on Christmas Day

Vam · Go Outside.

Anonymous wrote:
Magica wrote:
Went good shopping today, t was heaving. Queues down the aisle.

I chatted to other shoppers, nothing you can do, just wait your turn. No more shopping now.😀
Did my main Christmas food shop a good few days back and stocks were good. Have an order arriving tomorrow, which is just my normal everyday items, like topping up tea bags, freezer stuff etc so if out of stock then it's no big deal to wait until the rush is over. I doubt I'll starve

👍🏻 A super-organised and level-headed approach to the Christmas crazy. Wish I could say the same about me these days! 🤦🏻‍♀️

That said, I’ve been putting off stocking up a little until the last possible minute. It got to the point when my fridge only had half a bottle of OJ and an eyeliner pencil in it.

So I steeled myself to expect marauding hordes at the supermarket. Turned out to be an easy trip. Parked with no problem at all - and the checkout queues weren’t long. Everyone around seemed smiley and relaxed. A totally stress-free experience! 😎

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Definitely not too early to talk about Christmas now....just 3 days away.
We went to a garden centre today, all the Christmas lights and decorations were half price. I got a brilliant red berry runner, really thick and substantial, it fits the full length of my 10ft fireplace, well chuffed.
😊 Sounds lovely! What are you doing on the big day?
I‘m out on Christmas Eve, at a do I didn’t have to organise (for a change!), so I’m really looking forward to that. I think you can probably guess what I’ll be busy doing on Christmas Day

On Christmas day will you be on the beach, watching all the fit young men surfing, wearing their Father Christmas hats??

We are going to DIL's for Christmas day, everyone will be there, exchanging presents and eating ourselves till we are stuffed. She herself is a veggie, but she piles everyone else's plates up with meats galore. After cooking Christmas dinner for family all my life, it's such a pleasure to have someone else do it now.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve do, probably all the more now someone else has done all the arranging.

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Maddog wrote:
Went shopping today, all the kids and grands were over and we went out for Tex Mex after the gift exchange....

I got it all done today.. 👍

Now I just show up on Christmas day at daughter #2's house.

Isn't it great being a grandparent?

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Anonymous wrote:
Magica wrote:
Went good shopping today, t was heaving. Queues down the aisle.

I chatted to other shoppers, nothing you can do, just wait your turn. No more shopping now.😀
Did my main Christmas food shop a good few days back and stocks were good. Have an order arriving tomorrow, which is just my normal everyday items, like topping up tea bags, freezer stuff etc so if out of stock then it's no big deal to wait until the rush is over. I doubt I'll starve

I am braving the shops in a couple of hours, last minute food shopping...can't wait.

Date: Dec 23 12:45 PM, 2025

Syl wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Magica wrote:
Went good shopping today, t was heaving. Queues down the aisle.

I chatted to other shoppers, nothing you can do, just wait your turn. No more shopping now.😀
Did my main Christmas food shop a good few days back and stocks were good. Have an order arriving tomorrow, which is just my normal everyday items, like topping up tea bags, freezer stuff etc so if out of stock then it's no big deal to wait until the rush is over. I doubt I'll starve
I am braving the shops in a couple of hours, last minute food shopping...can't wait.

Good luck . My order was delivered bang on time, one sub which I'm currently enjoying, cinnamon doughnuts, with a cuppa or two. Not being smug btw just relieved I didn't have to visit the shops this year as I find supermarket shopping a major chore.

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I went to Asda..it was for last minute fresh stuff...and I was pleasantly surprised, the shelves were full and it wasn't half as bad as expected.

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Went shopping today, all the kids and grands were over and we went out for Tex Mex after the gift exchange....

I got it all done today.. 👍

Now I just show up on Christmas day at daughter #2's house.
Isn't it great being a grandparent?

Yeah, and with kids who have big places for me to visit.

Much less pressure than having to host anything. A lot cheaper too..

I was talking to the kids after Thanksgiving and they were all laughing about their moms husband bitching about spending about $80 on a super sized amount of macaroni and cheese.

I'm sure it was good, but it's macaroni and cheese. 🤷😎

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Went shopping today, all the kids and grands were over and we went out for Tex Mex after the gift exchange....

I got it all done today.. 👍

Now I just show up on Christmas day at daughter #2's house.
Isn't it great being a grandparent?
Yeah, and with kids who have big places for me to visit.

Much less pressure than having to host anything. A lot cheaper too..

I was talking to the kids after Thanksgiving and they were all laughing about their moms husband bitching about spending about $80 on a super sized amount of macaroni and cheese.

I'm sure it was good, but it's macaroni and cheese. 🤷😎

Do you stay over?....and yes, $80 (£60) is a bit expensive for mac and cheese....a lot cheaper than a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings though.

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Went shopping today, all the kids and grands were over and we went out for Tex Mex after the gift exchange....

I got it all done today.. 👍

Now I just show up on Christmas day at daughter #2's house.
Isn't it great being a grandparent?
Yeah, and with kids who have big places for me to visit.

Much less pressure than having to host anything. A lot cheaper too..

I was talking to the kids after Thanksgiving and they were all laughing about their moms husband bitching about spending about $80 on a super sized amount of macaroni and cheese.

I'm sure it was good, but it's macaroni and cheese. 🤷😎
Do you stay over?....and yes, $80 (£60) is a bit expensive for mac and cheese....a lot cheaper than a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings though.

Oh, i know my ex well..That mac and cheese was probably 10% of the cost of that meal. Part of the problem was.how much she ordered. That's what was so funny to my SILs. Her husband was pushing that macaroni hard because he didn't want to eat it for the next week and he didn't want to toss it.

They thought of buying him mac and cheese boxes for Christmas..😉

If I go to Dallas I don't stay over. At least not since they put their dog down and my dog sitting services are no longer needed when they traveled..

If I go to Houston or Austin I usually stay as those are 3 hour drives..

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Have a good one, that goes for everyone.
Especially people who are on their own, either through choice or circumstance....whatever people are doing, look after yourselves.