Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

Sorry about that Sue, I was clumsy in my response, I knew you wouldn't be laughing.
As for the 'Quiz Group' I know exactly what you mean. I've come across the same syndrome, people getting so competitive they lose sight of the main reason, the fun element.
I've had an hour in the shed and I am ready for 'In Our Time' at 9AM.

[Sue]

Panto went really well, quiz as expected!

[Sue]

I have at last got the dreaded yellow top to fit, by recutting the sleeve head and bodice ( using the toile sleeve to get a fit) It appears that the fabric has stretched during its initial make, the lycra in it no longer stretches. Having matched it with the original top I made I can now see it is much bigger. I will need to cut out new sleeves so I need to order more fabric. The bodice can be taken in but the sleeves cannot be altered because of the way they are shaped.

Ah well, not for New Year then. It will have to wait now so Maxine can help with the fit at the end of January.

[Stanley]

Don't wear it Sue. Frame it as a dreadful reminder not to do it again!
Shopping and shed.

[Sue]

Don't wear it Sue. Frame it as a dreadful reminder not to do it again!
Shopping and shed.

Except I rather like the style and the fabric. I will get there, I have had worse catastrophes, you can’t win all of the time.

The boiler is being serviced this morning, so we will have to empty the airing cupboard before 9.00. That is a mammoth task as we also store things in there like ironing board, boots and shoe rack , weighing scales , and at the moment a covered pot of hyacinths waiting for them to sprout. Then we will have to put it all back before going to the butchers, doing a bit of shopping in Rochdale , and some out of town shopping. Busy morning, then lunch out. I am not going to craft, I don’t fancy this mornings activity.

[Stanley]

I admire your tenacity Sue!
Shed has gone by the board this morning, shopping at Butcher's and domestic matters have intervened. Never mind, my meals for today are sorted and there's no rush in the shed, that next job is a bit complicated. I need to go to it fresh!

[Cathy]

I got a bit confused at a sales counter today and apologised to the sales assistant , saying ‘Sorry I haven’t been out since Monday because of the heatwave’. She said that not many people had, but today was extra busy and that like me lots of people are confused about what day it is.
That’s what a heatwave does to you...

[Stanley]

I can understand that Cathy. So it's a bit cooler with you is it?

[Cathy]

Oh Yes! it has only reached 22C so far today.

[Wendyf]

Still too hot for me Cathy! It must be such a relief for you to get a break from the high temperatures. We were meant to be meeting friends for a walk and lunch at their house near Skipton but Col is full of cold and I'm not 100% so we might call it off. On the other hand there's nothing like a good walk for lifting the spirits!

[Stanley]

"On the other hand there's nothing like a good walk for lifting the spirits!"
I'll second that Wendy!
Bit of shopping and shed now.

[Sue]

Talking of colds, Bob seems to be getting over his after a week now. He still has a horrendous chesty cough. Luckily I don’t seem to gave caught it.

Today I will change and wash the bedding and do a bit of ironing. Nothing else planned until tea time, when my sister is coming over from Liverpool to exchange Christmas presents. She is staying overnight, which will be nice. I will be unable to sew today as the sewing room has become a temporary store for bags of Christmas stuff and the laundry and wash baskets. These usually reside in the spare bedroom, but that is of course needed for Jane tonight.

I may cut out another shirt for me, an ordinary every day one from a well used pattern. I have made it about 6 times before in various versions. When I was at the craft group two weeks ago I picked up a bargain piece of soft warm non iron fabric ideal for said shirt. At the craft group people take in anything sewing and craft wise that they don’t want. Others then buy these with a contribution to the local hospice. It all works really well and I have picked up a few bargains over the years.

[Stanley]

A lot of flu-like heavy colds about Sue. Bob must have had one of them.
I have just invested and hour and a quarter of good accurate work in the shed and it has ended in disaster. So I'm going shopping for fresh fish, bugger the shed. I shall post the sad story when I get back.

[Wendyf]

Col felt a bit better this morning so we went to see our friends who live at Cawder Ghyll in Skipton (where the maternity hospital used to be). We had a walk along the canal tow path to Bradley and back followed by a tasty low carb lunch. Once back in the warm house Col's cold returned with a vengeance but he is struggling on....er..... manfully.

[plaques]

Col's cold returned with a vengeance but he is struggling on....er..... manfully.

No laughing matter. He has my total sympathy. These are no ordinary colds of the cough and sneeze variety but the kind that loads you up with this sticky goo which runs into your chest making breathing while lying down impossible. Ten days before I poked my nose out of the house and another five just to convince myself I wasn't going to die. Best wishes to Col for a speedy recovery. Won't mention hard hearted women,

[Cathy]

I hope all of you are feeling much better by Christmas Day

[Stanley]

I'll second that Cathy.
I did last shopping yesterday and this morning the first order of business is to cook sausage for Jack. I forgot to do it yesterday and this morning he is sausageless! They are done and he will get his sausage after our walk! I am cooking some for myself as I write. When we get back I shall cook veggies and then go into the shed to retrieve what I can from yesterday's wreck!

[Wendyf]

Today is my day for putting up the tree and decorations, Christmas is getting close! Some small family gifts have been bought but nothing major and anything I would once have spent on large presents has been given to my favourite local charities. Pendle Dogs in Need because they do a brilliant job rehoming dogs and Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue, all volunteers who rely on donations for funding and I might need them one day!

[Cathy]

Very good Wendy. I only put my Christmas decorations yesterday. I’ll test out the candles and the look in dim light tonight. Presents all done and maybe just a few more nibbles to get

[Sue]

Its done it again, my post erased as someone posted at tge same instant as me. So here is a summary!

Quiet day today, out for a meal this evening with Adam, Claire and Erin, our Christmas present from them. Nothing else planned

[Stanley]

It's those bloody Aussies Sue. Their posts travel so fast they blast everyone else out of the way.....
I've had an hour in the shed and done good things. Now I've cooked my breakfast, eggs! I'll do veggie cooking later.... Otherwise Radio 4 and sleep then reading! It's a hard life but someone has to do it.
Susan is with her little friend Ella in Essex for the day (And Wilf, Mick's brother and his wife Zoe, she and Mick will be back in Earby tonight.)
Very quiet weather and Xmas music in the daily service..... Nice! I do like a good, well sung carol or two!
Triggered I think by the Xmas Carols I have just conducted an experiment. Full cream soft cheese on a mince pie. Quite amazing, try it!

[Wendyf]

I normally avoid tv programmes with "celebrity" in the title, but tonight on Channel 5 at 5pm there is Celebrity Carols at Christmas and a friend of mine is singing in one of the choirs involved. I shall be friend spotting and celebrity avoiding!!

[Sue]

Cream cheese and mince pie, sounds good.

I like a good carol or two too. We will miss the channel 5 carols as that is when we are off to the restaurant, an Indian buffet.

The house is back to order, and the washer on as Jane has to be back in Liverpool for 12 to take her dog to the vets. A few hours of relaxing peace and quiet now.

I have been accumulating Christmas presents from various people to our daughters and families so have just spent ten minutes or so sorting them into families and then adult bags and separate Santa bags for the grand daughters. So much stuff, it will fill our car, its a good job we only need overnight stuff , toiletries and clothes for two days. Claire has an Overlocker sewing machine as Christmas cum birthday present from us. It was Bobs sisters and hardly used before she died. We have cleaned and serviced it and bought a special hold all bag to put it in. That can’t be wrapped and just has a label dangling from it. We will be delivering that and their other things this afternoon when we see them . We have also had to sort Julias birthday card and present. Its a bit easier this year as she is having money. She says she wants some new jeans. Julia was due on Christmas Day, but made her appearance on the 4 th but its still difficult to get Birthday cards in the post Christmas sales. It all has to be thought about earlier!

Cup of tea time I think, I need my fluid level topping up!

[Marilyn]

Our house guests return home later today. Then there will be the big clean up! I'm feeling quite tired, but we have packed a lot into 2 days.
You should see my house. After two days of having a resident Labrador, I have dog hair on every surface and collecting in clouds in the corners. The afternoon will be spent on the end of the vacuum cleaner and mop. ( the kitchen floor is particularly disgusting!)

[Stanley]

Enjoying the security of my new CO2 alarm which arrived yesterday. The old one started chirping at me and it had died, not batteries, terminal failure. As Tiz remarked, Amazon are delivering flat out and it arrived after two days. Who needs Prime?
An hour in the shed and watch the world go by for the rest of the day.