New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[The Dogmother]

We have very strict limits on how much we spend at Christmas. This year I have asked for time to be spent, not money; Rosie and Phil are giving me their time so that I can have a day (between christmas and new year)being looked after They will get up early, feed all the animals, clean them out, walk the dog. Rosie will do the cooking that day and Phil will do some of the jobs that I never get around to.

 

I can't promise that i will be sitting on my bum doing nowt as that doesn't come naturally to me, but I shall enjoy the lie-in and breakfast in bed. I honestly can't wait!

 

Edited as was clear as mud

Edited October 13, 2010 by Guest

[poachedegg]

Sounds fab!

[CallyChook]

that sounds like such a wonderful day

 

Our christmases are never complete - my son is either at his fathers xmas eve until after lunch on xmas day, or is leaving us after lunch at xmas to go there.... this yr it's our turn to have him the second half, which is my favourite as i broke my heart last time after waving him off, then spent all afternoon quietly sobbing before starting nightshift!

 

Cleaning out the animals as an extra special treat, I can see that being my idea of heaven when he is old enough!!

[Guest]

think of me having to cook lunch and entertain 14 family members of mixed ages!

[chickencam]

Sounds like a lovely plan. I usually get this for Mothering Sunday, far better than material things, although I do get a bit twitchy by the end of the day and start tidying up after them all and doing things my way

 

Enjoy

[Redwing]

Thats sounds absolutely wonderful, far nicer than a big gift

 

I am spending the day on my own as hubby is working a double shift that day (he always volunteers so people with children can take the day off) I have plans to get the chores done first thing and spend a couple of hours taking the dog for a long walk before sinking on to the sofa in front of a good movie

 

Thinking about it do you think Rosie and Phil would do my chores too and I could just cut straight to the movie part?

[The Dogmother]

Oh it won't be for Christmas Day (sorry I didn't clarify); I have 10 people every christmas, so that's all my job. It will be one of the days between christmas and new year i guess - Phil will be around and Rosie will be off school.

 

Tasha, if you're on yer own on Christmas day, then pop over to ours.

[Egluntyne]

Put me down for two. Sounds heavenly, and what a super idea.

[The Dogmother]

Put me down for two. Sounds heavenly, and what a super idea.

 

For lunch or the Me Day?

[Egluntyne]

Both. Thanks for the invite. Now ...what to wear ....

[The Dogmother]

strictly relaxed on c'mas day

[Valkyrie]

Sounds good to me Claret. I have sown the seeds that I am not doing Christmas this year. It has been looked upon as a big joke. I couldn't mean it more. For 18 years I have done Christmas and Boxing day - apart from 2 when we had Florida holidays (and then one of those was spent in a laundrette while the others watched back to back James Bond on TV while I was cooking dinner yet again for us all - at least there were only 4 of us). So our holiday this year consisted of 2 nights away at OH's cousins house (oh joy) and she mentioned that she was fed up doing Christmas. It's a bit different for her - she takes it in turns with her mum for Christmas and Boxing day - both cook proper dinners instead of having left overs on the Boxing day. So what does OH say? Oh you can come over and stay with us this Christmas. I said nothing - partly because I was so shocked and stared at him. So he turned and said perhaps he should check with my wife first (obviously forgot my name) so I replied he could invite anybody he wanted because I wouldn't be there. Hahaha very funny, yay me. So I have now resolved that I will go anywhere rather than stay at home and I've told my mum I'm definitely not doing Christmas. I'm sure she's whingeing about what on earth will she do to my brother - who has never done Christmas at all - he's been to us many a time. And if OH thinks I'm going to play his stupid games again he can think again with that too. My friend has offered me her house while she's away. I'm going to do it, yes indeedy - the others can all stick their turkey up their jumpers - especially MIL - seeing as I refused to allow her to come last Christmas, but had to put up with her on Boxing day. She'd been to us 5 years in a row and I haven't once been to her house in that time for a meal or even a cup of tea. So looking forward to my Christmas - it will be quite lonely but I think I need to be on my own.

[The Dogmother]

You can join us too Valkyrie simple family c'mas.

 

We always used to go to my folks for c'mas day, but my mother hates cooking and it shows, so I have my folks, Phil's folks, Rosie , Phil and Rosie's dad for christmas day (usually plus a few others). On boxing day, Rosie goes to her dad's house, while Phil and I go to his folks.. via the quickest drop-in ever at my sister's place. She doesn't 'do domestic' either so our folks go to her that day for recycled Waitrose titbits!

[Valkyrie]

Thankies Clare - I'm beginning to look forward to being on my own to be fair. I'm not on my own at all at home so it would be a wonderful break for me just reading/drawing without having to clean up after anyone or behave differently because hey open up another present which isn't for me it's for the kitchen and that sort of thing.

[C&T]

hey open up another present which isn't for me it's for the kitchen and that sort of thing.

 

My Mum went through a phase of only ever asking for stuff for the kitchen. I refused point blank in the end (after a few years, and once old enough to realise what it was she was doing). Took a few years, but she eventually realised that asking for stuff for the house on her Christmas list was pointless, as I made sure none of us bought it for her, and got stuff for her instead!

 

Would understand if it was stuff she couldn't have afforded at any other time - but a set of measuring spoons? Or a glass bowl?? Give me strength!

 

OH and I dream of a Christmas by ourselves - our families are mostly OK, but be nice to do things that we want for a change. Maybe next year...

[CallyChook]

it's chickens for me for xmas, my parents are the only people buying anything, so I just want enough to buy one girlie or maybe two if I pay for one at the fed show. We've told everyone else not to buy ANYTHING AND WE MEAN IT as we genuinely have no money and they will be getting sweet FA in return. While we know that a lot of our friends/family will then take the "it's the giving not receiving" tact, we have added that it'd make us feel incredibly guilty to receive when we can;t give, so we actually really do want nothing other than a visit near Yuletide and maybe share a glass of mulled wine to toast the goddess with.

[Valkyrie]

OK I'm coming over for mulled wine then! Well thank you! Just kidding! We've done the "no presents to each other" every year for some time now. It does help when your washing machine goes up the spout - present sorted!

 

C&T - I had a watering can for my 40th, a CD that I'd wanted only to be told that the first two tracks were the only good ones on there (by OH who decided he'd listen to it first) and a dried flower arrangement in colours that do not match my taste or the decor of this house. He'd gone down the garden centre and thought that'll do. I've had rakes and hoes for Christmas and I've lost count how many trowels I've had (and some of those fell apart when I used them a few times - I still like my old one I found buried at our allotment and it's been brilliant and still going strong). All that in spite of me telling people what I like as a hint. I've always tried to think what people would like and if they've hinted at any time then I've jotted it down. With my mum - she always gives me knickers and adds I don't know if they're big enough for you. I just love Christmas! Well it used to be fun when the kiddies were small, but enough is enough.

[Laura & CTB]

Going away sounds like a good plan Valkyrie, you might might enjoy it too much though!

 

We have a very casual Christmas - just me CTB and DS and everyone cooks what they want when they want so there's no stress involved and it's lovely.

 

Clare your idea is a super one that I just may have to borrow - I can picture me now lounging around on the sofa, cocktail in hand, watching a good film and out of the corner of my eye seeing CTB with the vacuum cleaner and DS with the ironing pile

[lillybettybabs]

I dread Christmas,

I suffer with OCD's so if i am doing lunch i spend most of Christmas day tidying and cleaning up after people.

I get really stressed if someone doesn't put the toilet seat down or leaves a cup ring on the coffee table .

I love the idead of a me day I may ask the S kids for that.

[The Dogmother]

The best way to cope on c'mas day (well, for me anyway) is to delegate Karen!

 

Phil is asked to sort out drinks and keep the stove in wood. Rosie lays the table, takes the wood out from the kitchen and stops the dog from jumping on everyone. Do as much prepping as possible the night before and it's a lot easier.

 

You always seem so confident to me

[Valkyrie]

That's what we do - Christmas Eve prepare stuffing, veg, partly cook the parsnips and then it's all in place ready for the morning. Then we have a Chinese takeaway. It all runs like clockwork - and I suppose over the years we have it down to a fine art - I just can't be bothered with the entertaining part and it would be nice not to have to do all the prep the night before just for a change.

[lillybettybabs]

I do all that but still the germ OCD takes over.

I was caught cleaning the door handles last Christmas day because someone sneezed in the house.