What are you all up to

Birthday girl now 12, growing fast and quite the young lady (at times) still not too big for a cuddle and hug 

Lots of presents and a nice night out last night for the Christmas lights, lots of folk in town, never seen so many. Big screens up everywhere and 3 different stages with performances going on. Lots of huts up and down the streets selling all sorts and lots of eateries, big queues at them all. Even the shops stayed open and they seemed to be busy too.

Big firework display (now we know where the money for the brown bin collection ended up) then we went for her birthday meal. 

Today we went to see Mum, she was on very good form today and never stopped chatting while we were there. When my sister went on wednesday mum was sleeping all the time and not at all well, the antibiotics have done  their job 

Late afternoon saw us up at other granny and granddads to see birthday girl again and to take her back to school, (mum, dad and brother had to head back down the road at midday) both sets of grandparents ended up taking her back  she just loves having us all together. Lots of her friends at school waiting for her all wishing her happy birthday, nice big chocolate cake for supper tonight  for them.

Feet now up and a cuppa on the way for the rest of the evening, its been a busy weekend.

It  might  have  been  tiring  Tammygirl,  but  I  reckon  you  would  not  have  had  it  any  other  way  !!  So  relax  after  a  good  job  done  well 

They are never too big for a cuddle and a hug Tammygirls, as long as it's not in front of their friends. Every year we buy all 6 of our grandchildren a chocolate advent calendar. This year I told our eldest, 17 year old, that he was too old now and I hadn't bought him one. His face just lit up when I produced one from behind my back. Like I said, they are never too old.

So sorry to hear your news WN. 2018 has certainly been a very difficult year for you and yours. I do hope 2019 will be better. My sympathies to you all.

A very frosty start here this morning but an absolutely glorious day. Daughter and I (plus help from 8 year old grand-daughter) were on coffee duty at the Cathedral. The service included the christening of the daughter of much loved members of the congregation so it was a busy but lovely morning. We then drove over to a village near Wisbech for a late lunch with 4 friends who we have known since before we were all married. All in all a great day.

Your grand-daughter's birthday weekend sounds wonderful Tammygirl. Lots of lovely memories for you all.

Wow sounds like lovely weekend milliehull and Tammygirl. Hope those who had baking days have good results. I don't do a Christmas cake as my lot prefer a semi rich fruit cake I bake usually, none like marzipan or icing, I always did traditional for guests and me but I don't now. I don't need the calories and I don't care what others think these days 😂😂. That said, nothing thought about either, for similar reasons we don't have Christmas pudding, I may have an individual one if no one else eats it.

What a difference a night makes to the weather! Yesterday bright blue skies but cool, today grey cold and an icy shower of rain 😲😲. Good job today has been allocated for domestic duties 😉.

Same here Bakers2.  A very grey cold start to the day but like you I have allocated the day to domestic duties.  I made my Christmas cake last week.  The recipe I use is for a much lighter fruit cake as none of us like the rich dark ones.  It is a recipe that a friend gave me many years ago and is call 'Princess Mary's Wedding Cake'.(no idea !!)  It is used for Christmas and has also been used for family weddings. We buy a very small Christmas pudding as only our daughter likes it - I think it is the brandy butter she has with it that she really likes. 

Domestic duties here to today, washing machine and tumbler on the go. Bathroom just had a good deep clean. 

OH spent and hour or so upstairs drilling and banging away at the chimney, he's now taken the rubble away again, as he has gone to the garage to 'speak' about the inbuilt satnav, they were supposed to get back to us last week.

I've been sorting through clothes, shoes etc. to see what I might take on the cruise, still a couple of months off but I do like to plan  keep telling myself that a healthier eating plan and exercise wouldn't go amiss but considering our weather and the time of year I think I might just fail  we both bought new sandals yesterday so at least we have made a start. 

The great news is that both the India and Sri Lanka visas are back and printed off. Great to know that we did it right and its gone through, not cheap by any means but at least its out of the way now.

Bakers2 are you doing NZ this year ?

Been thinking about going away in the van for a week to 10 days, still not sure where yet, or do we just get on with the work?

We were in CMK today and happened to bump into somebody Margaret worked with years ago. This lady was always something of a live wire. She has six children of her own and now ten grand children. The more remarkable thing about this lady is that she also is a foster mum and currently looking after two bothers and a sister, the girl is the youngest at about eighteen months old, all awaiting adoption hopefully as a family. I really do admire people who take on this essential task. I also want to know where she gets her energy as I am only three years older that her and I just can't compete!!!

David

Thanks David and all the others who have given best wishes and encouragement with regard to the new motorhome. It was a big decision but I think we are now relieved that we have made it and sort of mentally thinking where everything will go and what needs to be left behind!

David

Yes, good luck David. That excitement is always tinged with a bit of apprehension. Have we done the right thing? etc. Fingers crossed that you have and it will be fine.

Library visit today. Picked up "The Tattooist of Auschwitz." Probably drain me emotionally.

Taking MIL over to Bury on Thursday as wants to help her brother and SIL sort out her sisters personal effects. Leaving her there until Sunday. We may stay overnight on Thursday to see if any physical work needed.