Good morning Saturday (Christmas Eve)

[Ally]

We'll be with Conor in the morning then he's off to his new place with Lucia and Don and I are....well, it's on my ticker.

Our 2 other lads are abroad, one in Germany and one in Cape Town.

I'm happy with our arrangements and very happy the boys are independent and don't feel guilty about not being with us. I'm looking forward to being at the seaside with my hubby.

[saundra]

I'm on my own to lissie and I actually don't mind and it's through choice in the first few years after Bill died I could have gone to my eldest but he's out in the sticks and a 2hour round trip to fetch me and then bring me home
I just think iv had brilliant family xmases in the past
And they come to me boxing day
Hope you enjoy your xmas at least you have don and you Jen in fact everyone who is on there own for Xmas be it a couple or on your own
One thing I would never want is my family having to say expect mum is coming again this year
Take care all xxx

[tonicha]

One thing I would never want is my family having to say expect mum is coming again this year

Exactly Saundra.

Sending you some sunshine, as we've got lots to spare xx

[Diflower]

Afternoon
Not too bad a day today, nice and dry anyway.

We took Minnie for a walk to one of her favourite places - the vet's
Despite all that she went through she loves going, straight round the desk to see the nurses, and trying to get into the vet's room
It's the best place to buy her present, they have a good choice of Kong toys. She is to have a big rabbit, but don't tell her
And we weighed her, she's lost 2 kilos which is really good since she's on permanent steroids

Washing the bedding, Bb's watching The Searchers, I'm going to make cheesy biscuits then later we'll both make mince pies
Every last present was wrapped yesterday, don't think I've ever been quite so ready, so early
Tomorrow's rib of beef is in the fridge, no veg to prepare as we're having asparagus to start and a bag of rocket with it, and fresh chips courtesy of W/rose

The boys are coming Tuesday and staying, and Bb's mum and dad are coming Wednesday, so that'll be a nice big lunch
I'm not cooking the turkey breast and gammon till Boxing day, so we have a lovely couple of days just for us ahead
It makes a nice change from all the years I spent rushing here, there and everywhere, cooking the dinner, whether for 4 or a dozen, there was barely time to actually enjoy it.
Hope all your plans are going well
x

[cromwell]

Hello. All the shopping is done, I just have to hoover this afternoon. MrsC is out getting some last minute bits and bobs.

You all seem to have a lot more energy than me I'm shattered! Had this virus/cold for more than a week now and it's set me back a bit.

Have a lovely Christmas one and all.

[JoM]

Cromwell, I hope you're feeling better soon. There seems to be a nasty, lingering cold virus doing the rounds this Winter.

Di, Billy loves the vets too. He drags me at speed from the car to the entrance

I've just run down to Tesco. I'd bought Tom a bottle of Bombay Sapphire for Christmas and suddenly realised that there's no tonic in the house.
There is now. Two bottles.

Christmas with just the two of us wouldn't bother me. As long as the boys were spending the day happily then that'd be all that mattered. I wouldn't want them to feel that they had to spend the day with us and neither would I want them to feel guilty for not doing so.
I think I'd be inclined to do what Ally's doing actually and book a break somewhere!

[Kaz]

I would love to do that one Christmas, now the kids are grown up - just me and 'im in the sun somewhere!

[JoM]

I quite fancy New York (but then that's always my first choice )

[Kaz]

Just give me the sea and I'm happy

[JoM]

Funnily enough I was just looking at the Bude webcam and thinking that we could book a cottage there one Christmas...