That's a really lovely idea catra, and hopefully the stores will try to keep the Christmas spirit going through the long nights It's tough if crowds seem downright scary now, because there isn't a single quiet day of the week any more!

I have finally done some shopping so am feeling less freaked out lol. My lovely husband took a day off and we went into town for an hour, then had a lazy afternoon. Lovely man

Bram.

My younger daughter had her friend over today and they were making Christmas decorations....

OMG the mess lol!!! They have made snowflakes from white paper, using scissors to cut out the decorations - it looked more like it had snowed in my kitchen!!! Little tiny bits of paper everywhere, bless them

They had also made stars out of wooden lolly sticks - ie they had used about a ton of PVA glue to stick them together, and of course that glue was also over my table, chairs and floor. And the cat's paw. Aww, they were so happy though, I went past at one point outside, and they were sat happily at the table, Christmas music playing, chatting away. Made me smile.

I cleaned up once they had finished, and tried to find some surface space to allow all the glue to dry...I foresee another crafty day tomorrow - she wants to paint them and then apply the dreaded substance - GLITTER!!!

Makes me realise how close it is now though! I've still got so little done...

Hope you little elves out there are ok and finding a smile

Bram.

Aw, I'm sure they had a great time. Usually, the bigger the mess, the better the kids' day. Glitter seems impossible to get rid of entirely; I think you just have to wait it out.

On Friday the folks at work decided that we should exchange Secret Santa presents and that we should do this on Tuesday. So, I had to go out shopping today as there wasn't enough time to buy something online. I felt a wee bit stressed at times because there were so many people, all zooming around me but I managed to avoid any collisions. Happily, I managed to get it done today.

I also picked myself up a lovely little gift set of coffee syrups at Next. I'm enjoying my treat now.

Kim

Kim, those little coffee syrups are lush.....you've made me want some now!

Well done doing your shopping, must admit I always dreaded the Secret Santa thing when I worked in a big organisation....although on the other hand, I quite miss the jolly Christmas atmosphere of working in a big building with lots of folk I knew.... Guess you can't win 'em all!!

I confess to wondering whether any of the little darlings will give teacher a card this Christmas Last year I started a mini tradition of giving them a little something lol, lovely to see that surprised little smile! Awww...

Today I am mostly liking my ....'s

Bram.

Merry Christmas Everyone. Just a few more weeks now and I'm so not ready. Still need wrapping paper and presents for my canine and feline babies. And of course a HESS Truck for son and great nephew. Oh yeah, and we need a tree. That would be sort of good to have. Well I hope you all have a happy holiday season. From your friend Renee.

Thanks for starting this thread Bram!
And thanks for sharing everyone!! I feel so much better I'm not ready either.

It sounds weird but the burning pain motivated me to put up the tree finally last night. My wrist was burning so bad i put ketamine cream & a sock on it and pushed through. I guess it took my mind off the pain somewhat.
Anyway, there's a small tree with minimal decorations and I felt good I got that done.
I guess I imagined an adversary trying to keep me from doing a tree
I've gotten a few small gifts over the year, but i have no idea how or when
I'll be able to say I'm "done".

Good to see you, hope you're o.k.

Thanks AZ-Di. I'm feeling a little better. Last night I finally slept through the night since I lost my Great Aunt. I miss her alot but am coming to terms with the fact that she's gone. I know she's in a better place now and would want me to be brave and live my life to the fullest. That's the way she lived her life. So I'm going to get off my butt and start looking for a tree. I'm glad you got yours. You've inspired me to get one myself. First I need to break out my voltaren gel for my wrist and then off I go! Watch out trees, here I come! Take care my friend. From your friend, Renee.

That's sort of how I am with everything...my boyfriend calls it my stubbornness kicking in when I refuse to NOT do things (like work, put up the Christmas tree, garden, stitch, etc). I actually am much better mentally (if not physically) when I do these "normal" things because it gives me other things to think about besides my pain. When I was off work and home all the time (trapped on my couch is the most accurate description) I was miserable and could think of nothing but my pain and misery. I was so happy when I was able to do the dishes for the first time after that really bad patch. ME...happy doing dishes...the girl who would do just about anything else to get out of doing the dishes growing up...lol! But it felt like such a big "win" for me to do that simple little task. We all need to celebrate all those little wins every day.

Lol ditto on the stubbornness! This weekend hasn't been the best pain-wise, mainly because of the aforementioned stubborn streak My youngest wants her top bunk off (she's too tall now, bless), and to do that we needed space in the stacked-to-the-gunwales garage for the bed and mattress (in a mattress bag, I'm not chucking it out lol). Was it happening? Despite me asking nicely about six times, and nagging about three? Heck no . So I basically frogmarched my darling husband out there and we've cleared a space. Screwed up my leg and feet though. It makes me so MAD that to get anything like that done, I HAVE TO DO IT WITH HIM. I mean FFS.

Then yesterday it was a nice day, and fairly mild, so after another half hour of garage fun I said we ought to take the dog down to the fields near town and have a coffee. Would he have thought of it himself? Would he have done it if I'd merely suggested it?! Heck no. So we all went and had a lovely walk, further than I have for a long time, it was too nice a day to waste. More ouch. Today everything is hot and protesting, and I know I completely broke all the rules about pacing, and totally overdid it, and am now paying the price.

But guess what we all know, darling ones? If we don't do these things, they just won't get done!!!!!

I'm finding my hips are defintely sore and hot after any walking more than a few minutes now....not good. My right hand has been awful this last week, and that's a new one too. My whole left side was red and sore Friday night. Feel like I'm falling apart fast, someways I worry how much more opportunity I'll have to do these things, so maybe I should cram stuff in while I can vaguely do it

Roll on Christmas! Bring it on!

Take care everyone x

Bram.