Anyone feeling festive yet?

[Maza]

I've just been to the garden centre at our local National Trust place. It's a beautiful big shop at the best of times, but today they had lots of stunning Christmas displays - not the tacky ones that I seem only capable of creating (apparently, lol), but really beautiful ones.

Then I got home to an amazon order of Christmasy things. Well, birthday things really. DD's 9th birthday is at the end of November and for her party this year she has chosen a Christmas theme. We are going to start making the props and games tonight.

I usually give her some Christmas themed birthday presents too so that she can use them throughout December. Some arrived today, woohoo. Amongst them is the cookbook 'Nadiya's Bake me a Festive Story' (we love the original non-festive one) and a Christmas songs piano book.

I'm getting a hint of that festive tingle now - sorry to all of you who manage to keep Christmas in perspective!

I bet some of you have also started shopping. How's it going?

[loocyloo]

I'm not feeling christmasy at all! I have been looking for a 'special' craft for all the mindees to make to take home, that includes a photo ... I've ended up with some frame tree decoration things, but I'm not that thrilled, but did baubles last year and snow globes the year before!

I got a load of craft stuff from the works/home bargains and poundland ... so I'm ready ... just need to start feeling it!

I bought all of my mindees pressies from book people recently, and have got a few pressies for other people, but no one ( DH and my children included! ) can tell me what they want! DS ( 15 ) just wants money and DD has a couple of dance 'wants' and something or the other from smiggle! ... but I can't actually find the item, so she might have to have a voucher ! I do like smiggle, but it is rather expensive for what it is!

I am thinking that a lot of people we/I buy for will be getting Oxfam unwrapped gifts this year. I have a few people I usually do this for, but this year, I think it will be more! I don't want to buy people 'stuff' just for the sake of it, and prefer to buy something they want or I KNOW they will like, not just random ' I don't know' shopping! sorry ... having a bit of a grumble about it, but all this 'must have/latest whathaveyou' is really bugging me a I get older!

to be fair, I don't know what I want ... and last year I asked for Oxfam unwrapped gifts ... and I only got one from DH ... everyone else gave me amazon vouchers and told me to spend them on myself not toys or work stuff !! ... needless to say ... i did spend them on toys & work stuff, because that was what i wanted!

I need to do a last shop for stockings.

[Maza]

Pardon my ignorance - what are Oxfam unwrapped gifts? Gosh, I'm probably sounding really materialistic right now - but I'm not!

Smiggle is expensive. However, they do pretty good sales/3 for 2 etc. Also, if you have a loyalty card then you get a free gift after 6 stamps and they are usually fairly decent. DD's friends like Smiggle and so with all the birthday parties we get the stamps fairly quickly. The 'free' gifts are then put aside as extra presents. I just need to remember not to be eligible for the free gift when I have DD with me, otherwise there would be no way I could get away with keeping the free gift for her birthday/Christmas!

The past couple of years I have bought 'used' books instead of new, from amazon. So much better value and obviously I tell the receiver of the gift that it is used and not new. Unfortunately I bought two Christmas chapter books described as 'good' condition recently and they are not what I would class as 'good' condition, and so it has put me off a bit. I have bought other 'good condition' books which have been like new in the past.

[SYLVIA]

I’m feeling it! I want to make a very snowy scene in my hall window and have started to put wires up to hang icicles and snow flakes etc on. It’s taking ages to get right but it’s making me feel very Christmassy. I’ve found lots of decoration to have a go at making and crafts for the mindees to do too.

[bunyip]

Pardon my ignorance - what are Oxfam unwrapped gifts? Gosh, I'm probably sounding really materialistic right now - but I'm not!
.

Search YouTube for: Ricky Gervaise, goat to an African family.

.......but it is a bit naughty. :rolleyes:

[Maza]

Search YouTube for: Ricky Gervaise, goat to an African family.

.......but it is a bit naughty. :rolleyes:

I can't stand Ricky Gervaise. He might be a lovely man in real life, so forgive me. I will happily stand corrected.

Ok, now I understand what the gifts are.

[FloraDora]

I am sending one oxfam unwrapped - to a family member who returns all my presents every year....as part of her gift...themed around equality with Jess Phillips book ( in my defence she is big on equality).

I got ahead with Christmas prep this year...just in case we were moving in December and I didn’t have time.

We have not had an offer yet so at this late stage in the year it is unlikely we will move until the new year now....so I now have time to fill as I have completed all the baking, most presents, cracker gifts etc... but unfortunately it’s been a bit too ‘ get organised in case’...not enjoying all the lovely prep for my favourite time of the year.
I popped to our local garden centre for frozen croissants - best ones ever - and met one of my ex babies...joy oh joy as I gave his grandma some time out to shop by occupying him in the Christmas light dept . Both DH and I had such good fun....I am missing the company of children!

I had a bit of withdrawal of craft at Christmas and decided to make my own cards for family and friends this year - I copied an Oxfam design of lots of drawn Christmas trees on a white card in shades of green and a spot of red...I have added some embellishment on too with last years leftovers...after schoolies could manage it if you are looking for ideas:
Large Tree Pattern Christmas card (10 pack) | Oxfam GB | Oxfam’s Online Shop (https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/sourced-by-oxfam/cards-and-stationery/christmas-cards/large-tree-pattern-christmas-card-10-pack-hn501538)
I have donated to Oxfam in exchange of the design idea.

I’ve been asked to go into a school next week to support on make your own Christmas card ( the ones you send away and get printed) day. They get families to work together on the design so only one card produced by all three children which makes it slightly cheaper on the demand for parents to pay for them time. Not my favourite school fund generator, pressure on parents at Christmas is never good...but I did say I would help, my intention is to try to make sure the parents are paying for decent , but child produced, cards at least.

I sound like I am a bit ‘bah humbug ‘ , but I do love this time of year usually , like others though, I need to wind up the enthusiasm now.

[Maza]

That's a nice card design Floradora. DD and I love crafting together and I am in need of more grown up ideas. The £shop currently do some lovely pads of seasonal paper - great for abstract collage type of work.

I have had to give in and buy the design your own cards this year. I have refused in the past because I like to buy my Christmas cards from Scope, and also they have up until this year been the teacher's design - why would I pay for that? As a result we got several identical cards from her classmates. This year it is all her own work. I bought the smallest pack available!

Gosh, you all sound so organised and ahead of the game. How about you, Mouse? I remember your posts last year made me laugh so much about how chilled you were...

[Mouse]

Gosh, you all sound so organised and ahead of the game. How about you, Mouse? I remember your posts last year made me laugh so much about how chilled you were...

It’s not even the middle of December yet. What’s the rush? :laughing::laughing:

I’m am actually ahead of the game this year and have already bought advent calendars :clapping: I usually get those by about the 5th December and we have to open a few days straight away, but this year I am organised and have already bought mine, DHs and a traditional picture one. I still need to get one for DD and the boys.
For the last few years I have made DH and DD’s - 24 small gifts each that I collect in the months leading up to December and put in numbered packages in a box. This year I’ve cheated and DH has got a Pork Scratchings one and DD will probably have a beauty one.

Once we get to about day 14 on the calendars I know I need to start thinking about Christmas presents :ROFL1:

[Maza]

Mouse you mean you haven't got 'Last Christmas' on repeat yet? I know it's secretly your favourite song...

At uni my housemate's mum used to make her a gift calendar each year and I thought she was so lucky. My mum had completely stopped making an effort by that stage. I vowed never to stop making Christmas magical and sparkly for my DD, know matter how old she is, but I haven't done a treats calendar yet. I think I might when she moves away. We do an activity calendar but it is getting harder to stick to it now on school nights. It was easier before she was at school when we could fit it into our day and include the mindees.

I had a delivery from Baker Ross today. Amongst other stuff were some white paper bags with snowmen accessories. I thought the kids could decorate them at the birthday party and then use them as their party bags. Well, they are about the size of the palm of my hand, so can't be used as party bags, lol. My fault for not checking the size before I bought. We've just been to the £ shop to get some other bits and pieces. Oh my, I HATE shopping at the weekend. Also got a new reindeer cookie cutter from Tiger, which I totally did not need.

[loocyloo]

ooo Maza ... I LOVE Tiger, and wish I had one up my way!

and LOL at your little paper bags ... I did exactly the same thing, but with clear cellophane bags to put 'reindeer and snowman poo' in ( choc raisons and mini marshmallows before you ask! ) but ended up with bags just big enough for a couple of each! I am actually up to my eyes in Christmas stuff, as running a stall at local Christmas Market for dance school, but luckily my friend ( who I do it with ) is very into Christmas and has made all sorts of lovely crafty things, and then we sell baked goods ( and 'poo' as above! )

I did buy DDs advent calendar today .. she wanted a kinder one, DS will get a chocolate one of some sort ... I nearly bought him a maltase one earlier, but had a panic that it is malteasers he doesn't like! DH and I might need a wine calendar !!! :laughing:

[loocyloo]

I can't stand Ricky Gervaise. He might be a lovely man in real life, so forgive me. I will happily stand corrected.

Ok, now I understand what the gifts are.

( I can't stand him either :D)

[Maza]

Haha Loocyloo, sorry, it is funny when it happens to other people! Love the snowman/reindeer poop idea. How about wasabi peas for elf poop?

Gosh, naively I thought I would be one of the first to have started Christmas stuff but you organised lot are making me worried now!:) I haven't even really started Christmas stuff, it just seems like I have because of the Christmas theme for DD's party.

What baking have you done loocyloo and Floradora (and anyone else?) DD's school want donations of baked stuff for their Christmas fair next week. I usually bake biscuits but am thinking of just buying and donating this year, as part of my 'learning to say no' resolution.

[loocyloo]

I'll be making Christmas scones ... make a basic scone mix and add some mincemeat.
Stained glass biscuits ( cut centre out and fill with crushed boiled sweets)
Gingerbread men turned into reindeer.

The other thing that always goes down well is 'snowman soup' ... aka hot chocolate mix with a few marshmallows and a candy cane!

Ooooooo thank you ... I like the idea of ELF POO!

Well done on 'saying no' ... I have managed to say no to a couple of things recently and it's hard, but worthwhile! Stay strong and don't give in!

[Mouse]

Gosh, naively I thought I would be one of the first to have started Christmas stuff but you organised lot are making me worried now!:) .

You really don't need to worry until I'm ahead of you in the planning. Then you do need to panic :p

I saw a post on facebook the other day about having a big push to make Last Christmas this year's Christmas number one. I could have cried!

[FloraDora]

Haha Loocyloo, sorry, it is funny when it happens to other people! Love the snowman/reindeer poop idea. How about wasabi peas for elf poop?

Gosh, naively I thought I would be one of the first to have started Christmas stuff but you organised lot are making me worried now!:) I haven't even really started Christmas stuff, it just seems like I have because of the Christmas theme for DD's party.

What baking have you done loocyloo and Floradora (and anyone else?) DD's school want donations of baked stuff for their Christmas fair next week. I usually bake biscuits but am thinking of just buying and donating this year, as part of my 'learning to say no' resolution.

Great idea - a learn to say no resolution! You can buy lovely decorated cupcakes from the supermarket now, with a Christmas icing theme that don’t cost loads and are better decorated than I could do, a man in Sains yesterday in front of me had them and Prosseco for his ‘staff’ he said ( nice man).

We have the same Christmasbaking every year, I am very predictable. Christmas cakes, mincemeat ready for mince pies, I have put 2 dozen in the freezer, coffee kisses, Swiss roll for log, Christmas puds all done. We will make shortbread, Christmas ginger biscuits, maids of honour and chocolate fudge and lots more mince pies in various forms I expect. I do entertain lots at Christmas ...DH and I don’t just eat them.

I am only ahead because I thought I might have other moving related things to do...when we sell it will be all systems go.
I usually make Pudding and Christmas cake and mince meat at half term and everything else as I need them or in the week before Christmas ...but I have a lot of time on my hands....I made wrapping paper this afternoon out of packing paper....( we have a lot of this) had a great time printing and drawing....it was like old times with drying art on every surface.

I always buy Divine chocolate advent calendars for my sons....a treat but also a reminder in their picture about the reason behind Christmas time around the world. But I have bought one for a cat this year, oldest has had a Bengal cat ....the nearest I am getting to grand children at the moment so I thought I would spoil him when I saw it in wilco’s. I also bought DH a Lego like one from there too, a lot less money and you make a Christmas scene...the actual Lego one this year has a police scene?! I am slightly regretting this purchase though as I am not sure where it will go....DH will want it on the dining table I expect, it will take up a lot of space...my choice would be the upstairs den. I can’t give him it and then say I don’t want it cluttering the main room surfaces can I ! Maltesers would be nice, I rather got hooked on these over the years ( teachers get lots of maltesers as gifts).
Niece is getting married at the beginning of December and DH is making a donut wall for her. My youngest has started a new business and DH is also helping him make upcycled drums into standard lamps and drum side tables so he hasn’t thought about Christmas yet.
They both are pulling faces at my prep.

[Maza]

Some lovely baking ideas everyone! I think I'll make a list of things to bake when I get off here.

Floradora, I know what you mean about calendars. I only ever buy ones with pictures inside, not even chocolate because we eat so much at this time of year anyway. Some of the gift ones are tempting though. I did look at the Smiggle one as a gift for DD's birthday, but the shop assistants are able to show you a jar of all the gifts in the calendar and they weren't impressive. DD got a play mobile once (from a friend) for her birthday and it was great. I always think about the lego ones but I think that once I go down that route there will be no going back, and the cute pictures in my usual calendar will pale into insignificance and lose their appeal. Also, gosh, we don't need another thing to make us late for school in the morning!

I will definitely do a gift one when (if I let her, hehe) move away. It would be lots of fun putting it together, but I have enough trouble thinking of enough small gifts for the stocking! Mouse, how you think of enough gifts for your DH I don't know! Mine is impossible to buy for.

Reading this thread made me realise that lots of you adults have calendars too - we don't - maybe we should! I do fancy the yankee candle one, but can't bring myself to pay those prices!

Loocyloo, I saw the upside down gingerbread men/reindeer biscuits on pinterest yesterday (after I had bought my reindeer cutter - used a moose cutter up until now, lol). A brilliant idea!

And Mouse, it just HAS to be number one this Christmas! Probably my all time favourite song - so many drunken memories from many a Christmas past!

I'm going to stop wittering on now and making myself sound greedy and materialistic. :)

[Mouse]

One thing I do treat myself to is a nice advent calendar. It's one of the few times I splash out on me rather than the children! I usually have a beauty one and find I'm still using the products months later, so much longer lasting that a chocolate one. Anything I won't use ends up in DDs stocking, so nothing goes to waste :D

[FussyElmo]

I brought a new decoration today because if I didn't they wouldn't be there in a few weeks.

They have wine advent calendars in Iceland.

I made bacon chutney at the weekend and think I'm addicted.
I have also seen a recipe for mincemeat brownies which I might just have to have a go at.

[Maza]

Those recipes sound interesting. I'm going to look them up.

The wine calendar...will be checking that out!

Last January we went to our local garden centre and got some beautiful baubles for next to nothing in the sale, so we're really looking forward to putting them up this year, as our current tree decorations just don't do it for me.

Not sure of the John Lewis ad this year - I loved last years with the animals and the trampolines. It made us all laugh out loud every time we saw it!

[FloraDora]

I don’t ‘get’ the JL advert, I have had lots of discussions with friends about it so I am now thinking that is what it is about...get us talking about John Lewis.

I am really good at buying Christmas things in January....then I can’t find them come the Christmas following because they were not put with the Christmas things. So well done Maza not only bought, but have them ready!

You are so right Fussy, I saw a robin which I thought I could do something with for our kitchen decorations...I thought some more though...they were all gone when I returned to buy.
Mincemeat brownies sound nice.

I have realised I gave away all of my pine cones with my loose parts resources, so we are off for a walk in the woods to see what I can find.

[Mouse]

I don’t get the JL advert either. Why does the monster give the boy a star toy thing? Is it something relevant to the story? It seems a bit random to me.

What annoys me most though is that the song they use is one of my Beatles tunes and I listen to it often. Now people will think I only like it because it’s on an advert :laughing:

I’m not a fan of soppy Christmas adverts anyway. Why do they always make ones that are aimed at making you cry? I much prefer a happy theme with a memorable, sing along song.

[FloraDora]

Just an update on my pine cones for Christmas search .
I decided to ‘forest bathe’ after I had found a few. It is something that the Japanese do it seems.
It was really good, DH and I often walk in the woods with our cameras and we used to think looking for prospective photo opportunities made us look more at what was around us...and stop chattering. But I really found taking in the ambiance and not specifics helped today, we both came back more relaxed.
I left the camera behind, but not my phone but it was switched off.

The Grow Wild website suggested the steps to take:
Step 1 – leave behind your phone, camera or any other distractions, so that you can be fully present in the experience.


Step 2 – Leave behind your goals and expectations. Wander aimlessly, allowing your body to take you wherever it wants.


Step 3 – Pause from time to time, to look more closely at a leaf or notice the sensation of the path beneath your feet.


Step 4 – Find a comfy spot to take a seat and listen to the sounds around you. See how the behaviour of the birds and other animals changes when they become used to your presence.


Step 5 – If you go with others, make an agreement to resist talking until the end of the walk, when you could gather to share your experiences.

Not rocket science, but stepping away for half an hour was very relaxing. It did remind me of a LO I had who was not a chatterbox and used to just wander and take thing in on our walks, she was a very easy going, relaxed LO, perhaps I should have occasionally done this with the children.
Anyway it’s definately on my list to do next week too. Watching the birds was a particular delight.... just watching, not trying to see what it is through binoculars.

[Maza]

Just an update on my pine cones for Christmas search .
I decided to ‘forest bathe’ after I had found a few. It is something that the Japanese do it seems.
It was really good, DH and I often walk in the woods with our cameras and we used to think looking for prospective photo opportunities made us look more at what was around us...and stop chattering. But I really found taking in the ambiance and not specifics helped today, we both came back more relaxed.
I left the camera behind, but not my phone but it was switched off.

The Grow Wild website suggested the steps to take:
Step 1 – leave behind your phone, camera or any other distractions, so that you can be fully present in the experience.


Step 2 – Leave behind your goals and expectations. Wander aimlessly, allowing your body to take you wherever it wants.


Step 3 – Pause from time to time, to look more closely at a leaf or notice the sensation of the path beneath your feet.


Step 4 – Find a comfy spot to take a seat and listen to the sounds around you. See how the behaviour of the birds and other animals changes when they become used to your presence.


Step 5 – If you go with others, make an agreement to resist talking until the end of the walk, when you could gather to share your experiences.

Not rocket science, but stepping away for half an hour was very relaxing. It did remind me of a LO I had who was not a chatterbox and used to just wander and take thing in on our walks, she was a very easy going, relaxed LO, perhaps I should have occasionally done this with the children.
Anyway it’s definately on my list to do next week too. Watching the birds was a particular delight.... just watching, not trying to see what it is through binoculars.

Before I read the bit about your mindee, I was just thinking wow, that's how toddlers experience the forest - and we all know how they come back refreshed, invigorated and calmer from a walk in the woods.

I've been collecting empty acorn cups for the EYFS children at school and then I act all confused wondering where all the actual acorns have gone. They take great delight in telling me that the squirrels must have either eaten them or buried them. They are so sweet and funny. More and more though it makes me nostalgic for the childminding times when I took the children into the woods on a daily basis to see the empty acorn cups in their natural environment and to spot the squirrels nearby.

[FussyElmo]

Oh how strange Flora I had just seen articles on forest bathing pop up on fb and then it's explained here.

The world is so busy I wonder how many if us actually take the time just to stop look and listen. I know I'm guilty if not doing it. Maybe time to start :thumbsup:

[hectors house]

I'm not feeling at all Christmassy yet inspite of seeing "White Christmas" musical at a theatre at the weekend. We have decided to do a secret santa for the first time this year for all my family, (husband, 3 daughters and their husbands/partners), my brother and his family and my parents and I only have one gift to buy, plus presents for my 3 grandsons. I have already got presents for mindees and great nieces & great nephews.

We walked round some Xmas market stalls at the weekend and it felt really strange thinking "Oh, so and so would love that" or "that would be a great gift for my dad" etc but I don't need to buy presents for those people and the person I have selected in the draw for names, only wants a charity gift voucher, so feeling quite unfestive at the moment.

I'm also in great pain with a shoulder inpingement and in spite of spending nearly £200 on private Osteopathy and Physio it's still really painful - I had an early appointment this morning and it turns out that I have ******** the other shoulder by over using it now too - have hospital appointment on Monday, but really wondering if my childminding days are numbered and that's making me very down too.

So help everyone, how can I turn Christmas around?

[FloraDora]

I'm not feeling at all Christmassy yet inspite of seeing "White Christmas" musical at a theatre at the weekend. We have decided to do a secret santa for the first time this year for all my family, (husband, 3 daughters and their husbands/partners), my brother and his family and my parents and I only have one gift to buy, plus presents for my 3 grandsons. I have already got presents for mindees and great nieces & great nephews.

We walked round some Xmas market stalls at the weekend and it felt really strange thinking "Oh, so and so would love that" or "that would be a great gift for my dad" etc but I don't need to buy presents for those people and the person I have selected in the draw for names, only wants a charity gift voucher, so feeling quite unfestive at the moment.

I'm also in great pain with a shoulder inpingement and in spite of spending nearly £200 on private Osteopathy and Physio it's still really painful - I had an early appointment this morning and it turns out that I have ******** the other shoulder by over using it now too - have hospital appointment on Monday, but really wondering if my childminding days are numbered and that's making me very down too.

So help everyone, how can I turn Christmas around?

Sorry to hear about your health H H, tricky injury when you may have to pick up the LO’s. Hope it is short term. I always feel that pain brings me down and I think negatively of lots of things, so hopefully if your shoulder pain lessens your mood will lift.
Personally though the Christmassy feeling for me only comes in the week before Christmas, or once I have attended my first carol service. Before that it is just ticked off lists, organising is different to Christmas nice things. I wrap the week before too, with a Christmas vibe, I find if I do it before it becomes more of a to do task.
I am in amazement every year how Christmas becomes earlier and earlier, with some people thinking it should start on December 1st. A bit old fashioned I suppose, but I have moved putting my tree up on Christmas Eve in recent years ( peer pressure) to the week before and the 12 days of Christmas becomes 7 days before and 12 after. But for most of my life I have put the tree up on the eve of 23rd or morning 24th and then celebrated over the next 12 days or so - taking it down on the 6th Jan.

I like the focussed short span of Christmas.
So forget Christmas until you are feeling better - then go for it big time.

[Maza]

Sorry you are in pain and feeling down HH. Really hope you feel better soon. x

I'm in and out of the Christmas spirit. DD's birthday party is this Friday after school and she is having a 'Christmas and Mince Spies' theme - Christmas themed food, activities, games and goody bags - BUT I cannot face putting up any Christmas decorations - it will be the usual birthday party bunting and balloons. I've just been up the step ladder to my Christmas decoration cupboard to try and find my Christmas stickers and Christmas Bingo game, and the sight of all the other Christmas paraphernalia made me shudder. We made Rudolph biscuits last night and tomorrow night we'll decorate the cupcakes with Christmas toppers. None of it is for Christmas though.

I always end up planning parties which need a million resources/props making. In a slight panic because I now have to work tomorrow and today I had to have a filling at the dentist, so lost some preparation time that I was counting on. I'm really hoping that the class I cover tomorrow has lots of nativity rehearsing to do because then I won't have as much marking to do after school and can get away reasonably early. Don't tell anyone I said that though.

I see some childminders on FB have been doing loads of crafts already. The two reception classes that I cover are still knee deep in Autumn work and it is lovely. Too beautiful a season to cut short.

[Maza]

I was thinking about you hectors house, and Floradora talking about the focused short span of Christmas. After the Christmas themed birthday party yesterday I have to say that I agree with Floradora. I always thought that having DD's birthday at the end of November prevented me from getting into the Christmas spirit as early as I would like (had other themes in previous years) and so enjoyed having the excuse to get into the Christmas spirit early this year. It was a great party and the theme meant that all the friends could have frivolous Christmas fun together before they all get caught up with family and school events in December, but I have discovered that I don't actually like starting so soon. The anticipation of starting Christmas events is enjoyable in itself. When you don't manage to cram in everything that you had planned it leaves you wanting more. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.

We were looking forward to the Christmas fair at our local community centre today, but in the end we didn't go because of all the Christmas crafts and games we did yesterday. We were a bit saturated. I think we'll take a few days off Christmas and then build up to it gradually, like we do every other year.

How is your shoulder today HH?

[FloraDora]

I was thinking about you hectors house, and Floradora talking about the focused short span of Christmas. After the Christmas themed birthday party yesterday I have to say that I agree with Floradora. I always thought that having DD's birthday at the end of November prevented me from getting into the Christmas spirit as early as I would like (had other themes in previous years) and so enjoyed having the excuse to get into the Christmas spirit early this year. It was a great party and the theme meant that all the friends could have frivolous Christmas fun together before they all get caught up with family and school events in December, but I have discovered that I don't actually like starting so soon. The anticipation of starting Christmas events is enjoyable in itself. When you don't manage to cram in everything that you had planned it leaves you wanting more. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.

We were looking forward to the Christmas fair at our local community centre today, but in the end we didn't go because of all the Christmas crafts and games we did yesterday. We were a bit saturated. I think we'll take a few days off Christmas and then build up to it gradually, like we do every other year.

How is your shoulder today HH?

Glad your party was a success. They are so exhausting, no wonder you wanted a slow start today.

[hectors house]

How is your shoulder today HH?

My shoulder is feeling quite a lot better thank you Maza - I think it's a case of it has to feel worse before it gets better after treatment - got my appointment today at the hospital for an assessment - unfortunately it's not with the Consultant but with a Physio who decides if you get referred to see Consultant, or for MRI or x-rays or ultra sound or to NHS Physio. Really hoping they don't send me to physio as I haven't got any faith in NHS Physios - after I had my operation on frozen shoulder before they just printed off a sheet of exercises, showed you how to do them and said come back in 2 weeks - my private physio says it's as if they are trained in a "hands off" approach, rather than hands on.

[Mouse]

My shoulder is feeling quite a lot better thank you Maza - I think it's a case of it has to feel worse before it gets better after treatment - got my appointment today at the hospital for an assessment - unfortunately it's not with the Consultant but with a Physio who decides if you get referred to see Consultant, or for MRI or x-rays or ultra sound or to NHS Physio. Really hoping they don't send me to physio as I haven't got any faith in NHS Physios - after I had my operation on frozen shoulder before they just printed off a sheet of exercises, showed you how to do them and said come back in 2 weeks - my private physio says it's as if they are trained in a "hands off" approach, rather than hands on.

Fingers crossed you get the referral you want xx

[Mouse]

Well, it's not even December and I have already started on my Christmas shopping :D

When I say 'started on the shopping', I actually mean I sat last night and wrote a list of who we need to buy for and whether or not I have any ideas what to get them (that column is very empty!) But it's made me feel very organised and ahead of the game :thumbsup:

[hectors house]

Fingers crossed you get the referral you want xx

Thank you Mouse - I didn't get referral as she explained that there isn't the funding for operations and if it does turn into a frozen shoulder (she said it was on it's way to becoming one) that it would be really bad for a year and then would start to improve! Yes, I know that but it doesn't always improve, last time with other shoulder I had to have operation to have it manipulated and bone shaved and don't really want to go down that route again.

Anyway she saw me, sent me to x-ray and then I went back to see her and she did another cortisone injection - hopefully it will work as it really hurt last night and that's normally a good sign - I have a 12 week open appointment with her which means I can contact her booking line myself without having to go back through the doctor, so if no improvement in 2 or 3 weeks I go get another appointment and see if she does another cortisone injection or does actually refer me.

Luckily for me one of the 15 month old's is poorly this week so I don't have to do much lifting or pushing buggies until Friday, so will give my shoulder a break. :thumbsup:

[Maza]

FloraDora we made your Oxfam Christmas tree pictures today. I have a garland of little stockings that I hang up every December and put a rolled up piece of paper inside one each day with a Christmas activity idea written on it. I printed off the design and we used it as a stimulus (stimuli?) to make our own pictures with different shades of green paint. I plan to join in all of the activities too this year, where possible at least, because in the past I have tended to use it as a way of occupying DD/mindees whilst I prepare dinner. All was going beautifully, until DH complemented mine, tongue in cheek, silly thing, and now DD is in a really bad mood and can't snap out of it. Give me strength!