Val's Cafe

Yaaay, Toady. Well done. I've finished mine and thought I had finished my cards but still have to write one for my boss. Love your schedule. :xmas_lol: My boss's mum lost her husband last year not long before Xmas so that's part of the reason she's not doing Xmas this year. The other reason is that her dad used to give her unbirthday and unXmas presents saying it showed he loved her more then giving on the special days. it made her days more special (maybe a bit strange but I sort of get it) so she does the same. Think my daughter must have been panicking when she got locked in as there wasn't only my 3 year old GS but my 2 year old GD. Goodness knows what they might have got up to.

Barbara, I often used to find things I'd bought the kids in a cupboard a few weeks after Xmas. One year I bought a B*rbi* doll with some clothes but only gave her the clothes off Santa. She was a bit confused. :xmas_lol: Quite warm here today but a bit windy. No snow or sleet yet. Thank goodness.

Kath, glad you had a better night. Not so good about the pain though. I read the beginning of your post and kept seeing a little hand popping up at the bottom of the screen and waving. It was your moticon just below the bottom of my screen. :xmas_lol:

Elizabeth that is so frustrating when a post good missing especially when it's a long one.

Yaaay, I've got my new washing machine plumbed in and have done 2 wash loads. I'm over the moon and easily pleased. :presents: There were 2 men and one of them said they are not allowed to cut the old plug off the machine. The cable had been passed through a hole in the cupboard as the electric socket was in there. I thought they were going to refuse to do it again. I ignored what he said and a few minutes later he did cut the plug off. And took the new one off and rewired it once it was through the hole.

I got some more parcels from my daughter today. A lovely necklace and scarf and an Ozzie flag wall clock. I can set that to Oz time. :xmas_lol:

Hello everyone i hope you all have a good weekend.
:xmas_smile:
take care
joan xx

Sorry I am late but a bad night there was an awful car smash that ended up on our drive wiped out next doors car hit OHs van and took the fence plus concrete ...they got one of them he had hit a car further up the rd and was drunk..I honestly he or they had died and when I look in the car they had disappeared..it was an awful bang at 2 this morning..the car they were driving has ended up on our drive..and the yellow car is our neighbours..just marked our car..I will post a pic and then read back didnt get much sleep..the car with the light on is the one the lads were in and that is OHs van sent 8 ft down the rd by the other car

What a fright barbara and at that hour, too, when you don't know what's going on.. do you know yet if anyone was hurt, oh dear, your poor neighbour. Glad things were no worse for you but bad enough.. and a shock.. how is OH's van. Hope you've been able to have a quiet day & will catch the lost sleep up. x

Catch up with everyone on my next visit, just wrestling with my last bits of post.. which probably won't get anywhere now, but nevermind.

Sounds as if you had a wonderful time Mig. Hope you have recovered enough to finish your shopping.

Joan hope your weekend is going well and that Sue is ok.

Kath, that must have been very worrying. Maybe you are right and your dad just hadn't woke properly. Perhaps he had been dreaming. He must have been upset when he realised.

Oh my goodness Barbara, what a shock. That must have been so scary. I hope they throw the book at the driver. Your poor neighbour losing 2 cars. Hope your OH's van is easily repaired. Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Toady, I still have a couple of cards to write but any that need posting, I'm forgetting about. Too late now anyway I think.

Went in to town today, not because I needed anything for Xmas but just to get things I don't need for Xmas. :xmas_lol: I did get a bulb to replace the one in the bedroom that blew just as I got in to bed to read my book. And a cardi to go with my dress for Xmas Day. Went in to C*st* for a Xmas coffee and bought some pies from the farmers market. And couldn't resist a red doggy teddy for Mango. Just watched Nightmare Before Christmas and now watching Scrooge.

Hello everyone, sunny but windy and cold. Hope everyone is OK.

Barbara, thank you for the breakfast, enjoying a bacon butty with brown sauce, think I'll follow it with an egg butty next. What a shock you must have had, being woken up by all that racket. :shock: Hope OH's van is OK. I bet they weren't insured, so it will be an expensive do for those who had cars damaged. :xmas_mad:

Christine, hope Mango enjoys his teddy. I love Scrooge, the Alastair Simm version is our favourite. Watched It's a wonderful life yesterday, but notice it's on again on Christmas Eve, same channel. :xmas_cheesygrin:

Toady, I hope you managed to get your post sorted out. We managed to deliver all our neighbour's cards and chocs for their kids last night. :presents:

Just noticed the fresh tomatoes, so will finish with a couple of those and a mug of coffee. :rudolph:

That was a spectacular smash Barbara but a massive shock and glad it didn't damage the house.

I watched scrooge too, not keen on the songs and not my favourite version either.OH went out to a 50th party so I went to bed and watched Munich as Dan was settled on his laptop (I'm only a room away).

I've been bullied into present wrapping by my Daughyter as she was struggling but at least it is mostly done but it killed my back. I think it needs to be done in small doses.

The ham is cooking in cider, and we are eating odds and ends to clear room in the fridge for the feasting days ahead.

Oh Kath it sounds like your Dad was confused and had been dreaming. It must've been sad for him, though, to suddenly remember he was alone.

Oooh OH has bought me some jewelry I hear :xmas_lol:

I'm pleased the washing machine saga is now over Applerose. What a brilliant idea with the clock! she must be nice and slim to squeeze through the dog flap but what a worry having two little children alone. My charlotte locked herself in the bathroom once and I had to get the police to release her!

Well I'm being bullied to do more wrapping-someone can't wait!

Elizabeth xxxxx

Hello everyone.. having a sit down & a coffee, nearly done with all my xmas stuff now thanks if you include the fact I had a rethink on some presents and have chucked a few late things in my online shopping basket, & the fact I will have a few things spare now which may end up as mine & why not.

Cards done bar the last couple, went to post yesterdays' and the box was so full there was no point putting mine in - I could have taken handfuls out. Shocking. They must know this will happen. No idea when they will collect or if they have chucked an extra collection in today, but I'll find out later when I go see, even if I may get blown into a hedge - so windy out! Never mind, I'm just pleased to be posting my own things instead of falling back on someone else. And I've done the neighbours, so that should be it for showing my face til after xmas (I tend to see most people after, because of families etc).

Glad you have caught up on yourself and having a do-nothing-much day barbara. Hope OH's van will not be out of action for when he needs it. Does he get called out for xmas emergencies ever? I imagine he would likely go & help someone out if they were stuck, from what you've said, convenient or not.

Applerose, lots of clean washing, lovely. No wonder it was all such a palaver with flexes having to be passed through cupboards, surprised they agreed to do it when no-one likes to touch anything other than the straightforward job they've been called in for. You sound very festive, what with going for coffee & mince pies, watching xmassy films, & having some new jewellery & a nice haircut. And a dress for the 25th! Ooh! Glad you're getting a decent long break.

Hope TK is getting on alright with the wrapping and the sellotape. Some of my stuff isn't even here yet so I will definitely be wrapping in instalments. Jewellery on the way, you say, I wonder what little bird has been telling you secrets.

Haven't lined up any tv or films to watch in particular but I do like Alastair Sim too and the Ealings.. drives me mad that they remake these things, and so badly.. like the Ladykillers.. shouldn't be allowed, says me. Hope you can sort out your mtx day. Mine falls either side this year, but I did have xmas mtx last year. :roll: Hope your Dad is ok, I can quite see how falling asleep in front of the tv especially with voices still going into your subconscious would lead to that sort of thing, but you are bound to be concerned. Hope your xmas plan all works out, travel & weatherwise etc.

Same goes for you mig & your 2nd xmas meal, hope it all goes smoothly. Glad you had a good day out & hope you got your shopping done yesterday.

Hope you have had a good weekend too Joan, I will be glad when it is post and buses and things like that again tomorrow, that's what I don't like over the holidays everything stopping, but should be glad of the quiet time really. We have all year to be busy and rushing.

Does anyone else start to want to get on with their spring cleaning round now? Always do, can't wait to tidy up the piles of paper & letters & xmas mess. Did I say I wasn't going to get things untidy again after the boilerman was here...? :?

Love to anyone reading, xxx

Hello everyone
i hope your Christmas is happy and not too stress full.
and pain free as it can be.
take care all
joan xx :xmas_smile:

Hello all
We have been messing about with the insurance company's..talk about holding the line...because our neighbours car was shunted into our van they have to claim off them then they have to claim of the car that caused it...yes Im confused has well but at least the driver was insured and we have all his details..
Glad to see Toady is doing well with cards and whatever...you have done well and good thinking about the things in the basket.. :xmas_smile: think we will all gather in the cafe and lock the door...till its all over...to be honest I could hibernate...
Kath yes he was insured..thank goodness..I hope the mammogram goes well for you..like you say this time of the year...and then the phone go down.. :xmas_eek:
Christine glad you are off till the 5th time to relax...how nice having your niece cut your hair..mine is tomorrow...I hope... she as been poorly
Joan you and Sue look after yourselves ..
just listening to the news about this awful accident in Glasgow..those poor people.. :xmas_sad: and there family's...

Sorry posted early as the computer started misbehaving.

I must wish Joan and Sue a lovely Christmas and hope all will be well with Sue's leg.
I bet you could do without that insurance hassle Barbara, there's enough to worry about.

I see you are all getting your hair done. Think mine will be lucky to get a wash!

Hope coco feels better after her marathon driving trips.

Hope all goes well Kath. Hope you'll pop in before Christmas again.
Oh where is Toni? Is she still shopping with the girls. Have a lovely time with the loved ones. My girls are coming just after Boxing day-new board games have been purchased especially. :xmas_lol:

Take care
Elizabeth xxxxxx

ooh quiet in here..better get the mince pies warming... :rudolph:
Had my hair cut and coloured this morning...same has...quite boring really :xmas_lol: OH has a van off the insurance but he is worried that will get bashed ..cant win...
Hope everyone's doing okish and finished with cards and wrapping and buying..I know I have :presents: picked up my meds for over Christmas so thats it...
will put the kettle on and sit by the window watching people rushing around :xmas_cool: ..