It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Loughc · 15-12-2023 9:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121497437#Comment_121497437

Was doing 8am-8pm most days this week myself but I did get to do 9am-4pm today.

I have 3 more days and then I’m done.

i did have a moment of solitude this morning walking the dogs and listening to ChristmasFM in the dark the peace and quiet reminded me of Christmas.

A cup of te · 15-12-2023 11:07pm

Best wishes to all who haven't been/aren't well. That's the one thing I don't like about winter is the doses doing the rounds! I have had a bit of a dose myself the past week but thankfully not bad. Work has been absolutely mental. I'm really not feeling Christmassy at all. I haven't had a chance to even think lately. This is going to have to change. I may win that Millionaire Raffle and pack this working lark in. Life is short! Last minute Christmas shopping tomorrow. And work Christmas lunch next Thursday. Hope I can enjoy it in between all the ridiculous work demands!

Declan05 · 16-12-2023 1:28am

I've had Covid for the last few days but when I got it I wasn't disappointed because it meant I wouldn't have it for Christmas.

When I worked in an office, if we had our Christmas party within 2 weeks of Christmas Day then there was a strong possiblility I'd be poorly over Christmas. I never picked up anything at work or at home but the Christmas party involved going to a crowded pub, restaurant and maybe nightclub where I'd be prey to every flu, cold and infection going, and invariable I'd pick up something and given the timing, I'd be suffering from it on Christmas Day. If the office party was in early December any infection would be dead and buried before Christmas.

I hope that if any of you get a bug in the coming days that it's gone before Christmas.

BK5 · 16-12-2023 7:38am

Only 10 days to go and we are all so busy it's going to flash by us in a blur. I'm in the same boat, up this morning for work, in till next Friday and haven't had a chance to enjoy the countdown or get into the spirit at all.

Good thing the wife loves shopping or no one in the family would be getting anything :)

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy weekend.

DvB · 16-12-2023 11:12am

Just back from the grocery shop and managed to pick up a load of Christmas stuff to reduce the pressure on next week's big Christmas shop. Always a chance certain bits will be sold out so hopefully have all the key bits covered now.

CheerLouth · 16-12-2023 11:32am

At work this morning...house is upside down...wish I could get a big shop in, there's no food left lol. Will try get to Aldi in the afternoon and get a few bits. Have a Tesco delivery booked for next Saturday so hoping to get all the bits then

Bluebell woods · 16-12-2023 11:43am

hello to all , I am a long time reader / learning plus huge inspiration from all ye Christmas lovers / food thread thank you

had A tough few years where joy wasn’t in the mix … but heigh ho I’m back in the game !!

never knew port & cheese @ 2pm was a a routine !!

port on the me list thanks

L1011 · 16-12-2023 12:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500404#Comment_121500404

Got a lift back at about midnight and was greeted with chicken and chips at home so part one of Operation Try Avoid The Worst Hangover Ever worked.

Part(y) 2 this evening may be more complicated

SarahLil · 16-12-2023 2:22pm

Afternoon Elves oh I don’t envy the hangovers our coffee machine gave up this morning and I feel hungover without my coffee, OH had drinks with his work last night he was home around midnight he’s not feeling too bad so far

I got to the shops first thing this morning I went with a pen and paper blitzed the remaining gifts, vouchers I was home by 11 am I think I can officially say I am done apart from the food shop some alcohol gifts will be added to that.

little one napping going to head the farm with her in the afternoon for a ramble they do lovely food in the cafe might have turkey & ham going to pick up my wreaths for the family graves too at the farm shop

if I’ve time I want to get some red and white flowers at the garden centre for my new garden planter too I’ve an idea to put a big red and gold bow on the planter

Then off to see my mam this evening

Have a great day everyone

Heroditas · 17-12-2023 12:23am

Evening elves! Pressure levels are starting to reduce now. Got the vast vast majority of the shopping finished today and also a load of stuff wrapped this evening. Also made it to the Lei ster match and now sitting on the sofa finally relaxing with a beer. Only one or two bits and pieces to get on Wednesday as well as the groceries and we're done and dusted.

Mrs H is really ill, been in bed since Thursday evening. It's either Covid (although she's testing negative) or an actual real dose of the 'flu. Fingers crossed she gets better in the next day or two.

Really excited about tomorrow. My nephew and wife are home from NZ for Christmas and staying with my sister. Never met his wife or daughter so I'm meeting my grandniece for the very first time. I'm not nearly old enough to be a granduncle (at least, that's my story). The kids are super excited too. Should be a great day.

freshpopcorn · 17-12-2023 2:25am

I don't think this posted for me earlier.

I was in kildare Today and got my last few bits and pieces.

I still need to catch up with the thread.

In other news.

L1011 · 17-12-2023 2:31am

Party II survived.

Ordered the meats, bought the veg (somewhat concerned the carrots won't make it...) on Saturday. Still haven't got a tree so that's Sundays urgent thing.

Smell the glove · 17-12-2023 7:35am

Watched The Twelve Days of Christmas Eve last night, new film with Kelsey Grammar. Enjoyed it must say. Not amazing but a solid enough watch.

pigtail33 · 17-12-2023 9:48am

Has anyone seen Candy Cane Lane yet? The new film with Eddie Murphy? It says 13s but just wondering if it would be suitable for a 9 year old believer?

SarahLil · 17-12-2023 10:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505046#Comment_121505046

Oh might give it a watch, haven’t heard about it before or Candy Cane Lane I’ll add it to the list

it’s a grand windy day out there so operation empty the laundry basket here get it washed and dried, get a few other jobs done around the house this morning with Christmas fm on in the back ground

Smell the glove · 17-12-2023 12:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505237#Comment_121505237

Sounds like a good day!

PTH2009 · 17-12-2023 12:56pm

Fecking hate sport sometimes, Waterford club lose on penalties in the hurling last night and a potential United shitshow today. Need a drink 😆

Loughc · 17-12-2023 2:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505590#Comment_121505590

I’m a Liverpool fan and honestly I’m not that confident I think United will get a result today. The hype on Liverpool battering United is out of control.

Liverpool have been scraping victories and United are not playing as bad as the media make out.

gidget · 17-12-2023 3:50pm

Settling down now to watch Scrooge which has just started on Channel 5, the one with Albert Finney.

CheerLouth · 17-12-2023 5:47pm

Back from the shops and have managed to finish the vast majority of it, woohoo! Shops are thronged!

We had a blessing of the Remberence Tree this morning at our GAA club. It was lovely, followed by mulled wine & a catch up with the neighbours afterwards.

DvB · 17-12-2023 7:50pm

Just back from homestore and more, one of our sets of 2000 cluster lights we bought 3 weeks ago stopped working and needed to be replaced, typical that their returns is limited to 14 days and with.no 2k sets left had to get 2 x 1k sets I stead at a cost of €70.... could have done without that!

L1011 · 17-12-2023 7:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121507312#Comment_121507312

Returns policy does not apply to stuff that breaks; no matter what a retailer claims. 3 weeks is not acceptable, they should have refunded or replaced (repair isn't going to be a thing on lights; its the third option for a retailer)

SarahLil · 17-12-2023 9:33pm

Wow that’s really harsh of homestore @DvB

We decided to go out for dinner this afternoon we had no booking 3rd place we got lucky it worked out well it was a lovely afternoon food was good, very spacious and child friendly

Final few local cards to be posted tomorrow I am very late this year

Loughc · 17-12-2023 9:37pm

This is how I feel both on here and in real life at the moment when does it get quiet? 😂

antimatterx · 17-12-2023 10:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121507765#Comment_121507765

January 2nd when everyone is miserable, broke, overweight and back in work 😬😬🙂🙃

Heroditas · 17-12-2023 10:49pm

Urgh, the plague has spread in the house. Mrs H thankfully managed to get out of bed today but Elf #2 now has a vomiting bug while Elf #1 is all bunged up with a cold. I'm giving serious consideration to locking myself in the attic for a few days 😅

L1011 · 18-12-2023 12:24am

Tree bought, put up and lit - now I need to decide if I crack open a bottle of white or of Baileys and do the rest of the decoration

(I have tomorrow booked off so can get away with 1am tiddly decoration)

BK5 · 18-12-2023 7:29am

Last week of work for most in 2023, hope everyone has a good one!

SarahLil · 18-12-2023 8:12am

Happy Christmas week Elves

DvB · 18-12-2023 8:30am

Starting my last work week of the hear ( & thankfully its a short one) and am absolutely exhausted, haven't been sleeping well at all the last week or so & its definitely catching up on me now. I'm up to my eyes with work until Wednesday evening though, so coffee (& lots of it) will be essential!!

Heroditas · 18-12-2023 9:29am

Currently on the bus on the quays heading to the office for the last time this year and it's so dark still!!

Crossing my fingers and toes I'm not coming down with whatever the rest of the house has. I'm so exhausted and tired at this stage I don't know whether I'm getting sick or am just plain running on fumes.

CheerLouth · 18-12-2023 10:17am

Happy Christmas Week elves!

Similar to most, I'm knackered. Actually contemplated ringing in sick this morning which is not something I would ever do & it would only leave my colleagues up the creek. Elf 3 is at home with a tummy bug...really hoping it won't spread thru the house.

Loughc · 18-12-2023 10:52am

It was so dark this morning, I was the only one functioning this morning in my house, the OH, 2 Dogs and the little elf were all hard to wake this morning I tell ya!

3 Working days to go for me and then that's it for 2023. Tired but the light is at the end of the tunnel, so lets go smash this week everyone, we got this!

leahyl · 18-12-2023 11:52am

Finishing up tomorrow at 4pm. It can't come soon enough even though I'm not feeling great at the moment - just kind of breathless and clearing my throat and slight cough so I really hope I'm not coming down with something - I never get anything so this would be just typical now!! Have my friends 40th birthday dinner on the 22nd so have to be well! It's been a tough year from the point of view of my dad not being well - mainly his anxiety fueling things, not that he's physically sick really but there's been a few things all happen together. It's made him extremely anxious cos he's never been sick or had anything wrong with him really! Just hoping everything is sorted in next few weeks/months now.

Anyway, realising that's all sounding very depressing! Hoping that you are all looking forward to the break and wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas! 🎄🎉🎁

pigtail33 · 18-12-2023 12:33pm

Today is my last day of work too. I was supposed to be finishing at 4pm, but I see a meeting scheduled for 5pm that I have to attend. Hopefully I can log out once that is done and change from work scrambling mode to Christmas prep scrambling mode, which is much more enjoyable! I do have to work Dec 29th, there are three of us in my department and we always take one day each over the Christmas break to cover.

Sorry to hear so many of you are not well. There are always so many bugs doing the rounds at this time of year. My sister and her family are due over from the UK on Friday. Norovirus is rampant where she lives, so we're all hoping they manage to avoid it in the next few days. Hopefully everyone can shake off any illness before Christmas, it's awful when you end up being sick when on holidays.

How did it happen that there is only one week to go?!

DvB · 18-12-2023 12:39pm

Seems to have been an explosion of covid again, heard of dozens of cases over the weekend.

Definitely need to be cautious for the next few days, would be a disaster for any of us to catch it given the health of my mum & my father in law too... all of whom are meant to be coming to us on Christmas day. On foot of that, we picked up 2 sets of 5 test kits yesterday to make sure we're all good before the visitors arrive.

Loughc · 18-12-2023 2:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121509324#Comment_121509324

All that sounds like to me Leahyl is real life. Not depressing at all, and you're welcome to post as much of real life stuff as you want as well. It's important to show the Christmas break and build up isn't all Hallmark moments or Instagram memories, some times the build up and even the big day can be a bit stressful or not as Joyous but that's ok, cause better times and Christmasses are always just around the corner.

Really wishing your Dad better health and happiness for 2024 and for yourself too Leahyl, don't forget to look after yourself too, you're a lovely person and you deserve a break from it all too! Happy to Christmas to you and yours!

leahyl · 18-12-2023 3:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121509876#Comment_121509876

Wow Loughc, what a lovely post, thank you so much! I really appreciate it! Have a fantastic Christmas with your family. Ye are all a great bunch in here 😊

tscul32 · 18-12-2023 4:40pm

Covid is doing the rounds again. My sister has it again, 4th or 5th time, apparently loads of the staff at her school have it, a few at mine too. Hopefully it stays away from us for Christmas day, too many people coming over for dinner.

Had my first Christmas party in 8 years on Fri and it was great craic. I did have to leave at 11 as we were heading to Belfast at the crack of dawn. The markets there were lovely and I definitely began to feel Christmassy.

Bought the ham today and the sausage meat for stuffing.

Aisling(",) · 18-12-2023 5:22pm

I've just finished up until the 4th of January. Unfortunately I've finished slightly earlier than planned due to bereavements in the family however it is nice to know the manic deadlines are gone for the next little while.

Apart from the next few days which will be hectic in their own right I think the Christmas will be nice and relaxed.

I hope everyone is getting through the chaos ok!There is an air of panic that I haven't felt in the last few years.

freshpopcorn · 18-12-2023 5:43pm

Is he driving home for Christmas!

411206012_791951139619360_925362398692032183_n (1).jpg

PTH2009 · 18-12-2023 9:14pm

Missing Iceland dearly

Was handy for picking up random products

Loughc · 18-12-2023 9:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121511768#Comment_121511768

Their freezer sections at this time of year was heaven.

gidget · 18-12-2023 11:15pm

Yeah missing it too, feeling out of sorts not doing my annual visit this year, as would have normally been going in & filling the freezer full of delicious desserts for over the Christmas period.

CheerLouth · 19-12-2023 2:59pm

In good news, it looks like I might get to finish Thursday lunchtime which would be awesome. Kids school concerts tomorrow; I'm really looking forward to them.

SarahLil · 19-12-2023 3:22pm

Logged on here yesterday but I hadn’t the head to post its not looking like my mam will be out of hospital for Christmas she is going to have to do some rehab for elders I have wrapped my head around it now and just going to do the best I can

Nipped to the local shopping centre this morning I had ran out of cards, needed some extra gift bags we got in and out easily enough, just chocolate and wine gifts left, big shop coming Friday morning then it’s just fresh veg to be bought, got some extra desserts that I can take into my mam

Lots of sickness about lots of masks been worn in the shops this morning, I’ll happily slow down now in the run up to things

antimatterx · 19-12-2023 3:31pm

After avoiding it for a while, I've caught the flu that's going around. Absolutely dying. Throwing back lemsip and as many Vitamin C sources as possible so it's out of me ASAP.

SarahLil · 19-12-2023 3:39pm

I hope you feel better soon@antimatterx

now is the time get cosy on the sofa watch something you like be kind to yourself (I hear those day/night combo meds are great I can’t take them myself because of other meds)

DvB · 19-12-2023 6:24pm

Daughter came home from school early today with what appears to be a vomiting bug... so operation isolation has commenced! Hoping its just a 24 hour thing & she doesn't pass it on to anyone else. We've had an awful run of things one after another since our holiday in July so hope we catch a break for Christmas now.

Cork Lass · 19-12-2023 6:35pm

Sorry to hear about your mom @SarahLil , I know it must be disappointing that she won't be home but hopefully she will be back with you soon.

Hope you feel better soon @antimatterx , I know a few people who have been floored with that flu.

I know everybody is up the walls with work this week so I feel a bit guilty saying this but I'm having a great week, shopping, catching up with friends, lunching and really enjoying it. I'm pretty organised with only the fresh veg etc to get on Thursday or Friday so I'm very chilled. Hopefully I haven't jinxed myself and no-one gets sick.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens