I hope everyone slept well, I slept heavy! 
Ros, it wasn't that one, it's about a lady called mrs miracle who weaves a bit of Christmas magic & match making in and around a new York toy store.
This is our busiest week of the year at work, so apologies if I'm not myself later this week, and If I'm around less than normal 
It's 136 hours til Christmas now 
Good morning everyone. We still have snow lying on the ground but thankfully no new snowfalls.
Summer, I'm so jealous that you have seen Michael Bublé live, I think he is fantastic. I bet your MiL was over the moon when you took her to see him, as her Christmas pressie.
I hope you don't have to work too hard this week, I know it's a really busy time for you. Make sure your colleague pulls her weight!
Ros, I'm glad Mr Ros is as annoying as Mr Yogi during shopping trips, I don't feel so alone now.
Squiggle, which book are you reading atm? I'm about to start, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Joyron, I hope your preparations for Christmas are coming along well. I'm still not completely organised but I'm getting there.
El, when does your brother arrive to spend Christmas with you, is it Friday?
Skylark, is your granddaughter still at nursery this week, or have they already broken up for the holidays?
I still have a few final gifts to buy today, so I'll be braving the shops again, I'll be back later.
Edit: my post reads like a quiz, sorry about all the questions everyone.
Good morning everyone
Cloudy and rain is expected later but getting less cold. The likelyhood of a White Christmas in this area looks zero.
Yogi, my brother is coming down on Christmas Eve and should be here for lunchtime. He goes back on the afternoon on the 29th, so is here for just over 5 days.
Squiggle, I also watched Just Henry. I liked the first part but less so when it became rather melodramatic towards the end. Being a bit of a film buff, I followed up on the films mentioned in Just Henry. The story took place 9 years after the loss of Henry's father in 1941 which places it in 1950. The Red Shoes (1948), Caught a US film with Barbara Bel Geddes (1949), The Third Man (1949), and On The Town (1949) all more or less tied in with 1950. The one film which stood out as being in the wrong year was the first film Great Expectations which was a 1946 film. I don't know whether the films were mentioned in the book or just included for the TV film, but I would think that Great Expecations was included as it was the one which had the greatest impact on the storyline.
The book is by Michelle Magorian whose first book Goodnight Mister Tom was made into another TV film some years ago with John Thaw, and I think that was a far better film. Of course there was a link between that at Just Henry in that John Thaw's widow Sheila Hancock was the grandmother. She was good as were the other actors.
Good morning everyone. Very cold and frosty here this morning. Need to brave a trip out to the shops in the car but I'm sure it will take me ages to get the window clear!!
Yogi, my preparations are nearly complete (thank goodness). I've wrapped all the presents and just need to do the last minute shopping. Skylark, I was glad to read that you managed to get a well deserved break with your grandaughter going to stay with her other nana. El Loro, that was a lovely gesture from your client. It's a pity there are not more people like that about. Squiggle, hope things are fine with you. Did you finish "Miracle on Regent Street"? If so I hope you enjoyed it. Rosgirl and Sweet, hope you are well. Don't work too hard!!
Will really have to think about putting some decorations up. Normally No.1 son and the grandchildren come and do that but they've all been too busy this year. Hubby keeps complaining that there are no decorations but doesn't offer to help put some up
Will catch up again later. Have a good day, whatever you are doing.
Good morning everyone, wow been reading through the thread and so many things to reply to. Joyron I finished Miracle on Regent Street last night (you know what that means Summer 
) and I LOVED IT. A lovely book and Joyron you know what I will be doing now, the bit at the end, you will know Yogi well I'm blowed I too am just going to start reading The Twelve Days of Christmas today. I bet you'll be much quicker than me though. It will be fun to read it together.
Sounds like everyone is doing well with their Christmas preparations 
good luck with the decorations Joyron alhough I do think Mr Joyron should help as well. Summer yes I have read The Shack, its an odd book but one that sticks in my memory. I lent it to a friend and she absolutely loved it, it made her cry and laugh. I hope you feel refreshed Skylark, still it will be fun with the little one this week looking forward to Santa's visit. I hope your brother's visit goes really well EL.
Well what did those of you who watched Miracle in Manhattan think compared to the book? I was a bit too tired to watch Michael Buble last night but it looked a good show, lucky Summer going to see him live. I did enjoy Just Henry EL, not as good as Goodnight Mr. Tom, not as much 'heart' somehow but still the sort of thing I enjoy. I taped The Young James Herriott too and Home For the Holidays, going to see what I make of the latter today.
Yes we took MIL, it was her Xmas gift, she's 78 and was boogying more than the youngsters! I like his chatter, he's funny What songs has he been singing?Well done her ! It was a good show, very Christmassy , you will enjoy it. he sang a few Christmas Carols and had guests on, Gino D'campo was one whom i am trying to forget was on
Morning everyone x
Nursery finishes on Tuesday , Yogi, then the Christmas Party on Wednesday .
Hi Joyron, glad you are getting organised . Mr Joyron 
I have my cards written and ready to post, i shall put 1st class stamps on so should arrive ok.
Have a lovely time with your brother, El incase i dont say x
Lovely pic squiggle x
and now I'm on lunch
Squiggle, I had to miss the second half of the movie but I recorded it and watched a bit more during breakfast. I like the actors playing holly and jake, and there are a few things so far that I wish they hadn't changed but I'm enjoying it so far. I do wish they would keep films to how the books are though, they changed things in the Harry potter films that they shouldn't haveYay Squiggle, we'll be reading the book at the same time. I don't think I'll be faster than you this time.
I did watch Miracle In Manhattan. It was okay, but not a patch on the book, IMO.
My youngest son asked if he could borrow my Miracle On 34th Street dvd to take to his GF's last night, as it's one of her favourite Christmas films - girl has good taste.
Skylark, will you be able to keep the little one calm from Wednesday onwards, or will her excitement spiral until you can peel her from the ceiling?
I hope you have a great time with your brother, El. Five days is a good length of time for a visit, IMO - not too short and not too long.
Joyron, tell Mr Joyron you'll be able to put up the decorations, as soon as he has a spare hour or so to help.
Summer, I hope you aren't having to work too hard.
There's a young Romanian man sells The Big Issue outside my nearest supermarket. He stands there day after day, regardless of the weather, smiling and polite and is a firm favourite with the regular shoppers. I always give him money, although I never actually take the Big Issue and am rewarded with a big smile and a thank you. Sometimes we have a chat about the weather. Today, as it's close to Christmas, I gave him a bit extra (not a huge amount) and I patted him on the shoulder and wished him a Merry Christmas. His face lit up and he gave me a big hug - I had to bite my lip, as I went all emotional. He was so grateful for so little, it was humbling.
I love that I hope he has somewhere warm to be this winter I love that I hope he has somewhere warm to be this winterMe too, the Christmas Season is lovely, I hope that kind people will make sure that he has a Christmas Dinner too and that someone will be able to help him get his life back on track. There but for the Grace of God, it could be any of us.
Before I forget, can I recommend the Nativity which is being shown on BBC1 in 2 halves, 9.00 am on Christmas Eve and the same time on Christmas Day.
I can't be 100% certain, but I believe that this is a repeat of what was shown last Christmas in 4 half hour episodes, whereas this is 2 1 hour episodes.
It was written by Tony Jordan best known for Eastenders, so when I watched it last year I was a bit concerned that it would be like that, but it wasn't. There is a sense of honesty, realism and warmth which made this easily the best programme last Christmas. Strongly recommended.
EL did you see the version that was on about 3 years ago? It was magical, this isn't the same one is it?
Thanks for that El, i still dont know whats on over Christmas , i must get a mag !
Aw thats so nice Yogi, my daughters Church doing a meal for the homeless on Christmas Day, she wants to go to help and thats ok with me.
As you say squiggle, there but for the Grace of God...............
Got the wee one settled, not long now before Santa comes, she is becoming tired of waiting !
I don't remember seeing that particular Nativity, so I'll set the V+ to record it, thanks El.
Summer, Squiggle and Skylark, I share your hope that the young Romanian man has somewhere warm to stay and some hot food to eat, this Christmas. He's such a nice lad.
Skylark, I think it's great that your daughter is helping out with meals for the homeless on Christmas Day.
I feel rather proud of her, i just hope she is feeling better, she still not too well. She went through the guilt thing of leaving wee one, but she will hardly notice her gone, she will be busy playing with her new toys. Then she shall have all evening with her. I would have liked to have gone too, maybe next year..........
I feel rather proud of her, i just hope she is feeling better, she still not too well. She went through the guilt thing of leaving wee one, but she will hardly notice her gone, she will be busy playing with her new toys. Then she shall have all evening with her. I would have liked to have gone too, maybe next year..........
You are right, the wee one will be so busy with her toys that she'll hardly notice your daughter has gone.
I was kidding on my son that he was in charge of the house and the dinner till we came back, he went deathly white
I was kidding on my son that he was in charge of the house and the dinner till we came back, he went deathly white
Can you imagine the devastation, if he were left in charge?
Yogi, there will be places for your Romanian friend, he may live in a hostel now, and there'll be a place for the homeless to eat, they do Christmas dinners for them I hope he gets a tasty one
I'm going to thank my lucky stars this Christmas for the life I have, and light a candle for all those out there who have nowhere to go or no one to be with
It makes us thankful for the lives we have, Summer
How did your day at work go, have you been very busy?
Goodnight all, and Velvet too if you are looking in
Goodnight Skylark.
Night Skylark, sleep well, I'm off too to start on my new book, catch up tomorrow, hope everyone sleeps well and hope you're not working too hard this week Summer.
I'm waiting on a call from youngest son to tell me which train I am meeting. He was supposed to finish at 8pm but has obviously stayed late to help out.
Then, I'm off for a bath and a read of my book - trying to catch up with you, Squiggle.
Goodnight Squiggle and Summer.
Leaving hugs for Ros and Velvet.
I did yoga after work and was popping & crunching more than a bowl of rice crispies thank goodness I know how it's done
Hope you don't get back too late from taxiing tonight, be careful out there Good morning everyone
Skylark, I'm glad your daughter is helping some of the homeless at Christmas
Yogi, I hope you got the call from your youngest son.
Squiggle, The Nativity I'm referring to was shown for the first time a year ago, so is not the one you saw. This one has Andrew Buchan (Garrow's Law) as Joseph. Mary is played by Tatiana Maslany who comes from Canada.
Good morning everyone, I will certainly set the Sky+ for that Nativity EL, thanks for the tip, I love the Nativity story anyway, I wonder if they still teach it in school, I have always loved it from the time that we were taught it.
Don't work too hard now, especially you Summer, hope its all going smoothly for everyone
Good morning everyone. The last of the snow has finally disappeared.
Yes El, I did eventually get the call from my son. He'd stayed on an extra hour, to help out.
I have a few things to pick up today, then I'm finished!
Summer, hope you don't have to work too hard today.
Will be back later.
Good morning
Very cold here today, no snow tho, thank goodness .
Off to nursery soon then a bit shopping then pick her up again.
Have a good day all, hope you arent too busy today Summer
This morning I've been to see the woman who is being treated for breast cancer. I've been able to reassure her that there is no tax to pay on the critical illness payout she received, though may have to pay some tax on the interest income she gets on what she has invested the money in, depending on the level of her income. She may get in touch with me in future if she has to fill in a tax return. She has a good employer who has continued to pay her in full, and she is intending to return to work on a part time basis in the near future. She has moved from the chemo stage of treatment to the radiotherapy stage.
only 106 hours to go!
I've been non stop since opening this morning, mostly children too do my neck aches a bit. I equalled my record of 19 haircuts before lunch, but the good news is, I'm ok still cheerful, not yet exhausted and I'm getting an apple crumble with custard after my lunch you know, for energy 
El that's good news about your client, I'm really pleased to hear it
I hope everyone is having a good day, and keeping warm Yummy, apple crumble with custard
I also like rhubarb crumble, plum crumble, gooseberry crumble etc, but not necessarily all at the same time.
Someone at church told me that she particularly likes a slice of Christmas pudding which has been fried in butter. I'm not about to try it as my doctor wouldn't approve.
I hope you enjoyed your apple crumble Summer, I'm with EL I love any sort of crumble but especially apple crumble and custard and I just do not fancy Christmas pud fried in butter, I get indigestion at the thought of it
That's a lovely picture EL, it was in my paper too, that little girl looks in seventh heaven. But I thought dalmation puppies were born without spots? 
Squiggle, you are right about the puppies do not have any spots when they are born. Per Wiki, they get their first spots within a week after birth, and have most of their spots after a month. So the puppies must be at least a week old when the photos were taken, and probably closer to a month.
(Of course, there's alwats the possibility that the photos could have been enhanced, but surely no newspaper would dream of doing that )
Squiggle, you are right about the puppies do not have any spots when they are born. Per Wiki, they get their first spots within a week after birth, and have most of their spots after a month. So the puppies must be at least a week old when the photos were taken, and probably closer to a month.
(Of course, there's alwats the possibility that the photos could have been enhanced, but surely no newspaper would dream of doing that )
Heaven forfend!
Although I knew what forfend means, it is not a word used in common parlance. I did a little Google search and found this. I'm posting it as it has an amusing anecdote.
forfend (for-FEND) verb tr.
1. Defend; protect.
2. Forbid; prohibit.
3. Prevent; secure.
[From Middle English forfenden, from for- + fenden (to ward off).]
"They (poplars) had been planted on communal land, evenly spaced along a river's edge, so their thirst for water might help forfend local flooding." Kenneth Baker; The Colors of Monet: Museums See Green; The San Francisco Chronicle; Apr 22, 1990.
"Back on earth, Mr O'Keefe is also engaged in more mundane forms of cost control. Programmes are being cut. Bureaucrats, heaven forfend, are being made redundant." Science and Technology: 2020 Vision; Human Space-flight; The Economist (London, UK); Nov 16, 2002.
Our seven-year-old daughter Ananya has developed an interest in etymology. Often she'll interrupt her play in the backyard and peek in my downstairs study to ask about whatever word comes to her mind. Some time back she barged in with, "So how did the word dog came about?" I explained to her that the word dog came from Middle English dogge which came from Old English docga. Satisfied, she went back to her play.
I had completely forgotten about it when a few days later I overheard her talking to her grandmother on the phone, "Amma, we got a dogga." I was puzzled and later asked why she said dogga instead of dog. She patiently explained, "You know, Amma is old. That's why I used Old English with her."
Well, Grandma is old, but not that old. The Old English period is generally thought to have begun with the arrival of certain Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) in Britain in the fifth century.
Scholars have divided the history of the English language into three periods: Old English (from the middle of the 5th to the beginning of the 12th century), Middle English (12th century through the 15th), and Modern English (16th century onwards).
