Thread: This is a Public Service Announcement from WW Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Christmas is coming!

Thanks to Zappa for reminding me that The Greatest Marketing Junket of the "Western" Year is only 6 months away.

Be a good scout and Be Prepared.

It's okay, don't thank me, I am just a naturally helpful sort of soul.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The nights are fair drawing in...*

*acceptable conversational opening in Scotland 22 June - 21 December. 22 December - 21 June, it's 'Where are you going for your summer holidays?'

[ 25. June 2013, 06:56: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
My grandfather used to say "That's the nights drawing in now" on 22 June and it annoyed everyone, particularly my father (his son). Two nights ago, Dad announced "That's the nights drawing in now."

Please shoot me if I ever say that in June.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
You'll be okay from next Monday then?
 

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Posted by MSHB (# 9228) on :
 
So why do some people in the southern hemisphere celebrate "Christmas in July" instead of "Christmas in June" (i.e. today)?

That puzzles me.
 

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Posted by TomOfTarsus (# 3053) on :
 
If I remember, on the 24th or 25th of each month, I'll remind someone in my circle, "Only n shopping months until Christmas. Particularly annoying in January. Yeah, I'm that guy.

But I do so hate seeing the days get shorter after the summer solstice. It's like I told my wife, I could take the cold, I just don't like the dark. A body can't do anything much outside after work.

Anyway, thanks for the PSA, WW.

(ETA a space... )

[ 25. June 2013, 11:36: Message edited by: TomOfTarsus ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MSHB:
So why do some people in the southern hemisphere celebrate "Christmas in July" instead of "Christmas in June" (i.e. today)?

That puzzles me.

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Because that's what we do, it's not something serious.

Practically, the end of June is a very busy time for lots of people with businesses and governments scrambling to get stuff done before the end of the financial year on June 30. In the world of education the end of June and early July is filled with end of semester exams and reporting.

If there's to be a random party just for fun, it may as well be in July rather than June.
 

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Posted by The Midge (# 2398) on :
 
Now every day is a shopping day before Christmas. My mother in law stocks on cards, wrapping paper etc in the Boxing Day Sales and keeps a mail merge data base for the card list. Your card will arrive on the 1st December with a printed address label.
 

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Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
Along the same lines as the "nights drawing in" stuff, my Scottish grandmother used to write to us when we were on holiday, usually a few days after we got there, and her letter always included the words "well, your holiday will soon be drawing to a close". I thought she just wanted to make us miserable, but my Mum (who was her daughter-in-law and not all that fond of her) charitably said "she's struggling for something to say".
 

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Posted by duchess (# 2764) on :
 
[warning, another seriously dippy post ahead] And my darling's birthday is right in the beginning of that month to kick it off. [/done with seriously dippy post.]


I want to get an Advent calendar this year and eat chocolate out of it.

Glad I am back in my old church where they are into liturgy. Yay.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
And down here, the sun will rise a wee bit earlier each day and set a tiny bit later – and it will still be jolly cold.
To all those brave souls who like to take a midwinter swim in June: wait till September, when the water will be much, much colder.

All those on the upside: got your bathers/togs/swimsuits out?

CHeers

GG
 

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Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 
Meanwhile, here on the Equator... things stay pretty much the same
 

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Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Thanks for the update, I guess it is time for me to ask the question of my children, "what do our grandchildren need for Christmas?" Since it is usually mail order from a catalog that has learning toys for the little angels, it makes Nana and Grandpa's life so much easier.
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
My littlest God son turned up to Church on Sunday in the muscled Spiderman out-fit I gave him for last Christmas. On mothers instructions, I had bought one which was a couple of sizes too large, so that it will last till this Christmas, when one of us will buy him a bigger one.

He spent all the time he was in the service doing Spidy leaps and charging around, saving people from danger.

Proud as I am of him, even I was rather pleased when he left for his group.

His little brother came as Batman- costume also supplied by me, last Christmas.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
It's Ok, I won't start the Secret Santa till September - hey, might feel early but most people got their presents by Easter this year!
(Confessions - I've already got a Christmas present for a friend and have an idea for something for my young godson and his family)
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Only 4 months to go!


 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Groan.

I have to move country (again) in the interim.
 

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Posted by phil2357 (# 15431) on :
 
Only 100 days now...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
3 months today!!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
3 months today!!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
3 months today!!

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
All my presents are bought and in the Christmas present drawer. I shall be starting to make the wrapping paper at the weekend.


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There must be some way of wiping that smug grin from Boogie's face, but at the moment I can't think what it is ...

eta: It may involve violence.

[ 26. September 2013, 02:59: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Leorning Cniht (# 17564) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:
There must be some way of wiping that smug grin from Boogie's face, but at the moment I can't think what it is ...

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Oh, sure there is. In the intervening months, each recipient of the gifts Boogie has purchased will take great pleasure in showing her the completely identical cool new X that they have just bought themselves (on special offer, for 40% less than what Boogie paid).
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
WW, you call this a public service announcement. It would seem that at least some members of the public don't find this a service they want.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Matthew ch13 v57


 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
WW, you call this a public service announcement. It would seem that at least some members of the public don't find this a service they want.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Matthew ch13 v57

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I'm sure WW had a smug grin on his face when he wrote that! If he didn't have a broken wrist so we have to be nice there would have to be violence.
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Pssst. Yesterday marked the two-month-out countdown for Christmas!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


I knew, I thought of posting several times but never when I was at the computer.

I will do a hundred lines later.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Shaddup you!

I was watching with a beady eye yesterday, but it appears that old age and infirmity have caught up with our Dearest Host

[ 27. October 2013, 01:24: Message edited by: PeteC ]
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
My neighbor across the street put Christmas lights around her doorway four weeks ago.

She will put lights all over her trees and shrubs in a few weeks.

Moo
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
There are lights up on Oxford Street already. I'm not sure if they are the proper Christmas lights as they are very subtle compared with the Marmite versions from last year.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Lights are also up in Huddersfield town centre. They haven't been turned on yet. But they will be. Soon.

[ 27. October 2013, 13:08: Message edited by: balaam ]
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Nothing to report here yet, but I suspect that as soon as Hallowe'en is over there will be. There's a house round the corner from us whose windows seem to host a never-ending stream of celebratory lights: as soon as Hallowe'en is over, the Christmas ones will go up, then red ones for St. Valentine's Day, then green for St. Patrick's Day ...

Honestly.
 

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Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
There are lights up on Oxford Street already. I'm not sure if they are the proper Christmas lights as they are very subtle compared with the Marmite versions from last year.

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Maybe in the London of today they are for Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, which is on this coming Sunday (Nov 3). In commercial terms it is the Hindu equivalent of Christmas, i.e a time fro family gatherings and exchange of presents. It is also a public holiday here in Fiji.

 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
These lights are cream globes, lots of them, not the normal gaudy delights we're used to. I wouldn't connect Diwali with subtle and the Diwali lights would have been around Trafalgar Square, where there was a big celebration on Saturday (No tube for me so I couldn't get in).

I'm in around that area later so I can check, if Oxford Street is safe again. Currently it's closed as one of the big cranes building one of the Crossrail sites is in danger of falling.

[ 28. October 2013, 07:46: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 

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Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
I've had my cards since last year: I go to Cards for Good Causes and buy sufficient for a couple of years - ditto wrapping paper and gift tags.

Shopping : I've got a few things that caught my eye on a sale. Otherwise, I'll adopt my usual approach: give family a deadline date for suggestions, then make a list - should have it all by 20th November.

Things that I make are largely done and ready for wrapping.

It means I can spend December concentrating on the tide of Advent & Carol services (4), Christingle, plus I've got 2 Christmas Oratorios and a Messiah to fit in.

No rest for the wicked!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by L'organist:
... No rest for the wicked!

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No rest for the organist (wicked or otherwise) over Christmas! My better half's a cathedral organist and he professes to hate Christmas ...

I must confess I love it, but I love Advent even more - the Advent Procession is my favourite service of the whole year.


 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Thanks to God and to the High Commission of India in Canada who promptly issued my visa, I am now spending my Christmas in India.
Freeze you northern types. I don't care much


 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Definitely putting the decorations up on Regent Street tonight - one up as I went past and a truck with cherry picker and team to put the rest up.
 

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Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
I walked down Oxford St today and the Christmas display is in Selfridge's windows.

Thurible

[duplicate post deleted - Piglet, AS Host]

[ 29. October 2013, 00:46: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Boogie:
All my presents are bought and in the Christmas present drawer. I shall be starting to make the wrapping paper at the weekend.

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quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:
...Freeze you northern types. I don't care much ...

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I really can't imagine Christmas in a warm climate - to this self-confessed Northern Type™ it just wouldn't be Quite Right.

Glad you'll enjoy it though.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by The Weeder:

quote:

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Originally posted by Boogie:
All my presents are bought and in the Christmas present drawer. I shall be starting to make the wrapping paper at the weekend.

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Just noticed this! How? Why? I am in awe. I have barely noted the nights are drawing , and we need to burn Guy Fawkes in the Church field before I can even think about Santa.

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I have been doing this for years - because I hate shopping and especially hate Christmas shopping when it's cold, wet and the shops are heaving with steamy wet bodies.

So I Christmas shop in Spring and Summer. I keep my ears open with family and friends and my eyes open when out and about. I have a 'Christmas drawer' which steadily fills up. My nieces are both over 30 but I still buy them lots of little fun presents. My aim is always to buy nothing after the middle of October.

The wrapping paper is just a recent thing in the last three or four years. I love faffing with watercolours and this is a useful excuse to do so.


 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by The Weeder:
I have barely noted the nights are drawing , and we need to burn Guy Fawkes in the Church field before I can even think about Santa.

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It would work better if you thought about Guy Fawkes and burnt Santa instead.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Bah humbug!
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
I ordered some lovely Christmassy cards with a candle design from a charity in India my daughter visited this summer. They have e-mailed me to say that they had a big order for Diwali, so used the cards I'd ordered for that, but will make more for me, provided I don't mind waiting.

I don't mind waiting. They'll do for next Christmas even if they arrive too late for this one.

But I'm now a bit confused. Are the cards I've ordered actually Christmas cards? Or will I be sending out Diwali cards this Christmas??
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Do you live in Ambridge? It seemed to be about the same thing there.
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 


Not Ambridge. Though we do appear to have Linda Snell living under a different name in our congregation.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by North East Quine:
... Linda Snell living under a different name in our congregation.

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Doesn't every congregation?

Spotted my first actual Christmas tree (as opposed to ones for sale in shops) this evening; there's an art gallery up the road from us that always has a tree up as soon as Hallowe'en is over.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Another month and it will all be over for another year.

And on a serious note please keep in mind those child protection workers on call over Christmas - it is always a busy time for them.


 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:

And on a serious note please keep in mind those child protection workers on call over Christmas - it is always a busy time for them.

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Except in Arizona, where they've ignored over 6,000 child abuse allegations!

So prayers also for the little ones who not only face abuse, but who are lost in the system.


(Sorry to derail -- maybe I need to start a thread in Hell.)
 

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Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
The Christmas tree is almost finished in Sydney's Martin Place - "raising the tree" in this case meaning constructing it from a kit over several days, rather than hauling it upright.

New design for the decs this year - not a fan at this stage, but perhaps I need to see it after dark.
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I see the folks who sell live Christmas trees in the empty lot a block from me have set up already! Usually the trees are available only after Thanksgiving.

Wasn't it just June last week?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Two Weeks Today!!
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Two Weeks Today!!

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Can I possibly throw a decoration or two around on Friday?
 

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Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Two Weeks Today!!

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Oh Good Grief. You do know how to cheer a person up.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ArachnidinElmet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Two Weeks Today!!

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Oh Good Grief. You do know how to cheer a person up.

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Trust me when I say that it is one of my more endearing qualities!


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Decorations chez Piglet are now up; as the ground floor is still cluttered with the builder's junk (including a 20' ladder), I've limited it to the tree, in one front window and visible from the road, and the lights and greenery that I wind round the banister-rail. D. (who doesn't usually take anything to do with Christmas decorations) has added crèche figurines that he bought at the Cathedral auction, which he's placed in the other window, also visible from outside. On the first floor, candle-bridges in the bedroom windows and a little tree in the den.

All the lights are white; although I don't mind coloured lights outside other people's houses, I really don't like them in my own.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm not a fan of multicoloured lights but e usually go for blue here - I must buy some more in the next few days, after I have finished the safety rewiring I am currently [get it?] attempting.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Don't hold a red and green wire together, now!

Is the Nativity scene all over the great room?

[ 12. December 2013, 15:19: Message edited by: PeteC ]
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Only 10 days to go.

And we still haven't got the tree up. That'll be next weekend.
 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by balaam:
Only 10 days to go.

And we still haven't got the tree up. That'll be next weekend.

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But it's only the Third Sunday of Advent!

 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Well, for any of you who haven't noticed it's tomorrow!
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Actually it's today - and had been for the past hour here

Christmas blessings Shipmates, especially if this is a "blue Christmas" for you

Huia

[ 24. December 2013, 11:00: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

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Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Okay, folks. I don't want Christmas 2014 to slip up on you unawares. Only 366 days until Christmas!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Barefoot Friar, you're even worse than WW, and that's saying something.
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
Okay, folks. I don't want Christmas 2014 to slip up on you unawares. Only 366 days until Christmas!

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I know a thread that gets on everybody's nerves...
 

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