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

freshpopcorn

Won't be long now!

In other news!

BK5

Wow, the last 500 hours have just flown by! 😄

DvB

Have been WFH the last few days as I was struggling with a rotten headcold, checked in here a few times to see if there was any activity but I think its safe to assume we're in 'Quiet mode' now until later in the year.

IIRC things usually start to pick up towards the end of August when the kids are heading back to school so looking forward to a bit more activity then.

Was actually thinking would 'parking' talk of christmas for the summer months impact my enjoyment of the build up at all & was thinking of abstaining until around September as an experiment of sorts to see if it made any difference.

BK5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119314#Comment_122119314

Ah don't do that, you and LoughC and a few others are the foundations of this thing. If people like you go it might start to crumble.

Do i have to use your Charles Dickens quote against you? 😄😄

Aisling(",)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119314#Comment_122119314

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!

We have a big Halloween party every year and while I am a Christmas fan I'm starting to think of the decorations for this year. Might do a "murder on the dancefloor" section in the kitchen(last year it was aliens/xfiles) and a summoning circle/demon bit in the sitting room. Usually do the bathroom as a corpse/cannibal blood room but trying to come up with ideas. The hall is generally filled with massive spiders, spider webs and bats. At least with Christmas I don't try to redo the decorations each time!

CheerLouth

Fab day out there - it's a crime to be at work today!

pigtail33

It really is gorgeous out, low 20s is ideal. I didn't realise how warm it was though and had a few too many layers on heading to the shop earlier.

I washed all my winter blankets earlier and going to wash my heavy coats tomorrow and get them put away. So it'll be my fault if it snows next week and I'll have to root them all out again!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119557#Comment_122119557

Ah it was a throwaway comment after thinking if it would help increase the buzz later in the year for me is all, however on that note the forum is bigger than any one contributor (okay maybe not the mods, but definitely the rest of us😉). Sure looking back over old threads its clear there's been some huge contributors over the years that no longer post for whatever reasons (Looking squarely at vanilla here mind) and the forum went on from strength to strength. Unfortunately its a fact of life when dealing with online communities like this, people leave & dont come back.

In saying that, given that the build up is more often than not the focal point of my year I tend to always be looking towards it as it gives me such enjoyment & sense of peace, that its unlikely I'd not be drawn back to it before too long anyway. Given my age now I doubt that'll change & i'll be like that until I'm no more.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122118708#Comment_122118708

why does this seem so close?!? I like it.

Loughc

absolutely beautiful day in Dublin! Finally feels like summer.

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122121953#Comment_122121953

Same here in Cork today, absolutely beautiful weather. We had a barbecue which will hopefully be the first of many.

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122121951#Comment_122121951

I was looking at the Calender Today.

I was like 225 days very soon.

Then the June Bank Holiday.

Then ans Advent Calender until 200.

Then the Longest day of the Year.

Then July.

The August Bank Holiday.

Brown Thomas Christmas Shop.

September.

100 days to Day.

Then your sort of home free.

I know I'm wishing my life away.

BK5

Did any of you get to see the Aurora light show across the sky last night? We live in a built up area so couldn't get the full effect, there is some brilliant pictures up on the weather thread.

It would kind of remind you of winter nights around Christmas, you'd be watching out for Santa's sleigh. 😊

SCOOP 64

Yes seen it , wasn't colourful more like raises of cloud zooming out from one spot from where I seen it, lucky it was clear skies so easily noticeable ,I'm out in the country so have a better view, still it was impressive.

DvB

Looked amazing around 11ish, we watched from our attic rooflights and despite being in a built up area saw it clearer than I've ever seen before this far south. Redder (well magenta really) than I've ever seen before too.

Might see more tonight.

Loughc

Lads the heat and sun today. I’m practically giddy with happiness!

Posy

Didn't see any auroras tonight, but seen them last night and it was amazing. Was redder here than some of the photos I've seen online, it was like a night time rainbow. Obviously Dublin is going to have more light pollution, but still got a decent enough display. I was delighted I got to see them, I'd have been raging today if I'd missed it all!

Smell the glove

Still waiting on a closing date for moving house. Frustrating it's taken this long after everything going so fast at the start. I was packing away stuff the other day and had a loose box with no lid that I had to re-box and it was full of Christmas stuff. This made me smile.

We also found some Christmas ornaments and baubles that we never used, still in the bags we bought them in with receipts from 2018 and 2022. 😂😂

BK5

Met with the family today, went to a hotel for a bit of food and back home now with a beer.

Going to a BBQ next Saturday and was told that the hosts have hired a chef for the party, very fancy. Will give a report next week.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130602#Comment_122130602

BBQ with a chef.... yes please!!

CheerLouth

Crashed out on the couch after a great day out in Croke Park! Not Louths day but definitely not a walk in the park for the Dubs!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122130976#Comment_122130976

Wasn't pretty to watch but fair play to louth for giving Dublin a game, easily the next best in Leinster now.

Looked like a good crowd down from Louth to for it too.

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122131422#Comment_122131422

Yeah I think there were a lot of people getting tickets at the last minute. Stadium was still very empty, only 23K at it. People in both of the two rows in front of us left at half time and never came back 🤷 But lookit, we had a grand afternoon - kids really enjoyed it. Little fella got confused about the goals changing sides after half-time & cheered when Dublin got a point, had to pull him back down 😂 He still came home dreaming of playing for Louth himself one day & that's what it's all about!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122132163#Comment_122132163

Ah that's great, as long as the kids enjoy their day out then all is good. Shame there wasnt a bigger crowd, but thats the story of the season. Still think Louth have a great shout of coming out of their group, it'll boil down to the game v Monaghan so the kids could have a couple more days out yet!!

Princess Calla

And so it begins

Smell the glove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122133861#Comment_122133861

Wow they really are getting it out there early!

BK5

It looks like the two sets either side of that box are Christmas based Lego sets as well.

Princess Calla

They are yeah, Harry potter and can't remember ...

Lego city

BK5

Lads….We are half way through May already! ✈️

Posy

Happy Friday, everyone! Fingers crossed the weather holds for the weekend. 🙂

BK5

Ah the freakin weekend, felt like a long work week even though the year is flying by. Couple of bits to sort this morning then going to a communion/bbq of a family member. Going to catch up with a few cousins so looking forward to it.

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122152524#Comment_122152524

Enjoy @BK5, hope ye get nice weather for it.

tscul32

Haven't been on here in ages, just very busy at the moment. Just one week of school left though then a week of exams then freedom for a bit.

A friend rang yesterday to say she'd just got 2 free tickets to Bruce for tonight so that's today's plan. Hoping he sings Santa Claus like he did in Cork.

GGoing For a big walk this morning with the dogs (have my brother's girl while he's away) them I've a lot of projects to grade this afternoon before Bruce.

Beautiful day here, sitting out with my coffee😁☕️

BK5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122152704#Comment_122152704

Did get nice weather thankfully, sky cleared as the day wore on.

Nice hungover head on me now too. 😄

tscul32

Doesn't look like we're getting Santa Claus is coming to town 😭

SCOOP 64

They actually play a bit of the concert at the end of the RTE news tonight.

DvB

Hectic weekend for us, can tell our holidays are coming up fast as I'm reaching that point where a rest is really needed. Its been a busy (& stressful) year for us so far & boy am I looking forward to boarding that plane to sunnier climes… truth is i'll just be glad to be away from work for 12 days.

Than When we get back we have my wife's family over visiting from Yorkshire & then nothing planned other than a camping trip in August with some friends & their kids… so looking forward to hopefully having some relaxing weekends in July/Aug with no GAA games getting in the way either…. everything seems to be moving so fast I just look forward to slowing down nowadays!!

DvB

Down in westport today, weather feels closer to Christmas than summer, wet, cold and miserable. Lashed rain most of the journey down too.... meh.

Hope ye are all having a more positive day.

Did see an advert for a Christmas party venue on the drive though that i hadn't noticed previously though.

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122168688#Comment_122168688

Not raining here but very windy and cold compared to the last few days. Kids went to school in shorts so hope they aren't skint!

BK5

Got a bit chilly this evening alright, rain forecast for the weekend 🙄

Loughc

hey folks I’ve been MIA for a while as sadly my mam passed away last Saturday. I got the call to come home last Tuesday as she given days left to live.

She passed on Saturday morning peacefully and was buried on Tuesday. I’ve been lucky in life not to suffer a big loss until now. I now understand what grief means.

Posy

Oh Lough, I have no words- I'm so sorry. xx 😟

pigtail33

I'm so sorry to hear that @Loughc 😥 May she rest in peace.

Try to mind yourself as best you can, and remember we're all here for you if we can offer a distraction.

Take care

❤️

miamee

That's awful @Loughc I'm so sorry to hear that. Take care of yourself, may your mam rest in peace

Aisling(",)

Very sorry to hear LoughC.

Be gentle with yourself as much as you can.

DvB

So sorry to hear that @Loughc sincere condolences to you & your family.

I appreciate there's nothing anyone can say to help you at the moment but remember we're here whenever you may need us.

Take care of yourself.

Cork Lass

So sorry to hear that @Loughc , that’s really tough. Sincere condolences to you and your family at this sad time.

BK5

Ah no @Loughc, can't believe your sad news, have a lump in my throat just reading your post. My own Mam died on a Saturday morning 7 and half weeks ago.

Just sending you love and best wishes lad. It won't proper sink in for ages and just remember the good times you shared.

Hope your family are doing okay , deepest sympathies.

jellybear

I'm so sorry to hear the very sad news of your mam's passing @Loughc

You and your family are in my thoughts.

May your mam rest in peace.

gidget

Very sorry to read of your loss @Loughc condolences to you and your family.