Monday, November 09, 2009

Kris-Kindle 2009

I've been requested by various family members to get my finger out of my proverbial and ressurect the blog to get started on this year's round of Kris Kindle hints.

The draw, untraditionally, was made in Garfunkels Cafe on Trafalgar Square, with surprisingly all Kris-Kindle couples represented. This draw is normally undertaken by a neutral party, which makes ensuring that you don't get either yourself or who you had last year somewhat easier than when you pull the names out of the hat. After about 15 attempts everyone was happy (apart from TOCO, who after getting a name that he was happy with first time round, announced he had a plane to catch and sodded off).

So, same rules as last year and it seems that Kris-Kindle has neither been hit by inflation or the financial crises. Presents are still to be to the value of 100Euros or as near as possible, with Kid Sis and London Son, who are still classed as a couple, getting a 50Eur pesent each. I haven't quite worked out if the strong Norwegian krone works in our favour or not...... As ever, who is buying for who is secret.

So Kris-Kindle members and interested parties, fire up those internet lines and get hinting, suggesting, abusing, wise-cracking, composing or whatever else comes to mind. I'm getting my brain in gear to make sure I get a head start on my wife........

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're off.

Its the Beeston Steeplechase 2009.

'Kris-Kindle' is in the lead followed closely by 'What do I Want' and 'Where do I get'. A close fourth is ' Why don't you post your request'. We hope that 'FOCL' will get a look in here. At the finishing post we get 'Happy with this' 'Delighted with that' and 'Wow'.

So please make sure you are safely mounted and that all bets have been placed and enjoy the Steeplechase in the right spirit.

Happy Kris Kindling.

Anonymous said...

Or perhaps that should be falling off horse laughing! Nothing like a big beast between your legs but only if you're safely mounted!
Now I just have to go for a ride and think of what I'd like for chrimbo

TOCO said...

Erm.... I can't really remember who we're supposed to be buying for - I think it was *!¤"%#&/(/%, but if it's not, then it'll be a bit embarrasing when one couple gets two and the other gets nothing. Is there any way of anonymously working this out, without redoing the whole thing? Could you all tell Ann who you're buying for?

BTW, what is anonymous on about anyway?

Anonymous said...

Oh you big twat!!!!
Does that mean we'll have to go the conventional route after all. Not sure Anne is up to sorting it, she is moving in less than two weeks and although nowhere as far up the "I'll keep it just in case" scale as our dear parents, there is still 40 years of stuff to sort through. I'm going there this am though so will see what I can do. Hope no-one has done any purchasing yet!
luv to all from B(l)S

Mum of All said...

Right, so now I know who is responsible for this hiccough.
I got a text to say hold back on the pressie buying as some twat had forgotten their names. Thats all very well but being ahead of ourselves, we already had one little item bought. Hey ho, we'll have to keep it for another occasion unless we get the same couple.

Oh and btw,which anon don't you understand, TOCO?

Viking Longship said...

Useless.

TOCO said...

Ok, the solution is simple - inform a reliable outside party (Anne?) who you're buying for - and the loser (ie the one who doesn't get a mention) is ours... Said outside party then texts me with it and I then shall not forget...

TOCO said...

So then nobody needs to change, and I still don't know who's buying for whom... (Quality use of the English language there). All Anne needs is a piece of paper with all the names in one column, and then the corresponding name in the next colun. It's not rocket science. (Oh, sorry realised that NW is involved, so it's likely to rapidly get more complicated than anything The ESA and NASA can come up with!)
Only 39 shopping days left...

TOCO said...

For NW read VL... It's been a long day

BLS said...

Your some pup!!! so wat is the plan now. who is the neutral source? As LBS said anne is a busy woman...mmmm....

TSS said...

Looks to me like Kris-Kindle is getting side tracked this year. You can still put the ideas and hints up. Only one person has a problem knowing what to buy.

So odds are you will get something you wanted. It just adds a small element of chance that you get the wild card present.

While you all continue to resolve this issue by ever more complicated schemes. May I make a special request to VL. How about a series of photos and comments to capture 2009? The blog is a bit thin since April.

Viking Longship said...

TSS, sadly, if one has forgotten it screws it up for everyone....

New letters are in the post...

And you are right, there's no reason why people shouldn't be hinting (other than that they don't know what they want!!!!)

I will endeavour to do a photo summary of 2009 as you request.

Mum of All said...

First hint coming up. Hurray.

Seeing as our father's dearest wish at present is way beyond the budget (it being a decent Router with a half inch chuck to go onto our ruby wedding present to each other, namely one table saw and to replace the old quarter inch chuck router which has developed worn bearings) I'm going to ask for a pair of leather or suede mitts to replace the ones I mislaid somehow on the way home from our ruby wedding celebrations. Medium size will do the job.

BTW. Have I told you all how thrilled I was with all the surprises on our ruby wedding day. I still get a warm feeling when I think of you lot flying down the steps of the bus having been so sure that none of the family could be there. The bus too and the service and the meal and the cake and all our friends. The list is endless.
An extra special thanks to bls who masterminded the whole thing and managed to keep every thing secret to the last even though we are next door and share the same mail box. Quite a feat! Our Father gave me a lecture a one point and told me to stop fishing, but I hadn't even been doing that actually. So thank you one and all. We look forward now to having all the in-laws and grandchildren under the same roof for a few days.

Food for thought. Do we keep KK till we are all together on 29th Dec?

BLS or is it LBS...DOH!!! said...

ok im suffering from major cnfusion here...who is TSS n am I BLS or LBS??? seeing as I may be proportinately bigger than my big sister yet still the lil sister.....mmmm Big little sister or Little big sister...i go for the first one...mmm....

My request is for a hand luggage size suitcase on wheels so I can give London son his one back.....or if u are of the travelling variety I would like a DVD boxset but don´t take that one seriously because I have to think about what boxset exactly....

Also the rules stipulate that Couples have to shop together.....this may not be posible in London son and BLS of LBS´s case....MMMM!!!

Okey dokey i better get back to work.

Bye for now

TOCO said...

Thank you, have received new instructions, and am very happy. The only problem is that we have accidentally fed the instructions to our youngest child (he needed some more protein...) and can't remember who was on it...














...Only JOKING!


I take exception to the fact that a sister, be she little or big, would describe her beloved brother as a 'TWAT' and a mother would describe her eldest son as a 'BIG TWAT'. Could you a) moderate your language, as this is a family show, at least five children read this, and b) explain the precise meaning and origin of this word for those whose first language is not Engerlisch, and those of us whose English is a bit rusty?

VL, have you seen the pictures of flooding in Cockermouth - I saw the garage where the vento was repaired under about 3 feet of water. Presumably your old house was ok as it's a bit higher up?

Yours with hurt feelings,

TOCO


In the garden at Beeston stood Grandad,
while building a fence to a standard,
The plumbline he drew,
was always askew,
The hammer he had was left-handed!

TOCO said...

Sorry, better version:

In the garden as Beeston stood Grandad,
while building a fence to a standard,
the plumbline he drew,
was completely askew,
the ruler he had was left-handed!

TOCO said...

At grandmother's suggestion, I'm putting it here:

If anybody is thinking of buying a present for our little son: Boys clothes or toys would be greatly appreciated. He's got a long back like daddy, and growing fast, so don't buy anything smaller than 12 months (or 80 cm) upwards.

Mrs TOCO said...

Keeping in with my previous years' style, my hints for alternative present ideas are quite specific...

1. A family board game (not a puzzle), which requires a bit more from the player than Kimble or Memory do. So something that is rated ages 8+ (i.e. involving some strategy etc. but yet not too demanding for me, important also that the games success doesn't rely on the players' language skills in English, German or Norwegian), and involving 2-6 people. Amazon.co.uk have a great selection and suitable ones would be e.g.
Enchanted Forest Game (Ravensburger),River Crossing - The perilous Plank Puzzle, Take it Easy, or by some other publishers Carcassonne or Ingenious.
(We already have the Labyrinth game and Chess...)

Hint no. 2:
Morning slippers size 6

3. Brown and black socks size 6,5 or 7 (as they always shrink in the wash...)

Viking Longship said...

Little hands can reach far and wide
up a kitchen and down a slide.
Deftly as little hands do grow
whilst adults brains are rather slow.

The stuff you need to make you well
can have an interesting smell.
If you're worse it makes you better
when you're not it can mean bother.

Keeping these things well out of reach
is not a problem on the beach
but in the house can be a job
that's best not left to uncle bob

Mum of All said...

THis blog is now getting interesting,

Firstly though, please can Mrs Toco explain exactly what morning slippers are like? Are they different to ones you wear in the evening, or are they just the sort that wake up all bright eyed and bushy tailed?

Secondly, what ever did Uncle Bob do, or rather not do, and in fact does he exist, or is he just there to rhyme with job. I'm curious.

I like very much the limerick.. Father of All is lucky if he even has a right handed ruler. They've usually gone AWOL when he needs them so its no wonder things are askew!

Viking Longship said...

MOA, I was thinking the same thing amnount the Morning slippers.

Maybe there's a spelling mistake and they are infact Mourning slippers and not very happy at all, regardless of the time of day? Or maybe they've got an inbuilt alarm clock.......

Oh, and for those of you in sensible countries read Mrs TOCOs , as a . She does not want size 6 or 5 or 7 socks (that would be daft), as 6,5 or 7 would suggest to a sensible decimal point using person. What she really means is 6.5 or 7. Probably it would have been best to use fractions which would be 6½ or 7.

TOCO said...

I'm all out of time,
It's gone with a swing,
this beater of mine,
it went with a ping!

My wife still has time,
but not all that long,
just the same as has mine,
it will all soon go wrong.

I need a new one,
it's a KDM-2,
Korg is the make,
a beat it will take!




In plain English:

My metronome finally, after 16 (yes 16) years of being carted around the world, dropped, used, abused and generally expensive in batteries, has had it. I'm using my dear wife's, but that's just as old, and will soon go the same way.
Rather boringly, I have exactly what I want in mind, but that saves the 'Just what I always wanted' said through gritted teeth syndrome.

Here's a link to the little baby (and rather super it is if you ask me!)

http://www.korg.com/product.aspx?pd=210

It should just be in the price range - I'll cough up the extra (yes, I do sometimes have money, and my credit card does work!!!) if it goes over the limit.

In Finland the ',' is used as a '.' for numbers. So in Finnish 6,5 = 6.5. Just one of the many things I've learnt (including finding out that half one actually means 12.30!!!)

Morning slippers are slippers. Pink is not my wife's favourite colour...

Viking Longship said...

For crying out loud.....

Can you not make your first clue a little more complex instead of publishing the web link straight away... Where's the fun in that????

You should make our KK collective brains work for a while before you tell us the answer....

So boring, It's just not cricket.

MOA is guilty of the same.

Has anyone worked out what we want yet, or was my poem so cryptic that people havn't even realised that it was a clue???

TOCO said...

It's, in my sincere opinion, a medicine cabinet.

I thought that, since my poem specified make and model number, that I might as well put the link in, and save everyone a few mouse clicks...

TOCO said...

Could those of you who haven't written anything specific, unspecific, or even generally vague and rambling, please get on with it??? I KNOW who I'm buying for and I want to spend my money NOW!

Mum of All said...

Its back to FOCL. Now I UNDERSTAND
who Uncle Bob is. He's part of a clue. I'm very stupid.

and are TOCO's Limericks there to tell us he'd also like a left-hand hammer or rule (if there is such a thing) or just for amusement?

And I apologise for being so straightforward. Unlike FOA who can re -write the whole bible whilst looking for slippers, I have no such abilities. Slippers, which incidentally he didn't get for years!

TOCO said...

Just for amusement, I can assure you.....

Our Father said...

Question 1 (Junior Certificate)

given that
2
x/yrt + 4(i + 1) = (i + 2)

and

3 - r + x(y/hs - 1)(y/hs + 1) =
2 1/2
( 9 - 6r + r )

use as simultaneous equations to find expressions for x and y,

and thus a solution for the unknown x

In words, in case the figures get mangled in transit, the equations are

x over yrt plus 4 times in brackets i plus 1 equals in brackets i plus 2 all squared


and

3 minus r plus x brackets y over hs minus 1 bracket, times in brackets y over hs plus 1 bracket equals square root of (all in brackets) 9 minus 6r plus r squared

time allowed 30mins to read the question, 2 minutes to work it out.

Send your solution to THE BLOG. First correct reply gets the Nicholls Brain of the year Cert

Good luck!

Our Father said...

I thought it would! The computer's made a bollox of my equations. Please read verbal version (that means the words) carefully.

Our Father said...

Correction. Owing to circumstances beyond my control, ie utter incompetence, there is a critical typo/ co....mistake in the first equation above:

the first term should be
2
(x/yrt), that is 'x over yrt all squared'

Hope this will be helpful to those of you who have spent the last 6 hours trying to solve the insoluble.

Viking Longship said...

Well, as far as I can figure out

x=yrt

and

y=hs

so

x=hsrt

and

y=hs

I've no idea how to turn hsrt into a value, it'll probably come to me in the middle of the night, when one of the other bright sparks has already worked it out... And I've wasted enough time not finishing the insulation in the basement, which I am going to do now....

Or I could be barking up the wrong tree.

TOCO said...

Is i the sqare root of -1?

I came up with similar findings to VL.

X is a high speed revolving trill (drill?)

y is the harmony of the spheres (or the Helsingin sanomat)

TOCO said...

perhaps hs (or technically Hs) is the element hassium (no 108 in the periodic table). Only a few atoms of this element have ever been seen, during a noclear reaction.

This in turn leads me to think that this is a totally pointless chase for something that doesn't really exist.

TOCO said...

nuclear, nuclear, idiot!

Viking Longship said...

An imaginary number, in mathematics, is a number in the form bi where b is a real number and i is the square root of minus one, known as the imaginary unit. Imaginary numbers and real numbers may be combined as complex numbers in the form a + bi where a and b are respectively called the "real part" and the "imaginary part" of a + bi. Imaginary numbers can therefore be thought of as complex numbers where the real part is zero. The square of an imaginary number is a negative real number.

Imaginary numbers were defined in 1572 by Rafael Bombelli. At the time, such numbers were regarded by some as fictitious or useless, much as zero and the negative numbers. Many other mathematicians were slow to adopt the use of imaginary numbers, including Descartes who wrote about them in his La Géométrie, where the term was meant to be derogatory.[1]




Obviously!

Viking Longship said...

And back to the matter at hand....

Uncle Bob's under some Scrutiny
and there was nearly a mutiny
when an older son, known as TOCO
Forgot his names, what a twit, oh no!

A trail was laid, and clues were plenty,
the response was slow, almost empty
The answer, in the end, came from TOCO.
without a ryhme, not even Ho Ho

Whoever you are, when, where, why, what?
hold your horses, any old it's not.
If you are not sure go ask TOCO
He is not really such a do do.

TSS said...

I may have wasted more than two minutes!
I think there are multiple solutions due to the square root.

Roots of x = 0, y = hs and y = -hs are solutions where the square root of (9-6r+r^2) = (3-r).

The solutions where the square root of (9-6r+r^2) = (r-3) don't simplify to a form that types out well. Your question asked for 'a solution' not 'all solutions' so I won't bother.

Non zero solutions, x = +/- hsrti

If you allow, i^2 = -1 then this reduces to..

x = +/- hsrt

What has this got to do with KK?

Our Father said...

Congratulations to TSS, Ni .. I'm not supposed to mention the name ...Brain of the year!

I thought the i might cause grief, as it was not made clear that it did not represent root -1.

Now, team, we just have to play around with anagrams

x = hsrti ... erm .. shit r ... no that can't be right ...erm ... any other ideas?

When whoever susses it out I'd love a nice warm brushed cotton one, large, available at Dunne's etc.

TOCO said...

I also worked out that the square root could be (r-3) or (3-r), and so went on about 6 wild goose chases.

Could TSS provide all of his solutions, in a clear and well laid out presentation, so that those of us for whom mathematical studies (especially imaginary numbers and sim. eqs.) are in the dim and distant past can find out what was going on?

I think it's a trihs, which is a military derived form of warming device, to keep certain unmentionables above body temperature, and prevent them from freezing on a cold winters night.....

So I spent a good 45 minutes trying to work out what the question was, how to answer it, how i numbers worked (as TSS and VL explained above), and also simultaneous equations, to discover that i is not imaginary after all.

What about the negative term x=-hsrti?

Does such a thing exist, and if so, is it in a different space-time continuum, or just a figment of our fathers imagination, now that he's retired, and has too much time on his hands?

Kid Sister said...

Please please tell me whet TSS means and mayb then I can work out who it is....Glad the boys are good at maths...otherwise i never wouldve worked out that u want a S***T.......

VL I worked out it was some sort of cabinet...i just dont have permanent internet connection or free time....

So wat does everyone else want???

Our Father said...

Hamlet (Shakespeare)

Said Hamlet to Ophelia
I'll do a sketch of thee.
What kind of pencil shall I use,
2 B or not 2 B?

That is the question.

How about a 2 B or 2 2 go with my .. erm ... shrit .... erm ?

Our Father said...

TOCO says I've too much time on my hands - the cheek of it

I agree with George Carlin who said

I think life cycle is all backwards. You should die first and get that out of the way. Then you live in an old folks' home. You get kicked out when you get too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do alchohol and parties, and get ready for school. You become a kid, you play and have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating ... and you finish off as an orgasm.

Apply that to my case, I should be approaching childhood by now. Some may say I'm in my second childhood anyway. Some may say I've never grown out of the first one ....
which brings me to TOY TRAINS. (or Model Railways - that sounds more respectable)

SEE BELOW

TSS said...

TOCO, I have an unfair advantage. No pressure. I will not be using the information once the puzzle is solved. I was just solving a puzzle after yourself and VL had posted a first try. That's one clue to help Kid Sister remember who I am. PA did suggest I file the answer as Anonymous to get everyone guessing.

x = -hsrti is likely to be a perfectly valid term. It would refer to the old worn out one that is destined for rag bag, charity shop or bin, following the appearance of the positive solution. x = 0 is also possible - if there is a failure to correctly solve Question 1 in time.

TSS said...

For TOCO
1. (x/yrt)^2 + 4(i+1) = (i+2)^2
Expand functions of i.
(x/yrt)^2 + 4i + 4 = i^2 + 4i + 4
Subtract 4i+4
(x/yrt)^2 = i^2
multiply by (yrt)^2
x^2 = (yrti)^2
Take square root to get solution for x.
x = +/- yrti

2. 3 - r + x(y/hs-1)(y/hs+1) =(9 - 6r + r^2)^0.5

Observe that (9 - 6r + r^2) is a quadratic. Either (3 - r)^2 or (r-3)^2.

a) assume RHS =(3-r)
3 - r + x(y/hs-1)(y/hs+1) =(3 - r)
Subtract 3-r
x(y/hs-1)(y/hs+1) = 0
There are three valid solutions,
x = 0
(y/hs-1) = 0 which is true when y = hs
(y/hs+1) = 0 which is true when y = -hs

By substitution into equation 1.

x = +/-hsrti

b) assume RHS = (r-3)
3 - r + x(y/hs-1)(y/hs+1) =(r - 3)
Subtract 3-r
x(y/hs-1)(y/hs+1) =(2r - 6)

In this case x is also a function of r.
For special case of r = 3 the same set of solutions occur.

For other values of r,
Simplify to
x((y/hs)^2 - 1) =(2r - 6)
substitute y^2 = (x/rti)^2 from equation 1.
x((x/hsrti)^2 - 1) =(2r - 6)

So you now have a cubic equation...
x^3/(hsrti)^2 - x - 2r + 6 = 0

(There is no x^2 term.)

There are three roots to a cubic and as both positive and negative solutions are possible this does give the maximum of 6 possible solutions - which you did correctly identify.

However the Question asks for 'a' solution not 'all' solutions. So the final key is to remember to use your 3r's not just one r! r = 3.

Viking Longship said...

I was going to complain bitterly about the use of a variable i, which is NOT the square root of -1, but now I see the dilema!

Regardless, for crying out loud all that work and it turns out you want a sihrt and a blooming pecnil.

Mum of All said...

FOCL again. Thank you all so much

Our Father alias Bloghog said...

never mind the Beeston Steeplechase (by the way the original steeples concerned, between which the race took place were Donerail and ..forgotten the name.. in county Cork)..
THE GREAT TRAIN RACE is ON!

It has been reported that the GWR (Great Westwing Railway - Chief Engineer BIL) is making progess with the track bed and plans are well in hand. The company has opted for the more popular narrow gauge (OO).

However, the LMR (Lower Musicroom Railway - Chief engineer OF) has planning permission for its line, and track ready to be laid, the company having settled for the old Broad guage (O) many years ago, and holding a considerable stock of locomotives and rolling stock. Any attempts to nationalise the railways by BR (Beeston Railways) will be firmly resisted.

So which will be up and running first? That is the question.

If my donors fancy searching for something more imaginative than ... erm .... a shrit .... erm and 2Bs, what about a book or something to do with Gauge O model railways?

Just a thought.

Just for the record LS solved my simultaneous equations in ten minutes, but only after TSS had submitted the correct answer.
B(LS), like L(BS) doesn't understand a word of this, but picked me up on my English. The word is SOLVABLE not SOLUBLE - just a tip of the slung of course.

London (Genius) Son said...

And I did it without seeing any of TSS's (rather complicated) answer, in the presense of several witnesses.

Pressie hint to follow.

B(l) S said...

Yesss, finally it's me with an idea
Though what you've all been on about isn't clear,
there are some implements missing
when the saucepans are hissing
but they really shouldn't be dear.

You see, I have to get the right measure
while making some of Mrs Beetons treasure
and as for mash,
I can make a right hash
and it turns out all lumpy for sure!

Mrs VL said...

http://www.strommes.no/index.php?expand=2&show=2&topmenu_2=2&PrCatNo=5004&MainPrC=5000&ProdNo=4610200

Sorry no exiting poem, but VL was suppose to put this on, but he is busy drinking beer in CM. This is a good one, but Norwegian produced. Like the size (64x32x13). Something similar, but different make is fine, but great if shelves in door as well. We have other whishes too, if this is a difficult KK present. Will leave it to VL to come up with more poems. PS! we can pay the extra if exceedes KK amount when converted to Euros.

Toco said...

I won! Can I have a prize for guessing the answer to Mr & Mrs Vl's poem/present. In all appearances I was right - note the (green) cross on the front, and I'm thinking that even my limited (ie absolutely no) Norweigan can translate medisinskap into Medicine Cupboard. Just gimme the prize!!

Where is CM, and why is VL drinking beer there? You need to put him on a tighter rein...

Toco said...

I also think the time has come for the ending of complicated equations, poems and subtle hints and tips. There are only really two weeks left for those of us who are travelling, so break out the sledgehammers...

Mum of All said...

Today, one of my antique serving spoons buckled when I tried to break into solid ice cream. So if my first request does not come to the full amount, please can I have one of those gadgets that is really strong and rolls the ice cream off the solid lump. Sorry, this isn't couched in an equation or poem, but I'm concious of the next above request not to beat about the bush.

Anon said...

Just to say, there are still persons ie, London (Genius) Son and BIL who haven't put up their requests and like TOCO one is very concious that time is flying by. So please pull the finger out. And give us hints.

TOCO said...

A quick summing up of events so far:

Mr & Mrs Vl: Medicine cabinet
TOCO: Metronome
BLS: Cooking implements (including a potato masher)
Mother: Suede mitts/gloves & ice cream scoop
Father: 2b pencils, Shirt, book on '0' guage
Mrs TOCO: Slippers, socks and a board game
LBS: Suitcase with wheels, DVD?
BIL ??????
LS ?????


LEts get on with it shall we?
Can we clear up for once and for all who is LBS and who is BLS - I'm a tad more confused than normal...

London Son said...

Remote control helicopter would be fairly savage. If you can find a Four channel for that price that would be great but three is also acceptable. I am looking for something slightly bigger than my mini ones. Around a foot in length or more. I am not too concerned about being able to take it to London as it is much better on the farm to fly. If buying in cork ask in marks models, they have some which would be big enough to fly outdoors on a calm day. If price limit is exceeded I am very prepared to cover the extra cost, up to a value of c. 120 euro,

sorry for being so vague and late, been on the road a fair bit recently, if more info is needed leave an anonymous message and I can do a little more research and be more specific. Have fun...

b(l)s, ie your elder sister! said...

If our recently ordered broadband actually comes to fruition, I would also love an itunes voucher.I will be releasing a press statement if/when we get it.
And on the subject of tardy persons, I only have one lot of ingredients in so far, if ye want to eat over xmas ye'd better start looking through your cookery books!

B(l) S said...

Press release, we have moved into the 21st century and are online!!! It is truly a miracle! This opens up endless possibilities for kris kindle ideas such as a microphone for skype, itunes vouchers etc!

BIL said...

Well Well, broadband here we go....finally have time to do quick comment!

James May's Book on Toy Stories, following BBC series on meccano, scalexctric etc ercently published. Train Stuff, I am gone Hornby, so R8243 Side mount Point motors + R044 Switches - plenty of, R618 Isolating track - plenty of, couple of R8206 Power clip/track section and any other Switch types.

Also need lots wire, 3 different colours please!
Hopefully better late than never!

London Son said...

An update...

I spotted a very suitable heli in the model shop on the Western Road, it is called the Razor CX 2.4g and although it is a fair bit over the price limit i would be very willing to pay the difference.

http://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/Products/Helicopters/Electric-/Easy-To-Fly/8689-/Razor-CX-24G-Ready-To-Fly

That's the sort of thing I'm after...

Mum of All said...

Well, congratulations. I think we now have everyones hints. Brilliant!

Now all B(l)S needs is meal requests and the ingredients, so she can do a huge Tesco delivery.

I'm just starting Christmas cards............. I think Chritmas will be a little late in the East Wing of Beeston Farm.

Oh yes. STOP PRESS

Sam and Ian had a baby girl on Wed evening by 'C section'. Sam was 36 weeks and suddenly had very high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.
Baby weighs 4lbs and will be in neo natal till into January. Sam is ok, but will have to stay put till blood pressure is back down.

Meanwhile, Edie (Guy's wife) is expecting her baby any day. Its now overdue.

Good luck to all kk participants. I do hope you have fun purchasing the various requests.

L(b)S aka Kid Sister said...

L(b)S is me the younger german variety of daughter...
So i still havent decided on what would be the ultimate dvd box set but seeing as I havent seen a TV in 4 months anything along the lines of Scrubs, Greys anatomy, One Tree Hill or if your really feeling ambitious..Saved by the Bell would be perfect.
Congratulations must go to so many people...To the Cork cousin on the birth of their baby girl and the Beeston Brigade on finally getting broadband...your internet status is not Higher then mine!!!!!! Specially since my laptop is kaput...

TOCO said...

TOCO needs:

2 kg mince
3dl Single cream
2 dl Dried bread crumbs
3/4 eggs
2 Beef stock cubes
Cream to make sauce
Potatos (for roasting)
Carrots
Broccoli
Salad stuff

1 Pack digestive biscuits
Coffee
2 dl whipping cream
Sugar
Cognac
choclate powder
400g cooking choclate
4 eggs
flour
400g butter

Mrs. TOCO:

Tortillas for heating in microwave (2 per head including children!)
Rice - lots
2 kg mince
1 tin red kidney beans
1 tube tomato puree
1 tin crushed tomatoes
Mild chili powder
Paprika (powder)
3 packs frozen stirfry veg
3 packets frozen puff pastry
1 egg

Viking Longship said...

A Feast for Eighteen (17 1/2) - Part 1.....

By VL

It was cold and dark outside, but in the kitchen the fire rose and danced in the hearth. Expectant children were under feet whilst the workers in the kitchen set to work on the 5 Large Sweedes which had been harvested from the kitchen garden. At the same time, a useful 11 year old was peeling enough spuds for everyone.

A pot of Parsley, fresh and full of flavour, sat on the windowsill. The smallest of the children were happilly crunching on some slices of carrot taken from the 1Kg bag that was in the veg rack.

A single cat got 50ml of the cream, leaving 450ml for the meal.

No one could find the nutmeg because some distracted person had put it in the fridge beside the milk and the butter.

Something strange was bubling in the pot, nobody knew what it was or where it had come from but boy did it smell good.

Some noses turned upwards as the meal was served, but not so many. Fortunately, a thoughtful partent of four had something else just in case ready for this eventuality.....

anon said...

is that a veggie dish???

TOCO said...

No - nutmeg is technically not a vegetable...

Our Father said...

Its all very well BLS gloating over her Broadband - it hasn't reached the East Wing yet - humph.

My meal is going to be a total surprise - even to me! We'll (Mum of all and OF) get our own stuff as we're on the same island as our hosts. TOCO's ingredients look mouth-wateringly promising and VL's positively Dickensian. Looking forward to feasting.

Got girders and timber to build my music room gallery today, so if suitably qualified adults want to escape the madding crowd I can provide a suitable excuse .....

Please would TOCO and Mrs TOCO let us know what cereals and other provisions they would like us to get in for their family.

TOCO said...

Branflakes, Cornflakes, and muesli - without peanuts (and no sugar, if possible), bread, cheese, cold meat. Oatmilk for no2, if you can find it. Orange juice.
Nappies: Pampers size 4 active fit (not pull ups)
We'll go shopping on the 23rd ourselves, so enough to get us started would be great, thanks.

Our Father said...

Thermal woolly socks are great, even in this temperate clime (by temperate I mean that it hardly ever stops raining, but when it does the temperature drops to two below chilblains) so just in case the csot of my shrits and pecnils fall shrot of the bedjut a nice pair of tamherl cosks wolud be woeclem!

Size 10 shoes.

B(l) S said...

Bring your hats and gloves too, its almost as cold as scandinavia here, we might even have a white christmas! I know its cold because our porch is open to the elements ready for the erection of the conservatory at 7am tomorrow! On the coldest day of the year!!! Still at least it isn't raining!!!

TOCO said...

Erm... it's -23 here...

Our Father said...

It seems Tapere Airport can keep operating at -23 degrees, but Stansted closes down at -1. Sorry Mr and MRS TOCO weren't able to get here - and had such a frustrating time travelling (or failing to) with the children. Its not easy with 3 little ones even when things run smoothly. Anyway enjoy an unexpected Christmas at home. We'll make up for lost time when we have, hopefully, all of us together next week.
Incidentally we are having our Chrissy Pressy Shopping Day tomorrow. There's nothing like keeping well ahead!