Coffee and chocolate

miggy

Cheerful chappy, Wordsworth:

"Oh misery! Oh misery!
"O woe is me! oh misery!"

I wonder if you were in the same A level group as me? I remember illustrating the scene where he rows across the lake and the mountains seem to get bigger the further he travels. I wasn't meant to be illustrating it, this being A level, and neither was there a lurking dragon in the original poem, but it served its purpose because I remembered why the mountains got bigger - though I can't now think what the poem was.

In fairness to WW, the misery wasn't consistent.

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear

The beauty of the morning: silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky,
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

(*Miggy goes off to see if she can switch off the American spellchecker which isn't happy with half the spellings on here*).

miggy

Decided to do some Christmas shopping this afternoon.

Hold me accountable!

miggy

I have made inroads into Christmas! Kind of getting in the mood for it, now I have my pretty lights up in the kitchen window and was practicing my carols while DH helped DS1 with interview skills. What a mixture.

So... my adventures today... by the time I organised myself there was realistically only one train I could get and who should tap me on the shoulder at the station but DD?! She also turned out to have posh sandwiches from her work which she shared with me (I had had bread and butter because I was in a hurry!) I also had a bottle of water so I got through without needing to buy snacks. MS

DD was meeting friends so I did my shopping on my own but felt we were skirting each other in Primark! It turned out she went in later than I did and I nobly resisted all the cute cheapy slippers (even though I need some) because I'd dropped a hint to her that I'd like some for Christmas.

Now before I list all my magnificent bargains I had better confess Primark is a weak spot and I came out with more for me than for other people. They have some really pretty scarves and it's only just occurred to me that I could have got one for my sister as she lives abroad and it would have been easy to post. Never mind. I did get myself a gorgeous summer skirt in the sale, down to £5 and looking as if it cost a lot more than that, plus jeggings, scarves and a snood. the good news is that it came in at under £30 even with three gifts included. The bad news is that's £30 less in the kitty and no more space in my wardrobe.

Other shopping - I won't go into all the details, especially as I seem to have them all on Freeby's pennies thread, but I got a few stocking fillers, a couple of bigger presents and my sister's birthday present, Advent Calendars (forgot earlier!) and for mum, a mini tree (£1!) and some Christmas decorations.

I didn't make it into Poundland or TK Maxx and I couldn't have carried much more home even if I'd had time, so I'm wondering if I can fit another trip in? And talking of trips, this time of year is giving me flashbacks to visiting Mum in hospital last year - I find myself mentally at random points on those solitary journeys again. These things will happen I guess.

On a more cheerful note - tomorrow I get out wrapping paper (bought in sales last year) and start on some of this lot - at least that way if people find their gifts, they can't see what they are!

miggy

I am getting behind on my own thread because I'm reading other people's.

This is a work weekend so I shall be brief. Went to the retail park yesterday and fitted in TK Maxx but actually didn't buy anything there. I got a few other presents elsewhere though and found the 'right' set of ramekins (I have gone seriously domestic, I wonder what can be done for it?) which I have told DH are a stocking filler for me. Also got myself a nice spotty mug to match my favourite spotty mug that keeps migrating to DD's room. Didn't mention this to DH and am wondering if he will notice.

We were doing really well for food money until yesterday but have now used most of the week's allowance though there are a few pounds left to put in the emergency jar.

DS1 and his g/f did a Christmas meal for their friends at hers last night and are donating the remainder of the desserts for our big family meal this evening - nom, nom, nom - banoffee pie and sticky toffee pudding!

Must see what wrapping paper we've got, buy more if necessary and start wrapping...

miggy

So sleepy... worked last night and got woken by the phone this morning after two and a half hours, grrr. What's more, there are some admin things to do for Mum which I've been putting them off and that's stopped me getting back to sleep so I had better push myself to make a start.

I had a small surge of anxiety yesterday which made me realise how far I've come recently as I don't know how long it's been since that happened. It;s clear that there are still things that will trigger it though, and the best things I can do to prevent it getting to me is take the reins into my hands (which I think I can do if I take it calmly) and deal with the jobs one at a time. If I pretend it's just one item, I can split them up and divide their power.

I'll be back to report and be accountable.

miggy

I'm on a roll.

Put a load in the washing machine - nearly out of laundry liquid so will add shops onto my To Do list.

Did a phone order for Mum (have to find the cheque book now, haha).

Rang to make a cervical screening appt (letter came through this morning and if I leave it I might forget).

Texted my manager and got my Appraisal date. (I now have to work on not dreading this - I've nothing to worry about... or I shouldn't have!)

As I am on my rest day and was asleep till lunch time I'm still in my dressing gown which is nice and warm so the next frog to eat is showering and getting dressed.

miggy

I'm now showered and dressed and have emailed a company about a product Mum wants to send some people for Christmas.

Yay me!

Now for a nice cup of coffee...

miggy

Two cheques written for Mum, a phone call with her cleaner AND I've sorted out a couple of mystery magazine subscriptions that had been puzzling me (she set them up ages ago by DD, hence no paper trail - and goodness knows when the DD goes out because I haven't noticed it!)
Also - drunk coffee.

miggy

Shopping done, another load in washing machine, Mum's cheques posted and...

...AND I've registered myself for work's cashback site. A new venture. Does anyone use one of these? It looks a bit complicated - about loading vouchers and stuff. Must have a proper look later but in the meantime it's free and it might save money but doesn't put me under any obligations.

Oh this spell checker is annoying! I don't know how I switched it on so I can't switch it off - unless it's a new feature introduced by MSE?

miggy

After yesterday's achievements I want to make today count for something too - better had before I disappear under the tide of paperwork.

Yesterday I also sewed a name label in for Mum - so that's a dress to go to her (and add to her inventory) and I will try to remember to take home another item that needs shortening... or maybe not... it can wait and she's not fussed about it. I have more important things to do.

Haven't even written my Christmas letter yet! I reckon I can get that started later, then review it maybe on Thursday as I'm working on Wednesday.. still be in time for Christmas... oh 'eck, just realised that won't work.

DS2 was up late last night drafting a letter to find himself a Saturday job. He says all the jobs go to girls. I remember how hard it was for the older two to get their first work.

Meanwhile DS1, who works locally, has an interview today for another job, effectively a secondment. He has been practising for the interview as that's his weak point. He knows the job well and is very well qualified for it, and he thinks they want him, so it's a great one to go for especially as his current job is definitely under threat.

Timetable for the rest of this week (provisional):

Tues - see Mum, take her the magazines/dress, have piano lesson. DD off to visit b/f's grandparents.

Weds - work including appraisal for which I've yet to prepare. Trying hard to think how I can possibly develop my job when I work the shifts I do! Have found two minor jobs I could offer to take on and a way to do it that wouldn't faze my opposite number who hates some of the jobs I like doing. Put in Tesco order. Pack stuff to be stored at Mum's old house. DD university open day.

Thurs - Drs appt., maybe train to Mum's old house?

Friday - maybe stay over at Mum's and sort some stuff?

Got to dash. Laters.