Santas challenge 2017

Katiehound

RE washing machine- spoke too soon.
Small lake approaching the stored dog food! Will ask the dishwasher man his thoughts and then phone the shop. Aaargh. Brand new machine........

Katiehound

and still waiting.......
Repair man phoned me from hospital this morning! He's dislocated shoulder and they are going to plate it today- so no visit- today!!
Said he would check out washer to see if the problem is mine (pipework) or the machine itself. So.....still no dishwasher.
I seemed to be fated (not feted!)

Finally got into the shoebox stash. Only 3 large bagsful! I must have enough items for this year and next with some items.

Off to hem a duvet before possible paddle to dentist

Happy_Kitties

katiehound u are definitely not having much luck at the minute.hoping the washing machine and dishwasher are now sorted and u r not having to paddle anywhere!

Shoebox number 4 now completed. Not the strongest of boxes so really parcel taped up well with elastic bands as an extra safety measure. Really chuffed and I think DD has found me a couple more boxes, her BF mum has a stack of them so she is going to ask for a couple

Really frustrated with myself. In Tesc@ last year they had magnifying glasses down to only 30p. Picked up 1 as i thought I already had a few. Turns out not. Won't make that mistake again

Have started wrapping the 21st presents. Had the presents in (couldn't find one) but I just felt all wrapped out and it does feel worse that it is a 21st so I'm taking ur advice chanie and treating it like it is a normal birthday. So far so good and have a gift bag saved from my birthday last week that I'm going to put to good use and reuse.

With the previous 21st birthday presents I did, found one present I should have given, instead I gave another similar one. This one has a shelf life because of chocolate in it. Not sure what I will do with it.at the minute.

Have picked up some amazing bargains in the Arg@s clearance. Some bits will go to charity, some are finishing off presents for birthdays later this year and some have been popped away for presents to use next year

chanie

katie I hope you get everything sorted soon.

Happy kitties wow, you have really done well with your link boxes.

I tend not to do too much prep over the summer due to our normal routines being disrupted whilst the children aren’t at school. I did buy some bits from the pound shop for my boxes a few days ago.

As we approach the end of the school year, my thoughts have turned to gifts for the children’s teachers/tutors. I have 4people to buy for, so it’s difficult finding decent presents that won’t break the bank. I found some nice steel water bottles in a charity shop for £6 each,so I bought those.

My attention is now turning to DDs. Irthday. Her birthday is over the summer holidays and she really wants a birthday party. My preference is to have the party before the summer holidays start as I think the start of term is quite stressful after 6 weeks off. I have normally planned the children’s partys over a few months, but I have a few weeks for this one! I have a small stash of items left over from previous party’s, but not enough to be of any use. I think I’ll just need to write a really comprehensive list and buy stuff every few days.

Happy_Kitties

I think with my link boxes I have just been in the mood to them and my DM had knitted quite a few bits that were never used last year so I had a head start this year.

Teachers presents I remember them well. I miss doing things like that with DD.

I know what u mean Chanie with the summer holidays.

I used to have DN come to stay and other things got placed on the back burner.

Summer holiday parties as always hard and I definitely think u r right Chanie to have before.I remember with DD no one would have a party in the holidays as hardly any one would turn up due to being on holiday!
I remember when DD had swimming lessons and at the start of term after 6 weeks off, kids would be in tears as they were so tired after the holidays and getting back into a new routine with a new school year was challenging enough.

The school years just went too quick, can't believe DD is at uni now but I still miss it all.

Anglea

Hi everyone, I've caught up on the posts.

Katiehound, nice to see you back here, wow, you certainly were ill a lot after your travels. I have to ask what a SO is that you have been making?

My dishwasher has been out of action since the beginning of the year and I don't know whether to get it repaired ( I tried exH, he couldn't fix it and my usual tinkering around didn't work either) or just get rid of it.

Hope you get your washing machine sorted out or exchanged, that's really bad for a new one to go so drastically wrong.

Well done everyone for your ongoing progress with gifts and boxes.
I was really surprised to read about a shoe shop getting rid of boxes for health and safety reasons. You would have thought storing shoes in plastic bags more dangerous.

I went to Bristol, pirate pubs etc for Summer Solstice and tried out the new Wizard's Unite location game. I am finding it too boring so will stick to the other gps games I play. I had a lot of birthdays, Father's Day in June.

I've got two upcoming unexpected visitors (to stay) to my house later this year (seperate occasions), both male and apart from my boys I've not had any men here for years and as usual I'm stressed about my house etc

I might be starting a business with one of them, he lives near London and coincidentally we met on MSE over 8 years ago in the Income forum and used to see each other. The other is someone I knew in my late teens and now lives abroad, I haven't seen him since then so it'll be a strange reunion.

chanie

Today, the focus was on plannng for DDs party. We booked the hall, bought and wrote out invitations and raided the poundshop for supplies. We still have lots to do, but at least we have made a start.

This weekend was the children’s school fair. I put my Santa’s challenge skills to good use and ordered lots of toys to sell for the school. I enjoy looking for products and selling them for the school. I think it could be a nice little earner for someone with a bit of time on their hands.

Happy_Kitties

Ur Summer Solstice and pirate pubs sounded interesting Anglea.

I still find it fascinatinting about the pirate pubs.

Katiehound I hope everything has been fixed without actually flooding you out

Chanie school fairs love them. I've used some of the Arg@s clearance items for a charity's tombola.Hoping they raise lots of funds as they look more expensive than what I paid for them.
It will be great for the school with toys.

Working on shoebox number 5 but will have to come to a standstill now. I've had to order a few items from eBay so they will take a while to come as I can't access them nearby at all. If I can complete 6 shoeboxes will be very happy but my stocks have really been depleted now.

DD BF mum managed to get me several shoeboxes as they live in a small village where everyone knows everyone and they used to do the shoeboxes years ago, so accessing them wasnt a problem. Two are too small but they will be put to good use packaging up a couple of thingss I need to send.
I'm just happy that box number 5 is 3/4s done but like Chanie I will be coming to a standstill over the summer-more thru having surgery than anything.

Katiehound

Hello! Still battling on here!

Anglea- the SO is a monthly Standing Order to Link to Hope for their other projects- just a small one- the donation , not the projects!.

The dishwasher man was meant to come Weds afternoon. When I got back from yoga at 12.15 there was a note thro door saying he had called at 11.55! I was spitting feathers by then. he had his ansaphone on all the rest of the day. Spoke to him today 5pm- he said I had told him after 10 o'clock. No I wrote after 1.00 in my diary. I wanted to shout down the phone but said , oh dear, crossed wires. Monday from 2.10 onwards. I won't hold my breath- I just want dishwasher fixed.

The washing machine only leaks now & again! bizarre, no logic to that.

This week has been osteopath, last week dentist also 24 hour BP monitor. It was nightmare, now nurse wants me to do it again but I declined. Who wants to be 'blown up' every quarter hour during the day??? I haven't actually spoken to the nurse to hear what readings were like but the cuff kept slipping, cable catching on everything etc.

I got the bush cut down, branches to the tip and a neighbour kindly chopped the trunk and put that in his green waste bin. Lots of invasive weedy things out and bark chippings spread but still more to do. So far 11? dog food sacks of green waste

I bought a big bag of coloured pencils from a charity shop, but can I find them?? Need 2 hats, might have to knit them- I have loads of yarn. A friend said she would look in Poundland for the screwdriver tool set. Other than that I know I need toothpaste & razors.Might have enough then...

Last week friends gave me 4 x double sleeping bags to make into dog quilts. They are huge and taking up massive floor space! Another friend has said she will buy one of them when cut into 4 and hemmed. I said that I would do them asap- no rush she said. needless to say I want to clear a space.

Have just packed my £5 challenge Christmas box to deliver in 2 weeks. Contents:
Eastex tee shirt with embroidered neck, looks brand new £1.
Lifestyle cook book (was £16.99?) from Aldi 29 pence,
3/4 suduko t.roll (50p)
funny corkscrews & spoons game (Like snakes & ladders)printed onto teacloth- new 50p,
Evelyn & Crabtree set- new- £1,
tin of Lovehearts 20p?
+ small gift for husband inside too.
Amazing what you can find in charity shops & car boots!

I have also just bought the new book "Health Revolution"- and read it. Very interesting researches pulled together pointing out the importance of good food linked to good health.
Not very healthy today- went out for tea to Wyevale, and very nice it was too!

I'm giving up the pencil search, then they will probably, possibly appear

sammy_kaye18

Sorry guys,
Lurking on the post and see you all mentioning boxes - is this like operation christmas child? Can someone explain please?