Cherry takes the reins

badmemory

There is nothing like being on here for an education.  I thought bleach was supposed to get rid of mould.  That is a whole new thing now.  So got rid of all the mould from the old bathroom (yesterday), now to make sure this new one doesn't go the same way.  Container of white vinegar at the ready.

Cherryfudge

The bathroom still smells slightly vinegary! I didn't wash it off but because it was clear blue sky this morning, I left the window open all day to circulate the air.

It was really nice going out of doors; there was a bit of warmth in the sunshine and a light plane was flying over. As I watched, he (or she) looped the loop. That brought back memories: as a child I used to watch the stunt plane rehearsing over the field next door. Mum said she thought he was a former (wartime) pilot. I understood his 'day job' was performing stunts at Southport, but we didn't need to go there to watch. Looping the loop was common, along with what I knew as the 'falling leaf', but having looked it up, what I remember was more of a downward spiral.

I digress. I was late starting at cleaning the church but I put in three hours: my energy lasted neatly till I was on the way home, then I did very little for the rest of the afternoon. DH had suggested tuna pasta for tea, which he cooked, so I didn't shop. One bit of productivity was checking emails and arranging to collect a work laptop on Monday.

DH has joined a Christmas choir so he was out most of the evening. An odd thing happened as I was cleaning: I started to sneeze which went on all afternoon and by tea time if was as if I had a cold, very blocked up and still sneezing from time to time. I didn't feel unwell, and mid-evening as my energy levels rose as bit, I went to wash my hair and found the sneezing cleared up (still slightly swollen sinuses) and my energy came back. Very odd. I shaved a jumper of DH's (!) that was looking bobbly, and did some hoovering while Dh was out. I remember two or three months ago having an evening of what seemed like an allergic response to something, but I never found out what.

Cherryfudge

I forgot to add that we've agreed the family Secret Santa. There's an increase in budget this year because of inflation, but it should still be quite a saving in terms of... everything really! Money, time, effort, stress. I still want to do stockings as I always do but I'm a bit stuck as to how to do that this year. I'm still due an enhanced pay packet from the job that's about to end (enhanced by holiday pay but also, I've very recently discovered, by a hike in how we're referred to. Apparently I'm on an enhanced rate as the role has been reassessed. Nice, but it's not tempting me back). I hope that will land in the bank at the end of this month but they may pay it separately. Anyway, it would be nice if I could have that to spend, but I may have to borrow from myself and pay back once I have it. I've also broached with DH that we probably need to put all the things that would be priority debts if we didn't pay them, back with the account where his pay goes. He's the only real earner at the moment though I have cash in the bank.

DD and I have our annual pre-Christmas shopping day arranged for early December. We love doing this but I need to give careful though to what I want before we go. We'll have a meal out and if I'm organised I might do some baking or a cold picnic for our other meal and we'll go for coffee rather than eat out twice. Serious business, this shopping!

I've already sorted out quite a bit of DH's gifts from me: clothes and books, and there will be some edibles too. The books were MS at a fiver each from a lovely selection at a charity shop (I should probably go back as they said they had more to put out and I could save on his next year's birthday gift!)

A few people won't be in Secret Santa: DH's Auntie has finished her Christmas shopping and will have got us something each. She will be with us for Christmas so she'll have a stocking and DH will sort her main present. DS2 and his girlfriend will probably have individual presents though if their house purchase goes through, it may be a joint gift to help them settle in. The granddaughters get individual gifts. My sister and her family will too, but I don't need to think that through yet as we won't see them till next summer! There are three family birthdays between now and Christmas but two are my sister and her husband so those will be given next year.  DH will sort out the relatives on his side of the family, I've bought a small gift for L's and H's parents, and at the moment I can't think if there's anyone I've missed.

Yes I can. DD's dog gets a stocking too! Nothing expensive, but I think she knows and can smell Bonios across the room!

I suppose what this comes down to is a complicated and expensive time of year! The Secret Santa really will simplify things.

Floss

We're doing family Secret Santa this year for the adults. It's certainly made a positive difference to my expenditure while I've been off sick as usually I would have been buying bits for everyone for a couple of months by now.

Cherryfudge

Floss said:

We're doing family Secret Santa this year for the adults. It's certainly made a positive difference to my expenditure while I've been off sick as usually I would have been buying bits for everyone for a couple of months by now.

And of course half the fun of a Secret Santa is trying to work out who sent what!

I think I saw elsewhere that you are back to work, am I right? How's it going?

The whole gift-giving thing is sooo expensive and I don't help if I insist on doing stockings and not leaving anyone out, but every year I try to limit what goes in them and I've gradually cut it down a bit. I'd rather fewer presents that aren't junk, and the generations I buy for largely don't use paper diaries or scented bar soaps!  

Cherryfudge

Thinking aloud so you can ignore or comment.

Ideas of not-too-expensive stocking fillers for grown ups:

'Nice' hand gel or hand cream.
Chocolate or sweets.
Favourite biscuits (DS2 always gets a tin of shortbread)
Notebook and pen - this can be a 'good' or silly pen, rather than from a multi-pack.
DD is getting a piece of china from a charity shop that goes with a décor theme she has in her display case.
Book - usually from a discount shop. This can still be expensive!
Packet of seeds for the gardeners.
Shower gel/liquid soap - but I've done these a few years running.
Small scented candle
Socks or gloves

Sun_Addict

What about a can of something nice whether alcoholic or otherwise. The small slim cans always look a bit special. A can of craft beer for the men maybe? Socks? Gloves? Posh crisps/peanuts? 

Sun_Addict

Mini bottle of wine? Face mask sachet for females? 

I’m throwing out ideas of bits I used to put in stockings for my DS and DD. 

Cherryfudge

Great ideas thank @Sun_Addict! I'd forgotten I used to put a J20 in... maybe a nice beer this year as I think everyone likes it and I don't really know their taste in wines. Face masks are nice too, or other skin care products. Some of them have sensitive skin so appropriate brands in travel sizes (as they all travel)...

Posh crisps is a god space filler!  

Floss

Cherryfudge said:

And of course half the fun of a Secret Santa is trying to work out who sent what!

I think I saw elsewhere that you are back to work, am I right? How's it going?
  

Yes, I started back on Thursday on 4-hour days next week & gradually increasing. It went OK, everyone was very pleased to see me back but I was knackered by 7.30pm!