Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

Happy_Kitties

Chanie its a pain about having to pay out for a new laptop and waiting for the first paypacket from a new job always seems to take forever
I was having to do a few jobs yesterday and took a friend with me as physically i couldnt manage it all. They asked if we could call into B&M on the way home. I  really enjoyed having a look round.They had some lovely Christmas things, picked up a few bits. It was a good opportunity to have a nosy around (also did The R@nge) esp as the town is going into a local lockdown.
Went to bed early as i felt really tired. Think i was overtired so out of the blue got back up, pulled bits out from everywhere for my last shoebox and started to pack it. I really want the last 3 delivered next weekend if i can. Hoping to seal  this one up that i started last night, tonight.
Also want to get a present wrapped, and a few labelled up. The sticky labels i have on them have slowly been coming off.
Ive had so many landmark birthdays this year with another coming up. Ive had the presents for this birthday in for awhile but felt they were missing something personal for a landmark so ordered an item from Etsy from to finish off.
I only need bits and pieces with presents now, alot have been wrapped. Things im missing or suddenly pop up that ive forgotten, im trying to buy from smaller businesses or charity. Do not think i need anything else now.....i hope not...except one of the gin snowglobes for DD if i can get my hands on one

chanie

happy kitties it’s a great idea to buy gifts from smaller businesses.  I have been trying to spread my money more widely and buy from as many different companies as I can.

I have 3 weeks until payday and I have been keeping a list of things I need to buy and that list is getting longer!!

I spoke to OH and we agreed to just get smaller presents for each other for Christmas.  We are generous with each other for birthdays, so this has taken the pressure off for Xmas.  I have already bought OH a few presents, so he’s pretty much sorted.

Katiehound

Sorry this is the Grinch here!! I am not sending out presents (nor do I expect any!) I exchanged gifts with a friend - the £5 challenge but that will be pretty much IT. - maybe a couple of local ones . One is going to be crochet hat with (hopefully) a matching 'Miss Marple cravat'  I don't know what I will get my dog runner- something doggy themed, or she might also like a hat.

I managed 5 days away in the next county. Was kinda worried as I drove thro' the town where I had the 'RAC Experience' last year! fortunately we did not have to spend 13 hours in someone's garden! It was great to have a change of scene but the weather was not kind. It was lovely to meet my bestie, I last saw her leaving the ship in Limassol.

Just one carrier bag left from all the 5/6 bin bags. We pulled down the jumpers and some are being made into a cot blanket & matinee coat- very pretty.
The shopping trolley full of stuff ... went.
The last 3 shoeboxes and 2 large carrriers of knee blankets...... went.
I totted up that I had made 36 shopping bags since lockdown! ( 21 in shoeboxes)
The 'utility mark' handkerchiefs went to the local museum.
 Today I delivered 4x L doggy duvets & 4 x S are leaving tomorrow, however more duvets and covers are promised (threatened??) to come my way before the end of the week!!!

One day I will start on the house! I am actually doing a little bit, but it is a drop in the ocean.

In the meantime keep safe, stay positive and hopefully , happy

Happy_Kitties

Katiehound i have to ask.....are u now seeing space as u have seemed to have cleared alot?  I cannot believe u made 21 shopping bags for the shoeboxes, that is amazing . Still need to finish off the remaining 2 boxes-nearly there,  but if Wales goes into a lockdown, i can't get them to the collector.
Had to go into the next town (which is in a local lockdown) yesterday for tyres to be sorted. Did some food shopping after including getting DDs elusive gin. Its scary how quiet the town is, its the main shopping place for Christmas besides a couple of other areas that people travel to. Managed to get the car and shopping done quickly bec it was so quiet. I'm so pleased that i started my Christmas shopping early and have just about finished. Presents will be sent early as we have a limited postal service aswell.
Chanie i dont like the sound of ur increasing list, but its good u are making a list now of everything u need.....even if it is increasing!
Still need to do the last bits of wrapping and trying to get some presents bagged up and ready to give now as one part of the family are not in a great covid tier in England. If i do manage to see before Christmas, presents will be ready to hand over at any point as currently i can't see me spending Christmas day with them.
Very strange times!

Happy_Kitties

My present from Etsy for the landmark birthday arrived today. It wasnt too expensive but is really lovely and will finish off the present nicely.
I also ordered some halloween shapes to go on a small light up twig tree and have done a small display with my glittery pumpkin.
Im not into all the commercialism of Halloween but love the history of the day (i think Anglea would thoroughly approve) and love the quirky songs.
Presents also arrived today to do on behalf of my mum so at some point wrapping is def on the cards and getting presents into bags. 

chanie

happy kitties we love Halloween and have lots of decorations.  As it’s on a Saturday, I might do a little party, for the children - although we may be in lockdown by then.

My problem at the moment is temporary cash flow problem.  Having been unemployed for the first time ever, my unemployment benefits stopped when I started working,  but I don’t get paid until the end of the month.  So that means I can’t get the stuff I need until pay day, so the list is piling up.  Luckily, I won’t starve,  but it is frustrating not being able to progress anything.

Anglea

Hi I've only just managed to get back into MSE after weeks and it's nearly 1 am and I have to get up early so will have to catch up another time, been thinking how you all have been getting on

chanie

Angela pleased to see you back.

katie forgot to say in my post that I remember your breakdown ordeal last year.  I can’t believe it was a year ago!!

Katiehound

The breakdown was over a year ago- July last year! where has the time gone???.. oh ..locked down!

Lots of things have gone out BUT today I collected several bin bags of duvets & covers. Some are not suitable at all- grrrrr- so that's one bin bag for rags- next Tuesday at the earliest.I may well store that bag in the car!

Today I bought a seasonal KS duvet cover - brand new from a charity shop- it only has one pillow case so that's why it was only £2.50. I will find another pillow case  and that will be perfect for my dog runner. One side has snowflakes on red and the other had cute dogs wearing hats!
 I also bought a used KS cover on the £1 reduced rail-  that's 4 good covers which need minimal sewing.

Last night a friend delivered some money from dog training- 8 duvets sold- £28 for Dogs for Good  .I've also sold 3 bags- another £6.... am creeping closer to my £2k target

Off to hang out washing whilst there is still some blue in the sky

Keep safe out there

Happy_Kitties

Anglea-great to see u back
Katiehound- I can't believe it was a year ago since the breakdown nightmare.
By the sounds of it any space created has filled up again but its fantastic that u are getting closer to ur 2K target.
Brilliant bargain for ur dog runner, i think it is a lovely present.
My little stick light up tree has the halloween bits i ordered now on it. Makes me smile everytime i see it. Finishes off my little display lovely. 
Have a couple of bits to put in DDs window that people will see coming into the street. They were decs DD brought back from uni-a spiders web and pumpkin so want to get them up but tempted to keep them for the kitchen windows for halloween night.
Link to hope boxes are sealed but not wrapped.
I read about the Costa menu and the tasting choc card present they are going to be doing for £5. Doesnt come out until beginning of Nov but want to get one for DD then im done.
Just working on DM presents for people, doing well with those. I want to be finished beginning of November with those  if i can-thats the plan anyway!