The Best Is Yet To Come

Jessy103

It's never too early for a chocolate orange! It's shaped like an orange and tastes orangey, so basically one of your five a day!

slm6002

And we are done.  I finished slightly early as my emails and work were all sorted.  Decided to use half hour of time due to me to leave, before anyone else decided they needed me to just do something before the end of term!

I went food shopping on the way home and then scanned and put it away.  It isn't the final food shop before the big day but will do us a little while as well as a few treats to put aside.  I plan on doing not a lot for the remainder of the day, probably making dinner and doing a load of washing, but that is it.  Tomorrow I will be more productive and sort the wrapping, make a start at putting bits we no longer need, back in the loft ready for the big clean before my Uncle arrives on Tuesday.  We also have our carol concert tomorrow which will be a lovely evening.

DS did his first shift at the new job today.  It was just online learning but he seems happy and has only just stopped talking about it so that is a sure sight he is happy.

I am a little croaky as I have a sore throat but pretty sure it is just the result of the busy days and late nights from this week.

slm6002

Good morning, just about.  Yesterday was supposed to be productive but it was me sitting doing not a lot and I kept dozing off and then waking myself up snoring!  I obviously needed a rest after a busy few weeks.  

Today has started by waking up as DD1 went off to work (she is not liking the early starts), I have taken DS to his old job for his last shift and then popped to see my dad and drop off some things that he needs to wrap for the kids.  I sat on his sofa and could have stayed but too much to do for me to have another day doing nothing.  DD2 has carols by candlelight later on tonight which was lovely last year.

I plan on sorting the fridge next to a) see what we can make for dinner, and b) to make room for the food arriving tomorrow and c) to give it a clean as its smelling a little iffty.  

I think I need a list to cover the next few days:

* Fridge sort out
* Washing
* Kitchen tidy
* Wrap gifts that still need to be delivered and then deliver
* Wrap gifts that will be for under the tree
* Help Santa wrap stocking things
* Make sure bedding and quilt ready for uncle
* Clean living room
* Clean bathrooms
* Clean bedrooms

OK that should do it as a basic list for now.  Right I best get going on that list as Uncle arrives on Tuesday at midday.

slm6002

Well I got a little distracted but some progress made yesterday
* Fridge sort out
* Washing - several loads completed and more in the machine now
* Kitchen tidy
* Wrap gifts that still need to be delivered and then deliver
* Wrap gifts that will be for under the tree
* Help Santa wrap stocking things
* Make sure bedding and quilt ready for uncle
* Clean living room
* Clean bathrooms
* Clean bedrooms

Still lots more to do, but uncles arrival time now 6pm rather than noon tomorrow so a few more hours to get sorted, not that I want to be rushing around until the last minute but not so much pressure.  Today the food is arriving so one way or another the fridge will be sorted and cleaned.  I really need to spend an hour or so shut away to help Santa wrap today so that is done.  I need to check we have a Christmas pudding as I don't think I ordered one.  I know I had some small ones left over from last year but need to check they are still ok to eat.

DS finished his 1st job yesterday and he got a small bag of goodies that all his team had contributed towards.  He didn't say but I could see he was really touched by it and realised he had made friends with them (he doesn't see friendships like most would).  When I collected him they were all hugging him, it was lovely to see.  Onto the next chapter for him.  He has also been looking ahead to what he will do next, it's like a lightbulb has come on and he realises there are loads of options available to him.  His goals include making sure I can retire before I am supposed to, as I do so much for him and his sisters - how blooming lovely is that.

Carols by candlelight was lovely again and I am sure I sat next to and in front of the same people as last year.  Lots of singing was had by all.

tryingtodobetter

Your DS sounds lovely and I'm sure a reflection of the way that you have raised him. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

slm6002

Thank you @tryingtodobetter, DS keeps his feelings hidden and never really shows any kind of compassion so when he said it we were all a little shocked.  

So the list.....
* Fridge sort out
* Washing - several loads completed and more in the machine now
* Kitchen tidy
* Wrap gifts that still need to be delivered and then deliver
* Wrap gifts that will be for under the tree
* Help Santa wrap stocking things
* Make sure bedding and quilt ready for uncle
* Clean living room
* Clean bathrooms - just the upstairs one left to do
* Clean bedrooms

We are certainly getting there.  Last night DD1's BF bought round some presents for us and wanted us to open them which was lovely and not expected.  The only problem being is he bought DS the same thing as I have bought him.  DS is so difficult to buy for so doesn't get that much as he is a firm believer of not buying rubbish for the sake of it.  BF did amazingly at getting him something that he would like, but argh that was my idea.  Never mind now he will have 2.

Chicken defrosted for the curry tonight and ready to go in the slow cooker.  I think all other food now sorted.  Quick hoover everywhere and mop of kitchen and bathroom floors and then we are ready (I think).  Tomorrow we are off to the cinema which we did last year.  I expect we will walk to and from town for the exercise as long as its not raining, and enjoy the lights along the way.  Once home we will prep veg etc ready for Christmas day.

slm6002

And I am done.  We have also just sat down to another Christmas movie (2nd today) so it has been a relaxing day too.  Curry smelling good in the slow cooker and minimal effort required when Uncle gets here.  Christmas has started

slm6002

My Uncle left earlier this morning so it is back to normal here, just with added leftover turkey, ham and cheese lol.  We had a lovely relaxing time and ate too much, although to be fair a lot of it was vegetables. I think everyone was happy with their gifts. 

Now back to a little reality.  DS is the only 1 still in bed and he has work later this afternoon.  We will be going for a nice walk with my dad after dropping him off hopefully, and DDs would like to pay their money into their bank.  A little fresh air will do us some good.

New year focus will be hoping for a house sale and purchase.  Healthier eating but on more of a budget than we have managed lately, getting the house clean and working out how to keep it clean rather than leaving it until it is a mess again, and helping DD2 focus on her exam preparation. I would also like to increase my work hours a little but that all depends on the budget for the year and if there is any money in it for the extra hours.

Ok off to browse the internet for ideas and bargains

debtfreewannabe321

Aw slm what a lovely boy - scrap that, young man - you've raised! I love his goals for helping you out. Most teens are quite self absorbed at that age. Glad he's enjoying his job 😊 

I hope you had a good time too at Christmas in amongst the cooking and cleaning that us mums tend to get caught up in. 

Fingers crossed you get your hours you want at work in the new year and that your house sells too 🙏🏻💖.

slm6002

Yes DFW he is becoming a lovely young man.  It is like something has just clicked and he suddenly has respect for me and is grateful for everything that I have done.  He has just returned from work with a bunch of flowers for me.  They may have been reduced to 90p but he thought of me and spent some of his money on them to make me smile.

We paid the money into the bank and then spent 4 hours looking around the shops in the town about 20 min away.  I did buy a pair of jeans which I have yet to try on, as I am lacking in suitable winter clothing.

Nothing planned for tomorrow for most of us so a fairly relaxed day I hope.