The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good morning, it is raining again here.  Feels like a good day to stay home and keep warm rather than venturing out for anything.  I think today is going to be chicken stew and trifle for pudding.  Will make the jelly layer shortly.  DD1 is going into town with her friend to look around the Christmas fair so will ask her to pick up some cream for the trifle.  
I need to finish my list from yesterday.  I need to help DD2 to finish her Christmas patchwork pillow today too.  It will involve her using the sewing machine for the first time so I will need to be watching and helping with that.
Homework and revision will be DS's tasks for today.  He has been spending far too much time on the Xbox recently.  We need to work out a good balance for him and his school work.  
Right I best get off the sofa or the jelly will not be set by the time we need it

slm6002

DD2 has just bought her washing down and both pairs of m&s school trousers have the same issue.  The waist band is coming off.  I can tell if she has unpicked the stitching or if it is a fault.  They are the right size so she isn't bursting the seams or anything like that, and not the sort of child to be in a fight and tear the seam.  They were fine as far as I could see last week, so what has happened this week to make both pairs go in the same place?  Good job we have some spares in the loft that we have inherited.  Might be a little big on her but will have to do.  I will attempt to mend broken ones before having to buy new ones.  It is just very odd

slm6002

Well that is the weekend almost over.  Today has turned out quite crafty.  DD1 made a pastry and chocolate spread Christmas tree (we ended up having this for pudding instead of the trifle).  DD2 finished off her patchwork Christmas pillow.  With help she used the sewing machine to put an edge on the patchwork section and then an envelope opening on the back.  She was so proud of herself.  It is the first time using the sewing machine and it was on the 'dead slow and stop' speed as this was safest.  It would have bored me silly going that slowly but she was happy.

I managed to do the washing but not the hoovering (It can wait).  Starting to get sorted in the kitchen too.  It has been a lovely relaxing day even though we have achieved quite a bit.  Now watching the final of I'm a celebrity, before we have showers and then bed. 

slm6002

Well it is nearly December and tomorrow I need to venture into the loft to get the advent calendars out ready to put up and fill for the children.  I've still not managed the hoovering, but will get to it at some point.  Tomorrow I have a friend coming over to talk me through her role at the club as it would appear I am taking over this role as well.  I will need to have a quick tidy up before bed ready for her.

Asda delivery came and there were several subs and a missing item.  I really do wish that they would sub like for like and quantity / weight for the same as ordered.  2 posh chicken burgers might be worth the same or slightly more than the cheaper 4 i ordered but how do I feed 4 people with half as much?  I also nipped to lidl earlier for my fizzy pop.  You are limited to the amount you can buy each day now, and as I have run my little stash down to almost nothing I will need to pop in a few more times in the next week or so.  They tend to run out over Christmas and I am not a nice person to be around without it lol.

Working on next years budget while the footie is on in the background.

slm6002

Yay payday - big one today as it has payrise for both the general increase and the performance increase.  I cant go mad as it will be a very low benefit payment next month.  Hopefully next month i might get an idea of the new amount that i will get.  I have had a guess on the budget for next month but I may be off a bit.

Have a great day everyone

slm6002

Yay it is the weekend.  We have made it.  Nowhere to go this evening, the cats are in and the doors and curtains are shut.  It is chilly again tonight but not enough to warrant heating - blankets and jumpers will do the job.

Nothing much planned for this weekend.  Just general clearing, sorting out and homework nagging.  I could do with some sunshine as we have washing that needs to be done before Monday.  We also intend to get the decorations down from the loft and put up.  We did reception at work today and it looked festive.  My room at work look very un-festive in comparison so I might take a few bits in on Monday.  We are off to a Christmas barn on Sunday with my Dad.  The younger 2 will be with XH.  I need to start wrapping things soon as well so I can get them out of my wardrobe.  Need to work out what Nana is getting as we will see her next weekend.  I ideally would like to complete all shopping this weekend so I only need to wrap things.  Oh and I need to find and write some cards.  My list is getting longer!

Today I renewed my museum membership but went for the slightly lower option as we don't need the higher one now.  That saved £29.  I also picked up some bits for Christmas to take to my sisters.  She has asked that I do crackers, Christmas pud and crisps / snacks this year.  I will need to get a few more bits but I have made a start.

Ok time to cook some dinner and then to find a cheesy Christmas film to watch

slm6002

Good evening to you all.  Been another relaxing weekend with plenty achieved.

We went to the Christmas barn today with my dad and his wife.  It was so busy and we had to queue for half an hour to just get in the shop.  Not quite what I thought but very lovely inside.  It was expensive but I did treat us to a new bauble and a reindeer sign which caught my eye.

The Christmas bits are down from the loft and so far the tree is up and has lights, tinsel and the angel on the top.  No baubles as yet but hopefully tomorrow I will get that sorted.  I am determined not to put anything in the loft that is no longer needed this year.  We have so much and every year it gets bought down and then back up.  I need more space up there and we do not need all of these baubles.

Washing is done although I had to dry it in the tumble dryer.  I hate to think how much energy we have used this week - not going to look today.

The gift list is almost complete.  Only my uncle who needs to just check something before he lets me know what he would like (said it was easy to buy).  Just need to wrap things now.  As the tree is up lots can then be placed under the tree and out of my bedroom.  Not finished the cards yet but getting there.  I am out most nights this week so I will need to make sure I do bits in the afternoon when I get home from work.

Ok time for showers (after removing the tiny spider so DD2 will have hers) and then to snuggle in bed.  Have a great week

debtfreeoneday

Good plan on sorting through stuff before it goes back up the loft. We sorted a ton of loft stuff earlier this year. How we ever gained so much stuff is beyond me!

slm6002

Thank you @debtfreeoneday, at the moment they are unsorted but still out of the loft.  The tree is up but as we have only been home one evening this week we haven't really done much else. 

Only a week left of school and work, and every afternoon I am meeting someone or have something planned, but only out twice this week.  I am already exhausted.  Last night was our works admin Christmas meal out.  It was lovely but so much of it so couldn't finish the 3 courses.  Will make up for it tonight though as we are not really sure when we will be eating dinner.  We have the children's concert tonight (same time as the footie so not sure what kind of turnout it will be) and need to collect Nana and then deliver her home after.  We need to have left by 5pm and DD1 not home from work until 4.15pm so may squeeze something in between at the same time as getting everyone dressed.  I have all the bits needed for refreshments and ticket desk in the boot of the car ready, Just need kids and instruments.

I am declaring tomorrow a PJ day.   We will still need to do plenty of bits but not leaving the house and there will be some films and sofa relaxing too.  Still only wrapped 1 gift and only because I need it for tonight so will need to get some done tomorrow.  Also need to find sort the extra decorations and get kids up to date on homework, do the washing and promised kids a roast as we've eaten really badly this week with all of the comings and goings.

Right off to iron uniforms and get the other 2 ready

slm6002

A lovely night even if very busy.  Very festive with the music and the church filled with Christmas trees.  We made £125.12 for our local foodbank (donations from the refreshments),  and a small profit on ticket sales even though it was on at the same time as the football.  All money has been bagged up and recorded ready for me to go the bank in a weeks time.  First load of washing has just finished and will be put in the dryer in a moment.  DD2 also won the players player award for this year which was a total surprise.

Really frosty outside so have put the heating on for a little while until the house warms up a little.  It is still only 14 degrees on my thermometer, but the air feels warmer already.  I do have my comfy warm clothes on too which helps.  Hopefully no one will come to the door lol.

I think once the next lot of washing is in the machine I might make a start on the wrapping up.