So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Morning all (just),

Thanks all! Tbh EH, the delays really didn't affect us that much - we were expecting the first one and there was nothing we could do about the second (and we were only half an hour late back to St P, which is pretty good going for an international journey). Not sure if you watch much on YouTube, but we spotted our two Hidden London tour guides in a train-y video by Mr Marshall the other day! Glad your garden was OK!

I am getting there slowly with the Christmas shopping. I have come up with a cunning plan for next Christmas for Mr MV's nephew and nieces... it involves clubbing together with BIL and SIL and getting a family pass for somewhere near them - so much less hassle (and better for the planet) than trying to buy presents for children you don't really know. It doesn't solve the issues in the meantime, but I'm going to pop out again shortly. Next year I will also start in November. I don't like to think about Christmas before Mr MV's birthday at the end of November - I feel it's not necessary; but I then am piling stress on for the beginning of December. And it would be helpful to be a bit more planned about what to buy at Christmas markets for future trips (which I very much intend there will be - and by train too). I still need to look out my jams/hm booze and see what can be given as gifts.

Cambridge work is the priority this week - and fortunately I have time to get it done. Although I've just remembered I've got a small piece of work to do for UK client too.
My coat is currently in the WM rewaterproofing as cat had decided to vomit all over it. Not what I need to be dealing with at the moment, especially as I only have one warm coat! Will stick it on the line (slow spin only says the waterproofing stuff!) and then on the heated airer overnight... hopefully it'll be dry by tomorrow?

MS things:
* S&S vouchers exchanged towards my Dad's present
* A charity shop bargain as part of Niece's present
* Aiming to get presents for the aforementioned nieces and nephew sorted by tomorrow so that they can go up with MIL and FIL at the weekend.
* Continuing no presents for BILs and SILs - less hassle, less booze
* Plan is coming together for Christmas Day food, but I need to add things to the order
* Big batch Dishoom dal made last night - four portions frozen

Gratitudes:
* Evening class went OK last night - I was really not in the mood and didn't feel great, but did manage to keep up
* Productive meeting with Cambridge boss this morning; meeting with boss/friend is cancelled as she's recovering from some serious work-related jetlag!
* Fingers crossed, I don't seem to be getting whatever Mr MV has. It has been suggested it might be tonsilitis, which could explain it as I don't have my tonsils (aware that I could still be ill, but it definitely wouldn't be as severe).

Have a good day all!

EssexHebridean

Ooh yes I am familiar with Geoff Marshall's stuff - how lovely to spot HL guides there too! We've encountered the same people on tours a number of times now - there's a lovely chap called Tommy who is excellent and we've done about three of his tours now I think, there is also a very flamboyantly camp young chap who's name I can't recall off the top of my head - he's brilliant and at this time of year can usually be found wearing as much Museum christmas garb as he can festoon himself with! 

themadvix

Morning all,

Eesa, EH? He was our guide! Very good too.

The last few days have seen me manically touring charity shops for Christmas presents (for the environmental benefits of not buying new, rather than the money-saving) for Mr MV's niece and nephew, my cousin's children and, incidentally, my Niece too (as in, as she had a list, I would have bought from it, had I not seen perfect items in excellent condition in the CSs). Some absolute bargains to be had at this time of year - perfect, brand new or in excellent condition. It's a triple win - money saving, environmentally preferable and giving to charity. With the added benefit for Mr MV's nephew, who is 3, so has no issues with secondhand stuff, that he'll get his Christmas presents topped up with a bit of cash in his account too. Am pleased to say that most of the shopping is now done - I need to discuss homemade stuff with Sis for aunt, uncles, but I've still yet to assess what's in the cupboard in terms of homemade jam and booze, so hopefully we can sort from there (and maybe Sis will do some baking).

Mr MV and I did the Christmas supermarket order last night - we and BIL and SIL are cooking on Christmas Day this year at the in-laws house (as Mr MV and I will visit my Aunt's in the evening and BIL and SIL have a tiny, tiny kitchen). Everything ordered, jobs divvied up (well, in part). And I made and cooked the Christmas puds too (in the IP - it's wonderful for doing these, even if, because I have the smallest version, I have to make two half litre puds instead of one big one).

Today I'm off out with ex-Brownies friends for our Christmas catch-up - a visit to an NT place to see the house decorated for Christmas and lunch, a catch up and probably some games in the cafe. Mr MV still very much under the weather, which is not boding well for the skiing lessons we have booked for Sunday. Really hope he's feeling much better by then.

MS things:
* YG survey
* Clicks and HW
* Presents coming in on budget (thanks in part to CS finds)
* Using my NT membership today

Gratitudes:
* Good feedback from some people about Cambridge work
* Very much enjoyed the Vault City Rhubarb and Custard sour I bought in Sains the other day
* Lovely staff in charity shops

Have a good day all!

EssexHebridean

Sending “get better before Sunday” vibes Mr MV’s way - rotten timing to be poorly just before Christmas when there is lots to do, as well! 

Yes - that name does ring a bell although I have a sneaking feeling that there is only one guide who meets the description anyway, so it was almost certainly the same person! He did our Shepherd’s Bush tour, and also an earlier one we had done too, and is just so enthusiastic it’s entirely infectious! In fairness they are all excellent - they are clearly good at really ensuring they know their stuff and the newer guides always have a more experienced one with them, plus the hidden London management team have someone with guides doing their first day of tours as well, which is a good idea as it means if they get stage fright and dry there is an additional person to step in and support. 

I always do a charity shop visit ahead of Christmas for books for my Mum - that’s a long standing tradition now and works well as we routinely swap books between us anyway, always second hand! 

rtandon27

Oooo - lovely update Vix! - organized and MSE, I'm very impressed!

I've yet to do the food shop, R'ford box already ordered, but the other bits are mostly completed - just need to order something for mom & sis & bff across the pond

themadvix

Thanks for the get-well-soon vibes EH!

RT, I definitely don't feel organised! 😂 There's still some big gaps in the presents list (like Mum and Sis, although Mum has asked for Mr MV to adapt something for her and I have an idea for Sis - but I still need to get Mum something), but I'm slowly beginning to feel that I'll get there. I'm going to Cambridge on Tuesday for work Christmas lunch, so can potentially get a few bits then if necessary.

Had a lovely day out today - toured the house with decorations, joined in with some carol singing in the chapel with some volunteers, walked around the light show they have (while it was turned off), met a friendly cat in the walled garden, enjoyed a Christmas pudding scone and had a lovely chat and catch up. As we were leaving the lights were beginning to come on for the evening Christmas light display, so we got a taste of that for free - tickets are £25 for adults! 😬

In MSE news, friend paid the expenses I'm owed (she's the treasurer for our Trefoil group), so will take a photo of the cheque and get that paid in asap. In less MSE news, there was a receipt missing, so I may have to pay for the salmon I ate at our Christmas meal myself - no big deal. But as I stepped in a sous chef, I will probably get my lunch cost refunded (which will in reality go towards our next meal in February).

As Mr MV isn't feeling great, I think we're going to skip the pub this evening. I could go with BIL and SIL, but I don't think I can be bothered really - I've had a whole day of socialising as it is. So that's a small MSE win.

Apart from the skiing, which was saved and has been paid for, we have no plans for the weekend, bar I start a cat sitting job on Sunday. So a quiet weekend - I'll probably make some more present bags tomorrow (I bought some 'Snowman' fat quarters in the sale last year - obviously I've left it until now to make them 🙄)

Have a good evening all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Skiing lesson at the weekend was interesting - Mr MV is very keen to go again, and while I made progress, I'm somewhat struggling to see that I'd ever be good enough to actually do it properly. I think we'll go again, perhaps for a couple of private lessons (we had a 3hr group lesson, but as there were 10 of us in the lesson and we did things one at a time, there was a lot of wasted time - a private lesson for the two of us may well be more effective and better vfm), although I'm concerned that I'll then forget what I've learnt if we don't actually put it to use. I don't think a skiing holiday is on the cards in 2025, but who knows. To be discussed/investigated further...

I didn't go to Cambridge yesterday as Monday evening I came down with a sore throat and by yesterday morning my glands were up as well. I definitely wasn't right, but I seem to be back to normal today (almost). Annoying, but I'd rather it came and went as quickly as it did. I wasn't the only one to miss the lunch, and my evening class get together has been rescheduled for next year (although I need to let them know that I won't be there on the first lesson, so I hope it's not then!). Anyway, not going to Cambridge saved me the railfare and drinks costs, so that was something!

Am currently cat sitting and today was the first day I've had to take my bike to visit. They are 5km away, so car is definitely quicker, but I did really enjoy using the newly installed cycle paths to get there (the town we live in has an excellent cycle network, but this bit had previously been missing). Very windy though! Popped to Sains afterwards as we needed a few bits for our friends' visit on Saturday.

Still need a couple of bits for Mum, but have sorted MIL, Sis and Step-mum now. The to-do list is slowly going down! The present bags have stalled as my sewing machine bulb died and took the fuse with it. Bulb is on order (hoping it might arrive today) and Mr MV should have a fuse, so I'll be able to finish off soon hopefully. All the presents we had have been wrapped though and are looking pretty under the tree (only slightly concerned that we'll discover cat sick on one on Christmas morning 😬)

This morning I've got a work meeting shortly and am cracking on for something for my UK client - it's nice to do something different to all the work for main client recently. I also have some reports to work on over Christmas for Cambridge - no pressure to work over the holidays there though - some people there finished earlier this week and won't be back in until the 6th!

MS things:
* YLive transport study survey no. 2 done
* Cat sitting
* Managed to get two loads of washing nearly dry on the line on Monday
* Saving by not going to Cambridge (doesn't really feel like a win!)

Gratitudes:
* Made progress with the skiing
* Blue sky here now (where was it when I was cycling?!)
* The lurgy seems to have been fleeting

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Just popping on to wish everyone a
🎄🎄Very Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄
I hope you all have a fun, restful and joyful time (in varying quantities).

Inspired by bluegreen, I’m taking a bit of a break from my phone over Christmas, but I will be back in January, with plans!

Jessy103

Merry Christmas, vix. Hope you have a lovely day and a nice break x 🎄

Cheery_Daff

Hope you're seeing this in the new year and have had a lovely restful break! 😊