Countdown to 2016 - a whole extra day to wait.

[AbbyCadabby]

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[santa]

211

I was in The Range today thinking "Oh, in six months this'll be Top-To-Toe Christmas "
I kept this thought to myself though...

210

My summer Christmas declutter is continuing, another three massive bags of stuff is going to the charity shop today.
In my declutter, I found a Christmas tree sponge, the one my dd (3) has been using was ready for swapping so we have that at bath time now. Makes me smile when she uses it.

I bought some Christmas tree washing up sponges last year. I completely forgot about them and found them in the cupboard a couple of months ago. I'm definitely going to use them this year.

The Christmas Present Shopping has begun!! I always try to find something for the kids with their names on and I found some funky rulers in the pound shop. I have officially started Christmassing

I saw nets of chocolate coins in sainsbury's today. I managed to restrain myself for picking them up for stockings

DD1 has returned safely from Berlin. She wheeled her case straight through to the utility room and did two loads of her washing before dinner.

Look what she brought back for me - she knows my soft spot. It's a filigree metal wrap for a candle.

oooh that's gorgeous Woolly are you going to wrap it directly onto the candle or round a jar candle?

Very impressed at the washing too (I'd be very suspicious if either of mine did that )

I saw reduced bags of Hallowe'en sweets today, I was telling DD we are only 5 months till Hallowe'en (my 2nd favourite celebration after Christmas) and 7 months since last Hallowe'en.

I think I'm going to have to embrace my inner maths geek and measure it to work out the best size candle to wrap it round.

On the packaging it is on a wax candle but I'm sure it would work equally well round a glass jar. I shall have to go candle shopping now too no great hardship

209

Oh, Oh we are into two hundred and single figures now.

Before we know it we'll be into the hundreds.

Not wishing my days away at all, BTW but just planning

I got three £2 coins for the jar, DH handed one over,sighed and said "Well I won't see that till Christmas".
No, but you get the benefit of your share of the jar, dear DH.

208

I spent a fair portion of today (and a load of money) shopping with DD. It's her birthday next month and her list is long.

Then in 6 months, I can do it all again for her Christmas.
Luckily , DS likes money in the bank, he's easier to buy for.

I can't believe where this year is going. June this week!! Madness.
I'm still on operation declutter and decided to treat myself to new bedding yesterday, it make me think I probably need some Christmas bedding this year!!
We have dss's 18th this year 70, we have no list and as he's failed his theory test six times so far the surprise of a car from all the family is likely to be a non started. Starting to get stressed about what to get him now.

I haven't done anything Christmas in recent days - I've been all about camping. And boating. And family.

But I think I have nearly all the camping gear I need now - I am keeping a couple of items on my list to make sure I can get to 2 decent outdoors shops on holidays (both suitably accessible!). Subtle bit of deviousness!

I was looking forward to a nice weekend "down home" for our bank holiday next weekend, but the extended forecast of sunshine and broken cloud up here is not reflected down there - heavy cloud, much cooler temps and likely rain!! Ugh.....but I haven't been down home since Christmas (we were at ILs at Easter but my folks were away) so I need to go.

If any of you are at a loose end today White Christmas is on More 4 today at 11.00

4 minutes to go!!!!

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It's a grim day here - grey and windy with heavy rain forecast. DS is on half term and wants to have a sofa day. I may spend my time updating my Christmas Pinterest board.

It's horrible here too (Bucks) I've got my snowflake totes toasties and a thick cardigan on. I could put the heating on but....IT'S THE END OF MAY!! IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE COLD!!

I'm with you Woolly Christmas Pintrest afternoon it is.

It's such a horrible day here that i have a Christmas candle burning and watching Christmas with the kranks!

206!

The weather was awful yesterday, wasn't it? We went to a bbq, shivering in a soggy garden, clutching burgers for warmth.

Yesterday was beautiful here! I was up at 4am (DH work trip) and sorted the camping gear. Did a day's work (actually managed to issue a document I'd been trying to finish for about a month). Put out washing load#1, put on second. We ate dinner in the garden (DD and I) again, quiche and salad, and listened to the sounds of dinners being eaten in the gardens of the other houses on the street too - all very sociable! Then I planted out tomatoes, broad beans, broccoli (summer - AND purple sprouting for winter, hopefully including a special Christmas Dinner for ourselves!!), and sowed more peas, French beans and spinach seeds, weeded the front garden, watered everything, put out slug pellets, re-packed the shed. Hung out washing load #2. Then went and tackled the winter wonderland that was the bathroom (DD had the talc bottle out after a shower!), changed all the towels (needed to change most after DD's antics!) and put the washing machine on again, made my lunch for today, tidied up, and hit the bed at 11.30pm. I slept like a log once DH arrived in (about 11.45).

I've just realized I forgot to hang out those towels this morning. But it is a lot lot cooler today - although the clouds are breaking up a little now compared to earlier. Got to tackle a new document drafting job today - a painful one. But I have a facial at lunchtime, and I need to get a few bits in M&S as well. And a committee meeting tonight - just to add to the fun and excitement!

I might contemplate a few Christmas movies next week when DH is away again (not that I sat down to watch anything this week).

Bloody hell biddy I was knackered reading that.
I'm working from a local site today so operation declutter will continue with an extra hour at home before the dh and dd arrive back later. I may have a list of stuff completed but won't be as impressive as yours.

I feel I need a Christmas Pinterest board, I may start one later. :)

4am till 11.45pm I haven't had days like that since my DS was a newborn !

Ratbag you could give your DS the promise of a car for once he's passed his test. Otherwise you'll be spending ££ on an 18th present and probably £££ again + Insurance .
The knowledge he has a car awaiting might be the incentive?
You could get him a carkey (blank one from a MisterMinit keycutters) wrapped in a snazzy ribboned box and tell him once he passes he'll get the real thing?

I told DH (when I drove him to work-on my non work day BTW ) that in six months we'll see all the Christmas Trees in the windows.
He was as per usual

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I'm drawing up my Christmas plans today. Eeeep.

I had a committee meeting last night which went on longer than expected. But it was a nice walk home from the pub (still bright at 10.15!). Fell into bed and slept soundly until DH's alarm went off - knowing I needed a shower and to get ahead of him (also wanted a shower), I started to move - and heard a groan and an apology - he'd forgotten to reset it from 4am for yesterday to 7am for today!!

Teablanket Enjoy!!

70s Bah Humbug to your DH!

Ratbag I hope the extra hour was a productive one.

Is your DS interested in driving, or just keeping you happy? I know between having decent public transport options available and/or just inability to do it, there are people who just don't "get" driving, don't want to do it or can't do it. But, if he's interested, maybe talk more to him about the rules of the road and driving theory stuff when you are out and about being "mum's taxi" (they didn't have a theory test back in the days of the dinosaurs when I got my licence).

Woolly and Paperblank, I hope you both got your snuggly cosy days, and that the sun is shining again today.

I am being good and getting stuck into work (mostly!) today, housework tonight, and packing bags for our long weekend this weekend (heading "down home"). I may get out at lunchtime, as I need to get a few new summery tops. I've worn all I have this week with the good weather and have nothing for the weekend (laundry has been mostly towels and sheets this week).

Hello all!
Can I jump in this late in the year?!
I love love love Christmas and I'm great at buying gifts but then think 'ooh I'm so excited I'll give it to them now!' So not good at saving gifts!
Also every year I spend a fortune, my brother who is loaded 'forgets' and my mum arranges what we'll buy each other, so last year she was going to get me quilting stuff I was getting her decopage stuff so I spent £150 on her (I kept seeing gorgeous things!) and she bought me.... A spice rack
Not that I give to receive but no one appears even greatful and I'm sat there like a lemon with everyone opening my carefully thought out presents, wrapped up with the most gorgeous paper, with nothing to open! Then they say 'thanks' and that's it. I don't want them to cry with gratitude or anything but would love them to acknowledge that I've really thought about it etc
Anyway, didn't realise I needed a rant!
This year I'm strictly budgeting and hand making. Money will go on decorations and I know it's stupid but I'm going to buy myself a few things for Christmas too!

Welcome GreenYogaGirl - the more the merrier!

I think a lot of people would echo lots of your post - I've worked very hard in recent years on my expectations of others and looking after myself as well. Enjoy the handmaking and I hope the recipients enjoy the results as well!

Yay thank you

Hi all hope you don't ming another newbie jumping on the band wagon.... or should i say sleigh!
Have begun the festive prep now with lists and lists for my hampers and went through the gift wrap cupboard and giving box so i dont over buy like every year!
🎄🎄🎄 ho ho ho