Countdown to 2016 - a whole extra day to wait.

[AbbyCadabby]

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[santa]

I love super drug more!!!

Just crossed off the 'something to wear' items for both DC, beyond delighted with my new purchases from Mothercare - new Jools Little Bird range is just out, and I LOVE that retro unisex rainbow thing she has going on. Ordered online so haven't actually got it yet, but feels good to have that sorted.
I've got a handful of stocking fillers for them too, and stocking fillers from Superdrug in their make up sale for myself. Getting there!

I took my lovely 14yo DD Up Larndan today on a shopping spree (that girl can Shop For Britain)

She wouldn't let me look in the Christmas Dept in Selfridges . I have FAILED.
Failed I tell you, as a Mother.
What kind of person favours denim skirts over The Christmas Shop Yes it's August, I get that

When we go to London on Christmas Eve Eve, she will not hold me back.

70

If she was a man I would have said LTB. But on the flip side her Christmas presents are sorted....a lump of coal for being naughty!

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Oof, 70, I thought she was with you on the Christmas things, has she moved into the boys camp in your house?!

RedLarva, that sounds like a lovely outfit for DCs. I remember the days of being able to dress DD as I liked so fondly (looks askance at the pile of boys sports shorts and tshirts, and wetsuits over rash vests and boys swimming trunks that are her summer wardrobe).

Hungry thanks for the online delivery idea last week - I've investigated and, while online delivery ain't possible, I can do "click and collect" on Christmas Eve - and DD will want to go to the farmer's market next to the supermarket anyway. So setting up a cart that I just run in and grab could work very well.

This week is busy enough at work and home - but I have started my Organized Christmas plan (I am trying the House and Holidays Plan this year to see if it works slightly better than the Holiday Grand Plan - we'll see). And to be honest, any plan is going to put me in a better place than last year....

Blazing sun outside, but much shorter evenings and a distinct drop in temperatures! Winter is on its way

LOL, 70 - let's just hope this is her only teenage rebellion.

Biddy, I think we are close to DS not letting mama choose for much longer. Luckily DD is a baby so I have a few years yet for her at least!

Was a glorious sunny day today, lovely. I hope it snows in winter though.

That's good to know, Biddy. Takes a bit of the stress away, doesn't it?

I'm getting as organised as possible now as it's likely I'm being shipped off to Glasgow for work in the next few weeks (3 nights / 4 days a week) so I want to be nigh on sorted present-wise before our life gets that bit more hectic!

That does sound hectic. Will you be far from home? In my single days I'd have quite liked being shipped off to a new city for a few days and nights, but not now.

Not that close. I'm on the NW coast. It's about 3 hours' travel. It'll be for about 11 months and will significantly boost my career. Short term pain for long term gain!

DH and the kids will come to me during school holidays. I think it'll work, but I'm glad it's only short term.

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Oh gosh, 11 months! When you said it I read only FOR a few weeks! What is it you do, or will that be too outing?

I'm a lawyer. I'm not overly worried about an outing!

I'm more concerned about finding the right kind of housing than actually being away! I've no doubt the kids will cope fine with the 'new normal' as it'll become!

OOh Hungry, that will definitely take some organizing. At least, whatever you don't get sorted before you go, you will have quieter evenings after work a few days a week to do internet browsing and shopping, and a different address for things to be delivered to, while you are away. I hope it all goes well!

RedLarva, I am hoping for snow too this winter (I may, just possibly, have bought 2 extra sets of thermals in nice bright colours in summer sales! In my defence, my existing ones are not great for sports and we are hoping to ski again in spring - but I could have got away with what I already had....)

In other news, DH has become an uncle again this morning. (Apparently, as I am only married in, I am not an aunt - his family are weird as both sides of my family consider that both blood and married-in's are the aunts and uncles). Anyway, that means I now know I have a baby girl to add to the list.

I start my Masters next month, so that's my grand plan for the 3 nights a week I'm up there! I don't think things by halves. 😂

I'm as weird as your in-laws, Biddy, as I don't feel like an aunt to DH's brother's children. They're in NZ though, so that doesn't help (plus I can't stand my SiL, which is most likely the main reason!).

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well
Sorry I've been missing the past couple of weeks - we went away.
Congratulations to you and your DH Biddy - I'd definitely consider you an Aunt, though...

115

Oooh, the Christmas section of the John Lewis site has gone live!

www.johnlewis.com/christmas/c5000025?rdr=1

Whoops, might actually just be last years stock. Don't mind me, I think I need a stronger coffee.

Placemarking!.

First Christmas with a baby.....more organising to be done.

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Happy first day of autumn!!!

I walked into the Pinch/Punch First day of the month trap this morning.... mind you I am still winning overall 7:2 this year.

Happy Autumn!

I can't believe we are almost in single figures!!!

Hairspray please think about our poor hearts before posting words like that!! Maybe single figures of the last 100 - but JEEZ if there were only 10 or so days left I would be in a mad panic at all I have left to do!!

Last night was all back to school stuff, this morning was committee stuff, night before was scouts and rowing stuff.

Although, as part of DD being so wiped out after sailing yesterday and needing some quiet time, I set her up with the website of the baker I found for a potential GF cake for her birthday, and then on to Amazon to look at paper party plates etc to see what we should get for that. So at least I now know NOT to get the rainbow coloured "happy birthday" option, nor a Christmas themed set, she may accept plain colours but is mostly looking at either Harry Potter or a Hawaiian surfing style set. So some progress....

Biddy, have you looked at Party Pieces (I think!)? It's the Middletons' company. They do a massive range of plates etc. We've had lovely / reasonably-priced stuff from there.