It's almost Christmas in July time - Christmas Countdown 2018 part 4

[BiddyPop]

I believe it's day 190

HOW did we get past the 200 mark so fast? And only 12 Days until Christmas in July starts, for anyone who celebrates that.

No chance to still do fee earning, sadly. I don't think it would be interesting enough to keep me motivated! I like negotiating with defendants. Stats and management meetings don't do much for me really!

I'm not too concerned about PI as I do EL/PL which hasn't been demonised by the government. Yet! I have plans for a few years' time which require keeping doing what I'm doing really too. And I can't have Friday off as a team leader either, which really puts me off!

Our kids need stable, early-ish bedtimes too. It's not worth the grief trying to keep them up. They're horrors for days after a late night!

Not being able to do a 4 day week would put me right off! I can't see me giving up my day off even when DS starts school. It depends what you want to do in the future, as well, I suppose.

I've been out watering my veggie patch and my courgettes are like triffids! And I did not know they got spikes! I love being able to take DS out into the garden and pick something to nibble on, though. He got a bit over eager and picked a lot of the strawberries before they ripened, so I'm not expecting too many of those, but there will be a glut of summer raspberries. DMIL has already got her eye on them for jam making. Might take her some of the Alpine strawberries as well, there's always loads of those despite DS's best efforts

We've had about 2kg of strawberries the last 2 days! It's bonkers.

DS eats all the peas straight from the plants. I'm not sure we've ever had any make it to the dinner plate actually! 😂

Our tomatoes are planning world domination and the cucumbers are coming on now too. We also have some teeny green beans. I love showing the kids where food comes from; it's a great lesson for them. DS is more interested than DD, but they both get involved.

I'm interested in teaching at law school or being a Coroner, so I think I need to keep my hand in properly really.

I think for teaching, you need a teaching qualification as well. For coroner positions, they are quite scarce and you may have to move/commute. Definitely interesting, though!

Sorry everyone else! Back to Christmas thoughts, we promise!

I have been decluttering and I'm dying to get all the Christmas stuff out and inventory it all. I bought a load of baubles on clearance from Morrisons last month. They came with the grocery shopping. My driver was very professional about it

From what I can tell, you need a teaching qualification for unis which offer the GDL / LPC etc, but not necessarily for law school. And yes, dead man's shoes for coroner positions!

That's too funny re the baubles. I imagine most drivers would find something to say about it...the perils of selecting 'no bags'!

@ delivery driver being professional and trying to keep a straight face l bet
Thank you Firefly for the Parents well wishes
As for you and Fluffy talking shop carry on please, l find it really interesting honestly!

184

Morning everyone

Morning!

We are off to Wray Castle today, as a trip for DD's birthday. DS is already awake and excited about it!

Have a fab time Fluffy and MiniFluffys!!

Morning all
Wow Wheely & Fluffy you are so early getting up this morning!
Wray castle looks great and l think you and DD will love the Peter Rabbit Adventure Fluffy it looks lovely.
I could not sleep last night tossed and turned , DD1 is going back today and she has a huge exam tomorrow and l am really anxious about it for her...... l get very stressed over the slightest thing. l find the walking helps me so much toward getting rid of it , plus DH and l talk and talk and get a lot of stuff off our chest , plus the nature is astoundingly beautiful
We are doing a walk first, then going to parents sorting them out, then watching the match ...
Come on Engerland! We never watch footie , well hardly ever but we always watch the world cup, l don't know why!
Have heard from the garage , the car is ready for us ....yay!!! Will prob go and get it Mon or Tues , fingers crossed !
Have a great day everyone and enjoy this beautiful weather

I'd love to go for a walk today - we live quite rurally but don't go enough. Life gets in the way!

The Morrison's shop is due from 8, then DS and I go swimming on a Sunday morning. Then we need to go to town to get him some new sandals - his have literally fallen apart! - and get his glasses adjusted as they're marking his nose. We'll have to pop in to see DMIL as she lives in the Centre and we'll be using her parking. Then this afternoon will be meal prepping and sorting and ironing clothes for next week. Our lazy Sundays are long gone

Have fun on your walk MrsM, and enjoy the castle Fluffy and MiniFluffs - hope your DD has a lovely birthday outing!

Morning! Had chocolate pancakes, my aunt is coming today to take back the wheely suitcase and all the clothes from the trip. No washing! 😆 She'll keep them there for DD, and probably bring them back for Adventure camp, but they haven't sent me a clothing list. 😭

We are off to Wray Castle today, as a trip for DD's birthday. DS is already awake and excited about it!

We are off out soon (Lakeside or Bluewater) as its my DD 16th tomorrow (her No1 Hobby is Shopping , so she's happy )

My DS (18yo) is completely un thrilled especially as I need to buy him jeans and holiday clothes. He looks like he'd rather eat his own spleen.

DH will carry the bags

Just a quick heads up. The Sophie Allport sale is on and they have "Robin and Mistletoe" and "Starry Night" items at half price. I have the Robin apron and it is gorgeous.

Family here for lunch and the footy after a wonderful confirmation service on Friday and a very successful BBQ yesterday 🍾🍔

Mrs, you'll have to pay for a month's tax you'll only get a few days out of if you get it this week. Can you wait until Sunday? Will they hold it that long for you? It's a massive waste of money buying a car at the end of the month, tax-wise!

We've been up here a few times; the kids adore it! It's stunning weather. Lake Windermere looked gorgeous on our way past. I'll take photos when we go back outside!

Sounds like we are all busy today. What day of rest?! 😂😂

View from the picnic!

Had slow cooked beef in red wine for lunch. 😋🍷

Had Thai green chicken curry for supper. 😋🍗

Ohhh l didn't realise Fluffy re the tax ,thank you for the heads up m'dear , beautiful view from the picnic , hope you had a great time
Woolly, thank you for the Sophie Allport heads up too, that is just lovely of you , l love Sophie Allport things
Hope you enjoyed the shopping 70
PSB your meals sound delicious and NO WASHING YAY!!!
Firefly Girl hope you had a lovely swim this morning , we went to the canal in LLangattock not far from my parents, it was just so pretty and so good for us , we had the sort of feeling that it is good to be alive you know.
l could do with a swim now , l am bathed in sweat from looking for the car things, MOT, LOG BOOK, SERVICE HISTORY ,PHEW we have found them all thank God for that !
Oh yes l have a pic of my poor mums legs too , they were much worse than this , looking better every day
Sorry if it is tmi
Have a lovely evening everyone

DS2 fell asleep in our bed, I've just put him to bed. 😴

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but we're at the half way point. 6 months to Christmas Eve

Downhill from here on in!

Have laid uniforms out, done washing up, DD will go to bed at 9.20. 👔😴

Oh your poor Mum's legs Mrs that looks painful.

We have DD Birthday tomorrow so its a nice HalfWay Point in the 70 household, and she tells me I have six months to recover and start on her Christmas presents. (Well less than 6 months, that'll be Christmas itself)

I have a box of presents for her , there's a skirt and handbag she picked out and lots of little things - make-up, skin/hair/body stuff.
Another bag with chocolates and sweets.
She has a present from Dbro+Dsil , one from DS (she chose )
DGParents already sent her money

I booked A/L to spend the day with her, she's already had her meal out with her mates.

I haven't bought any Christmas things (yet) but I got some gorgeous little napkins for Easter (yes , I am THAT organised )

So we're teetering on the brink of halfway , the £2 jar is feeling reassuringly weighty (though there's other coins in there too, not just £2s)

How did we miss the most important Rudolph Day?!? Shame on us, all too busy glorying in the sunshine!

This was my view on the way to town. But DS now looks less like Little Orphan Annie and I'm no longer ashamed to send him to nursery, so it was time well spent I suppose.