Also looking OK for pay day, which is next Friday. I might allocate any excess to Christmas actually.
Had quite a big Morrison's delivery this evening as I was getting low on tins and packed lunch things and breakfast cereal, well actually everything. Also had a fruit, salad and veg delivery from the market for £30. This will last two weeks. I cannot begin to tell you all how much stuff they send. It fills my main fridge and the fridge in the garage and we only just use it all by the next delivery, despite me planning well.
Was naughty and got my bread from M&S, which sounds ostentatious, but I bought cheap stuff last week and it just got left (well, I froze for breadcrumbs). So that's false economy.
I also bought the Boden dress I hankered after and a Joules dress. Both with discount, free delivery and returns and a £10 voucher. I will send back without hesitation, so haven't allocated this money yet until I keep one.
Au-pairs. Our friends, both doctors, have used them since their DC were tiny. They have had mixed bag, it's fair to say, but mainly positive experiences. Even with the DC in their teens, they still have one, as they live in a hamlet and it covers their long hours and after school activities, plus the school run etc. They like the flexibility, but there's a set number of hours and other commitments you honour re study etc.
Christmas in the Cotswolds sounds lovely 
at the laundry costs, roll on a new machine asap!!