Good morning all! Pinch punch first of the month and all of that!
Fantastic name change Afreshstart you sound mahoosively organised for Christmas!!! How do you do it?!!! [doffs hat]
[Waves across the city] Dag Longtime Ik wens je geluk op uw Nederlandse les! (Hope that's correct!)
Good luck with the batch cooking Cordelia
Bowerbird5 no, as far as I know, cards are not sent for St Nicolas (but I am sure they would be appreciated anyway). It is more usual for children to receive chocolate, satsumas (or oranges as St Nicolas traditionally arrives on a steam boat from Spain) sweets, speculoos biscuits (spice biscuits) and possible some small marzipan creations in their shoes or slippers that have been put in the fireplace, plus some toys (well that is the Belgian version anyway)! It is lovely of you to think of your expat children - not sure of Bulgarian customs - but can definitely find out about Russian and Polish traditions for you though! What is a reverse Advent calendar box? (How does it work?) Sounds great!
Ta da:
animals
polished dd school boots
ironed and packed gym kit
dd packed lunch
emptied dw
(and filled again from last night 
wiped down kitchen surfaces and shined sink
prep for builders
To do:
Everything!!
(Literally - the house has descended in to an absolute shameful pit again - it is so depressing - will have to do another full home bleugh I think. No one else bloomin' well picks anything up after themselves!! Grrrr. And laundry has reached Mt Washmore heights again (sigh).
The bad news is that dh feels ill and fluey and couldn't sleep all night despite feeling exhausted. He has gone back to bed this morning (very unusual for him). My cleaning lady has also got flu and has cancelled.
The good news is that the passive aggressive window cleaner has also cancelled (well it's not good news actually because windows are filthy and I may not get another slot before Christmas) but I am happy I don't have to deal with him today. Builders are enough!
Hope everyone has a great start to the Flying month!