Getting organised!!

On Monday, Sam's car was being collected for scrap! 

Initially I was told I'd have to stay in all day and wait for someone to turn up! 

(The scrap man actually arrived at 6.02am!!!!!)

So I thought I'd start on my Christmas cards. 

Use any free days wisely and get ahead of the game for Christmas!

I have a real mix of old cards, sale cards, new cards!!

I've tried to use as many as possible this year and need to be really good about not buying as many for next year, as I already have a secret stash I'd bought in last years sales, which don't even feature here!!! I do have a 'thing' for buying nice cards and really do need to limit what I buy!! Although I do defend myself and argue that there are far worse addictions to have!!

I also updated the round-up note that goes in some cards. Only those who aren't on social media and where our only contact is through the yearly Christmas card, get one!! I did think I'd try and cut my list but..... I have over the years cut it greatly, from circa 200 to 60'ish!!

So the list remains for another year! 

At the end of the day, I enjoy sending Christmas cards. I like choosing nice cards, cards significant for certain people. I like to check in, write a personal message and love to receive cards and catch up with people I wouldn't otherwise keep in touch with. Yes, cards can be expensive, and stamps are getting super pricey, but I still value a nice Christmas card and appreciate the time and effort it takes for someone to send a card. And those of you who have followed here over the years, know that I display my favourite cards year after year!

So my pile of cards is here, ready and waiting to post out at the beginning of December!

I do seem to have fallen into Christmas a lot earlier this year. It's partly down to my new work timings and a bit more free time and the fact that I am super busy over the next few weeks, so need to be organised. I was back in Bristol on Tuesday, so did a little more Christmas shopping.....

....met up with my sister for food and my birthday treat....

....seeing Will Young, for an informal evening of songs and chat!

It was a good night. St George's in Bristol is a nice little venue.

Woke up on Wednesday morning to a gorgeous pink sky and...

.....a frosty start.

The first proper 'scraper' of the year!

I had to get out for a little walk and make the most of it.

The perfect winter combo - cold, crisp, clear, blue sky day!

I promised myself I wouldn't buy any new decorations this year, then got tempted by these lovely baubles. The perfect new addition and by the lovely Lexi, whose homemade baubles have been on my tree since 2011!!

I also started wrapping!! 

Just Mum and Dad's presents. I'm going to see them for a couple of days and as I'd got everything for them, I thought it was sensible to take it all down with me. We are meeting on Dec 23rd but just in case something happens, illness? weather? I thought best take it with me now.

I also took down the birthday bits and replaced with snowflakes!! Jeff has either not noticed or chosen not to comment!! I'm away 'on and off' this week, so it's a head start to getting 'Advent Ready' when I come home on Sunday!! I'm going down to Cornwall, back on Wednesday. Have Thursday at home, albeit I'll be in school invigilating, then it's up to Cardiff on Friday after my hair cut, to check-in on Sophie and Sam, coming home on Sunday! So, busy, busy!!

I'm hoping the weather will improve. We're currently in the pathway of Storm Bert. It's wet and windy and generally miserable. Not the weather to be driving down to Cornwall in. So a busy week ahead, am then home for a week, although lots of coffee dates already in the diary, before Jeff breaks up and we go to Madeira for a few days, hence I need to be a little organised this year!!