Just a quick final post on this challenge to Donate 1000 Items from our home in 2015. The total for December was relatively small, compared with previous months, just 35 items set aside for the charity shop or the next Give and Take event. Added to the total at the end of November which was 1258, this makes for a pretty respectable yearly total of 1293. Better than I had hoped for when I started out on this project, which is great.
The pile for donation, has definitely noticeably grown again recently and with no Give and Take events over the last month or so, I really need one to be announced soon, in order to enable me to donate all of the things gathered over the last few months. It has now become one of my main ways of donating, but I do still take items to the charity shop from time to time.
As mentioned in my New Year Aims post, I am continuing with a similar challenge this year. I may give it a different name, such as - Living with Less Stuff in 2016 - and I will continue to post my progress every month.
In spite of everything that I donated in the past year, I am still surprised at how much more we have, than we actually need and use, so the 500 item total I am giving myself for 2016 should be pretty easily achievable.
I've already started work on this year's challenge this weekend, as there were a few items I had in mind, that I no longer wished to keep. My wardrobe is gradually being whittled down to a managable size, which is a blessed relief and is making life much easier on a daily basis. There's still a way to go with everything else though.
If anyone else is thinking of doing something similar and fancies joining me, let me know, as it is a great motivator hearing how others are doing on a month by month basis.
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Saturday, 2 January 2016
January No Buy Challenge - Toiletries
To kick start the New Year, I have decided to set myself a challenge, one that involves NOT buying any toiletries for the month of January.
As 2015 came to a close, I found myself spending an inordinate amount far too much money on toiletries and natural beauty products, overstocking by far too much, so in order to rectify the situation, I thought I'd try to spend a whole month without buying anything at all.
As well as hopefully helping me to kick my recent habit of spending money in this area, the ban will also help to ensure that I use up the products that I have already purchased and which have caused me go over budget in this area for the last three consecutive months.
So, what is currently in my stash? Aside from what I am currently using on a daily basis, I have the following new, unopened products waiting to be used:
1 Peppermint Hand Soap
1 Bottle of Urtekam Nordic Birch Shampoo
1 Bottle of Urtekam Nordic Birch Conditioner
1 Tube of Timotei Organic Conditioner
2 Bottles of Sarakan Anti-Plaque Mouth Wash
1 30m Reel of Silk Dental Floss
2 200ml Bottles of Distilled Witch Hazel
1 Bottle of Organic Surge Nourishing Rose Day Cream
2 Bamboo Toothbrushes
1 Tube of Neal's Yard Geranium and Orange Body Lotion
1 Tube of Dr Bronner Peppermint Lip Balm
1 Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara in Brown
1 Tube of Madara Brighening Peel Mask
1 Bottle of Skin Blossom Reviving Eye Cream
1 Small Tube of The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm
1 Pacifica Nude Eye Liner
1 Pacifica Roll on French Lilac Eau de Cologne
1 Alva Organic Blemish Stick
1 50ml tube of The Organic Pharmacy Calendula Hand Cream
1 Bottle of Yardley English Bluebell Eau de Cologne (a Christmas gift)
Here's a photo of most of the stash.
(Please note that this photo was taken before I started to have problems uploading photos and some of the products pictured are currently in use and some additional items have been added)
Hmm, quite a lot when you see it written down and in a photo. I tend to buy products well before finishing the current one I'm using, especially where I buy them online or can get a good deal on buying 3 for the price of 2. (i.e. dental products) If it is something I use regularly, then I will overstock to save money, time and postage costs .
A few of the above items have been free with magazines, some were brought back from the US in August/September and not yet used, the odd one came in a beauty box or was a gift, but otherwise I think it is safe to say I've been doing a little compulsive over-shopping in this area, so I need to take back control.
If I do run out of anything essential i.e. toothpaste (which incidentally I haven't stocked up on before beginning this challenge, as the brand I use didn't have an offer on), I may purchase one more tube to see me through the month, as it is something that I really can't go without. In addition, if OH and LB need something that I do not use, I will repurchase it for them, as I don't feel it is fair to inflict this blog challenge on them.
I do also have my stash of ingredients in the cupboard that I can use to make whatever products I need to, so the challenge might also encourage me to get making some more home made cosmetics and beauty products.
I'll keep you posted on progress.
As 2015 came to a close, I found myself spending an inordinate amount far too much money on toiletries and natural beauty products, overstocking by far too much, so in order to rectify the situation, I thought I'd try to spend a whole month without buying anything at all.
As well as hopefully helping me to kick my recent habit of spending money in this area, the ban will also help to ensure that I use up the products that I have already purchased and which have caused me go over budget in this area for the last three consecutive months.
So, what is currently in my stash? Aside from what I am currently using on a daily basis, I have the following new, unopened products waiting to be used:
1 Peppermint Hand Soap
1 Bottle of Urtekam Nordic Birch Shampoo
1 Bottle of Urtekam Nordic Birch Conditioner
1 Tube of Timotei Organic Conditioner
2 Bottles of Sarakan Anti-Plaque Mouth Wash
1 30m Reel of Silk Dental Floss
2 200ml Bottles of Distilled Witch Hazel
1 Bottle of Organic Surge Nourishing Rose Day Cream
2 Bamboo Toothbrushes
1 Tube of Neal's Yard Geranium and Orange Body Lotion
1 Tube of Dr Bronner Peppermint Lip Balm
1 Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara in Brown
1 Tube of Madara Brighening Peel Mask
1 Bottle of Skin Blossom Reviving Eye Cream
1 Small Tube of The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm
1 Pacifica Nude Eye Liner
1 Pacifica Roll on French Lilac Eau de Cologne
1 Alva Organic Blemish Stick
1 50ml tube of The Organic Pharmacy Calendula Hand Cream
1 Bottle of Yardley English Bluebell Eau de Cologne (a Christmas gift)
Here's a photo of most of the stash.
(Please note that this photo was taken before I started to have problems uploading photos and some of the products pictured are currently in use and some additional items have been added)
Hmm, quite a lot when you see it written down and in a photo. I tend to buy products well before finishing the current one I'm using, especially where I buy them online or can get a good deal on buying 3 for the price of 2. (i.e. dental products) If it is something I use regularly, then I will overstock to save money, time and postage costs .
A few of the above items have been free with magazines, some were brought back from the US in August/September and not yet used, the odd one came in a beauty box or was a gift, but otherwise I think it is safe to say I've been doing a little compulsive over-shopping in this area, so I need to take back control.
If I do run out of anything essential i.e. toothpaste (which incidentally I haven't stocked up on before beginning this challenge, as the brand I use didn't have an offer on), I may purchase one more tube to see me through the month, as it is something that I really can't go without. In addition, if OH and LB need something that I do not use, I will repurchase it for them, as I don't feel it is fair to inflict this blog challenge on them.
I do also have my stash of ingredients in the cupboard that I can use to make whatever products I need to, so the challenge might also encourage me to get making some more home made cosmetics and beauty products.
I'll keep you posted on progress.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Home to See in the New Year
After nine nights away up in Yorkshire, we returned home on New Year's Eve to see in the New Year at home.
OH needed to be back for a hospital appointment regarding his broken collar bone, but we were ready and happy to come home and settle back into our own house and resume our everyday lives.
We had a lovely Christmas and really enjoyed visiting family. Hiring the cottage made all the difference, as we had time and a space of our own to relax in and spend time with friends. We had lovely dog walks at the beach and in the East Yorkshire countryside, visited the breathtaking Flamborough Head and generally relaxed and enjoyed our time together and with others.
Consequently, it wasn't quite so fraught as usual, with us travelling around trying to visit everyone in the space of just a few days.
The last couple of nights we spent staying with family in North Yorkshire, which was a nice end to the visit, whereby LB got to spend lots of time playing and hanging out with her cousins.
Once back home, I did some of the unpacking, walked the dog, made a visit to the supermarket to stock up on food for the following few days and we ate a very simple plate of pasta for supper. It is so nice to get back to eating normal everyday food after all the excess of Christmas. I know it doesn't have to be that way, but invariably it is.
The rest of New Year's Eve was spent having a family Netflix film night with popcorn, for OH and LB and a long soak in the bath for me. After quite a few years of living in London, we no longer relish going out or to see the fireworks, as we've done it several times, and a night at home is good enough for us, especially after being away.
I've got no plans for the next few days, save for dog walks, domestic tasks, thinking about the coming year and doing exactly as I please. I'm looking forward to it. I hope your New Year's Eve was a good one and the year to come better still.
OH needed to be back for a hospital appointment regarding his broken collar bone, but we were ready and happy to come home and settle back into our own house and resume our everyday lives.
We had a lovely Christmas and really enjoyed visiting family. Hiring the cottage made all the difference, as we had time and a space of our own to relax in and spend time with friends. We had lovely dog walks at the beach and in the East Yorkshire countryside, visited the breathtaking Flamborough Head and generally relaxed and enjoyed our time together and with others.
Consequently, it wasn't quite so fraught as usual, with us travelling around trying to visit everyone in the space of just a few days.
The last couple of nights we spent staying with family in North Yorkshire, which was a nice end to the visit, whereby LB got to spend lots of time playing and hanging out with her cousins.
Once back home, I did some of the unpacking, walked the dog, made a visit to the supermarket to stock up on food for the following few days and we ate a very simple plate of pasta for supper. It is so nice to get back to eating normal everyday food after all the excess of Christmas. I know it doesn't have to be that way, but invariably it is.
The rest of New Year's Eve was spent having a family Netflix film night with popcorn, for OH and LB and a long soak in the bath for me. After quite a few years of living in London, we no longer relish going out or to see the fireworks, as we've done it several times, and a night at home is good enough for us, especially after being away.
I've got no plans for the next few days, save for dog walks, domestic tasks, thinking about the coming year and doing exactly as I please. I'm looking forward to it. I hope your New Year's Eve was a good one and the year to come better still.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Looking Ahead To A New Year
I don't know about anyone else, but I love New Year. I especially love looking ahead and thinking about what I want to achieve in the coming year.
Next year, I've got a whole raft of things that I am aiming to achieve or maintain. I've made a lot of changes this year that weren't on my list last year and maintaining these changes is important to me.
Talking of last year's list, I did manage to complete more than two thirds of the things on it, which was quite positive and some have subsequently become less important, so the fact that I didn't achieve them, hasn't been too disappointing.
Normally, my personal aims are quite a personal thing and I don't always share them on this blog, but this year I thought I would, as they aren't anything different to what I blog about regularly anyway, so anyone who reads my blog will recognise the themes from various posts I've already written.
Here goes:
Anyway, that should be enough to keep me going. A Happy New Year to all of you. I hope the coming year is a good one for you all.
Next year, I've got a whole raft of things that I am aiming to achieve or maintain. I've made a lot of changes this year that weren't on my list last year and maintaining these changes is important to me.
Talking of last year's list, I did manage to complete more than two thirds of the things on it, which was quite positive and some have subsequently become less important, so the fact that I didn't achieve them, hasn't been too disappointing.
Normally, my personal aims are quite a personal thing and I don't always share them on this blog, but this year I thought I would, as they aren't anything different to what I blog about regularly anyway, so anyone who reads my blog will recognise the themes from various posts I've already written.
Here goes:
- Complete my dental treatment and get to that clean slate state with regard to my oral health, as described in this post by Courtney Carver. I am determined to take control of my dental health and continue with the healthier practices I introduced in the latter part of this year. I also want to finish paying for the treatment too!
- Use my credit cards/overdraft less - I do pay them off every month, but ideally I'd like to use them less often and only buy using cash or debit card when the funds are in my account. Only that way can I honestly say that I live within my means.
- Save regularly - even if this is just £50 per month towards Christmas/birthday gifts/holidays, it would help take more control of my finances. Ideally though, I'd like to start saving more for the long term future too.
- Buy less/buy as ethically as possible - I started this practice in earnest this year and hope to continue where possible.
- Rejuvenate Little Bird's wardrobe. Last year it was my turn, this year it is LB's, as she is growing up so fast and she has outgrown many of her basics.
- Make more of my own cosmetics/toiletries/candles. I think I might try to attempt at least one recipe/make per month.
- Cycle more - I do love it when I get on my bike and cycle around, but I just don't do it enough. This year I want to do it a lot more, enjoy getting the extra exercise and saving a bit of money in the process.
- Live more simply - By this I mean just to try to enjoy more of life's simple pleasures. Be happy with and make use of what I already have, instead of constantly seeking more or better.
- Read at least two books per month. - Although I was on a book buying ban last year, quite a few more books did find their way into my life at various points, so I still have at least two full shelves of books waiting to be read. I want to work my way through these this year and to aid me the book ban will stay in place. Once read I may donate the books, if I no longer want to keep them and am unlikely to read them again.
- Reduce waste - Keep thinking of ways to reduce our household waste, recycling waste, food waste, etc. A few changes this year have resulted in creating less landfill waste/recycling waste and in using more recyclable products, which has helped, but there is still a long way to go with regard to permanently reducing the rubbish we throw out.
- Shop around more - By this I mean try to shop in more local independent shops and not mainly online and in big supermarkets. This may mean changing the way I shop, i.e. not doing a big weekly shop, but I can't honestly see myself doing this, as I do like to just shop the once weekly and not everyday, but who knows I may be able to find a system that works for me, such as doing some local shopping one day per week and some supermarket shopping another. I also want to start taking cash out of my account each week to use for food shopping, as this will encourage me to shop locally more and stick to my budget by not using cards.
- Get a cholesterol test - I'm just curious to know what my cholesterol level is.
- Declutter 500 things in 2016 - After successfully decluttering over 1000 things in 2015, I've just got the bug and want to continue. I'm not sure I can find another 1000 things over the year so I'm setting myself the goal of 500 for 2016. If I manage more then great, but this is my target for the year.
- Be more generous - Donate more to charity, help others more, give things away where possible, give my time, etc.
- Adopt a more regular cleaning routine - My current cleaning routine is virtually non-existent, in that I tend to deep clean when the state of the house is getting me down and I can't ignore it any longer, or when we have visitors. I would like to adopt a more regular routine, that keeps me on top of the more common jobs around the house, such as changing bed linen, cleaning the bathroom and toilet, changing towels, hoovering, mopping floors, etc.
Anyway, that should be enough to keep me going. A Happy New Year to all of you. I hope the coming year is a good one for you all.
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Enjoying the Break
Well, we're still at the cottage. It's lovely - very cosy, warm, well equipped, peaceful, quiet and although there is no mobile signal, we get a good internet connection. We like it here. We've just got back tonight after a couple of days away visiting relatives for Christmas Day and overnight. It's so heavenly to get back to a space of our own. We've just had sausage, chips and peas for our Boxing day tea. You can't beat getting back to ordinary food after the richness of Christmas fayre. I haven't actually cooked us a Christmas dinner yet. Tomorrow, we'll have a Christmas lunch, lamb this year.
The dog is enjoying her holiday. There is lots of game in the vicinity and she has been itching to escape and chase it. When the owner of the cottage popped by on Christmas morning with a bottle of pink Cava (to wish us a Happy Christmas), she shot out of the cottage and ran off into his garden, closely followed by me in my nightdress, wellies and cagoule and OH. Very glamorous - not. Luckily OH managed to retrieve her without too much of a problem.
Our hosts have been incredibly hospitable and decorated the cottage for us to make it feel festive. I could get used to staying somewhere like this over Christmas.
Tomorrow, we have the day to ourselves and then some friends are coming over for the evening. At the moment, there is a risk of flooding here, as there has been heavy rain. Some of our relatives in the region have narrowly missed being flooded today. Their village is under siege by water, but they have thankfully been spared so far. We are supposed to be staying with them when we leave here, but we'll have to see what happens. It might not be a good idea unless the waters recede between now and then.
I hope you're all enjoying your Christmas break.
The dog is enjoying her holiday. There is lots of game in the vicinity and she has been itching to escape and chase it. When the owner of the cottage popped by on Christmas morning with a bottle of pink Cava (to wish us a Happy Christmas), she shot out of the cottage and ran off into his garden, closely followed by me in my nightdress, wellies and cagoule and OH. Very glamorous - not. Luckily OH managed to retrieve her without too much of a problem.
Our hosts have been incredibly hospitable and decorated the cottage for us to make it feel festive. I could get used to staying somewhere like this over Christmas.
Tomorrow, we have the day to ourselves and then some friends are coming over for the evening. At the moment, there is a risk of flooding here, as there has been heavy rain. Some of our relatives in the region have narrowly missed being flooded today. Their village is under siege by water, but they have thankfully been spared so far. We are supposed to be staying with them when we leave here, but we'll have to see what happens. It might not be a good idea unless the waters recede between now and then.
I hope you're all enjoying your Christmas break.
Monday, 21 December 2015
A Scruffy Sunday
On account of not wanting to dirty any of the clothes that I want to take away with me over Christmas, when I got dressed on Sunday morning out came some thick, baggy jersey hareem pants, and a t-shirt and hoody that I very rarely wear.
Slightly more scruffy attire than I would normally wear on a weekend, which was a good thing really, as I then decided to head to the allotment for an hour and tidy up the plot a bit. OH and LB were off to the cinema to see the new Star Wars film, so I took the dog with me.
I hadn't visited since September or thereabouts. In fact, I can't actually remember when my last visit was, so I knew there'd be work to do. It was mainly cutting back things that had died off and pulling out old dead plants and weeds that had grown up since my last visit.
I got a fair bit done and managed to dig over one of the cleared beds, but I will need to go back after Christmas to finish digging over the rest of the plot and wheelbarrow all the weeds and dead plants to the composting bins. It was nice to get started though. I really just haven't found any time to go at all for weeks.
The dog was very patient with me and eventually we left and set out for a walk along the canal and over the nearby marshes. I ended up on my knees, poking around in a water filled ditch at one point after throwing the dogs most highly favoured ball in by mistake. Luckily, I got it back, but my knees are now nettled and sore. The things you do for your dog! We continued on for a nice walk. In all she spent a good 3 hours outside with me that morning, which was quite a treat for her.
When I got back, I finished up the salad in the fridge for lunch and then headed out again. To cover up my muddy clothes I threw on a long coat and headed off to ASDA for the final bit of shopping before we leave London. Just essentials to see us through the next day or so and a last couple of bits for presents. After spending half an hour in traffic, I am now officially finished with the Christmas shopping and it couldn't come soon enough for me.
Once home, it was toad in the hole and veggies for dinner, once again using up what we had in the fridge and freezer. Whilst it was cooking, I blanched, cubed and froze anything else that was going to be left over when we head off up north. It will be very simple meals from tins and the freezer between now and when we leave on Tuesday morning. It might not be the healthiest food, but I'm sure it won't kill us for just a day.
My Sunday evening was spent ironing and putting away laundry that we need to take away with us, broken only by a sit down to watch the Apprentice final.
This morning I started on the packing. I was aiming to revisit the allotment this afternoon, but rain set in and it just wasn't worth it, so I stayed home, made a last batch of mince pies to use up the mincemeat in the fridge and continued packing up bits and pieces we need to take away. I'm looking forward to a long soak in the bath tonight, before we head off in the morning. I'm ready for a change of scenery and am now looking forward to our Christmas break.
I'm still having trouble uploading pictures, (I can only upload them on to OH's machine and not the laptop) so I may not post much over the holidays, but rest assured I will be reading and keeping up with everyone's news.
To everyone who reads this blog, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading and taking the time to comment over this past year and I'd like to sincerely wish you
Slightly more scruffy attire than I would normally wear on a weekend, which was a good thing really, as I then decided to head to the allotment for an hour and tidy up the plot a bit. OH and LB were off to the cinema to see the new Star Wars film, so I took the dog with me.
I hadn't visited since September or thereabouts. In fact, I can't actually remember when my last visit was, so I knew there'd be work to do. It was mainly cutting back things that had died off and pulling out old dead plants and weeds that had grown up since my last visit.
I got a fair bit done and managed to dig over one of the cleared beds, but I will need to go back after Christmas to finish digging over the rest of the plot and wheelbarrow all the weeds and dead plants to the composting bins. It was nice to get started though. I really just haven't found any time to go at all for weeks.
The dog was very patient with me and eventually we left and set out for a walk along the canal and over the nearby marshes. I ended up on my knees, poking around in a water filled ditch at one point after throwing the dogs most highly favoured ball in by mistake. Luckily, I got it back, but my knees are now nettled and sore. The things you do for your dog! We continued on for a nice walk. In all she spent a good 3 hours outside with me that morning, which was quite a treat for her.
When I got back, I finished up the salad in the fridge for lunch and then headed out again. To cover up my muddy clothes I threw on a long coat and headed off to ASDA for the final bit of shopping before we leave London. Just essentials to see us through the next day or so and a last couple of bits for presents. After spending half an hour in traffic, I am now officially finished with the Christmas shopping and it couldn't come soon enough for me.
Once home, it was toad in the hole and veggies for dinner, once again using up what we had in the fridge and freezer. Whilst it was cooking, I blanched, cubed and froze anything else that was going to be left over when we head off up north. It will be very simple meals from tins and the freezer between now and when we leave on Tuesday morning. It might not be the healthiest food, but I'm sure it won't kill us for just a day.
My Sunday evening was spent ironing and putting away laundry that we need to take away with us, broken only by a sit down to watch the Apprentice final.
This morning I started on the packing. I was aiming to revisit the allotment this afternoon, but rain set in and it just wasn't worth it, so I stayed home, made a last batch of mince pies to use up the mincemeat in the fridge and continued packing up bits and pieces we need to take away. I'm looking forward to a long soak in the bath tonight, before we head off in the morning. I'm ready for a change of scenery and am now looking forward to our Christmas break.
I'm still having trouble uploading pictures, (I can only upload them on to OH's machine and not the laptop) so I may not post much over the holidays, but rest assured I will be reading and keeping up with everyone's news.
To everyone who reads this blog, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading and taking the time to comment over this past year and I'd like to sincerely wish you
A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Nearly There
After a couple of busy days on Thursday and Friday trying to cross things off my 'to do list', I'm now in a much better place. The cards have all now gone, the ironing pile is going down and I took a book back that was due to be returned to the library. Whilst there I saw this book and just couldn't resist getting it out.
I've talked about the Gandy brothers in posts before. I bought some flip flops from their brand, which raises funds for a children's home they set up in Sri Lanka by way of their charity 'Orphans for Orphans'. The brothers lost both of their parents in the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 and their work has been a tribute to them.
This book is definitely going to be my Christmas reading. I started it whilst waiting in a very slow queue in the Post Office and am already liking it. I'm sure it will be upsetting in parts, but equally I'm sure it will be very inspirational and I'm looking forward to reading their story.
I also managed a few other tasks today, such as checking my bank accounts, sending off my credit card payment and also I did a whole raft of financial paperwork filing that I had let build up all year. It felt good to get it all filed away and organised, so that everything is labelled and easy to find. It did of course result in more shredding, but that will only take a few minutes to do.
My next task will be to start my clothes packing, which I will add to as the washing and ironing gets completed.
I received this lovely Christmas card from my sister this week who is currently in New York in the US. It goes nicely with the one I received from my uncle the other day in East Yorkshire. The geographical contrast is interesting. Very cosmopolitan ;). OH also got this cut out wooden card from one of his work associates.
So cute.
I treated myself to one more little pre-Christmas treat in Poundland the other day. This cute Jute Christmas stocking.
LB has a stocking, the dog has a stocking, so why not me? I just hope that Santa puts something in it. Anything will do.
Talking of Santa and Christmas spirit, I was touched by watching Christmas on the Poverty Line on TV on Thursday night. (10pm, Channel 5) It was about families in the UK who had very little, but still made the most of Christmas for the sake of their children. There were some touching examples of the sacrifices some families have to make at Christmas, having to seek out free food, collect things thrown out by others and receive gifts from strangers.
In spite of their hardships, it was heartwarming to see genuine family togetherness and Christmas spirit in the face of pretty abject poverty. Something that many more fortunate people could do with a good dose of.
By way on an example, LB came home on Friday having witnessed a customer verbally abusing the young sales assistant in a local store, because she had the audacity to be friendly. Sadly, some people can be rude, aggressive and thoroughly unpleasant. Who knows what their life is like, but even so, it isn't really fair to take it out on others.
Yesterday, we spent the afternoon in Central London for a last Christmassy mooch around. It's a bit of a family tradition and usually gets us looking forward to Christmas. LB and I paid a visit to the Oxford Street Lush store, to get some last minute stocking fillers and we had a long look around the largest bookstore in the country in Piccadilly, followed by a stop off at our local pet shop on the way home to get a few doggy stocking fillers.
I have to say that I didn't really enjoy trudging around the busy streets of London on the last Saturday before Christmas. Some of the sales had started and it was far too busy. Despite us taking many of the back streets through Soho, I very soon tired of people pushing past me or stepping into spaces or sitting on seats I was just about to accommodate. Maybe I'm getting too old, slow and grumpy for all of this. It was so good to get home, put my feet up, relax and watch TV, away from the crowds. (Incidentally, the last two episodes of The Bridge were so good. I will miss watching this show.) Next year, I'll definitely think twice about venturing there at such a busy time of the year.
I hope you are all enjoying your lead in to Christmas.
I've talked about the Gandy brothers in posts before. I bought some flip flops from their brand, which raises funds for a children's home they set up in Sri Lanka by way of their charity 'Orphans for Orphans'. The brothers lost both of their parents in the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 and their work has been a tribute to them.
This book is definitely going to be my Christmas reading. I started it whilst waiting in a very slow queue in the Post Office and am already liking it. I'm sure it will be upsetting in parts, but equally I'm sure it will be very inspirational and I'm looking forward to reading their story.
I also managed a few other tasks today, such as checking my bank accounts, sending off my credit card payment and also I did a whole raft of financial paperwork filing that I had let build up all year. It felt good to get it all filed away and organised, so that everything is labelled and easy to find. It did of course result in more shredding, but that will only take a few minutes to do.
My next task will be to start my clothes packing, which I will add to as the washing and ironing gets completed.
I received this lovely Christmas card from my sister this week who is currently in New York in the US. It goes nicely with the one I received from my uncle the other day in East Yorkshire. The geographical contrast is interesting. Very cosmopolitan ;). OH also got this cut out wooden card from one of his work associates.
So cute.
I treated myself to one more little pre-Christmas treat in Poundland the other day. This cute Jute Christmas stocking.
LB has a stocking, the dog has a stocking, so why not me? I just hope that Santa puts something in it. Anything will do.
Talking of Santa and Christmas spirit, I was touched by watching Christmas on the Poverty Line on TV on Thursday night. (10pm, Channel 5) It was about families in the UK who had very little, but still made the most of Christmas for the sake of their children. There were some touching examples of the sacrifices some families have to make at Christmas, having to seek out free food, collect things thrown out by others and receive gifts from strangers.
In spite of their hardships, it was heartwarming to see genuine family togetherness and Christmas spirit in the face of pretty abject poverty. Something that many more fortunate people could do with a good dose of.
By way on an example, LB came home on Friday having witnessed a customer verbally abusing the young sales assistant in a local store, because she had the audacity to be friendly. Sadly, some people can be rude, aggressive and thoroughly unpleasant. Who knows what their life is like, but even so, it isn't really fair to take it out on others.
Yesterday, we spent the afternoon in Central London for a last Christmassy mooch around. It's a bit of a family tradition and usually gets us looking forward to Christmas. LB and I paid a visit to the Oxford Street Lush store, to get some last minute stocking fillers and we had a long look around the largest bookstore in the country in Piccadilly, followed by a stop off at our local pet shop on the way home to get a few doggy stocking fillers.
I have to say that I didn't really enjoy trudging around the busy streets of London on the last Saturday before Christmas. Some of the sales had started and it was far too busy. Despite us taking many of the back streets through Soho, I very soon tired of people pushing past me or stepping into spaces or sitting on seats I was just about to accommodate. Maybe I'm getting too old, slow and grumpy for all of this. It was so good to get home, put my feet up, relax and watch TV, away from the crowds. (Incidentally, the last two episodes of The Bridge were so good. I will miss watching this show.) Next year, I'll definitely think twice about venturing there at such a busy time of the year.
I hope you are all enjoying your lead in to Christmas.
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