Pagan

I love all the foliage at this time of year, mine is all silk and years old, I have always been Pagan in my decorations, add in candles to make brilliant displays, I also have my vase of poinsettia, seen here.  

Kitchen 

Shelves in  hall

Dining room

Sitting room, with my new Amaryllis. 

It's advent time again, it was my turn to full the tiny bags this year, I got a nice mixture, the unused chocolates will go into a bowl for over the holidays, these were made in 2022 always in first bag our favourite ones.

Daughter got her finger shut in a metal gate last week, nothing broken just badly brushed, I decided to slide down our stairs, jarred my back and a bruise on my bum and foot, we are walking wounded, told hubby to be very careful, its definitely not his turn.

Our quiet life was broken this week, we received a letter from Information Commission Office informing us how our CCTV should be set up, they received a complaint about our motion camera being able to record beyond our property, they state the letter will close the complaint. Firstly we only have static cameras, as checked by local council after next door complained about our rear camera, which she has previously stated she has seen moving towards her side. The cameras were set up years ago because of her unacceptable behaviour, we have filed the letter as another issue she refuses to believe the truth as proven by official's, more time wasting and silly allegations against us. 

I have a busy time until the middle of next week, all nice things, no doubt I will include them in future post, tonight we are out to our local live venue, we are both looking forward to it, hopefully the rain won't be so bad the car park is next to the venue. 

Oh Christmas tree.

 Oh my goodness, what is going on, she has constructed this huge thing, it looks like a tree, but not one I have seen before, what is it doing in the house? is it for me? I'm not sure about the bright lights. 

Oh wait she is now hanging things on it, they do look pretty, not sure if it's for me or not, she left it for a few days, is this a ritual, something special? do I have to do anything.

I sit in the tree outside watching the birds next door, I am fascinated by them, later when they come to feed in our garden I sit under the tree, they won't come if I'm sitting on the branches, she tells me to move out their way.

I am loving my cat tree, I can lie in here and watch the garden, those pesky squirrels are coming in more, she stops them from digging in her garden and they can't get to the bird feeders. 

I'm inside more, I try and give her up to 15 minutes on her lap, I do love her lap blanket. Most of my hiding places outside have gone, she has promised me things will grow back next year, I still don't understand what is happening. 

I do still love our morning cuddles before they get out of bed, both of them give the best scratches, which I love, loudly purring in hope they don't stop, this has not changed at all, which is good, I'm not happy with all the changes going on. 

She has been out most mornings last week, but she came home smelling of my mum, so I gave her extra cuddles, she tells me my mum and brother are both beautiful like me. The little people came on Sunday for lunch, I sat with them as they played, they will share their toys with me, I didn't like to musical ones, they were loud. 

I have decided I will ignore the inside tree, it is shiny, the lights are too bright for me, but they do not flash, which is really good. I am having loads more treats, I like a soft one called Lick e lix in different flavours, all because I am being a good girl. I'm not so good with the shiny silver snowflakes on the stairs, I do love them, she just shrugs her shoulders as she walks past, I ensure I only play with them when no-one can see me.

November round up

 It's been a really cheap month, no craft and no garden spend, but a couple of house plants, I did spend £30 on a pair of cord trousers, not needed, but I know I will love them.

4 books read this month

We were gifted a huge bag of cooking apples, most have been sliced and placed in our freezer, we sent some to our neighbour as thanks for more eggs, plus more fresh eggs, being away meant we had a much cheaper household month. I did have an eye test and new glasses ordered, I was expecting an upgrade, so the cost was not a huge surprise.

The cost of the trip, spending money and the family meal came from our savings, we had been putting a bit more away towards the week. I did very little shopping whilst away, so no surprise spends. Hubby received his £50 gift card for the local Co-op store, his old employer, very handy this time of year. 

We have finished most of our Christmas spend, we have cut back on the treats, we should not need a big shop until January, we hate the crowds at this time of year. Any extra cost came from our savings, which we can replace with the lower spend next month.

The only black Friday deal I used was for printing my book, same as previous years 50% off.

Not going to say anything about my weight, I did have a good birthday treat, I am walking more.

Tired

My 2023 book arrived this week, the printers are always very fast, I got another copy of my older brothers book, his has gone missing, he does look at it, so a replacement should make him happy. I have done loads on my 2024 book, it will be finished soon, I have also started the template for 2025, I do like the cover to match each year, the only different is the date and photo's.  

I popped into Dunelm for lunch and a quick shop and this star fell into my basket, I do love these lights, its not too big and looks good, it did not take me too long to break my 'no new decorations this year' rule, in my defence it was only £12.

I also got this pretty candle from Tesco, I have two, the led lights work when the candle is lit and looks very pretty, Christmas is creeping in here.

It's school photo time, we already have Wills, we have to decide which ones we like of George and Molly, George is easy as he is smiling in one, both of Molly's are lovely. George has finished his antibiotics, yesterday he was much better, more himself, but tired much quicker, hopefully by Monday he will be OK. Molly has announced she is a star in her school Christmas performance, she will shine in her role. Will also has his lines to learn, I'm not sure if he can read them or needs to know them, he is practicing.

I'm having a restful few days, I will put the tree up in hope Lilly will ignore it, and then decorate the following day, my housework was not done, the corners will have to wait until January. It has been a shock getting up and getting out early, all I do once at daughters is sit with George, he has wanted so many huge cuddles, I have seen The Christmas Chronicles movie so many times, thank goodness is a decent film. 

I am planning to marzipan the two smaller cakes, they both need to be finished earlier than normal, our cake is having a final drink of brandy, I will also finish the small individual cakes, I don't want a last minute rush to get things done this year. I have a small gift to get for hubby, still no idea what to get him, and as yet daughter has not given any hints, I have asked her a few times. Monday we will post some cards, not too many the cost of stamps is so high, its a shame, Christmas cards are always a delight to receive.