Christmas shopping may commence

I never ever do any Christmas shopping until after the children's birthdays so today was the day I could make a start and I had a little spend this afternoon using some of my photos but that is about as much as I am going to give away for now.....just in case.  I do love Christmas shopping, trying to find the right gift for the right person.  I already have some ideas for the family which is quite surprising actually.  I have even made a wish list for myself on Amazon so that family members can be directed there if they ask.  I always find I can't think of anything if I am asked directly.

A productive day was had today as Daniel and I finished painting the front fence as well.  Just got to get the back one done next time we have some dry weather.  I also managed to cut back some of the trees around the animals shed so they will have more light now if they have to stay in if it gets too cold and wet for them outside.  I cleaned out some of the rubbish from my car, did some washing but am on ironing strike as I just cannot be bothered.  Am going to wait until someone notices because I folded all my clothes when they came out of the tumble drier and have left it.

Yesterday my furniture arrived for the kitchen area, just two simple chairs where I can sit and have a coffee 
( if I ever get the chance to sit down) and a small coffee table ( which Sarah very kindly assembled yesterday with a little bit of difficulty I have to say.  So it is all finished now apart from removing the other table that Martin has sited there.  That has to be a bit of a diplomatic move.......

My two are all grown up! Happy Birthday Sarah and Daniel xx

A special day today but really do not know where those 18 years have gone and in some ways I feel quite sad.  My children are all grown up and can now vote, go into a pub and buy a drink and be seen as an adult in society.  They will still remain my children though no matter how old they are.  Love them to bits.

I was up early this morning and had sorted their pressies out for them when they came downstairs.  Always have to make sure they have the same or at least equal value in their pressies.  And then I waited........ and waited.

I even decided to go around the garden and take some photos of the remaining flowers whilst I was waiting, a bit wet out there but even so it was fine for a few shots and will be good to look back on and see what was growing.

Whilst waiting for them to appear the Argos man came with a delivery and then came the lady from Tesco with our food shopping.  All of a sudden Daniel appeared......now that did surprise me as I really thought it would be Sarah who would appear first but no it was Daniel........   We waited for Sarah to appear as they have always liked to open their pressies together.

Finally they were both together and a fun time was had trying on their new watches

And of course if you get a tin of celebrations you just have to sort them into layers don't you?

Once the pressies had been opened, the money counted up, their thoughts turned to food and of course, Sarah would have to have her bacon and mushroom sarnie for her birthday breakfast.  Daniel said he wasn't too hungry but still managed a bacon sarnie too.

Looks like a good day out there now, think it may be time to go and locate my hedgehog house amongst the leaves and would it be too cruel to see if my darling son would like to finish painting the fence on this fine morning?

Another week nearly over.....Autumn is here

Why does it seem that holiday weeks go so much quicker than regular weeks when you have to work?  Is it because you are enjoying yourself and are relaxed, nobody around you causing additional stress, no one asking you to reach impossible targets, no one nagging you asking you why you haven't got things done?  Or perhaps that is just my place of work at the moment.  Never mind, going to enjoy the last few days.  At least I feel that I have managed to do a number of the jobs on my list

• tidy the garden
• writing assessments
• paint the fence ( or get someone else to help to do it)
• meet friends for coffee
• sort out maths planning
• sort out pictures and hang
• birthday shopping
• garden centre visit

Of course when you go off to the garden centre you just have to come back with a little pressie for yourself don't you.  Meet Mr Owl and his friend, cyclamen.

Yesterday was pretty miserable out there, it rained, it rained heavily, I got slightly wet but went shopping nonetheless as had to get one or two bits for some birthdays that are fast approaching us.  Need to go back again today and do another few bits as some stupid person....yes that's me, bought a present that had already been purchased....... hmmmm never mind.  Will fly up to Crawley first thing this morning and sort that one out and then into Horsham, get Daniel's hair cut finally - we seem to have found a barber with an Xbox, not sure that is a good thing or not....  First of all had better go and get madam her bacon sarnie for brekkie and get her out of bed.

Daniel might just get the rest of the fence painted today if the rain holds off. He made a good start on Weds but really would not have been able to do anything yesterday.  It is looking good now though and will look better when it is all sorted out there.  Need to go and repot some of the bulbs I put in the other day and the squirrels have relocated!  Need to make sure the weather stays dry for about an hour or so just to get some of the jobs completed.

Breakfast has now been served to madam who is still dozing but she will be up and moving shortly as she has been very good getting up in the mornings.  I am sure, however that she will be wanting a bit of a lie in over the weekend.  I think she deserves it.

Anyway taxi duty will need to be underway in a while so better make a move, get showered and dressed for duties to begin.