Stuck on Victoria Beckham 21:50 Reverie the other day and it’s too deep and sweet for wet, mucky weather. Gooey, gooey, gooey. Had our first flooding of road into village last week.
Moving along to Aromatics Elixir today which is much sharper and a far better counter to the damp.
We’re in the not quite hols time and my motivation – regarding most things – is lacking. I expect it will pick up a week and a half before Xmas.
The first evening of Hannukah is 14 December. I cleaned the menorah of last year’s wax. I sort of enjoy this task. A bit of very hot water to soften things, a dull knife to scrape and slide under the plops.
My menorah was given to me as a child by my parents. So, it means a lot.
I’ve got two more French lessons this year: one this afternoon, one next Monday. I am just getting to grips with relative pronouns and related words that … I don’t know why I’m finding this aspect of grammar so vexing. I will say my issue has now mostly shifted towards confusion regarding the use of ‘dont’ (autocorrect thinks this should be don’t).
In my French teacher I have found someone who has the heat on higher in her house than I do. Even I find her kitchen a bit hard going. By the end of the hour I’m down to a t shirt.
Most gifts are in-house so I can get on with wrapping etc. The tree is up and decorated in a corner of the living room. I got a wreath. Never had one before. Hope it survives our wet weather.
Alas, Cult Beauty is proving late in shipping. I don’t know why – they don’t say on the purchase page – which has never happened before. There is one thing in that order which needs to go into a box which needs to get into the world fairly soon.
Most cards have been posted. I really like this year’s choice, from the local museum.
And then there’s Eshal … First it was supposed to arrive end of last week, then Saturday, then Sunday. Nope. Royal Mail has stopped sending me shipping updates. I am supremely hoping it shows up today or tomorrow. I was all set to be crowing with pleasure…
I expect I’ll regain some oomph and seasonal cheer soon.
So, how about you? Everything done – and you’re sitting comfortably with mulled wine or apple juice? Or, are you a last minute, run around like a headless chicken person (my ex-husband was last minute, so his gifts tended to be unthought out, though every once in a while he’d come up with something totally glorious)?
Pics: mine, pexels
I just got back from a trip to Seville, having left right after Thanksgiving, so lots left to do for Christmas! At least the house is still clean … gifts are still in process. I’m just grateful that my kids are now young adults who share wishlists!
Wishlists are a good thing. Hope Seville was warm and sunny.
My sense is that wreaths suffer more from being dehydrated rather than, say, getting rained on. In fact, I overheard a guilty admission from a wreath-owner that he hadn’t been spraying his enough.
I too bought a couple of items online and now I get to wonder where they are and when they will turn up. Fun! Happily, for everyone else I try to find items throughout the year when there is far less pressure….
So far, the wreath seems happy. We’re in the midst of yet another storm (Bram) so it’s getting lots of nourishment.
Yup, shipping is interesting this year.
I actually only have a couple of people to shop for this year so It’s already been done and it shipping. Nothing extravagant.
I can’t bear overheated houses. I was always on the “col house/warm bankie style of life. Why give all that money to Edison?
I am now at small bits. A relief.
I like the heat on but not too high. Which makes you feel cooked.
I’m flying home today from a fantastic visit with my childhood friend over the weekend. This week I need to mail out one Christmas gift thats going cross country. Gifts for my family are arriving slowly, and I still need to order more. I’m not overly stressed yet. Our weather is densely cloudy and raining. Hoping my plane isn’t delayed. I hope your weather turns nice and that fuels your energy and motivation. Sounds like Royal Mail needs to get their act together and get your packages to you!
Hope it’s a good journey. Royal Mail did up its game: 4 parcels today though the tracking on the website was no help.
Wootwoot! Good on them!
When the kids were younger and living with me, this time of year was glorious but also a SLOG — all the presents, tree and decorations, events, going to see the outdoor light displays, etc. etc. Now I just send them what they want, get a few presents for dear friends, and don’t decorate the house. I loved doing everything up but I can’t say I miss it? I hope your Eshal shows up soon!
I do think it’s different with a younger family. Now, the endless advertising and Black Friday stuff does my head in.
It’s ‘that’ time of year – the ‘betwixt/between’ time. Everyone seems a bit blah, me included. I’m on the phone (!) with Quickbooks – omg. I’ll be MUCH older before this is done. Then I await the confirmation for Wednesday morning’s much-awaited surgery (fingers crossed)… until ALL of this is sorted I will remain awash in No5
It is. Hope the surgery goes well. Is this the second eye?
Just back from Aquarobics class. It’s been an unfortunate day so far. One of the packages due to be delivered today has had its tracking changed back to “We’re expecting it” by Royal Mail.
Mr Jarvis Cockapoo decided to do a raid on my bag for tissues, making me a minute late for class. Being distracted by the dog, I didn’t fully lock my water bottle & after my shower at the gym, you guess, went underwear. Had to drive home commando & take care I didn’t catch my nips in my jeans zip.
Let’s hope the rest of the day improves!
OMG! Sorry – I just BLARTED!
(because I’ve been there)
Hope the rest of your day goes fabulously~
I did too. Because who hasn’t been there?
It did, all the Boots parcels arrived intact, if a tiny bit damp. Nips survived unnipped.
Today Mr Jarvis is pooping snow capped mountains & self wiping.
Mr Jarvis should try to be more helpful. After all, you feed him. Yes indeed, hope day improves.
Hi, Cinnamon. I hope your Eshal comes today! Keep us posted. I wish I could try it locally. It sounds wonderful.
Here in Pa. the bitter cold has taken away all motivation from me. I managed to do some errands yesterday, which felt like a slog. I’m going to try to drag myself to the gym today.
I celebrate Hanukkah so the holidays are not that big a deal. I sent my granddaughters in LA American Girl doll clothes. My daughter requested an Apple Watch for the holiday and her birthday, which is New Year’s Day. I also got her a new Pat McGrath eyeshadow palette. I still have to get a gift card and send out some cards.
Yesterday I wore the Gaultier Classique perfume which i bought for the special Birth of Venus Bottle. It smells like a more powdery less strong Shalimar. Today i may put on Do Son.
Good luck with it all,
Jill
Eshal is in the house! I checked bottle, which was verrrry cold. Fingers crossed all is ok. I appreciate when people ask for things now. One can embroider around that but it makes life so much easier.
YESSSSSSSSSS
Yay!!!!
YaHooooo!!!! 🙂
(kept up with the “Y” theme)
Hey Cinnamon,
My Xmas shopping is done. Nothing super fancy this year, mainly body washes, candles and incense. A few big ticket (medium ticket in today’s prices) items for nearest and dearest.
We have also worked out what’s happening over the three days of Xmas, and more importantly who is cooking or bringing what. This year promises to be very low key.
In December we have a flurry of friends’ birthdays. It’s nice. Means we are also celebrating things that aren’t Xmas.
Portia xx
Wow, I am impressed. Almost everything has now arrived but I still need a handful of small things.
At this point I find buying for birthdays a lot more exciting.