Advent day 10!

Well today I got this:

It took me a while to work out what it is.  It is a soap in felt and it used as an exfoliator.  Smells nice!

My gift to Mrsmmakes is a mystery as I do not want to post until she has in case she hasnt opened it so I will amend later. You see if I do not post today as I am out for my birthday meal tomorrow night I will get behind - sorry.

I got Mrsmmakes a souvenir of the Olympics:



I haved pained one of the stained glass snowflake and when I have done them I will post a picture of them!

Having collected more food for thefood bank I am off to deliver some food tomorrow lunch time.  Christmas to me means not only cherishing my family and feel blessed by God but also thinking and helping others.  I did some time ago pledge to do one helpful thing a week - a selfless act and although I often do it is normally the same thing.  I am going to have a good think of different people that I can help in the New Year.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Advent day 9!

I got this from Mrsmmakes on day 6 which was meant to be day 9 ha ha!

Some lovely mini smellies, ideal for when I go away at Christmas! (sorry my picture is sideways!)

Instead I was supposed to open:

A lovely Christmas pudding (hooray my technology worked for a change!!

I got Mrsmmakes some nice hot choc choc as she told me she doesn't drink tea or coffee:

Whoop whoop technology worked again!!


I just cannot wait to see what tomorrow's  advent.

In the meantime, I have sorted out the food items I collected to take to the foodbank.  I have at least two full bags to take there this week.  I am doing one more collection next week and that is it.

Talking about giving to charity I recently received a letter from the PDSA saying that they have made over £20 from the items I donated - I am so pleased!!

Advent day 8 and Christmas Meal

Well for day 8 of advent I received:



Picture courtesy of Mrsmmakes as I am still having issues with my technology which I am trying to resolve each day.

I got my swap partner the lovely Mrsmmakes:

Something I always need in the winter.

Well tonight is the second Christmas party of the year.  Last Tuesday I went out with the local housing association whom I volunteer for and they treated me to a lovely meal and wine!!  I did watch what I ate and the next evening I was slimmer of the week!  I lost two pounds.

Tonight I have paid for my husband and I to have a meal with the slimming world gang, we have such a laugh and for once we can be a little naughty.  I was meant to go to another dinner last  night but having not been a work for most of the year I thought I would be careful and this would have to have been booked some time ago - although I won £500 on the premium bonds and yes I know it is not the best way to save but its not a case of popping to the bank to draw it out.

It was my birthday last Thursday 6th and my husband is taking me for a meal on Tuesday with other members of my family and I shall try to be good.  I then have a festive morning with the local housing authority and finally a Christmas meal courtesy of my new employers which I am very grateful for seeing I have only been there a short time but I hope it is the start of a long relationship.

Right I am off now enjoy the rest of your Saturday evening!!

Advent catch up 4,5,6 and 7

Sorry for not blogging only I have been to a party and it was my birthday on Thursday.  It was week two of my new job and it has been great but tiring!!

So day 4 my pressie from Mrs Makes was a lovely pin cushion that she made:

How amazing is that!!

I gave her a Christmas cross-stitch:

Shouldn't take her much time at all! I know that she likes cross stitch as we shared information beforehand.  I have tried to implement that in my choices!

Day 5

I received this and I just cannot wait to paint them this weekend:

 

No idea why it is upside down as it isn's saved like that and it has taken me ages to try and resolve it arrgghh!

Nevermind - I got Mrs M this as she is so crafty:

Day 6

I cannot show you what I got as I opened number 9 - what a wally!


Taking into account Mrs M likes purple and I know she loves Christmas I got her:

(I have had to nick Mrs M's pictures as my camera and my laptop are playing up grrr!
A calender book



and a flashing snowman


Day 7

Well today I got a lovely handmade brooch - Mrs M knows I love brooches!

Absolutely wonderful!!

I got Mrs M some well needed chocolate:

Finally, my friend who's son was friend's with my daughter is teaching me crochet - I have not as yet made anything for my grandchild due in March but my friend made this:

If I can learn to make something like this I will be very happy!!

Advent day 3

Well today I got chocolate:

 And I got Mrsmmakes:

Well work today was busy and was a challenge but wouldnt let it stress me out!!

Tonight I went to Crochet club and practiced stitches again, am happy with that!

Might not get an update re advent tomorrow as I am going up the food bank at lunchtime to drop some food off and am at a meeting straight after work then a meal so you may get two the following day.

I hope you are all enjoying the build-up to the festivities.

Ta ra for now!

Advent day two

Well, our tree is up.  There are also a few presents under the tree, not allowed to put decorations up and no cards to write so that means we should have a relatively stress-free Christmas.  I do not have to go into the crowded shops which does stress me out.  I am prepared this year, as of course I have been off sick.

I am looking forward to week 2 and it is my birthday Thursday.  Just a quiet evening in with hubby after three evenings out.  Monday night is crochet club, Tuesday I am going out for a meal for the housing association with which I volunteer and it  is on them and then Wednesday I am going to slimming world and hope to have lost a little.

In the meantime, as you are aware I participated in an advent swap and we had to make, buy or thrift 24 presents to give with a larger one for the 25th December.  It really helped me focus when I was having a hard time.  As my partner and I agreed a fairly low (but reasonable budget) it was a challenge and I enjoyed it.

Here is what my swap sent me a quilling set:





I bought her:

Have a good week all!

It is advent.

There is more to Christmas than presents I know that but I did sign up to Laa Laa's advent swap:

This is what mrsmmakes sent me a lovely brown purse which I believe she made:

As it was the first day of advent I sent her:

I really hope she liked hers.  I love mine!

Tomorrow we shall put up the tree. I am going to enjoy this Christmas spending time with my family after challenging year.

I am not giving Christmas cards this year instead I bought some food and took it to the food bank.