Wednesday: Blogmas day 21

 Day 21 - can you believe it?  Time is simply flying along at the moment!

Good morning, everyone.  How are things?  It is so mild here that the heating isn't coming on at all which, after heavy use last week, is something of a relief.  Yesterday was a lovely, sunny day too.  Today looks like sunny intervals and showers and tomorrow, rain.  Oh, well . . .
I've given up trying to dry washing on the line at the moment and my little drying rack, molto cheapo from Wilkinsons and big enough to take one load of washing at a time, has been very helpful.  I have to use it anyway as the washing rarely dries properly outside at this time of year.

Yesterday was yet another good day. 

Groove, at Lindsey's studio, was so much fun.  There were seven of us there and three online, really good for the week before Christmas.  We did the same routines as last week, to Christmas music.  There's such a good vibe in Lindsey's studio - I can't explain it really but it just feels great.

After a drive home and a quick freshen up, I was into school for my governor's visit, speaking to the SENDCo.  It was very straightforward as I had an agenda, a series of headings within which to explore provision and whether all the statutory requirements were being met, etc.
On a less formal note, it was brilliant to see how the role I held for so long has changed and developed in recent years and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole visit.  A shame about the written report but J is not expecting anything back quickly and, as I will send it to her school mailbox, she might not even see it until the new term starts anyway.

After that, I popped into Morrisons and then went home, had lunch and then started in on the ironing.  That's all done now although I will be changing the sheets, possibly today, so there will be another load soon.  I know a lot of you don't iron bedding but I do - I love a new made bed with lovely, smooth, ironed bedding.  I know - I'm bonkers!!

The box of wines still hasn't come and yesterday evening saw another apologetic message from Naked Wines assuring me they were doing all they can.  To be fair, no-one could have foreseen how much disruption the snow and, more specifically, the ice would cause over the whole of last week.
It is a bit frustrating though, because some bottles are earmarked for gifts and some for the family party tomorrow evening.  The gifts can be given later but I'll have to get some more for tomorrow which was not the idea at all.  Oh, well - first world problem and not the end of anyone's world.

Today is, I think, the last of the more busy days, and it's not that bad really.  
It starts with a trip over to Beth's where Sharon will do our hair.  I woke in a panic in the night thinking I didn't have anything to give her (it should have been one of those bottles) before remembering I did have some appropriate fall back gifts so all was well.

Later on, I'm off to Lindsey's for the last time this year for personal training.  I was still making part of her Christmas present yesterday evening but managed to get it all finished and wrapped up to take with me today.  Phew.

Also, today is cleaners day as it's the last day they work before Christmas (some are flying home for the season).  It's hard to know how to gift them so I always pop a tip into their cards so they can choose for themselves.  I don't think they are working next week so I will have to knuckle down and do some myself - oh, the hardship!!!

The rest of the day will be spent as it always is - bit of housework, bit of crafting, bit of reading, bit of telly.

I've been thinking ahead to next Christmas (don't all shout at once) and gifts for the girls.  I'm still working to greatly reduce my yarn stash without wasting any and have a whole load of four ply sock yarn (quite a lot gifted to me a while ago).  I found this pattern online which won't be nearly as complicated as it looks because the sock yarn is self patterning.  If I start now, I will have several sets to gift by next Christmas.

I just have a bit of a gift for Beth to finish crocheting and then I can start on the mittens.  I hope they will make nicely - they do look nice, I think.

If it works - here's the link to the pattern.  As I'm not doing the patterning, it's a lot easier than at first appears.

https://knitty.com/ISSUEw22/PATTremnants/PATTremnants.php

Today's festive music is a couple of John Rutter carols (I do love his Christmas music).
The first is the Star Carol, a lovely, jolly, bright, foot tapping piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gxoGGTicNI&list=PLjBnYixEZmRe_hFFjGJ5Sg1tUJw8jwNLA&index=18


The second is the Candlelight Carol. The words are just wonderful.

How do you capture the wind on the water? 

How do you count all the stars in the sky? 

How can you measure the love of a mother, 

Or how can you write down a baby’s first cry? 

Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow 

Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn. 

Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! 

Angels are singing; the Christ child is born. 

Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him, 

Seraphim round him their vigil will keep; 

Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Saviour, 

But Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep. 

Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger: 

Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay. 

Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation: 

A child with his mother that first Christmas Day.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbudPRPrFWI