Monday

Good morning, everyone.

The great news is that we had a really lovely afternoon yesterday.  Just about everyone who said they would come did come - and stayed and socialised and bought stuff and donated . . .
There were lots of comments about how warm and friendly everyone and everything was.  For a while, my downstairs was comfortably crowded but not too packed, I was kept busy making coffee and tea and chatting to everyone and the home made biscuits went down a treat, especially the biscotti.
Clare, the lady who ran her Dog Treat Stall was really lovely.
I was so glad I have portable ramps to my front door as two people in wheelchairs were able to come and enjoy themselves.  They've been a real social investment, those ramps.

Beth sold lots of her stuff, including some of her bigger items.  All the robin cushions and two of the owl cushions went quickly (they really are cute) and Beth now has to make another for me to give to someone and she also has orders for bunting and a couple of Christmas fabric wreaths.  She had a felt robin Christmas tree decoration, left over from some she made up for a customer, which I coveted greatly but some other meanie bought it - so now she is going to make some more for me.

Here he is - a jolly little fellow, I think.

These craft fairs in halls can be a very discouraging experience as people walk past, often not even giving the stall holder a smile.  Since Beth started selling her creations, I've had a lot more understanding, believe me.  Now I make a point of stopping and looking and having a little chat to the person behind the table and, if I can, I buy a little something.
Beth's last two events have both been at private homes with invited guests and have been much more successful, not just in terms of things sold but also in terms of friendliness and warmth and overall good experience.

My lovely friend, Jen, turned up with a big bag of quality yarn, mostly sock weight, as a donation, saying that if people bought any, it could go into the charity box.  I now have a pair of socks to knit but not until another friend, Val, has made hers, as she bought a ball and borrowed my sock pattern! 

Best of all, after counting donations of various kinds, we have £131 to donate to the Alzheimer's Society.  I'll do that online today when Beth brings over a code that she has from the Society that came with the fund raising pack (which we only wanted for the collection box really!).

I was so tired last night but not so tired as to miss Strictly (bit of a shock, that, but no spoilers in here or in any comments, please) and so zonked that all I did was make a plate of chips in my actifry.  Really healthy, don't you think!!!   No?
I thought I'd sleep well but I think my brain was too much a-buzzing as I didn't really and was up far too early!
Never mind, it all sorts out eventually.

Today isn't too bad either. 
Beth will be round this morning to sort and put away her things (we were both too tired yesterday evening) and we can get my furniture back into place and carry the gopak table back into the garage..  It's not messy at the moment, it's really very tidy, but Beth's things need taking back up to her work room, something I can't really do for her.  Because I had to sort out little piles of clutter, once that's done my downstairs will be tidier than it's been in a long while.  Definitely a Good Thing. 

I'll keep out the few Christmas things I put up - the seven candle thingy at the window, the new red candles on the holders on the sideboard and the Christmas bunting that Beth made for me last year as it's all very cheering on those more gloomy days.

I digress.  Beth will be round and I have some soup leftover from yesterday to share with her.  Then I'm off to help in foundation stage followed by a tuition session (so I'd better check over the student's folder, although I am pretty sure I have everything ready).  This evening is free so after finishing off a bit of ironing, I will relax and get on with my knitting, smug in the knowledge that downstairs, at least, is lovely and tidy again!

I do seem to have gone on rather.  Sorry!  I'm hoping that yesterday was good for you too and that today will also be great.  xx

(I need to add - if anyone is interested in anything Beth makes, please say as she does post things out as well as doing face to face stuff)