Thursday: Advent day twenty three

 Good morning, everyone!  After a very restless night, I was awake at stupid o'clock this morning.  It's just as well it's going to be a very relaxed sort of day because I will fade out at some point and have a good old snooze in my lovely recliner.
I have no idea what the weather is doing but Beeb says it's not freezing, will go up to double figured in temperature and be dull and cloudy all day - a bit boring, in fact!

Yesterday went pretty much according to plan.  It was such a relief to have got the shopping done and dusted and I can only think of one thing that I've forgotten - that that is not important.  It seems that people are avoiding the shops - Anna said she went to a different shop later in the day, expecting it to be heaving and it really wasn't that bad at all.  I guess no-one want Christmas to be spoilt by a positive test if they can possibly avoid it!

Personal training with Lindsey was great fun.  She's pushing me on quite gently but it's definitely a push and I'm liking that.
When I got home. the cleaners had been and gone, done their usual magic, taken their cards and Christmas tips and left the place looking lovely.  They have next week off so that's it for over a fortnight.  I will have to do my own cleaning next week - oh, my, how will I cope!!!

The afternoon was spent just generally pottering around doing this, that and the other and the evening with Dave and Anna was just lovely.  After the Chinese we had a game of Scrabble where I was comprehensively beaten into third place by two very clever people (they first met on one of these academic courses for exceptionally able teenagers!!) but I don't care; it was a lot of fun.
I was pretty tired and mildly tiddly when they left so disappeared to bed but it was a restless night as I've already said and I should sleep much better tonight.

In the meanwhile, today is one of those days where I need A List so I have started one.  It's beside me as I type and I keep adding bits to it.
The turkey (the one that we're not having on Christmas Day) arrives today.  At the moment the email just says 'before 18:00' but I should get a more specific time band soon.
The lovely Victoria, she who runs the wreath making courses, will be bringing over the table decoration she has created for me and I'll take a photo for tomorrow's blog.  She has made one for several years now and this year I've asked for a pillar candle so it takes longer to burn down.

I do NOT need any more sweet stuff but I am umming and ahing about making some gingerbread biscuits, just because.  I'll look up the recipe and see what I think - maybe I will and maybe I won't!

On The List, in capital letter, it says THE TIMETABLE.  Usually, once the turkey is in, I know where I'm at with a Christmas dinner but as I'm doing a different meal, I need to work it all out carefully.  It's not the main things, it's all those extras,. plus dessert.  So that's an important thing today/tomorrow.

Well, it's early but I may as well get started.  Have a great day, whether you are busy or not.  Take care and stay safe.  xx

Today's Advent music for day twenty three is a proper carol, the lovely Ding Dong Merrily on High. with its challenge to sing the 'gloria' in one breath (I can't, unless it is very pacey!).

Do you remember that bit in one of the Vicar of Dibley episodes where Alice brings the carol singers and they sing this and just carry on the the 'Gloria' until the all run out of breath.  Makes me laugh every time.