Saturday

Good morning, everyone, and I really hope that those of you living further north are OK while Amy is moving across N Ireland and Scotland.  I know there's a fair few hours to go so fingers crossed.  I'm thinking of brother, John, who doesn't live in the eye of the storm but quite close enough, thank you!!

It's been gusty here overnight but everything in the garden stayed put, even the egg chair which has a tendency to blow over - it's still windy but nothing to stop anyone from doing anything.

And the sun is shining!  Lovely.

Yesterday was good and felt quite busy.  Slimming world was fun, as always.  As predicted, I had no problems spending the necessary £60 in Morrisons; it was a fair bit more, in fact, but I got loads of shelf stable stuff, mostly cans, so I was happy with that.    To explain, it's a More Points thing - spend £60 every week for three specified weeks (in total, not just one shop) and get £15 worth of More vouchers.  One has to be careful not to spend just for the sake of spending, but £180 in a month, given Christmas is close and with things the cost they are, it's not a stupid amount and, with thought and a list, achievable with normal purchases.  I've been saving my More vouchers all year and, by December, should have £70 of them saved which will be a great contribution towards Beth's Christmas food (I'm going to hers this Christmas).

I decided to get out and about so I visited a few shops at the Clock Tower.  M&S first where I had a good look round.  They are still going through autumn/Hallowe'en but they've closed the coffee shop and are converting it to a 'specials' area.  They had some Christmas stuff in but not loads yet.

They I meandered round Dunelm and treated myself to some nice smelly stuff - candles and reed diffuser fill ups, very nice and very reasonable.  There was some gorgeous, soft, tartan bedding and, if I hadn't already got enough festive bedding, I would have fallen for it.  As it was, my halo remained intact.

And then to Aldi where I got some bits and pieces for my reverse advent and food bank donations.  I haven't mentioned that for a while, have I?  They're really stocking up for Christmas now.

And a few parcels arrived.  It is Chris' grandson's birthday next week and it was his gift.  I am so pleased with it.  It's a nice child's baking set (Lakeland) and I also ordered some Christmas cookie cutters and a simple Christmas baking recipe book from Amazon which I will give at the beginning of December rather than for the 25th.  He loves helping Chris in the kitchen and when I asked her, she thought it was a great idea
Won't his parents love me!!!!!!!!!

On to today.  I'm running a bit late because I slept in and then stayed in bed reading.

I have time though.  I'm taking the bus into town, walking to Franklins for their yarn sale and then over the road to the Thermomix studio for a demo (free and you get to eat the food!) before walking back to the bus and popping into a few shops on the way.   

And then it is Strictly this evening, of course.   I already have a few favourites!  Voting is just online now and I hope the site can cope.  Before you could vote by phone (unlimited times but it cost) or on the site (three votes only).  I think it's fairer for everyone to have three votes but - well, we will see.

Anyway - time to stop rambling, get my Facebook stuff done (avoiding all the nasty toxicity there now) and then get the day started.

Again, I hope everyone is safe in storm Amy.  Take care, all, and see you tomorrow.  xx