dorothyredboots' Journal

Last Christmas party...last christmas shopping
Joy to the world! Fought my way round Tesco for the last time before Christmas - it only took all afternoon! Anyway got everything we 'need' and a lot more besides! You would think the place was going to be closed for about a fortnight the amount of stuff folk had in their trolleys. I can't help wondering if a lot of it gets thrown away..how sad. Raced down to the local deli to grab the last jar of goose fat in which to roast my spuds - suppose to be marvy so we shall see.

Dinner party tonight hosted by Dave and Elaine, whom we have only met once so I thought it was brave of us to invite us to dinner. Another couple there as well. Interesting going to other people's houses - they can't be that much older than us but their place is so old fashioned compared to ours. The curtains and stuff are what I would describe as 'fussy' and there were loads of little china ornaments everywhere - not my cup of tea at all. All sorts of styles all jumbled together... very odd.

So glad it is the last evening we are out for a bit - looking forward to Friday night at home!!

Current Mood: tired

Dance Night and a 'bit of a do'
Bit of a do in the office at lunchtime - all a bit uncomfortable. We all sit round making polite conversation and it's a bit strained to be honest. It feels as if everyone is waiting to make an early escape.

Ballroom class party tonight. Ah! This is more like it. Spot prizes, fun dances, a chance to wear a party dress. At the end Jackie played the National Anthem - very traditional that lady.

Think I'm starting to flag a bit.

Current Mood: exhausted

Mr Swing's Christmas Ball
A good time was had by all I think. Got my nails done in the afternoon - bright red to match my dress (which was much admired). Sadly not too many ballroom dancers there and so we go a bit overshadowed by the disco stuff. Managed to get Steve to take to the floor for a jive and we were the only couple dancing. We must be getting good! All in all a good night.

Bob & Liz arrived this afternoon for the weekend - shame they did not want to come to the dance but each to their own. They went off to visit some friends and were tucked up in bed by the time we rolled in.

Current Mood: awake

Thank God it's Friday
Still lots to do. Family descending on me tomorrow for a butchers at the new house. Brother-in-law and wife, niece and boyfriend and Mother-in-law - all meeting for lunch in our local then will be back chez nous to give the place a coat of looking at.
Urgent/important things to do:-
Quick tidy up/change bedding/hoover etc
Make anniversary card for Steve (23 years)
Book appointment for manicure next Friday
Get stamps for Mum
Go to supermarket (if car available)
Hey Ho, Hey Ho it's off to work I go

Current Mood: busy

Office Christmas Party
My office party tonight. About 40 staff & their partners, where applicable took over the top floor of Meltons Too restaurant in town. Usual story of mega slow service (only two people waiting at tables). Food was nice when it finally arrived. Steve & I ended up on a sedate table with three out of four of the partners and several of the more 'mature' members of staff. Probably where we belonged really - amongst the maiddle class, middle aged folk!!
Just time to watch the tape of Strictly Come Dancing before bed!
Nasty smell in cylinder cupboard is cured but the clicking pipes in the bathroom are back with a vengance!
Bit of a spending spree today - two vases to go on top of new bookcase, towel bale, bath mat, matt emulsion paint, ceramic tiles for bathroom, baubles for Xmas Tree, supplies to make curtain pelmet. Plus delivery of three hellebore plants - a 'free' offer in Gardener's World I think - they looked a bit poorly when they arrived but they have perked up now. Hope its a bit warmer tomorrow so I can plant them.
Good news - Steve & Liz are taking the tickets to Mr Swing. Excellent.

Current Mood: happy

'Tis the season to be jolly - or not!
Still trying to get rid of two tickets for a dance on 16th. Thought this would be easy but it's not. Hoping Steve might get somebody at work. I can see us being out of pocket on this - oh dear. Hard to believe that nobody at our dance classes wants them - obviously they don't like to dance in public - LOL.
Still it's not the end of the world.
Workmen again this Pm - might be getting rid of the drains smell in the cylinder cupboard - that would be good.
Feeling pressured as there still seems a lot to do before Xmas - mostly stuff I don't like such as cleaning!!
Nearly finished the Da Vinci Code.

Current Mood: stressed

First Christmas Party!
Bought two canvas pictures to fill up some of the huge empty walls at home. Well, it's a start - we just need another dozen or so. Got on with the pelmet for the lounge. Primed the two canvas we bought to experiment with our own artwork - mine should be a laugh.
First Christmas 'do' tonight. The eight members of the Relume Quilters got together for their first Christmas bash, to celebrate our three year anniversary (and Christmas as well, of course). Spent quite a bit of time waiting for our food and discussing Gordon Ramsey - is he the sexiest man on telly, or not? We went to Cafe Rouge which was nice and cosy and Christmassy (lovely tree and open fire). Food a bit of a mixed bag - starters a bit iffy but main course (I had lamb) was nice - not many vegetables tho' - like one boiled potato per person??? Good company as usual and nice as we kept moving places round the table between courses so we all got a good natter to everyone else.
Returned home to find Steve had bought a bookcase at Homebase - at last I have somewhere to put my to be read pile! All i could do to start filling it up there and then. Need to get a nice vase or other decorative object to put on top of it. Talk about shop till you drop!
Still rather 'wired' at bedtime - all that wine, coffee and chatter!

Current Mood: awake

Come dance with me
Wednesday night is dance night! We now have a drop in our Rumba, and we perform it with varying degrees of success. The Foxtrot is fine as long as everyone else gets out of the way! Started on adding to the Quickstep - I seem to have a blind spot when it comes to learning this dance so that's not going too well! Beginners at the class are always saying how good we are - it must look better than it feels.

Started reading The Da Vinci Code today. Seem yo be the only person on the planet who has not read it. Bookcrosser Sterile was kind enough to trade with me. Have to say it is very gripping and I can see why it is a bestseller.

Just finished Geri Halliwell's 'Just for the Record', probably best not to say too much about that one!

Current Mood: okay

Got a turkey!
Been thinking about this and could not decide what to do about the turkey for Christmas Dinner. Anyway went to look at the farmers market today and there was a stall taking orders for the bronze turkeys - free range and all the rest of it. Decided this had to be serendipity so I ordered one. Rather they have my money than Mr Tesco.

Finished the first draft of the letter to the people that built the house - complaining about what rubbish it is. S and I will need to sit down together and polish it up, but we will let it percolate for a few days before we do that. It needs to be right when we finally send it.

Current Mood: relieved

Back to reality
Since returning home we are back in the world of builders problems with the house. Electrician came yesterday to sort out the lighting arrangements in the hall and landings. The fix is not ideal but obviously the best we can hope for in the circumstances. We now have a foul smell in the cylinder cupboard. The floors are squeaking again, and getting worse. The pipes are clicking in the bathroom etc etc. Could get you down this.
Must get on with ironing this afternoon. Also going to make shepherds pie and am going to do it in the slow cooker for the first time. Hope to fit in buying jeans Xmas present as well.

Current Mood: frustrated

Bookcrossing Meetup
Braved the cold and went to meetup. New venue at Judges Lodging. Loads of folk there tonight. Took 5 books with me and brought another 4 home. Oh well - net loss of one book. I though bookcrossing would reduce the number of books I have!!! Gotta get some bookshelves!!!!

Current Mood: cold

World Championships
To the Winter Gardens to watch the competition. Hooked up with the other guys from York for a drink beforehand. Exciting competition. Huge dance floor in the ballroom but the couples are moving so fast they still manage to collide. Dresses were spectacular - bling bling. Very tense by the final round - 6 couples left 2 each from Italy, UK and USA. Loads of shouting and cheering as the couples danced by their supporters. Italy were first, UK second & USA third.
Back to hotel to find it has been invaded by the curse of the sequence dancers!!! Spent the evening watching the blue rinse brigade strutt their stuff.

Current Mood: excited

Blackpool Tower
We went, we saw, we danced. Brilliant day at the Tower. Mooched around Blackpool in the morning then went to the Tower. Enjoyed the acquarium and left a book in there. Took the lift to the top and dropped off another book. We watched the dancing for a while and then finally put on our shoes and went for it. The Wurlitzer was fab to hear and there was another more modern organ which was superb. Got some horrid sandwiches for lunch so we were glad of our evening meal back at the hotel. The dancing guests were having their formal dance tonight so we sat in the bar and watched the fun.
Will be glad to get back to my nice shower at home!!!

Current Mood: happy

We are on our way to Blackpool
And we remained on our way for a long time due to various delays on the M62. The journey should have taken 2 hours and took over three. Steve managed to remain fairly calm in the car, and most of the time we were moving along, albeit slowly. Finally got to the hotel and checked in. Quite a nice place but the room rather let down by the bathroom which is straight out of the 60s. Nice dinner in the hotel restaurant. Hotel is accommodating a group of ballroom dancers who were having a fancy dress night (Punks, mods & rockers). They had dancing at the hotel and we were invited to join them. We did a couple of dances and got complimented on how good we were - always makes you feel good. Did battle with the washing facilities and hit the sack - I miss my duvet!

Current Mood: pleased

Christmas Shopping
This is coming along very well!
I have done:-

David & Carole - after dinner tray with coffee, Baileys, biscuits etc
Helen & Rob - mulled wine kit
Liz - umbrella (yes I know but hers is clapped out)
Bob - scarf
Angela - Bag charm
Sam - name plaque with hand painted character letters (going to get Gruffalo book and Room on the Broom book)
Mum - Alan Bennett book (need something else to go with this)
Mother in law - not got this yet but wants a handbag

This really only leaves Stephen and I don't mind doing his!
Quite pleased with myself.

Current Mood: pleased

Work, work, work
Not a lot going on this week as I am working full time, so no opportuntity to do anything interesting!

Current Mood: working

Deck the hall with boughs of holly
Well not quite. Went to Homebase toaday and bought a Christmas tree; 7ft tall and pre lit. Half price offer this weekend so we had to plan ahead. We put it together when we got it home just to make sure all was well, but decided it was a bit early to leave it up!

Current Mood: pleased

Catching up
Kept myself busy on Wednesday and Thursday, and did a lot of housework. Nice to see things at home a bit more ship shape.

Busy afternoon today after work as I need to go to M&S and do a bit of food shopping for the weekend. Then catch a bus to the garage to collect the car. Then drive to Acomb and drop some stuff off at the charity shops (perhaps buying a few books for Bookcrossing???). Then drive to Tesco and do the weekly food shop. Then home for a cuppa!

Not cooking tonight as we will be going to the local pub for our nosh (Friday evening 'treat'). Next episode of Bleak House on the TV to look forward to, which compensates (slightly) for the lack of Gardeners' World.

Current Mood: chipper

Grrrr...Ebay
Spent a fun couple of hours wrestling with Ebay and Pay Pal. So frustrating as I just wanted to make a quick Buy it Now purchase and then had endless faffing about with change of address and getting my PayPal account updated. Got there in the end and ordered a new sizzix die to make some chritmas cards with. Got a one that cuts circles so I'm going to make some with Christmas baubles cut out of shiny card. The die cost about a tenner - thereby making the cards more expensive than any in the shops! Remains to be seen when I will get the chance to actually make them!!

Current Mood: frustrated

Christmas Pudding
Well, so much for good intentions about knuckling down to the housework this week! Got a bit more Christmas shopping done anyway - an unbrella for friend Liz and a bag charm for friend Angela. Had a look at some Christmas trees and garlands, but didn't buy. Put all the ingrediaents together for the Christmas pudding - just need to let it mature overnight and cook it tomorrow in the slow cooker.

Two more catches for bookcrossing. Yipee!

Current Mood: happy

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