Me on a Monday

I really think I should call this post Me on a Tuesday from now on as I always seem to be a day behind!  I manage to do most of it on the iPad but then need to reach for the lap top to tidy up the post and resize the photos and it's always either out of power or out of reach!  Will make more effort next week!  Anyway on to the post...

It started off early again with a trip down the M6 at lunch time to Nottingham for our company conference.  The room looked very pretty - all white and blue - and we got an update on how things are going (which is pretty well, thank goodness!)...

Then it was off with the boring presentations and on with the partying.  A lovely meal, lots of catching up and putting faces to names, some karaoke and of course a lot of dancing!  These are two of the lovely managers I work with...

After a rather late night (or should that be early morning) we piled back on the coach for the trip home. The afternoon was spent tidying, cleaning and shopping. Oh and scrapping!  I finally scrapped!

It was a watch for the rain to stop kind of Sunday morning and as soon as it did we headed to Christmas Tree farm for our tree.  It has an eclectic mix of decorations which seems to grow every year!...

The bottom right hand one isn't one of them by the way.  That's just Josh wondering why we are looking at the 8th tree in a row when the first one was just fine!  Tree picked it was home for a quick lunch and leaving them all to get it up and decorated whilst I headed off with some of my Brownies to visit Santa...

We visited the county campsite for two hours of fun.  There were crafts, a Frozen trail, a mini panto, shopping and a visit to the big man himself.  The girls had a great afternoon and I was feeling very festive at the end of the day.  Just in the right mood to sit near the tree and watch the I'm a celebrity final.  I think this years has been one of the best yet!

Monday evening finds me collapsed on the sofa with a cat on my lap having just done the last Brownie meeting of the year and nursing a sore throat.  I'm hoping it doesn't linger.  In the meantime I'm cheering myself up with a little bit of Kirsty's Handmade Christmas on TV...

See what all the other Me on a Mondayers have been up to by heading over to Sian's.  If you've not joined in yet why don't you?  And let me know so I can pay you a visit.

Me on a Monday

Waves to all the Me on a Mondayers - please pop over to Sian's blog to see who joined in last week. 

It was another long weekend with a Fricay off work  This involved shopping in Manchester with breakfasts accompanied by bellinis, avoiding the Christmas Markets due to a bomb scare, being made over at the make up counter and picking up quiet a few things on my Christmas shopping list...

It ended with a lovely meal out and great conversation with friends....

1. 

It also included taking photos of pretty lights...

Saturday was a trip to Boots for some Black Friday bargains (hello Babyliss Curl!) then home to  get jobs done kind of day including a mammoth Amazon shop! It was Victorian Day in the village which was a bit of a wash out.  There were no fireworks but the lights went on.... 

Alex dressed the part for her shift at the tea shop...

Then it was boring food shopping on Sunday and a quick trip to the phone shop for another deal and an early Christmas present for me :)

In between it was the usual TV viewing - my goodness things in the jungle are getting feisty! - and more knitting of small hats for juice bottles.

Monday found me chairing a disciplinary which took 3 and half hours with a few twist and turns followed by a very noisy Brownie meeting (I don't know where they get their energy from!) so forgive me for not posting last night.

Here's to a good week and oh look it's the 1st December. Holidays are coming!!!

Me on a Monday

It was a "let's start early" kind of weekend with a day off work on Friday for both of us.  We headed to John Lewis and an out of town M&S to make a dent in the Christmas shopping.  Whilst out Tony bumped into this fellow...

Then it was a stuck in horrible traffic kind of afternoon which meant it was a mad dash to get out Friday evening for our festive meal together.  21 out of the 24 of us made it out all together - all but one couple have a boy in Year 10 and we've been friends since we met in the primary playground. The other couples' connection is Year 12 with a couple of us.  I thank my lucky stars I have such an amazing group of friends on my doorstep.  When I first moved up here to move in with Tony I knew nobody and felt quite lonely.  Those days are long gone!

It was a working Saturday morning (with a little sore head!) but it was over by 1pm and then it was errands and little jobs, home to sit on the sofa and comfort Alex as she had a tummy bug (and an excuse to catch up on I'm a Celeb!) and then a chill out in front of Strictly evening.

Sunday dawned and it was a 7am start kind of day!  I was picked up at 8am to go Kirsty's Handmade Christmas Fair in Manchester.

There were beautiful crocheted snowflakes...

There were beautiful wood shapes to cover and decorate (I may have bought a few!)...

There were beautiful hand crafted items for sale - I love this quote...

We did a couple of workshops - Napkins painted with Annie Sloan paint and Folk Art.  This was my effort and I loved it so much I bought a kit...

We watched a "wreath off" with a couple of designers which gave us some great inspiration (I'm definitely adding fairy lights to mine this year) and we saw Matt Chapple from the Great British Sewing Bee and had a lovely chat with his wife about how their life had changed since he won.  Then it was time to rest our weary shopping feet with a little pick me up...

...when we were rudely interrupted by a woman asking us if we'd like to attend the last demonstration on stage with Betty's cookery school and Kirsty on stage.  Well we'd been spotting her all day in the distance talking to stall holders and walking through the event so thought this would be a better chance to see her so we were up and off before you could say Christmas Craft.  The demo was brilliant and we even got a taste of the Christmas Pud at the end which was delicious.  I also managed to stop Kirsty and have a little chat, she asked me to come round the back of the stage as I enthused about the show and what was great and what was missing.  She seemed so keen to listen and was really lovely.  Of course we had to have the obligatory photo...

Then it was a head home kind of evening to roast lamb, the Strictly result and more jungle shenanigans accompanied by a bit of knitting.  Inspired by my visit to the show I picked up my needles again and have started knitting a few hats for Innocent Smoothies to raise money for Age Concern together with Alex.  I've started with the beginners to get back in to it but I'm keen to have a go at the sheep!  More info on the Big Knit here.

So Monday found me very tired and back at my desk but looking forward to a four day week with another Friday off - yay!

Have a great week and join all the other Me on a Mondayers ((waves)) over at Sian's place.

Me on a Monday (oops! I forgot to press publish!)

It was an Imagine Dragons kind of Friday evening as we all headed to the Manchester Arena for a family outing, one we've been looking forward to for several months...

It was a get up and dance from the first song kind of night and don't sit down until the end!  The mosh pit was jumping, everyone sang along and the whole place was rocking.  It was one of the best concerts I've ever been too (and those that have stuck with me for a while know I go to a fair few of them!)...

Saturday dawned and it was a catch up on washing, cleaning and ironing kind of Saturday.  There were a few errands to run and then time to sit down and do yet more badge sewing!  This time on Josh's Explorer shirt as he was invested on Wednesday...

It was a Gogglebox catching up and Strictly watching evening accompanied by the first home made Beef Bourguignon of the year which smelt and tasted delicious!

Sunday was a pop to the shops kind of a day with a trip to M&S and IKEA for essentials but managed to get a couple of stocking fillers and some wrapping paper into the bargain.

It was also a day I joined in my first Blog Hop as a postee and managed to plant my tubs at the front of the house finally - inbetween rain showers!

Then it was Ju Jitsu and Josh's first time on the opposite side of the mat as a Sensei...

Then home for Strictly result watching and the start of I'm a Celebrity...I think I look forward to seeing Ant and Dec more than anything but this year's motley crew look quite entertaining already!

Just as a little extra treat (and in case you were wondering who the hell Imagine Dragons are) here is one of the best songs from the concert.  This was filmed earlier on in the tour but the energy was just the same on Friday night!  You need to wait until 1 min 50 to get to the audience participation part lol!!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to Sian for hosting "Me on a Monday".

Have a great week!

Me on a Monday

After a very emotional week is was definitely time for the weekend which included fireworks, scrapbooking, chilling out in the warm home while the rain lashed down down and a little bit of a celebration...

It was a head up to the local fireworks display kind of Friday eve.  It didn't disappoint!

It was a spend the day scrapooking at the Haslington Crop as Tony had gone away with some of the other hubbies in our group.  2 almost finished pages and another one started...

It was a relaxing Saturday evening with a glass of wine and Strictly...

Then it was a get the food shop done kind of Sunday morning where these beautiful poppies were spotted outside ASDA....

It was a try a friend's recipe and home made, delicious nachos for lunch kind of day...

It was a nice to have hubby home kind of Sunday afternoon and he cooked a roast chicken while I ran the kids to their gradings.  There was success all round with a purple belt for Alex and....a black belt finally achieved for Josh!  He's worked really hard for this and will now get to help out and teach the younger ones.

Then it was a Strictly result watching evening and the last episode of Downton (I may have cried!) But I'm doing a little dance as I managed to book tickets to visit Highlere Castle (Downton in real life) next March with my parents and Alex.  we are having afternoon tea too so a real treat. I'm just a tad excited!!!

This Monday finds me shattered from being back at Brownies (I've had the last 3 weeks off) and a very busy day at work.  But it's a new regime here and everyone is mucking in with the jobs while Tony works away so a good start to the week :)

Have good weeks all you Me on a Monday-ers and waves to Sian for this fabulous meme.  

Me on a Monday

This Monday finds me off for a day as it's Half Term.  A day of vet visits and a visit to the local Outlet shopping centre for some bargains for Alex and Josh.  But how about the weekend?

It was a late drive to the Peak District kind of Friday night to drop Josh off for a two day hike with Explorers (It turned out to be a one day hike but more of that in a minute).

It was the first day for wearing boots this Autumn kind of Saturday...

It was a chance to nip into Manchester for a few errands (the ones that could only be done in the city like a clarinet service!)...

Then chance for a sneaky lunch, just the two of us...

My pate came in a flower pot although I'm not sure Tony felt the same about his chicken wings in the mini picnic basket or the mushrooms in a garden trowel!

There was time for a stop at the local farm shop for some fresh veg...

And also the local deli for some cheese for supper (buying local to keep them in business!)

Then it was a drive back to the Peak District again on Saturday eve (unscheduled and interrupting my Strictly viewing!) as Josh had twisted his knee and could not continue with the hike.

Thank heavens for the extra hour in bed as we stayed up late to finish our Strictly viewing (and our cheese... Wensleydale and sticky toffee pudding anyone?)

It was a lazy kind of Sunday with scrapbooking (for me), a local football derby (for hubby), book reading and play stationing (for the kids) and watching Lewis Hamilton become World Champion - Yay!

And the vet visit?  Bruce was extremely curious!  After a thorough check it turns out he has a heart murmur.  Never knew cats could get those.  However it's very mild and nothing to concern ourselves with, just something to watch.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my weekend.  If you want to join in pop over and visit Sian.

Here's to a 4 day week!

Me on a Monday

It was a fairly ordinary weekend. It was a Saturday of cleaning, tidying, washing and drying. Interspersed by a little trip out to watch the Vulcan bomber fly overhead on its Northern Tour of Britiain. 

One of the last times it will fly. It was passing overhead only 20 mins up the road and very handily near the in-laws so we popped in for a cuppa and a chat. 

 

It was a head to the shops kind of Sunday morning for work shoes (for Alex) but not a successful one. Instead I bought this years organiser as dates are already starting to get booked in for 2016! It was also a food shop for the week kind of morning as I got organised for the week ahead. 

It was an "I'm feeling yuck" kind of Sunday afternoon so I collapsed on the sofa with some scrapping videos (love a bit of Mercy Tiara) and Bruce brought me a present. Thankfully it was one of his favourites - a twig (I swear he thinks he's a dog sometimes!) - rather than anything with fur or feathers!

And then before I knew it, it was Sunday evening and Strictly and Downton for me. Running around for Tony as he took the kids to Ju Jitsu and we have a grading date now. Josh is going for his black belt next - fingers crossed he gets it!

So this morning finds me still aching and tired, wishing I didn't have to go to work. Roll on 5:30!

I'm sharing my weekend courtesy of Sian. Head on over to see what everyone else has been up to. 

Have a good week x

Me on a Monday

After three very busy but fun weekends this one was a catch up on jobs and chill out one.  I'm joining in with Sian to share my weekend...

It was also a very dry one as I've gone sober for (some of) October. I have a couple of things planned in the middle weekend so allowing myself a treat!

After cleaning and tidying bedrooms and filling a charity bag of small kids clothes, cleaning and tidying the study/craft room, doing a mammoth food shop, running some errands and helping with homework. ( phew!) there was also time to bake some Shrewsbury biscuits...

Do a little more pocket scrapping...

And have an afternoon brew at the local coffee shop where we picked Alex up from her first day at work! She works 10-3 and then gets a free lunch! It's a fabulous small family business and she has struck gold getting a Saturday job there...

There was also time for a little Strictly watching and some House episodes - our new family viewing show where we try and call the illness before its diagnosed by the great doctor. Nobody's won yet!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your weekends were just how you wanted. I'm a bit behind on blog reading so sorry if I've not been over to your place recently. Will try and remedy that this week!

Me on a Monday - the Malaga edition

It was an amazing weekend. Spent in warm and sunny Malaga (a city with so much  too see, very few tourists and cheap prices!) with just the best group of friends a girl could wish for. We have laughed, we've cried, we've eaten well, we've shopped, we stayed up til 4pm one night and experienced Spanish nightlife and a club and we may have also drunk a little bit too much wine!

We also admired views and took selfies....

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Rode segways round the city and to the top of Gibralfaro (with the most gorgeous tour guide!)...

We drank gin and tonics and sangria looking over the port...

Did a swimsuit shoot!...

Visited the Picasso Museum and chilled out afterwards in a nearby cafe...

Visited the stunning Malaga Cathedral...

Had a fabulous lunch on the beach at a restaurant with no menu - just waiters wandering around with plates of food shouting out their names and you put your hand up to have one!

Watched the sun set from the roof top pool...

Tried a little hair curling....

Took more cheeky selfies...

Had the most amazing Sunday lunch in a restaurant overlooking the city and shared desserts (my preferred way of eating pud these days as you get to try everything!)...

And had time for one last group shot before heading to the airport...

I am truly blessed to know such wonderful women - all different but together such a good combination. 

This is me on a Monday which has found me unpacking and washing, organising for the week ahead and thankfully not at my desk (couldn't have managed that!) and having lunch with the hubby. Looking forward to a nice four day week.  Thank you for undulging me in my photo heavy post. Please pop over and see Sian for some more weekend updates.