Cosy Days

My day off today. It was productive in short bursts, interspersed with down time manifesting as pain and tiredness. I saw my GP today who agreed my new medication for my bone condition is not working. Since the side effect of the medication can be stomach ulcers we made a joint decision to cease. I have to go for a round of blood test next Monday, go for some scans and then book in for injections (into the soles of my feet gulp!). To be honest, if it takes the pain away I would probably let them inject my eyeballs (probably!).

I had visitors in the afternoon and almost burned the soup destined to be my lunches for the next couple of days, but managed a miraculous save.

lentil tomato and jalapeno

I had planned on making breakfast muffins but by the time my guests left and I made dinner (stir fry vegetables, singapore noodles and tuna fish), I was too tired.

Oscar had a long bubble bath and came out over tired and grumpy. I had promised him play time so even though it was almost 9pm I had to relent and allow 10 minutes of play. But look at what play thing has caught his attention again (after a year and a half).

Oscar was bundled into bed with bible stories and buttered toast and cosy milk, and I ran a detox bath for myself of sea salt, eucalyptus and aloe vera gel. It was lovely and warm and very soothing on the limbs. I also managed to read a chapter of a book.

I have only read the first chapter which tells the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. The story is from the woman's point of view and went as far as it could to give mitigating circumstances for this woman's behavior.
Having my husband whom I adored do this to me makes it a difficult sin to deal with. I understand however that it is not me he needs to be sorry to, it is the Lord our God. I am in no position to judge another's sin. 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone'

And on that note, its my turn for hot toast and butter and a warm drink, before I get a good and peaceful nights sleep.

Thinking About

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Show Night

This was a busy day with work and shopping and out for dinner, after I had dropped Oscar off at the theater for his 2 hour rehearsal right before his Christmas show.

No photo's of the show allowed of course so here is a wee picture of my boy and his certificate.

He was very nervous my little thespian however he seemed less nervous than previous years. I of course was biting my nails every time he was on stage.
The Stage School owner informed us that they have something 'special' lined up for next years performance, so I am wondering what it will be.
Oscar chatted all the way home in the car, asked to watch a movie when we got in (about 10.30pm) and promptly fell asleep.
I am so proud of him, for what he does and who he is.

Busy Winter Days

Ten days already! How did that happen? Two weeks left until Christmas Eve. Being involved with church means that this can be a busy and fairly social time of year. I have my evening dresses and pearl choker dusted off in readiness.

We were babysitting for friends after school and although I am quite happy to help I was not at all sure I was up to the challenge of 4 kids at once, especially when one of the brood has extra care needed. Anyway as it turns out bless his little heart he was tired and cosied up beside me for most of the time. As for the other 3, some very expensive toys or computer games could not have kept them more occupied than some cardboard boxes.

After that we went to my Mum's for dinner, and since it was totally, totally, totally freezing outside we were extremely pleased to find hot mince and tatties ready for us when we got in.

Oscar was watching 'Home Alone' for the first time here

I finally made a decision on the Christmas tree and went to Argos after work and bought an artificial tree. No time to put it up tonight or tomorrow though, so its going to be Saturday evening at the earliest.

When we got home Oscar and I put on our onesies (his is Scooby Doo and mine is pink and white polka dot), got in to my bed and cuddled up with a Christmas story.

This is a lovely book, not least because it actually tells us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and we are all free to have The light shine inside us forever. I cant fail to see that light shining from my little one as we cuddle up with sweet stories on a cold winter night.
Valerie

Thank Goodness Its Bedtime

Have you ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong? I don't want to rake over the ashes now, but lets just say I am glad it is bed time. Still no tree, but we did fit the Hanukkah candles between showering and then bed.
Oscar is crashed out, with MLP playing in the background! Yes, not my first choice either, but when tempers are frayed its just not worth the fight.
Ok positives of the day

• A friend offered me a new bread maker
• I manage to whip up a pasta tuna and sweetcorn dish for dinner in 15 minutes when dinner plans fell through
• It didn't rain too much
• I got a really lovely green cowl
• There is mint ice-cream in the freezer should I need it. 
• My little boy is the most precious gift I have

The Festival Of Light

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
This is our first year celebrating both religious events. Oscar was pretty impressed with the Hanukkah stories, especially when he got to take the shamash and light the first and second candles in the Menorah.

I think tomorrow we are going for the tree (a real one this year for sure), but in the mean time there is always the advent calendar to be opened.

I am not sure how much of the Faith based aspects the kids take on board, apart from the baby Jesus being born. But no matter, it will come in time as they become much loved and long used traditions.


Enjoy the festival of lights dear chaver's and chavera's

Sunday / Sabbath

And rest in the Word I did. Jordan is our new Sunday school teacher and he kicked us off with a  fabulous new approach today. I could sense some resistance in the room to this new guy shaking things up a little but I for one am so happy. Jordan has asked that we back up each answer with a line or verse of scripture. What an interesting challenge. We somehow managed to do it. Next week we are reading from Revelation, I am excited for the prep.

I had  half planned to put the Christmas tree up tonight, but tiredness and a lack of decision yesterday on whether to buy a real or fake tree kind of put the brakes on that. Today I am leaning towards real.

We had Elder Salinas and Elder Neideich over to eat dinner with us tonight and it was lovely to have a full dinner table with lots of chat. Poor wee Oscar was really tired from the late night last night but he made it through. I cooked cottage pie, carrots and broccoli, and we had chocolate trifle and strawberry gateaux for desert. The Elders tried my alcohol free wine, but went straight onto the Schloer. Not big fans I would say.

This week has been quite a week of rich food and fizzy drinks and so my body is yelling for clean simple food. I have spent some time looking up low cost and healthy organic recipes and have a wee bunch to try, mind you, I dont suppose it will stop me eating my Extra Special clotted cream fudge (a birthday gift from a dear friend who remembered chocolate gives me a migraine.

I haven't taken any photos today so here are a few from last night. Isn't Oscar's costume the cutest thing ever?

Glow Sticks :)

Friday Night

Not much to say, a lovely day, a lovely evening out listening to some great music, gone to bed with a tub of Pringles and this ...................................

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to me.
Work again today, I received some lovely gifts from friends and customers today, isn't it nice when you make friends wherever you go.
We went crazy at lunch and had baked spuds with prawn cocktail AND cheese. I haven't eaten much cheese in the last year as it seems it doesn't suit me, but I do love it so.
We ran some errands in the late afternoon and then I collected Oscar from school.
After a wee lie down we took a taxi (in the pouring rain), to my Mum's for a birthday tea.

We had a lovely time, and I received some lovely gifts. The highlight of my day? My baby bringing my cake to me (a job my Dad did for me for many many years when he was still with us).

Thanks for reading
Valerie

Tilly Face

Oscar and I have been pretty tired today. I guess 2 late nights catch up with you in the end. Again it was a work and school day so we went our separate ways at 9am. I spent a good part of the morning sorting out business paperwork both physical and virtual. I guess its the tedious and often frustrating part of being a business owner.

We had lasagna and roast potatoes and carrots for dinner. A bit of winter comfort food. Oscar went to bed with the Noah's Ark story (again), and I had intended on running a bubble bath and reading a book I started reading a long time ago and really was enjoying, however the book is no place to be found, a casualty of the house move perhaps.

I have plans to be out the next 3 evening in a row so tonight I am going to vegetate in front of the TV, currently loving Jessica Jones on Netflix, but with the leading man/bad guy being a local, who can blame me.

ps when I woke up today the kitten was sitting on my hip

Cute but a bit scary at the same time.
Valerie

Welcome To December

The day started with Oscar opening his Advent Calendar. I do the chocolate thing, but the same as last year I found M&S do a Nativity Scene one, which is exactly how I think it should be. Barbie, Peppa Pig and Spiderman are all well good, but the more we can bring our Savior into our celebrations the better.
And speaking of celebrations, we are going to be trying a little bit of Hanukkah this year. I have ordered a simple Hanukkah kit from Amazon (due tomorrow) and for Oscar, this lovely little book.

What I like about this book is that it covers both Hanukkah and Christmas. I find a lot of the Jewish customs very comforting for some reason. Perhaps its as simple as feeling closer to our Lord, and trying to understand the world he lived in. Slightly off topic but our women's group intend to celebrate Passover in 2016 so that will be a new and exciting first for me.

Anyway, today was a work/school day so not much to say on that front, except I made myself a skirt at work. Its somebody's birthday this week (me, me, me) and I am being given an 80's themed birthday party (and why not?), pictures to follow.

After  dinner (chili, rice, sour cream and tortilla chips), we got to work on some artwork for the party.

Oscar, of course was covered in paint, and his school clothes are rolling around in the washing machine right now. Its very rare for us all to craft together these days and honestly, despite having a numb bot from sitting on the floor, I really enjoyed myself. We had an 80's music play list on in the background and we were all singing along.

We were late for a week night coming home so after some cuddles on Mama's bed Oscar went off quite happily to bed (tonight's bedtime story was Samson and Delilah. A good bible story if ever there was one and a welcome change from Noah's Ark 73 nights in a row (I may have exaggerated that a little)

And finally I can report that my bed is getting in to the festive spirit.

Super cute, right? I bought this bedding set for a few £'s in the sales last January (from Asda). And I am off to test it out right now.
Night night and thanks for reading Blogmas Day 1
Valerie