What about shopping for Christmas 2018 before we'd even had Christmas '17?
I did, when I spotted these on the half price clearance table in a charity shop, the same shop where I found that Portmeirion Holly and Ivy bowl. There's a part pack of 7 British Heart Foundation Christmas tree cards for 25p and 5 unopened Cancer Research cards for 50p.
Now in the drawer ready for this year, only 350 something days left!
What a monster storm Eleanor was as it swept through overnight Tuesday/Wednesday. This is a windy spot on a normal day but blimey it was rough and then hail, thunder and lightening. The electric went off sometime in the night and came back just before noon. Very grateful again for my LPG hob as I was able to have a hot cuppa and take a flask to the neighbours before I went out to round up everything from the recycling bin which had spread itself round our garden, next door's garden and halfway down the lane. Mobile phone was charged so I was able to notify Power Networks UK that we were off and my wind-up radio kept me in touch with the world.
I spent the morning sorting out the old Christmas cards into shopping list card, gift tags and recycling. Then started the 2017 paperwork sort-out. We put all receipts, paid bills, bank statements etc into a drawer in the dresser. Then in early January I take the whole lot out and go through them and find quite a lot can go straight out to recycling or burning. The rest are filed away in their relevant files - electric, water, banking and so on. We've found this works well for us.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I'm glad you didn't find too much damage from the storm. It wasn't so bad round here but quite enough, even so! I bet your neighbours were very grateful.
ReplyDeleteJ x
When he brought the flask back he said he had been out a bought a picnic stove and kettle, so next time the electric is off they will be OK.
DeleteIt was extremely windy here yesterday, but I got two lots of washing dry.
ReplyDeleteI have refrained from buying any Christmas cards and cheap wrapping paper as I still have plenty for next year and the year after.
It was really wild here, the washing would have been in the next county!
DeleteThese are the first Christmas cards I've bought since 2015 so were needed
I was also on recycling collection duty yesterday. It wasn't ours but collected in our garden. Your neighbours must have been grateful for the flask. X
ReplyDeleteThey've bought a picnic stove now, they seemed to find it embarrassing that I took a flask round!
DeleteI think your instinct was right, and maybe next time they are offered a little help they'll be more gracious. So many of us are taught to never need any help, which seems like a weakness, but the world is changing. If you happen to be in Portland, Oregon, I'd love to have you come round with a flask of tea!
DeleteIt is still very windy here...making me not want to do anything...even Heidi is dead to the world...I snuffled some Morrisons cards up in the sale before Christmas...I don't understand the modern concept of Christmas though...bombard us with Christmas everything before it's here...then soon as it arrives nothing...done...gone...very sad really. x
ReplyDeleteI guess charity shops have limited storage so have to clear out Christmas stuff if they can. I have a rule for cards - Never new from a shop and must be charity cards.
DeleteIt was extremely windy overnight here on Tuesday night but no other problems thankfully.
ReplyDeleteThe hail storm was incredible. I wondered if the conservatory roof would still be in one piece by morning
DeleteWe had roof damage in about November and that was the end of the sealed pot! Apart from the soul sapping endless rain, we seem to have missed the worst of D and E storms. Still doing my Waddingtons 2016 jigsaw-not really enjoying it. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I would give up or persevere!
DeleteI am breaaking all rules. I am just having lunch in the posh restaurant in the Tate Modern. What I saved on accommodation I am spending on food!
ReplyDeletewho's rules - sounds OK to me
Deleteit is a holiday after all!
DeleteIt’s negative 14*f here in Michigan. The dog is buried under a blanket. Not much wind, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteI bought ribbon, wrapping paper and cookie sprinkles after Christmas. This year, i’ll need to buy cards, or make them. But, i’d need to buy the supplies for that, too. I’ll keep an eye out when garage sales start.
Debbie
Brrrrr that sounds cold. It's been mild here no frost for several days but turner colder again soon
DeleteA quiet start to the morning but the wind is up again and the rain is bucketing down. So glad I don't have to go out today.
ReplyDeleteI like to use my old cards for bookmarks first and then when I get fed up of one picture I use it for shopping lists.
Hugs-x-
We've had a lot of rain over the last few days - soggy everywhere
DeleteI thought our oriel window was going to come off the house I've never heard anything like it.
ReplyDeleteHad to look up oriel window!
DeleteGlad you survived the storm.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you
DeleteStormy weather over there, here in Oregon not quite so much. Just a bit of rain today made the day a bit warmer. Earlier this week was chilly. East Coast of USA has been very cold. Glad you are ok even though you had to chase after papers. Good workout?! :0_ My Christmas cards are still in a pile and many of them are photo cards, which I enjoy. Didn't buy any cards after Christmas since there weren't any I liked. Not sure what this year will be card wise. Maybe just a letter!
ReplyDeleteLuckily the rain had made all the bits of paper wet so they were sort of plastered against hedges and fences,
DeleteI'm quite fussy about cards but liked both these above
We escaped Dylan and Eleanor witout damage, but our poor son lost his carport roof. The wind got underneath it and lifted the whole thing, all 30 feet of it and deposited it in his front garden twisted and battered into pieces!
ReplyDeleteHe's involved in discussions with his insurance company now, I'm not hopeful for the outcome!
We live on the north west coast, so are well used to windy weather coming straight off the Irish Sea. However, even by our normal standards Wednesday was bad, but yesterday was the worst I've seen in many years with gusts of over 90mph! We had battened down the hatches though, bins were all in the garage, gates were locked, windows closed in readiness for taking a 'hammering'.
There are times when I'd love to live in a cave!!!
A warm cave preferably!
DeleteWell, of course, a cave with all mod cons! X
DeleteI cut my cards up to use as gift tags for next Christmas, and the remains fuelled the wood burner when we lit it. For shopping lists I use old envelopes.
ReplyDeleteI think you suffered worse with Eleanor than we did here although I am glad we don't live on the West Coast!!
I buy things for Christmas gifts as they present themselves to me throughout the year. That said, next Christmas will be one big gift (an experience type one rather than something taking up room) and probably something practical and a couple of little foody type presents to go under the tree.
I need to buy some new cards in the sales. I havent any left!
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