I find the run up to Christmas very stressful.  Trying to find gifts for everyone, making sure they are treated fairly.  I never know what to buy, wander aimlessly, looking for inspiration.  All I can find, with any certainty is toiletries and things nobody really wants.  These days, when someone wants something many just buy it so waiting for Christmas for that very special, too expensive to be sensible item is not something we do. The food is no easier, there are so many things to buy, new things, different things things I haven't tried before.  We spend far too much on the search of the perfect Christmas and there is always food, mainly snacks, left over that we keep on eating.
Having said all that, when the day arrives I love the few hours with the family.  The time where we cannot buy anything more and can concentrate on the moment, beautiful.
Then comes the waiting days, the days between Christmas and New Year, nothing days.  These are the days for cleaning, ready to start again.  Days where some work, others don't.  This year I was at work for just 2 days.
Roll on the New Year and back to normality when I can start thinking about holidays

At last a chance to visit

My parents and, my eldest son and his family live about 300 miles away. We don't get as many opportunities to see them as we would like due to having family closer to home and work commitments. On Friday we go the chance to meet our latest grand-child who is now 5 weeks old.

Now I may be biased, but what a beautiful little girl, just like her, 3 and a half year old big sister.  She is calm, content baby (so far).  Big sister loves to cuddle and kiss her but, understandably struggles with the idea that she is no longer the only focus of her parents.  It was also wonderful to see 4 generations all together in one room.  I am very lucky, I have 5 wonderful grand children, the oldest is nearly 8 years.  

Christmas is coming

Well we are racing toward Christmas.
I don't know about you but, like every year I feel stressed.  I hate the run up to Christmas.  Planning and prep are not my strong suit.  I have downloaded an app this year to help me keep a track on what I plan to buy, what I have bought and wrapped.  I thought I was doing really well, thought I was ahead of the game.  Now on the 13th of December I realise that I still have a long way to go, more lists and planning the only way forward.  The real problem is not the planning but, the not knowing what to buy.  I have trawled the internet and wandered around the shops looking for inspiration but, struggle to find that perfect gift.
Roll on Christmas eve.
I love the point when I can shut the door and enjoy the family time, when it is too late if I have forgotten anything. The chaos that ensues with so much food, Christmas wrapping paper, children and adults everywhere.  It is a fabulous opportunity to do nothing for a couple of days.
So I am looking forward to the 23rd December but, between now and then I could be stressed, grouchy, but all for a perfect couple of days off.

Weekend away

What a great time,  I have just been to Madrid for a couple of days.  
Last Christmas my husband and I were bought 2 nights in a hotel.  After many nights looking at the internet, I settled a small hotel just outside of Madrid that was close to the metro.  I also managed to get flights using Nectar points.  All in all an inexpensive few days away.
I have been to Malaga and Barcelona but never Madrid.  What a lovely city, I could have spent more time there as I know we only saw part of the area.

There is a large park in Madrid Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro), I wish we had more time to explore this beautiful place.  We also visited Prado National Museum, not as big a the Louvre but still some very impressive art works.
The question is where do we go next?  So many places to visit and always restricted by the holiday allocation from work and lack of money!

Have to start somewhere

Well I am new to all of this and I suppose I should just get started.  I have been thinking about starting a blog for sometime, I wanted to know what it was like (there are so many blogs you can follow).  As the title suggests there is no specific theme to the blog, more just about my thoughts and my day to day life.  I am sure that my life is much the same as many of you, the same household chores, going to work, meeting with the children and the occasional night out.
Recently due to feeling old I decided to take steps to get healthier.  This is not a slimming and gym work out journal although as part of my life I am sure it will feature from time to time.  Taking those steps helped me to look to do this so, join me in journey of learning and ramblings.