It's amazing how I can fill the week and feel like I have't really accomplished anythings. Of course, I've got lots of things to do to get ready to go to Texas for Christmas (yea!), but that shouldn't keep me from writing a little. What did I do this week?
I went shopping in Hatton on Monday. I talked about that in an earlier enty. It is a beautiful place in Warwickshire, where a family could spend the day, if it wasn't cold, rainy and blustery. In the summer, they would have a petting zoo, climbing frames and inflatable slides and castles for the kids to play on, plus a tea room, an antique shop and lots of gift shops in the old barns. It's hard to find nice gift shops. they're usually tucked away in tiny villages and you have to know they're there to find them.
I bought Brendan a pair of fuzzy slippers, like mine. I was going to wait to give the to him after Christmas, but he was walking around in his stocking feet and I thought, "He needs these now." So I let him unwrap the gift. At first, he said, "Oh, shoes." But when he looked inside, he was delighted. He slipped them right on and was giddy the rest of the night about his toasty warm feet. It's great that he can still be so happy over something so small.
Since I was gone all day Monday, I had to take Brendan grocery shopping with me after school, which he hated, and I had to do the ironing while we watched the recorded episode of Lost.
I have nothing written in my diary for Tuesday. I must have worked on Sunday School. Oh, I baked apple spice cake. I like to do a double batch at a time of five inch loaves, so I can keep them in the freezer and give them to friends and teachers as gifts. I still have loads of apples to use. I had three people give me apples this year from their trees. Last year I had to beg to get any. They keep nicely in the garage, so I can still use them will into February. Brendan had drum lessons after school. He PASSED his drum exam, with merit!
Wednesday was bible study in the morning, and quick cheese sandwich with Helen and off to the pantomime with the school. We saw the Princess and the Pea in Wellingborough. There were enough adults that no one was responsible for more than six children. We had four coaches-full. The production wasn't as nice as Snow White was last year. There were no famous actors or glamorous sets or costumes, but it was still fun to boo at the villain and sing along with the frog.
Yesterday, I had breakfast (a cup of tea) with the American ladies at a coffee shop in Wyevales (a garden nursery/gift shop), those of us who are left, and caught up on the lastest gossip. Then, I ran errands in the blowing rain - the post office, several stops for materials for Christmas eve crafts that I'm preparing for the church, Tescos for Sunday School supplies and the dry cleaners to pick up Bill's trousers.
Today is the Head Teacher's review. I am on the Board of Governor's personnel committee, so I go to the school at 1:45 and help evaluate Mr. Spong's performance for the past year and set goals for him for the next year (yipes!).
Tomorrow is the Christmas Fayre at school from 12 - 2. I'm helping to set up tonight and working the Country Kitchen stall tomorrow. And Sunday I teach Sunday School. I need to have the Christmas crafts packaged to hand off to the Vicar's wife, Charlotte, because we leave next Sunday.
Okay, I'm a little busy, but with a lot of fun stuff and things I commit myself to. If I can keep the schedule straight, and take one thing at a time, I'll have plenty of time to do it all. I used to do so much more. But I kinda like this slower pace.
