Tuesday 7th December
Aargh! It was one step forward and two steps back yesterday. I photographed the items I want to sell, worked out descriptions and important details to cover in the ads, decided on the prices, and then ... the main site I wanted to use was unavailable due to maintenance! So, can you guess what I'm doing this morning? It probably means that I won't get it finished today as I'll be busy in a Zoom meeting for most of the afternoon but I'll do as much as I can.
I did find time to sort through the quotes for the specialist items. Frustratingly, it isn't a straightforward comparison as some of the companies I contacted aren't interested in everything but I think I've narrowed it down to a choice between two companies. My brain was too boggled by the time I'd got that far so I will have another look through the quotes today to be sure I haven't misunderstood, and then will accept one of them. At least I'll be able to start packing the items ready for a courier collection as soon as I've received confirmation from the chosen company.
My friend's son has offered to collect the stuff for the recycling yard for me, an offer I am only too happy to accept. He will also take the items set aside for the charity shop - he has a stall at various car boot sales where any money he makes goes to the local hospice charity, so I'm quite happy for him to take the lot.
It suddenly dawned on me that time is ticking on and that I'd need to book a delivery slot if I wanted to get another food delivery before Christmas. I think I probably got the last available slot and that's for next Saturday, the 11th, which is a bit earlier than I wanted but at least I can get the majority of my shopping delivered then. I'll just need to pick a quiet-ish time and do an in-store shop for fresh fruit and veg on the 23rd ... which means that Christmas will start on the 24th, as planned!
I'm not feeling particularly Christmassy yet. It still feels strange to be missing out on playing carols with the brass band - correction: I only miss the actual playing, not the standing in the freezing cold bit! I'm trying to learn to play some carols on the piano but it's not going as well as I'd hoped. I have two carol books but Miss C has one (the one with the simplest arrangements) and the one I'm left with is a bit too complicated for my current standard. I'm being trying to be grown up about it so won't go and claim the easy carol book back from her but ... no, I'll leave it with her and will just have to do extra practice, on top of the extra practice I've already added to my regular practice!
Keep working on the carols - suddenly they will fall into place, I am very sure. I wouldn't miss standing out in the cold either!
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating about that site being down. The best laid plans, as they say . . .
I plan to do the rest of my shopping early mornings. It usually works fine.
xx
My attempts at playing the carols are improving ... very slowly, but if I put in enough practice I'll get there! 😊 Standing out in the freezing cold with the music pegged to the music stands so it didn't blow away is just as miserable as it sounds! Always a fun time and good to be playing favourite carols but, much as I miss the playing, I'm not missing the whole experience if you understand what I mean.
DeleteThe site is still not working properly today so instead of getting totally frustrated with it, I've put it to one side and will try again on Thursday.
The two big supermarkets also stay open until midnight so I have that option as well. Early morning will be better and then it is over and done with for the day. xx
That's really good that your friend's son can take your items and raise money for a local hospice.
ReplyDeleteI do a weekly online shop so must check if I'm able to place an order for later this week. I did go to Aldi to buy meat for the freezer, I'd rather choose my own and my own fresh food for Christmas anyway so going to the store early is a good idea. You're not alone in not feeling Christmassy yet. You've reminded me about one time in my working life, the Salvation Army band played outside our store and I couldn't hear our customers speak but the carols were veru nice :)
I always forget he sells items to raise money for charity, so need to remember that for any future things I find to donate. It does make it so much easier and he'll take books as well, unlike some of the charity shops.
DeleteI will need to stock up on meats after Christmas and will do the same as you and shop in person to choose my own.
The brass band used to play inside the bigger supermarkets so I very much doubt that anyone in there could hear themselves think. I remember one time we were asked to provide background music at a food and wine fayre and had to point out that a brass band isn't the right choice for background music 😂
I did chuckle at your comment about the easy Christmas sheet music & from that I've created a little short story in my mind about it ... my story ends with "you" the main character playing for the baby Jesus, one of the difficult pieces ... I do like a happy ending :) Maybe you could open your front door & play a piece you know on the trumpet for your neighbours to make up for the brass band feels. Who knows who may join you. You'll start a trend & it will make the next Trowbridge video!
ReplyDeleteMr Man struggles with the Christmas feeling if the snow comes & then goes, so I arrange for nights of Christmas music (CDs we aren't a musical instrument playing family) & Christmas movies that make him laugh. Sunday night we watched Scrooged with Bill Murray; the scenes of him with the Fairy of Christmas Present are absolutely (IMO) the best of the movie, lots of slap stick comedy which is Mr Man's favourite. Now I've got a grumpy Elf rather than a Grinch in the house (lol).
I wrote out this funny & amusing reply & the internet stole it!! Mr Man is also struggling with the Christmas feels, so I organize after dinner Christmas music sessions around the Christmas tree or pull out the Christmas movies. Sunday night it was one I knew would get him laughing; Scrooged with Bill Murray. It has lots of slapstick comedy, his favourite kind. So now I've got a grumpy Elf rather than The Grinch in the house (col). I am sure you will master those Christmas music pieces - play teacher to yourself & talk yourself through as though you are one of your students. :) I bet your actual piano teacher will be impressed.
ReplyDeleteGood idea about playing for my neighbours but it won't work because the trumpet is on its merry little way to Wales for my great nephew to learn. No, I'll stick to the piano I think. Silent Night is sounding the best, just still too slow, so I will concentrate on that one for now so that I have at least one ready for Christmas Eve.
DeleteI leave the Christmas films until the week before Christmas. My favourites include Scrooge (must be the B/W version starring Alasdair Sim), It's A Wonderful Life, A Muppet's Christmas Carol, and Last Christmas.
Sorry to hear that the site was down and you couldn't post the ads for your items; waiting until Thursday sounds like a good plan. That's great that your friend's son can take your recycling items for you and take any items you have for donation, too. Glad you were able to book a delivery of groceries for the 11th. Hope you can get the rest of the items on the 23rd so Christmas can start as planned on the 24th! :D Good luck with the Christmas carols. Could Miss C's family make a photocopy of the sheet music for Silent Night from the book and send it to you? S usually photocopies music she wants me to learn. :)
ReplyDeleteI've put the adverts out of my mind until tomorrow and am keeping my fingers crossed that it's back to normal service then! My friend's son has been a tremendous help - he's already collected the stuff and will take the bookcase and fridge at a later date.
DeleteI have the delivery booked but it seems that there are strikes planned at the distribution centres so I don't know how that will impact on whether everything is available for my delivery.
I could borrow the book back for a day or ask them to copy the pieces I want but I've make good progress on the versions in the book I have so I won't bother now. I'll have the book back after Christmas so will have it for next year if needed.
It's good that your friend's son is taking the items! At least they are going. Hope the website is up again by the time you're ready to list - how frustrating!
ReplyDeleteHe's been a big help and has said he will take anything else I dispose of in the future. I've given up with the adverts for today, a day off, and will try again tomorrow.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThank you x
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