I am the most organised person when it comes to Christmas. Took all presents to Finland in July and had British ones bought, parcelled and either ready for post or under the tree before December arrived and cards generally get sorted in October. Super efficiency - no. I know what happens in December......
Hisself decided to bring our loft insulation up to standard. Which is a good thing. In principle. He just had to do it in early December. This involved taking out all existing insulation as it could be recycled above his workshop. Great idea. However the loft hatch is in No3's [daughter] room and she is in the age of many little things when quantity comes over quality each time. I boxed every item in the room, nearly including the child, who was moved to the playroom to sleep for a few nights. She and the crud were allowed to return after she had cleaned each box into a large black bin liner.
My first worry was keeping No5 warm during those few nights when the house was without any insulation. I was right to worry, we had hard frost and snow, the house temperature dropping by hour. Last year I made her some sleeping bags that were getting too small now. For you unfamiliar with the item it is a bag with arm and head holes and a zip to keep the baby in. She is now nearing two, I have no time to sew and shops here only offer smaller sizes so I had to shop on the internet. The market leader is grobag [note the missing w] and they make them up to 10 years old. Pricey items, so I did not want them too small opting to the 3-6 year size. He, he,he - they are ginormous. I will get four if not six years wear out of them!
Then came the night we lost No1 [son]. It was a beautiful starry night, temperature -5 degrees C. Around 7 pm he popped to back kitchen wearing a fleece and a body warmer. Around 8 pm we realised he was gone, searched the house, the outbuildings and Hisself had a run around the farm with the quad. No sign of him. Mobile out of range. Called the police - his bags are here, his passport is here, his knife is here.....Hisself went out looking, I went out looking and around 9.30 when I was returning to the house I heard the sound of pounding footsteps behind me. The son returned.
He was astonished to find out we were worried!!! It was a classic double album night in radio and to get some peace to listed he decided to go for a 16 mile run. Cross country of course as the ground was hard and the stars were bright. - Give me strength!!!
Two weeks of school left and each child has a party, except the youngest one, she has five. Parties do not include school plays and concerts, which we have a plenty too, not to mention the Christmas Ball for the two eldest. Hair dresser was booked in August, the ball gown is waiting and today we must sort the Highland dress for No1.
Are you still feeling that I should be able just about manage? I thought so too till we got the call from Germany on Friday saying that the wind turbine will be here next week......