Project 52 2025 week 49

This week has been even more Christmassy, I’ve enjoyed seeing everyone’s lights on their houses going up. There’s been quite a lot of dancing too which is always good. Here’s my week 49 for Project 52.

Sunday – had to prep dinner before going out. I was at a line dancing workshop/social near Oxford. This was my second one and I actually knew 4 people there. A couple on my table again were brand new to dancing (risky given they’re improver/intermediate level dances), but they stuck it out and coped really well. The instructor was amazing, and the organiser threw in some easier beginner dances in the social and helped them through them. The beginners at the last workshop left after the 1st dance! It really does make a difference on who the instructor is.  By 3.30 I was flagging, so left just after 4. It was nice to know a few more of the dances in the social, just a shame I can’t make another workshop til probably Sept or even November next year.

Monday – managed to get bolognese prepped and in the aga to simmer all day before work. We’ve had some fun with giant bean bag boxes before they got cut up to put on the fire. The start of Advent (I remembered to put out the calendar with its chocolates last night), so the start of all the Advent competitions. Hopefully I’ll do better than last year, but I suspect there’ll be a lot more people entering.

Tuesday – working in the office, a busy day. Good dancing in the evening although it was quite quiet. Better win on the premium bonds than the last few months so maybe my luck is turning round there.

Wednesday – busy day. Finally got round to using up the very overripe bananas to make banana muffins which N was very pleased about when he got home from school. Otherwise just another day, not much going on. 

Thursday – flexi day off work, I’d decided to go to Baddesley Clinton to see the Snowman trail and Christmas decorations in the house. Of course it was tipping it down with rain, but I’m glad I still went (along with my huge golf umbrella! The car park was packed by the time I was leaving. It was nice to do something with my day off even if it was only a couple of hours out. I wrappy my best friend and her kids’ christmas presents ready to post. Quick lunch before coming back home to enter some comps, do some blogging and get warm again. 

Spotted my Amazon music 2025 which was funny. Some country made it (mostly what I listen to), but it was mostly N’s – of which Hozier made it in, but Franz Ferdinand appeared several times for Take Me Out (103 times requested!)

Friday – short work day. Had to make sausage rolls for the dancing Christmas party so that was a before work and lunchtime job.Tipping it down with rain so tennis was cancelled. It was a bit of a rush because we wanted to get to dancing early to avoid parking hell that is the tiny car park at the social club we have the socials in. It was a good decision as lots of people struggled – with an Aldi next door you can’t park in, and a library car park a bit further along that we’re never sure if you can go in, there’s nowhere else to park anywhere near. 

The Christmas social was great fun. I think all of my dance requests were played, and there weren’t too many dances I didn’t know. They did an American Buffet (aka a ‘potluck’ bring a plate) so stopped to eat at one point, along with doing the raffle. A good night out for a bargain £7. I was driving and by the time we got home it was nearly 11.30, but the others didn’t go til 12.30am because we were chatting. 

Saturday – lie in for me, and surprisingly N slept in longer! I’d wanted to get into town early before it started getting busy, but N wanted to come too. So I waited for him to get organised. 

We nipped to the market bakery stall, then off to the big retail park and thankfully found a space easily enough. TK Maxx was busy and hot as usual, but got a huge serving plate for the turkey at Christmas (we’ve had to borrow one off my mother in law every year til now) for a bargain £12, and presents for my goddaughter, sister in law and brother. Just the OH’s Christmas and birthday then I’m done. Quick Costa treat with N before heading home. Otherwise just a chore day, some photo editing and blogging, and making a start on writing Christmas cards. That’ll have to be a Sunday job finishing that.

Things I’ve enjoyed this week:

• Great fun Christmas social and catching up with dancing friends
• Spending a bit more time with N – the call of Costa works well with teens.
• My Amazon music year. Always amusing when you’ve got kids using it although N does generally have quite good and eclectic music taste.
• Sorting through Christmas gifts.
• Snowman trail. I love these sort of trails and it’s unusal we get any near us (just a shame about the weather).

Things I’m grateful for this week:

• Easy and mostly successful shopping trip
• Getting a stack of work done
• Remembering to look for a turkey/serving dish, and finding one at the first attempt. It’s rather large so not entirely sure where I’m going to store it.