You know that feeling when you feel caught up in a Christmas whirlwind and you can’t quite stop long enough to catch a breath???, yeah that has been my week this week!. As well as still teaching classes every night , filming the 12 days of Christmas workouts – a huge thank you To Joanne and Jayne who help me with this , and trying to juggle housework (i’ve all but given up on this to be honest- anyone else?????????????? ) plus getting organised for Christmas , there doesn’t seem to be much time left in the day to actually sleep yikes .I’m just trying to concentrate on my mantra this week – I am calm , I am steady . Even in midst of a storm, you can find some calm, I’ve just been trying to concentrate on finding some this past week. Daily Yoga is defiantly helping! .
I have however finished my shopping hurrah, though my goal by the weekend is to get it all wrapped. I think a weekend of Christmas movie watching and wrapping presents is in order this weekend.
This past week kicked off on Saturday with an 80’s night at the Derwent Manor Hotel in Consett. There were 12 of us in total and we just had an absolute ball. We laughed from start to finish and we even managed to get the boys on the dance floor for the Pouges . At one point Lauren and I found ourselves embroiled in a Dance off with some randoms encroaching on our Dance space . Obviously thought they could out dance us – think again busters, they moved off half way through, clearly realising they were up against some pros😂. thank you Raff for organising this one!, think we all agreed to make it an annual night!.
Monday , I had a final few little bits to get for presents, so I hit a few little local gift shops . Over half my christmas shopping this year has come from other local business and or other small business’ online. You get much more personal service and you can get some really lovely gifts and often handmade with the recipetant in mind!. I saw a post on Social Media last week, saying that when you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance – its so true , we really do!!! haha. You really do appreciate when someone buys from you and whats more becomes a regular client , who almost always becomes a friend!. I love that Social media helps small business’ grow.
Tuesday it was a Super early start to the day. The alarm went off at 5am and I left the house at 5.30am to catch an early train up to Edinburgh. I was really excited as other than a trip to the zoo, when I was about 10, I have never been to Edinburgh!. It was for travel work however so most of the time was spent in our office up there, the room had a cracking view though. We had about an hour after we had finished though, before getting the train, so I did manage to see the Dome. Definatly on the 2017 bucket list to go back up and explore the city properly though.
Wednesday morning I had set aside to bake some Christmas cakes for my mam, dad and sister. They love Christmas cake, so I had wanted to bake some for them. Neither Martin or I like them so I could not do my usual taste test, awaiting the verdict back on those………. . Wednesday afternoon was lovely as along with my mam, sister , and friends Stephanie, Laura, Joanne and her mam , we headed to Beamish Hall for a festive afternoon tea and watch the original Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen. It was such a lovely afternoon and of course we had a glass of prosecco :-). then it was home, quick change and to head back out to teach, before then heading off to tea with my friend Kathleen, her friend Nicola and Kathleen’s daughter Orlaith.
Thursday – Ok so today I have actually managed to get some relaxation in. I headed to the Little White Room in Chester Le Street to see the lovely Lauren for a pre -Christmas pamper. I had the most relaxing Elemis facial and got my my nails (hand and toes) all painted ready for another round of Christmas partying this weekend :-).
I have lots of lovely things planned for the next week in the lead up to actual Christmas – can you believe its Christmas next week!!! , Next week!!!!!! . it just feels like its hurtling round so fast and I don’t feel ready but ready or not its coming. I really am aiming to have everything wrapped and made a start on January session planning so I can just relax and enjoy festive fun next week without being stressed. I am at travel work still next week Wed-Friday but fingers crossed its quiet!.
How do you guys find your calm at this time of year? .
I always try and end my day , curled up with my book. I am currently reading the Charm Bracelet by Melissa Hill. I have read it the past couple years at this time as its one of my festive favourite reads. I’m actually doing a blog post on my top 5 Festive reads so eyes peeled for that.
I hope you guys are all managing to enjoy some Festive fun amidst the chaos . let me know what you have been up to , I love to see the festive photos on social media!.
xoxox
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