WEATHER, SCHOOL AND SHOPPING - A BUSY DAY!

For Alice, today was all about the minuscule dusting of snow that happened early this morning, unfortunately it fell on solid ice which made for a slow journey to work for me.

Unsurprisingly many children didn't make it into school (most schools finished on Friday, but our doesn't finish until tomorrow - let's not start THAT discussion). Teaching the top class necessitated finishing some important topics for the term, so while other classes got to do some 'fun' things we were still completing written work and ICT presentations, but we did get to have some fun too - finding out about Christmas traditions and singing a great song for Christmas (that I'd never heard before - I'd share more details but I can only remember the building chorus!!)

After work I took advantage of Alice being taken care of and decided to battle the supermarket. It took me an hour, a full trolley, I ran out of ecobags but I got everything on the list - after I'd checked out I remembered other things, that we'll have to do without until Sunday!! It took a while to unload the car but Alice was delighted to help me carry things through the house to the kitchen, not usually such a chore but the weather meant it was safer to park in the garage and lug the shopping rather than parking closer to the kitchen.

Alice was very affectionate when I got home and was quick to tell me about her snowballs - she obviously had fun, especially as C finished school last week and so was able to play all day! Unpacking the shopping - mostly cold or frozen, took most of the time til bedtime, so we had an extra snuggle upstairs, but that didn't stop her screaming when I left. It seems to be the pattern of the last few nights, she screams hysterically for 1-2 minutes as I leave, but she calms quickly and then settles for the night, it's very hard to leave her like this (especially as this is so different to her previous bedtime habits) but she settles quickly.

MY PERSONAL SHOPPER

We had a lazy morning this morning - partly the after-effects of last night and partly because we could!

We went out just before lunch, my plan was to shop and the eat at the supermarket (such a glamorous life!) However as soon as we were in the car Alice started asking for lunch, so we reversed the plan, this left us short of time to do the shopping and having been in the supermarket for a while (Alice can make eating a tuna sandwich into a 3 act play) she wanted to walk around the supermarket rather than ride in the trolley, as I only wanted a few bits it was a good day to practise not being in the trolley. She did a really good job but is very irritating as she grips the side of the trolley and isn't good at cornering! When we got to the dairy aisle I bought some yoghurts and she wandered off, I want her to learn the limits so I let her go and then realised she was going towards the milk - she'd remembered that we needed it, found the right brand, size and type of milk and lugged 2 bottles back to the trolley - 4 pints each, strong as well as smart, I could get used to this personal shopper's help!

NEW SHOES

I like to buy Start*rite shoes for Alice - they're classic in style, plain and relatively robust, I don't like the sparkles and embroidery of the other leading UK brand. Unfortunately buying SR shoes means a 50 mile round trip to the shops in either Bristol or Cardiff - yes THAT'S how much I dislike the other brand. Luckily I discovered that I could buy a foot measure online and as I'm (amongst other things!) a qualified children's shoe fitter I knew that Alice needed new shoes.

(Boring stats for me to remember) Alice's left foot is larger, she was an 8 and a half F, now she's a 9 G!

So she now has new black patent Velcro (ugh) Mary Jane's, very plain and simple. I dread shoe shopping, we went to Cribbs Causeway (a regional shopping centre near Bristol), arrived earlish (for a Sunday) and went straight to get an appointment at JLP (45 minute wait, they'd only been open 15 minutes!) before going onto the shoe shop next door where we were the next to be served. I explained my picky preferences and we were presented with 3 choices, tried my favourites first and they fitted beautifully - I know not to push my luck so we bought them and were done within 15 minutes! Huge relief and nice shoes for Christmas!!

We then made the most of being at the shopping centre and bought the presents needed for 3 nursery friends with parties before Christmas, new furry boots for Alice (she's already got some 9s, but I bought the 10s as she's bound to need them fairly soon - she hasn't seemed to slow much in her growth despite supposing to slow after reaching 2!), tight and food from M&S and a dress, then we went for an early lunch (I thought we'd beat the crowds by eating early, I was wrong!) Then as I was walking back (Alice was in the pushchair) we went through JLP's children's department and we ended up with another new dress, jumper and goose top (and some gloves that she doesn't know about)! Alice was very good and fell in love with some fluffy ear muffs, which she's worn ever since!

All that and we were home by 2:30pm!

2 STEPS FORWARD, BAREFOOT

2 Steps forward:

1. The bathroom basin has finally been replaced, £££, but worth it (you'll see!) The bathroom was refitted (huge overall, everything replaced and the layout dramatically changed) within a few months of Mum dying (it had been next on her 'to do' list too, but she had an equally dramatic but totally different change planned!!) The same company that did the bathroom also revamped the kitchen 18 months ago. The 'main man' from the kitchen revamp came out today to replace the basin (it had a major crack in it). It turns out that he's now self employed, he still does lots for the original company so he doesn't take on jobs that they would do.
2. He's going to sort out the leaking roof-light in the other bathroom, hurray!! It's been leaking for many years but now the plasterboards soggy too and it needs retifying before I redecorate in there - eventually (next year or sometime closer to Little Sis' referral) it will become Alice's bathroom.

Barefoot? We went to the capital in search of shoes for Alice but came home empty handed (or barefoot!)

DELIGHTED, RELIEVED AND A BIT EMOTIONAL!

After a very different experience attending an Adoption Panel, they took a blink of an eye to agree to my wish to adopt a Special Needs child from Thailand. My SW said that I charmed them. I was calm and coherent and despite my nerves it wasn't an unpleasant experience!! Phew.

To celebrate I went shopping! I bought Alice a 'pincess' outfit and Little Sis a photo album that can have a voice recording with it - hopefully to send in a care package after referral. It's the beginning of the next paperchase - extra documents for Thailand, but we're a huge step closer and I'm very relieved!

FULL WEEKEND - SATURDAY!

I was up early to go to London - to look for an outfit for a special occasion in 2 weeks time. My favourite clothes shop closed last May (just as I was going to China) so I've really been too busy to notice too much, until now! I went to an alternative shop and had no joy - they said that I wasn't in the right frame of mind (to an extent they were right), however the clothes that they offered were drab and some were even unflattering! I was told that my expectations were out of date - but the dull colours weren't inspiring and wide legged trousers don't suit me - let's now even start on the prices!

I then went to a famous underwear provider and was much more successful! It was just across the road from H*arrods - so I popped in there too, with Alice's birthday approaching I went straight to their extensive toy department - but they were out of stock so I couldn't buy her a doll's bed (though that's now in hand!)

I made it back to Paddington Station in time to catch the 3:45pm train - I should have been home for 6pm, but then we were diverted to avoid a broken down train between Bristol and the Severn Tunnel. I was home before 7 and found Alice next door (she was looked after all day before anyone worries, but M and T were sharing the care and I wasn't sure where she'd be!) She'd had a great day (finally seeing C and T - who she'd been asking about since Wednesday!)

NO-ONE WARNED ME . .

. . . about shopping for children's shoes!! Alice has been wearing shoes since February, every trip to buy leather shoes has been a challenge.

Ugh.

Dreadful.

Stressful.

Only partly successful.

Alice had her feet measured on Monday - that shoe shop could only fit black shoes, school shoes - she's going to have enough years of wearing shoes without starting early, besides which those shoes were nasty - embellished and bling, ugh.

So yesterday we went to Bristol to continue the search. We started off at the department store, now I know the first department to visit is children's shoes to get a computer generated appointment. This time we had a 60 minute wait, we browsed the girls' clothing department, took some things for a refund (!) and went off to the other shoe shop (luckily only next door). They had lots of black shoes, lots of patterned shoes, not many plainish shoes and no navy ones. They couldn't fit a pair for Alice - the ones we tried were too narrow and her feet bulged in the opening. We were advised to try 'T-bars'.

Back to the department store - in previous visits they've come a poor second to the shop that had already failed, I didn't hold out much hope! Then someone queue jumped and just asked for shoes - as she 'knew' her child's size, I wasn't happy and complained loudly, I was served almost immediately after complaining.

The sales girl brought out many pairs - I was impressed with the number of shoes she had in Alice's size, until I realised that she'd brought each style in the size of each foot!! Unfortunately she hadn't listened to the request for plain 'T-bars' so nearly all were unsuitable. The 'Mary-Janes' didn't fit as they bulged - just like they had in the previous shop. Eventually we found a very plain pair in navy - great on both counts, unfortunately though they were the only ones to fit they were only a 'reasonable' fit, after over 90 minutes (on this trip) of shoe shopping and reassurance that we wouldn't necessarily find a better fit, I bought them! £34 (or over $65), ugh. Also they are velcro fastening - I'm not a fan as Alice fidgets with them when she's bored in the pushchair or the car.

As an afterthought I mentioned shoes to wear for Alice's Christening - simple, £9, only 3 sizes available and luckily 1 was only a size bigger than Alice measures, we tried it and they fitted - let's hope she doesn't grow too quickly in the next few weeks.

CROSS

Yesterday I tried to get out of the house for groceries, couldn't get that far from a bathroom so I ordered groceries online. I ordered the basics and then made the most of the delivery and stocked up with the bulky necessities that I don't like dragging home from the supermarket.

It arrived a little while ago, 40 minutes into the 2 hour slot. It always seems to be a new delivery driver, so I asked him to bring the crates to the baby gate that goes across the inside back door. He brought the first (of many) crate in and I found that the whole delivery was loose in crates. No way. The kitchen wasn't tidy enough to cope with loose groceries everywhere. I rejected the delivery. I'm cross that they got it wrong. Home shopping is supposed to make things easier - this delivery wouldn't have. I spoke to Head Office and explained the problem, they've refunded the delivery charge.

Next time I'll use a different retailer - I love online grocery shopping, it's quicker, easier and cheaper (less browsing) but I can't stand incompetence. As for today (we're both feeling a bit better) so we'll be off to the supermarket as soon as Alice is up from her nap (luckily I was able to go online and print out a list of what I'd already ordered!)

BRIEFLY

. . . still here . . . still busy . . . still absolutely exhausted!

Have conquered (for now) the shoe-monster, finally, after 2 days, 2 cities and 4 shoeshops, we've managed to get a pair plainish 5 and a half 'F's that almost fit - long story about narrow ankles! Can't believe we'll have to do it all again in as little as 6 weeks. Meanwhile, Alice is extremely pleased with her new shoes but she's still walking like John Wayne missing his horse!

Today we went to B to see M, C and L. First Alice and I shoe shopped before meeting the B/Es for lunch. Alice was in a highchair for 90 minutes, without complaining. She was a delight all day - I told her as much over supper tonight and she repeated Mummy's declaration that she was a 'Goo Grrl!'

After lunch we went to see a Lion Dance - 15 minutes early but too late to see it, they were already turning away loads of people as the room was full, so we stayed where we were and joined the queue for the following hour's performance. It was worth the wait - lion dance and several dances from a local dance group, all very good. We also got to meet A, R and their daughter L - it was great to meet them but very strange too - as they're blog readers! I was quite spooked - they knew quite a lot about me and I knew only a little about them - quite disconcerting!!

Chris Evans was playing the Carpenters on the way home:

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in 'most ev'ry thing I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Everything I want the world to be
Is now comin' true especially for me
And the reason is clear, it's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

Somethin' in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me

There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

The lyrics struck a chord with me and I counted my blessings - especially the one in the back of the car who was resting her eyes at the time, doubly blessed.

Another great day.

10% OFF

I like that price!!

Seriously though - there are discounts to be had for very little effort.

Mumsnet offers discounts to their members and they're free to join! As a member you will qualify for discounts (mostly 10%) at several of my favourite retailers, including J0J0 M B, GLT*C, Bl00ming M@rvellous, The Wh1te Comp@ny, Letterb0x and B0den!

Any other tips bargain hunters? Comments please!

HOME SHOPPING

Wa1tr0se will be starting home deliveries around here in February - fab!!

TODAY'S EVENTS

Various images of the day - they're pretty self explanatory!

What did we do? Swimming lesson this morning, we got in early and had lots of fun. Alice was the most relaxed yet for a lesson - the instructor took the opportunity to use her for several demonstrations, so that Alice wouldn't just associate her with being dunked for underwater swims. The underwater swims went better today as well. It's lovely that she's enjoying it more now. Great morning.

Alice was grouchy by lunchtime. I swaddled her for her nap - the swaddling works and she's usually asleep within 5 minutes! Not a long sleep today - she was disturbed by the phone, but she did sleep long enough to miss GF Nick's quick visit. It was good to see him and actually nice to have a conversation without little interruptions and big distractions!

Alice was in destructive mode today - she ripped a book and smashed a Christmas tree ornament - before the tree's even been bought!

Tonight, as usual I had grand plans for the evening after Alice was safely asleep, but I'm too tired to get anything done. Very soon I need to have written the Christmas cards, printed the Christmas letter, finished the Christmas shopping, started and finished wrapping presents, thought about planning the food and shopping for the end of the month, ordered the turkey . . . it goes on and on and on! Before all of that I need to get organised for visitors this weekend and Monday!

MORE ABOUT GIGGLES!

In response to a comment . . . here's the lowdown on Giggles. (Also in response to that comment, I KNOW you're girls would love them!!)

Firstly Alice adores soft toys, Giggles especially. I think he's lovely as he's so soft and also very softly stuffed. He's only called Giggles as that was the name on the tag from the stall where we bought him.

The nitty-gritty:

• He's JELLYCAT
• TRUFFLES range, they do lots of animals - pets, farm and some wilder ones too!
  
• Lots of the range come in 2 sizes, 38cm is £12.50 and 71cm is £31.50 - Alice's is the larger size
• After lots of research I discovered that they also do a HUGE size, it's about £95 and is about 120cm, but it's only available as a sheep in the UK and a dog in the US! I'm still considering this as a rug for Alice's bedroom.
• They're available all over the place online, but I use this website as delivery is free.
  

ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING - THE VERDICT!

Arrived 90 minutes into the 2 hour time slot.

I rejected the part-cooked baguettes as they'd been squashed. The chicken I'd ordered was only 24 hours in date, not happy about that (the website said that they'd selected the longest available date, I needed to be more specific about shelf-life!) Only 1 thing wasn't available, FISH FINGERS!!

Would I order again? Definitely, I got a lot of heavy and bulky stuff delivered - water, coke, nappies, dog food, more dog food. I'll probably have a delivery a couple of times per month, I'm already wondering how far ahead I can book the pre-Christmas delivery!! All in all a good service, probably more useful for the heavy, mass produced things, I still like to select my own fruit, veg and meat!

BRAIN NOT WORKING WELL - HELP NEEDED

N realised in China that I wasn't notice anything beyond the most obvious, unless it was to do with Alice.

It's the same still, but causing more of a problem - especially this week.

We've been limping along all week, not really well enough to tollerate 30+ minute drive and then shopping time on top - we hit crisis points today, opening the last pack of nappies (frightening thought while Alice has digestive issues!) and reaching the bottom of the fish fingers. NOBODY MENTIONED ONLINE SHOPPING. I've just spend nearly 2 hours 'shopping' and it will be delivered in 13-15 hours time for a charge of £6 ish, bargain, no trolley, no distracting Alice, no wonkey wheels, no drive. I've ordered lots of the bulky occassional purchases, let them carry the dog food and bottled water, I've specified 'no substitutions' and my fingers are crossed! I didn't order much fresh stuff, hopefully we'll be well enough for a small trip to get the things that I like to pick out myself.

MEANWHILE . . .

. . . I'll catch up with blogging - typing isn't too noisy and I've got a good view of the road (plus both phones to hand!)

I left Alice for nearly 6 and a half hours today - the longest time yet. The magnificent T looked after her all day while Mummy went gallivanting - winter clothes shopping to London.

It's a 25 ish minute drive to the station, 105 minute train journey, so the return travel time is 260 minutes, that leaves 130 minutes for taxis and shopping, oh, how times have changed!! All that way for less then 2 hours shopping! My favourite clothes shop closed while I was in China, I'd got details of a new one, hopes were high for a new favourite. They were very helpful and became more friendly but it just wasn't the same, their style doesn't suit me so much, I did buy some clothes, but they're not going to be the basis for my winter wardrobe. Argh!!

Then I went on to my favourite department store (JLP), just as the magnificent T had predicted, I bought stuff for Alice - Christmas melamine 'plasticery', a duvet cover and toys! After that I caught another taxi back to the station, bought lunch, timed it beautifully for a train and managed to find a seat, I also managed to read and sleep the journey home!!

I was home by 4pm. Alice was sat on the backdoor mat and she gave me the most fantastic, beaming grin when she saw me. Life is good, even if the wardrobe contents isnt'!!

HELP NEEDED!

I'm on a mission - I want Alice to have a new and special dress for her first birthday.

Her birthday is in mid October, so I thought I'd have plenty of time to find 'the dress'. I want an autumn weight dress with sleeves (maybe short sleeved, but it must have sleeves!) I've searched all the obvious places and come back empty-handed. I'm at a loss to know where to go next.

So UK shoppers, where do you suggest?