Buttons

Saturday was a full on day, seeing the bits of Nottingham Trent university. It wasn't what I remember from my visits around 30 years ago but it certainly felt very studenty and the course looked good too. We then went to Mt's for a lovely evening and part of Sunday, when we went to an art gallery cafe and attempted to make traditional Yorkshire buttons. Mine was very bad. Tea and cake later and we had back. A bit of lunch and a walk and then we headed home. 

Once home, M had made dinner and then we opened our chocolate advent calendars and the girls opened their Body Shop advent calendars. Next we got the Christmas trees (yes 2) and decorations up. I've taken after M and D tradition of keeping the cards from years gone by. The card from my wonderful K - hand drawn taking pride of place. Old cards from A and this year cards too from people who have died. A small layer of sadness but also deep love for all those who have at some time sent us their love and Christmas wishes, and I'd like to think that if they can, they still are. The room now is full of colour and Christmas cheer. The girls very much enjoyed the task and all it means. Both able to make a Christmas wish when the star and angel went on top of each tree. 

My week was one where I was determined to get a lot further on with the hallway. Bottom part paint decided - I'm driven to replacing the extremely old carpet upstairs. It's looking good. I am happy with the green we've chosen. It has given me a more zen focus in the mornings, sanding and painting and tidying up. I've also been to the cinema, my first time in an Everyman one. A sofa and cosy atmosphere to watch Conclave. A good film, and I'm glad I saw it on the big screen, the cinematography is beautiful, the reds, whites and blacks all in repetition and the contrast of the navy of the nuns helping the subtle creation of hierarchy where I expect the initial intention was uniformity for harmony, not division. Well worth watching and J and I were trying to guess who there might be Catholic, the polite titters of laughter at certain lines giving us clues. I went to see D this week, she's got a nasty injury from a calisthenics class and is off work. I saw my mate, A and I having a lovely curry, having followed Googles advice that took us on a convoluted route and yesterday I drove to Tetbury to my brilliant R to spend a weekend in the mud and glory of her beautiful part of the world. We went out for a nicely posh meal. 

This week was of course the start of Lent and the joy of advent calendars, a surprise each day and a sense of celebration despite any of the hard days we have endured. I'm feeling sentimental. The girls are loving the ritual of opening them together. 

M has now had 3 conditional offers to law courses and A has had another offer to Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and yesterday headed to Liverpool to do a tour and have an interview. They are both getting a lot of work in preparation for the mocks they will sit in January. A though still took time to head off to a gig this week with a pal and I'm glad she is mixing in fun. 

I am feeling somewhat anxious about Monday and the investigating meeting but had a chat with my union rep who can't give any guarantees but I could tell he was trying to reassure me that it will all be ok in the end, and indicated he thinks I should be looking for a new job