Make It Monday - Paper Snowflakes

Just a mini project today. I was reading this tutorial and felt inspired for a little Christmas paper project.

As you can see, minedid not turn out as picture perfect - I think I need to cut more. I was being more conservative because I cut too much and my first attempt fell apart.

It's fiddly, it hurt my fingers, and I lack patience at the moment but this is one I will definitely come back to when I have more time. I'd love to make a snowflake garland.

Weekly Wisdom

The Saturday Update

Well it's been a very different kind of week. I've been trying to keep in touch with home more. After a normal three days at work, I had Friday off for Grandma's funeral.

As funerals go, it went pretty well. The place was full, I did a reading, there was a photo slideshow and it was non-religious. Although she was the longest living of eight siblings, there were children of all the siblings who had children, in attendance. Some travelled from as far as Portsmouth and the Isle of Man.

There was a long coffee and cake wake in the sheltered accommodation where Grandma lived. Even one of the nurses who cared for Gran at the hospital came along.

In the evening we went for a curry with some of mum's cousins. It was a fun evening and I couldn't help but wonder what Gran and her siblings would have made of us sat there eating 'foreign muck' but having a good laugh in the Yates' name.

It was lovely to see family and friends despite the circumstances.

Back in Bremen, Isabella had her official nursery photos...and I can't wait to get back to her.

Funeral Reading

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no tears in a gloom-filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – But not for long

And not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love that we once shared,

Miss me – But let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,

And each must go alone,

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to your friends that we know,

And bury your sorrows in doing good works,

Miss me – But let me go.

Goal Review

These were my goals for the month:

• Use moisturiser every day. - done.
• Make an advent calendar. - done.
• Take a family photo. - not done but we did get some nice ones.
• Exercise once a week. - cycled twice a week.
• Celebrate our first lantern festival. - done.

I'm aware I kept it simple this month but it was realstic and I did it.

Wintermarkt

Next week is my school's annual Winter Market. (It's really a Christmas market but we are a multi-faith school and Bremen strictly divides school and religion.)

Each class has its own stand and this year we've added a Spanish and French subject stand.

Each stand has to come up with its own product. Years ten and eight only are allowed to sell food and drink as they are raising money for class trips abroad.

In our first two years with this class, we made ornamental angels out of firewood and plaster. Last year, they opted to make henna tattoos and this year we will be doing the same with the addition of  Albanian cookies.

I'm planning to take Isabella along and, although it will be a long day, I'm quite looking forward to it.

Skincare Review

I mentioned a while ago that I was trying something new and I've been using my new moisturisers for a while now. I don't use both of them every day but, except when I was in England, I've uses at least one (day or night) every day.

So far, it's definitely helping. My skin had been starting to dry out in this harsh weather but since I've been using the creams, it's been much better. Not perfect but much fresher. Also, the moisturisers aren't too oily like some I tried.

When they arrived, I thought they were a bit small but you don't need much product so it's lasting quite well.

I'm also really pleased with my Garnier fruity facewash. It really helps me wake up on a morning. I can't recommend their products enough.