I've had a rush since Saturday. I had a call from the estate agent, saying that the buyers of my old place wanted completion on Thursday, and I needed to send the signed contract off to get to the solicitors' on Monday. Off it went, with a carefully worded letter answering the questions from the buyers, special delivery.
Sunday my nephew came down with his van and we moved worktops from the old place to my garage, from where they will be listed on ebay. I took him out to roast lunch at a nearby pub with inglenook fire - which was out of sight round the corner.
Monday I was told they wanted completion on Wednesday. I can't remember much more about Monday. Odd. I did order some gifts and phone my niece's partner.
On Tuesday I collected cleaning stuff and went to get the house ready. Stuck in a jam at Bluewater mall, I decided to pop in and get a nephew gift, only to discover that my purse was back at home with the computer from the ordering. Back I went, to get a call from the estate agent. The solicitors needed me to sign a document. In Ashford. (If you recall, my local chap had a heart attack, and they moved my stuff half the county away.)
Off I set, first arranging with the holly bush seller I had arranged to buy a gift for my sister from a change from today's pick up. Got there, signed, and picked up company documents I had lent them for some lawyerish reason. With time to spend before the holly lady would be there, I went to the nearby designer outlet. Not recommended. Boring. I did get some reduced thermals from M&S.
Then I ate lunch at a service station - tired shepherds pie. And drew some money from the cash machine for which I had to pay. Boought the holly bush, with berries, from a garden full of little plants, a real gardeners' garden, then back along lanes to the old house. I was too tired, it was dark, so I went shopping instead. some stuff for the dinner I am giving a friend, timers for the lights, and the presents I hadn't bought in the morning.
Today, I set the alarm and set off for the house. Suitcase for the curtains, which I had forgotten about until the day before. My neighbour downstairs offered to help, which was useful, as I had to fix worktop edging to finish the kitchen sink unit back, and it was too long for one to manage with impact adhesive. Took a break to post a gift which I could not send via personal post. Finished the hoovering, cleaned the windows, which the bad workman had left cloudy, polished the bath, and de-limed the shower head. My neighbour commented that she liked the suitcase, which I had been going to dispose of, so I offered it to her. More phonecalls updating me on the changeover at 1. I cleared out the garage, and set off with a full car to the dump. All done by 12.50, the keys in the door and the aganet notified. apparently I have to wait for the money to get in my account tomorrow. That costs me £39. Otherwise they were going to send a cheque. Thought I was odd to be concerned about that being in the post when I was going to be away. "Was it large?" said the secretary. (It occurs to me that they may getting interest on it while in their account. Hmm.) Home to pick up the suitcase key and empty out the curtains, then back to give it to the neighbour before she left on holiday. Then I ate a nice lunch at the nearby garden centre, which does not have a line in bags to back bushes in.
More shopping for food, and the shop had a large box for packing that had had flowers in it. Just right for my two hollies - one berried, one not, and hoped to be male.
Now totally sleepy I had a nap before getting up again to do a few things.
Tomorrow I have to do cards, late. Make mince pies and cook a Christmas dinner. Pick up a friend for that dinner and then take him home.
Friday I am going to deliver gifts and pick up an angel chimes I bought on ebay.
Saturday I am going to make the custard for a trifle, and go to my sisters' with it, and the mince pies, and the hollies.
I'm sure I've forgotten something.

Penny