Obviously as we are so close as a family we are helping with all the planning arrangements including the catering, as I am sure many on here would have had to do in the past. If so I would love to hear about your experiences.
Today OH's mum asked us if we could go to the supermarket an buy the drinks. We went to Asda for some good deals on booze and managed to spend £320 on 30 bottles of wine, 72 cans of lager, 72 cans of bitter, a bottle of gin, one of brandy, 3 large bottles of cream sherry, bottles of tonic water, bitter lemon, lemonade, cola, oh and I threw lemons and ice cube bags into the trolley too. While we were piling our haul onto the checkout conveyor belt I did mumble to OH 'Why didn't we shop online and get this lot delivered??!!'
By the way, if that seems like a lot of booze we are expecting about 150 back to the wake. OH's nan was a much loved lady.


Anyway, I have never driven home so carefully in my life. I seriously did not want any of that lot smashing in the back of my car.
Unfortunately I am unable to take Monday, the day of the funeral, off work as my colleague has already booked holiday and we aren't both allowed to be off at the same time,

OH's mum today sprung on us that she would like a little vase of flowers on each of the tables she has for her garden, around 8 in total. Trying to keep costs to a minimum, and bearing in mind there aren't many places round here still open that would be able to sell me 8 vases before the funeral, I have had a brainwave. I bought 4 jars of jam, 4 jars of lemon curd & some ready rolled pastry. Tomorrow I will make jam and lemon curd tarts for the wake and will use the jars as vases. We are going to pretty them up with ribbons and lace.

It will be a very emotional day for all. OH is going to wear his fire brigade colour party uniform because his nan was so proud of him. And I remember how blown away I was at my grandad's funeral 14 years ago when I saw how many people had come to pay respect. It will the same on Monday, so many people coming!
There is no doubt in my mind, Monday will truly be a most welcolming celebration of such a wonderful person's life.

