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Well....how did it go?
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I worked Xmas eve night shift ... Slept for the day and came back into work tonight for a night shift .... Xmas for us was just a normal day ... Just as it has been for about 10 years ... Just the way we like it
And yes we do tell anyone that asks that it's just another day for us
We don't do presents we don't do Xmas dinner ... We like it that way0 -
Feeling guilty because I'm cross at the presents DH got me. That sounds so ungrateful but we'd set a budget and he'd asked for a list so I'd given him a mixture of thing I really wanted (books etc) and needed (hair dryer, bathrobe). He decided that my list was 'too functional' and so spent absolutely loads on stuff that just isn't me and that i didn't need. So now I have to spend money getting the stuff I needed and I just can't afford to. And I have to use two kindles at once and eat a load of chocolate even though I'm on a diet and he knows that I'm disappointed, guilty, cross, upset and I know that I'm getting things out of perspective. Other than that it was fine!0
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He decided that my list was 'too functional' and so spent absolutely loads on stuff that just isn't me and that i didn't need.
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Value-for-money-for-me-puhleeze!
"No man is worth, crawling on the earth"- adapted from Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
Hope is not a strategy...A child is for life, not just 18 years....Don't get me started on the NHS, because you won't win...I love chaz-ing!
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I have complete admiration for those of you who work on Xmas day. I know it's technically *just* another day but it must be a little hard working when you know a large part of the population are sat relaxing at home.Feeling guilty because I'm cross at the presents DH got me. That sounds so ungrateful but we'd set a budget and he'd asked for a list so I'd given him a mixture of thing I really wanted (books etc) and needed (hair dryer, bathrobe). He decided that my list was 'too functional' and so spent absolutely loads on stuff that just isn't me and that i didn't need. So now I have to spend money getting the stuff I needed and I just can't afford to. And I have to use two kindles at once and eat a load of chocolate even though I'm on a diet and he knows that I'm disappointed, guilty, cross, upset and I know that I'm getting things out of perspective. Other than that it was fine!
I sympathise. We still have debt and are trying really hard to deal with it. Xmas this year was to be cut right back because of it. The kids got a lot less than normal and OH and I were to get small gifts if anything. I asked for slippers and socks.OH asked for a hill climbing book. All ok. Then yesterday I was presented with a stocking full of presents, I got my slippers and socks, but I also got a Nexus 7 and some other 'bits'.
Now don't get me wrong, it was really nice of him to think of me, but that's £200 that could have gone towards our debt so I'm torn between feeling happy and annoyed. He justified it by saying he'd got some overtime so the money didn't come off the normal budget and that I never get anything that isn't *just* a nice thing for me, which is true, but even so, my practical side is balking. He says I'm 'too' practical sometimes and I say he's not practical enough. :undecided
I like the Nexus and I don't want to hurt his feelings but £200! :eek: I could have put it to the debt, put it towards winter tyres, bought a new cooker, got daughter's passport, saved it for emergencies etc etc etc.:rotfl:Herman - MP for all!0 -
Big hugs (I don't usually'do' hugs
) for those that could use them.
Xmas Day seems to amplify the feelings around the not so great things in life doesn't it? :undecided
I hope Boxing Day a better day for those whose Xmas Day wasn't great.Herman - MP for all!0 -
sorry to have left you hanging! Oh god, if it was a pregnancy that would have left my other half shaking in a not so good way :rotfl:
I booked a 4 night stay in New York in February for all three of us and neither of them had a clue! I asked OH to book leave for some rather obscure reason (knew he wouldn't question it). My travel agent kindly doctored a hotel brochure to include their names and dates of travel and I printed it off and folded it up inside a guidebook for each of them and made them open it last and at the same time.
I've been planning it for a few months now and I am so pleased it came off! Littleun went mute and the other half was grinning loads. I had to squeeze in one more trip before I get married Daisiegg
So excited for you, sounds amazingI was in NY last summer, had an amazing time. Could probably recommend things to do etc if you want, feel free to pm me
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We had a bacon sarnie each and cup of tea then I started buttering and filling rolls and flasks to take for a car trip to country/seaside.
We visited an ancestor's grave and put a Christmas wreath on it and then had a walk on a beach as it was to muddy to do a hill climb. Everyone (except me) had a quick paddle in icy sea and then we had a quick bite to eat before another walk and then returning home around three.
Four bird roast got shoved in oven while I made spicy lentil soup as a starter to warm us up. Roast potatoes and parsnips turned out well as did the sausages wrapped in bacon and stuffing balls (bought) with home made stir fry and a small portion of the dreaded sprouts.
A**i's award winning pud was lovely and dds made eton mess as well. We spread the courses out and relaxed in between playing board games and having cake, mince pies, port. wine etc.
DDs got me two lovely soft jumpers, slippers and books so very chuffed. Have been using DH's present (chasseur pot) for a month
Today is going to be a very plain day food wise with lots of tea to recover from all the excitement. Lovely to have everyone at home for a few days. I am like a dog with two tails especially as dd who had been ill and we thought might be not up to a fuss managed to join in and actually enjoyed it all.
Hugs to everyone who had a good or bad time and lets look forward to a New Year."This site is addictive!"
Wooligan 2 squares for smoky - 3 squares for HTA
Preemie hats - 2.0 -
awwww how lovely reading all your stories! Having just moved into a house and renovations in full swing I spent yesterday morning cleaning the house - oh my it was wonderful! Have been putting off cleaning as currently doing the kitchen, floor sanding over the last few days and there's no point in cleaning the house for it just be be dirty again. But we have decided to have 2 days off despite not really celebrating Christmas
It was bliss for the house to be clean even if it only lasts until tomorrow when I return to work and oh continues with the sanding!
Oh left our sprout tree in his car which was parked 4 miles away in town so walked to get it for me, then we ate a mean roast, watched tv, chatted on messenger with dd, laughed and drank homemade raspberry liqueur. Lovely day to just be :TDF as at 30/12/16
Wombling 2025: £87.12
NSD March: YTD: 35
Grocery spend challenge March £253.38/£285 £20/£70 Eating out
GC annual £449.80/£4500
Eating out budget: £55/£420
Extra cash earned 2025: £1950 -
I'd wound myself up into such a frenzy thinking 'I don't like Christmas much' I had an epic panic attack!
Ugh, thank goodness it's done for another year. Each year seems to get worse in my head and I really don't know why. Looking forward to going back to work to be normal.0 -
Up at 5am because I woke up and thought I could smell burning, into kitchen and turned oven which had been left on low with chicken (which we'd decided to have instead of Turkey!!!) inside it off. Back to bed and just getting comfy again when at 6am DD2 who is only 7 makes an appearance and and asks me to go downstairs. Plead exhaustion as was playing at being Santa and delivering parcels under the tree at 1am but she is persistent and refuses to leave me alone for 5 more minutes. Go downstairs and watch as DD1 who is 13, DS who is 15 and DD2 open parcels under the tree!!!! Everybody seems happy with the things Santa has brought them (thank goodness). Stagger back upstairs around 7.30 am leaving kids downstairs in PJ's playing with DS games and watching DVD. No chance of getting back to sleep now though as OH is now awake and wanting coffee. Give up, make coffee, give OH his pressies and get showered and dressed, ring sister who is 300 miles away in Scotland to wish her Happy Christmas and my parents who are 70 miles away and who I know are going out for Christmas lunch as well. Clean kitchen and load dishwasher and washing machine.Persuade children to get dressed. OH gets up but does not get dressed. He is all moody and quiet and I know he is thinking about his first family who he has no contact with and has not had contact with for nearly 30 years. We have been together for 17 years now and he does this every Christmas, I have offered to help him try and contact them but he always declines and says it is too painful for him. No present for me from him either but after 17 years together and 3 kids I have got used to this and no longer get upset by it, though it still hurts!!!! Relax and eat chocolate for a bit and decide I am going to entertain myself by watching films I have wanted to see all year and have not had time to see. Have a film fest watching Best Exotic Marigold Hotel whilst OH who is by far a much better cook than me makes dinner which is excellent. Ring grandmother who is nearly 90,and has spent the day by her own choice alone and without visitors, she is not well and tells me to tell older children that if they do not help out more around the house she will write them out of her will!!!!! I am not going to tell them this but instead remember the Christmases I had as a child when she spent Christmas with us or us with her and there were always huge arguments between her and my mother and then between my mother and father!!!! It was horrible and I am relieved that my own children don't have to experience this sort of thing. Our Christmases together may not be perfect and we certainly have our ups and downs as a family but at least they are not punctuated by rows with in laws and my parents!!!!! Finish the day with another film fest Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and some wine. Get DD2 who is tiring having spent the day playing with the toys Santa has brought her off to bed and tell DD1 that she can stay up and watch television so long as OH does not mind.DS is ensconsed in his bedroom with his x box!!!! Go to bed, its been a long day but overall not too bad!!! I've certainly had worse Christmases than this one.......loobylou2.Proud to be dealing with my debts and aiming to sort out the mess in 2013!!!!:eek:0
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