NST: December 2016: A pared back Christmas

abundant1972

Evening everyone!

This is my check in for yesterday and today... Saturday I visited town and was a spend day - opted not to get my hair cut. I shouldn't need to buy much else food-wise until next week, and even then would just be essentials.

Today = NSD number 13

I have another NSDs to get, plus 4 days that are flexible if I need to top-up. Just need a dose of willpower and determination now haha!!!

Hugs to Fmess - that is really sad, and upsetting when it's so close to home. I guess it's reassuring that the police had such a presence - means they are doing their job well.

Happy Birthday Toni'sFriend - I hope you had an amazing time.

Calling - your presies sound amazing. I think it means a lot when they're homemade - shows a lot of thought and effort have gone into them.

Have a lovely evening everyone x

apple_muncher

Dolly - the work colleagues I 'buy' for are also friends, so no compulsion there. They do only get small things and they are mostly for their children, which they appreciate. If I 'had' to spend ££ on them, I'd be skint! Hmm, let me add up what I've spent + what the items would have sold for on my stalls...= approx £43, plus 19 hanging letters which is prob another £19. You guys probably think I'm totally stingy now!

nannygladys

Hi everyone

Just a very quick post, Happy Birthday Tonis friend.

11 sfds so far but can't see many more until after Xmas as dd2 and family are coming to me for Xmas, so I must go and do some (lots) of food shopping as they don't eat what I cook!! Still it is Xmas .....

So off to do some babysitting in a minute for dd1 and hubby, a Xmas do and they have been let down by their usual sitter, don't mind as I will see dgc and have some cuddles off the youngest one.

Will catch up with everybody's news later
Nannyg

Calling14

Abundant think you have me muddled up with apple - useless on homemade xmas gifts.

Today would have been a SFD but gave in to takeaway tonight, half price main dishes on a Sunday here. Was feeling tad down row with dd last night annoyed she asked me to get something for baby which I had done few months ago. She now bought the same thing in a different colour I so hate wasting money. Messed up my day as I was meeting her today and haven't heard from her.

I stuck some marzipan on my cake, cleaned up house. Tried to make soup put beef stock cube in by mistake. Will blend it up but don't like the smell of it was sweet potato one .

cybertortoise

I am still here just been so busy with university assignments and everything else I have completely forgotten to post. Thanks to YNAB I do have my current totals though Groceries - £290 and Gifts - £150 so I still have a bit of leeway.

I have plans to make as many of my gifts and cards for next year as possible to save some money. Looking forward to Christmas for a change even though we are super low on money and presents will be limited but I've taken control and feel like that has helped.

mothernerd

Third NSD on the run. Still sleeping a lot. I have decide to be ultra traditional - the tree will go up on Christmas Eve and time until then will be spent cleaning and tidying.

I have made things a little more difficut for myself. I was looking for a unicorn pattern, found the Thomas Tank engine one I wanted a month since and both searches found another tray (various containers, approximately A4 size and 3" deep) with more threads, needles, patterns and half done bits. Really need to get this organised. I have been working on using small scraps of fabric (remnants from larger projects) and 'use up' threads (cheap brands or non labelled / numbered + odd strands). Thought I was getting somewhere but now have lots more (losing track of which bits are in which tray).

I have moved loads of clothes and bedding (the bedding is over the bedroom door atm) as there were empty baskets and boxes (which I need) under the heap. Lots of washing up done (doesn't help when some of the ones you washed earlier turn up back on the dirty pile next time you go back) and completing a few small 'thank you' cards and gifts (using more of the scraps).

Today I am grateful for entertaining videos (doesn't feel like work when you sew on auto-pilot whilst watching, for simple food and for sudden bursts of energy.

wishus

Well, somehow I've just managed to make it to NSD 8. And Christmas shopping is all done.

Went to a friend's 40th birthday yesterday... my one Christmas social thing amid all the cancellations. We tried to make it as happy as we could... having learned that a mutual friend had passed away yesterday afternoon. She was only 39. She had been poorly but we really weren't expecting it. Just thought she'd be in hospital for a bit, like all the other times and come out again.

apple_muncher

Sending you hugs wishus, that is tough to deal with.

Toni'sfriend

Sorry to hear that Wishus. Terrible thing to happen especially at this time of year.

Had quite a productive day yesterday. Did some food shopping. Really cheap veg at Aldi. Also posted and delivered cards and presents and did all the ironing which was ready and am getting through the mountain of washing. Problem is getting it dry. Just phoned the council about the leak and wall and someone is coming tomorrow morning to look at it so at least that will get the process started. Off to Lidl shortly to get some more essentials.

dolly84

Calling - couldn't your DD return her duplicated item?

wishus - how awful and so young.

I need to call at mum's today and then into town to bank a cheque for her and pay some cash into my bank, kids want to have a wander around the CS's whilst there. Will go for a run later.