Mindful or Mind full?

jwil

Great bargains! I hope you managed to get some sleep.

lonelyrat

Boo to the nightmares Pauline I had terrible night terrors when I was a kid and still get awful nightmares sometimes. I've got a weird fear of going to sleep so think that's where my over-use of alcohol came from. Was an easy way to get to sleep... Having a nighttime routine for me has really, really helped. Been a bit doolally recently, but for a few months I was doing really well with a set bed time/ wind down time.

Your friend sounds truly lovely Am glad you have someone there, especially someone who knows how to find such bargains! Black dress sounds lovely... Keep practicing with the heels I got a lovely pair recently for interviews (if I ever get any :rotfl:) and I keep walking around the house in them in my jammies! I never, ever, wear heels so it's taking me quite a while to get comfortable!

I have always disliked the enforced jollity of commercialised Christmas and as I get older, I am beginning to hate it.

I'm of the same mind... I really dislike how people get at Christmas. It's meant to be a time of being nice to people and being with loved ones etc. But all it seems to be is people angrily pushing one another out of the way in shops. I'm not here for it. Everyone's expectations are so high as well so I feel no matter what there will always be a level of disappointment. I do enjoy that I will have a few days off work though

Willowtree222

I'm beginning to not like Christmas too, and I was always the one bouncing round at Christmas time. My favourite Christmas was actually going to Centre Parcs just the three of us and relaxing by a log fire, opening presents that we could take, and eating out (very expensive) but saved on everything. There were carols, a band and it was just properly chilled out. x

117pauline

How did it get to be 16th December?

I have had a couple of tough weeks for a variety of reasons. Each time I think things are improving, I find it difficult to get out of the house.

Yesterday I did go out with wonderful friend and a friend of hers to a lovely market then out for lunch. It was a beautifully sunny day and reasonably warm. I bought a black sequined top for one euro and I will use some of the sequins on my bargain dress from a couple of weeks ago. I also splashed out on another two blouses for a euro each!!

I'm really regretting not buying the most beautiful silk scarf. I persuaded myself that it wouldn't be useful but it really looked beautiful and why can't I have such things? After all it was only 8 euro. I will go the market again after Christmas.

Then a three course Chinese meal with drink for 8 euro. I took half the main course home and will have it later. It was delicious. I am not good at cooking duck so to have a whole tasty portion was a real treat.

Good company, good food, sun, what's not to love?

MSE Successes

• 1 euro top to replace some sequins on bargain dress
• 2 tops for 2 euros
• Chinese leftovers for a meal tonight
• still stayed within my budget
• faced up to bank account and guess what, it isn't as bad as I'd imagined
• stuck to menu plan (but do need to reduce portion sizes again)
• kept eye on car hire prices for next month - cancelled then rebooked for 15 euro cheaper
• stocked up with food for next month
• menu plan and shopping list for Christmas meals
• agreed no Christmas present rule with Wonderful Friend

• washing dried outside
• plan for food at airport - empty water bottle, crisps and sandwich bought from supermarket
• renewed Pre Paid Prescription Certificate

So that's me.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend
Pauline

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sorry you've had a couple of difficult weeks Pauline, but you sound more cheerful now and are being very organised .

teafor2

You can have beautiful things Pauline, we just need to learn that we're deserving and put ourselves at the top of the list sometimes - I include myself in that. I hope you do go back and buy the scarf, a nice treat to yourself will be a wonderful start to the NY.

The meal out with friends sounds lovely and an added bonus of enough to take home as well :T

That's a long list of MSE successes - well done. Have a lovely day.

117pauline

Thank you both for popping in

It's a weird thing but I always do my major worrying done in advance so I am now feeling OK. If it wasn't for my mum, I wouldn't be returning to the UK at all.

You have no idea how fabulous it is to have the sun out and Christmas doesn't appear to be as full on here. November was hard as it rained so much and there were a lot of thunderstorms. I am very glad the house is on the top of a hill so we had no damage but further down, the puddles were more like small lagoons. And the pink lakes were certainly not pink.

I had some medical appts sorted for my trip back and would you believe both have been cancelled and re-arranged for the second week of January. I haven't decided whether to stay longer as the flights are about twenty pounds so it might be worth doing.

I haven't got to leave until around 6.30pm tomorrow evening so I haven't packed yet. Been sitting outside looking at the sea. Everything is pretty straight so that feels good. I am trying to work out some routines to help me move forward.

Take care
Pauline

beanielou

Lots of MSE positives

Cherryfudge

The trip to the market with friends sounds so nice! Definitely keep a look out for scarves that you love in future, they last forever and make you feel 'dressy'. I have far too many (if there's such a thing). I did buy two while on holiday that may not get worn again till summer but I'm glad I got them.
Have a good trip tomorrow, and a lovely time with your mum.

beanielou

Forgot to add safe home tomorrow