NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

f0xh0les

Blimey Laurenh1, I had to buy my 2019 diary in August because the kids were coming home with so many school date notices I was supposed to know about.



Today should have been a NSD but ds's want to go into town to buy DS4 his birthday present for tomorrow.

My Christmas Eve, Eve baby, who will be 9 and is being a right toad.

DS3 has decided he needs to go into town on Xmas Eve as well to get DS1's gift so it will still be fresh. urgh! at least they are planning ahead and it will not be a surprise, plus it should be a 10 minute job, in out, like ninja shoppers.



I totally agree with the last day of school annoyance. It was toy-day. What is the point of that apart from babysitting? I would rather have them at home rather than 3 hours for the big ones who watch the same film as they did last year, or the small ones who just play and then get launched out of the school doors at 3pm wound up into a frenzy.



Oh well,that's that over for the rest of the year.

Frugal January sounds great. I am ahead of myself for birthday presents in January and February. Need to save hard and fast, after I have sorted two car insurances imminently.



That is more than enough for before 9 on a Saturday morning, so off to herd kids and bake a birthday cake.

Toni'sfriend

Much better day today. Cleaned kitchen, bathroom and living room. Well as far as possible given the amount of books Himself has lying around. I'm making sweet pepper, chorizo and butter bean soup in the slow cooker at the moment. First time I've used it so we'll see how it works out. If it works I'm going to attempt a Spanish chicken for tomorrow's dinner.

Since there will just be the two of us on Christmas Day we've decided to do a little buffet of party snacks. Bought some in Aldi today which look really nice. The trouble with Christmas food is that everything is geared to big family gatherings so if there are only two of you there is loads left. So i'll stick it in the oven when we want it and a very relaxing day.

I bet all you teachers are so glad that the holidays have begun. Enjoy your break.

dolly84

Went out with DH and the dog today to a National Trust woodland and river area and our favourite little town which is next door to it. The dog has gone mad in the mud and swam in the freezing river which was flowing very, very fast so I was glad when he got out safely - very difficult to keep a labrador out of the water unless on a lead. DH had a co-op meal deal and a pork pie from the pie shop, the co-op don't include the vegan sandwiches in the meal deal and they are just not worth the money otherwise so I had a dry bread roll and a pack of crisps. We took our own flapjacks and a flask of coffee.


Paid £2 for car parking, £3 for the kids to get some chips (they stayed at home), £3 on incense sticks, and an undisclosed amount on charity shop clothes - this is a habit I need to break.


I will be having a 'no spend January', I don't like 'Fruglawoods' so won't join that but will do my own version.


DD is going out on her first works do tonight, she volunteers at a charity shop and they are going for a meal, we paid sometime ago for the food and I have given her some cash for drinks but it will just be a couple of cokes. I will be curling her hair soon so a freebie hair do. DH, DS and me will watch a scary film whilst she's out as she hates them. I will be having a glass or two of wine whilst doing so.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a bit of a lie-in, for good coffee, for time with dd this morning, for attending a beautiful wedding, for dd enjoying her time with friends, for finding a double brushed cotton (?) white sheet for just £3 in a ch shop, for fresh air, for good food, for twinkly fairy lights, for dd delivering the neighbourhood cards for me.

mothernerd

Not doing much as I am so tired today. At least it's good tied, from doing stuff, not lying awake worrying about things. Even when reading a good book, I just keep drifting off.

Things are not as far on as I would like but no-one is going to starve, either here or at mum's and that will have to do. Need to eat has taken me downstairs twice and I have put the worst of the oven shelves/ baking trays in a bag with nasty cleaning stuff (found an extra pack after doing the oven a bit since), left it in the yard and go and shake it about a bit when I can. A NSD as I haven't been further than the bins.

Cleaned another length of worktop (was previously under the microwave) last night and put back two of my shelves. Last (I hope) of the pizza boxes is now in the bin. I have two bins in use in the kitchen - clean bin is for stuff that isn't really dirty (stuff that will wait under the garden table until I have room for it in the bin) and a 'dirty' bin that is going in the bin for collection this week (still to add rubbish from the bathroom).

Still worried about my ankle (borrowed one of mum's walkers to bring back with me). A bruise has appeared on the inside of my knee, which supports the theory that I have actually done something. Just don't fancy phoning up on Monday and being told to get myself in to be plastered up (especially if I can't go to the infirmary and have to go to Wigan). Ah this rock and roll lifestyle.

I put a good dress on after I had showered (still on the stool, no way I could get out of a bath). Usually wear my oldest clothes when cleaning but I wore the same top for 3 days during the week and wanted something nice.

Have spent most of the day resting - reading, watching an old film and sleeping. Starting to get into holiday mode. There is food in the house and with the limitations imposed by the ankle, part of me thinks I've done enough. Token presents are wrapped (may need something for mum) and will do what I can about the rest in little bits. Definitely not stressing.

Today I am grateful for food (lots of it), for sleep and my bed, for inspirational but comforting words and knowing that mum's house is Christmas ready.

f0xh0les

DH gave me money for parking as I had no change, so today was indeed a NSD for me. So I am on NSD13.


Baked and did obscene things with melted chocolate and Biscoff spread. The rest of the day was eaten by the laundry monster.

Kerry_Woman

Was a tough day as it is a year since my Mummy's funeral. Did go to Mummy's grave.
Was a spend day. Used cash instead of loyalty card to get a few more food items.
Went to Park Run. Walked it in 51 minutes and 50 seconds. Did see a robin whilst walking.
Did give in to playing computer games but it did help me today.
Grateful for:
Getting through today.
Park Run.
Rest.
Receiving the eco friendly board game that I won.

crazy_cat_lady

Lots of love Kerry Woman - I'm pleased that you have given yourself a break today. Hope that you're doing as ok as you can be.
Hope you are also feeling ok Mothernerd.
I have had a sort of busy day. I had a massive list of small jobs that I needed to get a good start on because tomorrow is going to be the busiest day of the year for me... I've gotten a good start on the washing and a bit of tidying, but the house is very cluttered with party food and presents at the moment. I've sorted out presents for my mam and dad as I'll be seeing both of them at some point tomorrow, plus my niece's birthday present and presents to take to my sister's on Christmas Day. I feel all a bit overwhelmed. But in a good way.
Spent the afternoon at bestie's house, dropped presents with her and we watched Bird Box on Netflix. Now home, showered and relaxing before another early night (I hope).
Today I'm grateful for:
1. The massive amount of meat I got for £20 at bestie's hubby's shop (he's a butcher)
2. A full 8 hours of sleep last night (unheard of)
3. Catching up with bestie over coffee and a good film
4. Avoiding the main shops at all costs

apple_muncher

Lots of hugs Kerry Woman. Take care of yourself x

greent

((hugs)), Kerry woman - and for anyone else in need x

Very glad the holidays are finally here! :T Am popping into Sains this morning (not open until 11am) to get 'normal' things - more milk (no surprise there!), garlic bread, OJ, rice crispy-type-cereal and a gift card. Should be a quick in-and-out and then am not planning on going shopping again until 27th/ 28th - by which time (no doubt!) we'll need milk again! Will bake a brown and white loaf today and then probably again on Boxing day (for leftovers sandwiches - yum!)

2 things left to wrap- plus all the FC stocking presents for the children. Planning on getting done today, along with last minute tidying and decorating (got a HUGE load of mistletoe for free yesterday). Tomorrow = veg prep, laying the table, vacuuming throughout, the last of the laundry (then not touched until Boxing Day night), seeing bestie + her husband and playing games/ watching Xmas films with the children. Dinner tomorrow is a Nand0s fakeaway and tub of Xmas chocs will be opened

Smalls are on orders to go into students bedrooms if they awake early on Xmas day :xmastree::rudolf::santa2:(as they always do) - all 4 can then come up to our room at 7am with their stockings - and 2 cups of tea for OH and I Stockings are then opened with everyone in/ on our bed