Return to this thread December 2020

belfastgirl23

Hi everyone, just a reminder that it’s now almost the end of December 2020. I don’t think there’s anyone who will say 2020 went as planned, but please still come back and post your updates. I’ll start a new thread for 2021 in a day or two if anyone feels like tempting fate!!

Barny1979

Barny1979 said:

Stick to going to the gym, started before Christmas, rather than in NY, seems to be working so far.
Lose Weight, approximately 97kg currently.
Get better at running, reduce my parkrun times, PB is 34 mins approximately currently.
Reduce mortgage amount by over payments.
Average 10,500 steps per day.

Well the gym went for a burton when Covid started, as cancelled my membership. Probably more than 100kg now. parkrun times got worse then parkruns stopped completely in March. Mortgage payments have been made. Steps ground to a halt in August due to no motivation.

gettingtheresometime

belfastgirl23 said:

Hi everyone, just a reminder that it’s now almost the end of December 2020. I don’t think there’s anyone who will say 2020 went as planned, but please still come back and post your updates. I’ll start a new thread for 2021 in a day or two if anyone feels like tempting fate!!

2021 HAS to be a better year ...doesn't it??

gettingtheresometime

gettingtheresometime said:

So here's the 2020 challenges:

1) to walk the Camino de Santiago....I've already booked the flight out & the first couple of nights accommodation

2) to knit enough squares to hit 2019's target....I certainly have the wool !

3) I'd also like to knit a temperature blanket for 2020

4) would like to restart reading more; think I need to leave the tablet downstairs in the nights

5) going on from (4) try & have one night a week tablet/phone free

1) obviously went for a burden but flights & the first couple of nights accommodation has been booked for 2021.

2) I completed & sent one blanket's worth of squares & am through my 2 though if I'm honest I think I've probably got enough for 4 dotted around the house

3) done 6 months worth.

4) reading is a bit hit & miss 

5) big fail on this - sleep patterns went right out o& the window & finding I'm struggling to get to sleep before 2am

strawb_shortcake

annabanana82 said:

annabanana82 said:

My list:

1. Learn to ice skate - been once, 
2. Get my park run PB down to 30 minutes
3. Lose weight!!
4. Be more savvy with my money, make it work better
5. Complete CIPS L6
6. Use my phone far less

1. Been once, and I thought it was going to be a long process before the lockdown...
2. Parkrun cancelled, been working on 2 miles as any further near me involves hills
3. Umm work in progress
4 . Done good on this one ish started a regular saver, transferred 10 years of NI credits to my Husband for his state pension. Other savings haven't really grown for one reason or another. But working from home now, my car died so hope to save about £1000 this month with no car bills and nowhere to go .
5. Exams cancelled until July and September to still possible
6. Complete failure, WFH is great but not same amount of work to do so easily distracted. 

1. No change, though we have a newly built ice rink nearby but still not open. When it does open the intention is to go frequently.
2. Back to C25K this week, I'd struggle to run 200m never mind 2 miles.
3. Pahahaha I'm still a fatty
4. Doing well, opened 2 help to save accounts. All saving accounts looking healthy, finishing December with £1k in my current account before payday, this is all disposable and never got through Christmas with that much money left over. Looking at starting a LISA in 2021.
5. Only fit one exam in, 3 to go; one of which is next month but if we end up in tier 4 then I suspect it will be cancelled.
6. If anything I've used my phone more than normal.

jackieblack

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

I’m in too!
Some of these have rather a familiar ring about them... : D

1. Lose weight - I’ve managed to put back on all the weight I lost before my daughter’s wedding in 2018 - I found it so much easier when I had the date of the wedding as a specific target to focus on. I’ve tried giving myself target dates to aim for, but struggle to stay focused without a specific reason.

2. Finances - I will continue to make regular small overpayments in order to reduce my mortgage balance to/by a specific target amount by the end of 2020.

3. Declutter - I now can't actually get into my smallest spare bedroom at all, in fact it’s even worse than it was this time last year! (keeping the door closed helps enable me to ignore it )

4. Creativity/productivity - I want to reduce the amount of time I waste browsing on my iPad/phone in front of the TV and spend the time more productively and creatively, particularly knitting and sewing which I used to do a lot.

Second quarterly check in

1. Failing miserably 😳

2. This one is ok, I’m a key worker and consider myself fortunate that nothing much has changed for me finance wise.

3. Nope. Not had the time to even think about this! 🤣

4. Doing ok with this one too. Apart from my temperature blanket, I’ve been doing more sewing, including making facemasks for my daughter and some bags as gifts for a friend’s two daughters. Planning on making myself a summer skirt next.  The haberdashery I use hasn’t reopened yet (truthfully, it’s the only shop I really care about reopening) - it’s an old building with lots of small rooms, a real ‘Aladdins cave’ - but I’m waiting patiently.  I have bought quite a few supplies online but it’s not always easy to, for example, match colours, or determine weight or quality.

Let’s all hope things are more normal again by the next quarterly check-in! 🤞🏻

3rd quarterly check in - thanks for the prompt belfastgirl23

1, 2 & 3 - no change 
4. Epic fail 😳 I’ve not had time to sew a single thing in the last 3 months including the summer skirt which never got made.
I continued to knit a row of the temperature blanket every morning until we had that 30+ degree heatwave and I just could not sit with a knitted blanket on my lap every morning to knit the next row 😱. I also decided that one of the colours I’d chosen doesn’t ‘go’ as well with the others as I’d hoped, so I never restarted it when the temperature cooled down. But I’ve continued to record the temperature each day and my plan is to restart it in January and adjust the colours, omitting the offending one.
 The haberdashery reopened with reduced hours at the end of July but is only allowing a small number of people in at a time. A friend who lives in the town (about 40 minutes away) reports that there is a constant queue of people along the high street waiting to get in, from opening to closing, so I haven’t even attempted to visit yet.

Failed at everything, except no 2.

Have been too busy and too tired to think about anything except work, seeing my daughter occasionally and keeping my parents going since March.
I was on my knees with exhaustion by the time the Christmas holidays came round - but, with them, an opportunity to self isolate for two weeks, so that I can safely visit my parents and we can have two ‘normal ‘ days together next weekend.  Most importantly, I’ll be able to hug them both for the first time in 10 months, before Mum starts chemotherapy treatment next month.  Once I go back to work, despite being in a bubble with them, it’ll be too risky to get within two metres of them or be indoors with them again.  But we need to be in a bubble so that I can drive my Mum to her hospital appointments.  I still haven’t managed to find a mask that doesn’t fog my glasses up, so am thinking that I’ll have to separate the back half of my car with plastic sheeting taped to the roof inside in order to get my  Mum to and from hospital with as little risk to her from me as possible. 

I made a ‘to do’ list for the time I’m at home, thinking that it was a good opportunity to get things done, but haven’t managed to motivate myself to do more than 3 or 4 small things 🙁.

It’s been going on so long now and I just can’t see an end to it. And being in a bubble with my parents means that I won’t be able to see my daughter (we’re both in Tier 4 areas but she lives about 45 minutes away from me so isn’t local.  

belfastgirl23

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

I’m in too!
Some of these have rather a familiar ring about them... : D

1. Lose weight - I’ve managed to put back on all the weight I lost before my daughter’s wedding in 2018 - I found it so much easier when I had the date of the wedding as a specific target to focus on. I’ve tried giving myself target dates to aim for, but struggle to stay focused without a specific reason.

2. Finances - I will continue to make regular small overpayments in order to reduce my mortgage balance to/by a specific target amount by the end of 2020.

3. Declutter - I now can't actually get into my smallest spare bedroom at all, in fact it’s even worse than it was this time last year! (keeping the door closed helps enable me to ignore it )

4. Creativity/productivity - I want to reduce the amount of time I waste browsing on my iPad/phone in front of the TV and spend the time more productively and creatively, particularly knitting and sewing which I used to do a lot.

Second quarterly check in

1. Failing miserably 😳

2. This one is ok, I’m a key worker and consider myself fortunate that nothing much has changed for me finance wise.

3. Nope. Not had the time to even think about this! 🤣

4. Doing ok with this one too. Apart from my temperature blanket, I’ve been doing more sewing, including making facemasks for my daughter and some bags as gifts for a friend’s two daughters. Planning on making myself a summer skirt next.  The haberdashery I use hasn’t reopened yet (truthfully, it’s the only shop I really care about reopening) - it’s an old building with lots of small rooms, a real ‘Aladdins cave’ - but I’m waiting patiently.  I have bought quite a few supplies online but it’s not always easy to, for example, match colours, or determine weight or quality.

Let’s all hope things are more normal again by the next quarterly check-in! 🤞🏻

3rd quarterly check in - thanks for the prompt belfastgirl23

1, 2 & 3 - no change 
4. Epic fail 😳 I’ve not had time to sew a single thing in the last 3 months including the summer skirt which never got made.
I continued to knit a row of the temperature blanket every morning until we had that 30+ degree heatwave and I just could not sit with a knitted blanket on my lap every morning to knit the next row 😱. I also decided that one of the colours I’d chosen doesn’t ‘go’ as well with the others as I’d hoped, so I never restarted it when the temperature cooled down. But I’ve continued to record the temperature each day and my plan is to restart it in January and adjust the colours, omitting the offending one.
 The haberdashery reopened with reduced hours at the end of July but is only allowing a small number of people in at a time. A friend who lives in the town (about 40 minutes away) reports that there is a constant queue of people along the high street waiting to get in, from opening to closing, so I haven’t even attempted to visit yet.

Failed at everything, except no 2.

Have been too busy and too tired to think about anything except work, seeing my daughter occasionally and keeping my parents going since March.
I was on my knees with exhaustion by the time the Christmas holidays came round - but, with them, an opportunity to self isolate for two weeks, so that I can safely visit my parents and we can have two ‘normal ‘ days together next weekend.  Most importantly, I’ll be able to hug them both for the first time in 10 months, before Mum starts chemotherapy treatment next month.  Once I go back to work, despite being in a bubble with them, it’ll be too risky to get within two metres of them or be indoors with them again.  But we need to be in a bubble so that I can drive my Mum to her hospital appointments.  I still haven’t managed to find a mask that doesn’t fog my glasses up, so am thinking that I’ll have to separate the back half of my car with plastic sheeting taped to the roof inside in order to get my  Mum to and from hospital with as little risk to her from me as possible. 

I made a ‘to do’ list for the time I’m at home, thinking that it was a good opportunity to get things done, but haven’t managed to motivate myself to do more than 3 or 4 small things 🙁.

It’s been going on so long now and I just can’t see an end to it. And being in a bubble with my parents means that I won’t be able to see my daughter (we’re both in Tier 4 areas but she lives about 45 minutes away from me so isn’t local.  

At this stage @jackieblack I’d say just see if there’s one of these that might bring you joy or some relaxation and focus on that one, that’s an awful lot to have on your plate. Any word of your mum getting a vaccine? I’m just wondering if there’s any way of checking in with the hospital to see if she could get it before she starts to get treatment for her other condition - you would think this would be in everyone’s interests! 

On the glasses issue, major sympathy. Just to say I have two pairs, one bigger that pretty much hold down the top of the mask and one smaller. The smaller ones are a disaster for steaming but the bigger ones are better. Sadly single use masks work a lot better for me because they have bendy wire in them, I’ve just decided for the sake of compliance with the guidance and giving myself the best chance of avoiding this virus, I’m not giving myself a hard time about the single use plastic thing. Don’t know if that helps at all.

And just be kind to yourself, it’s been a heck of a year!

Gavin83

Gavin83 said:

I'll roughly nick belfastgirl23's layout on this, hoping you don't mind!

One offs
Move out of London
Travel to a new country
Finish watching the IMDB top 250 films list
Finish listening to the 1001 albums to listen to before you die

Health
Lose 8cm off my belly and/or get weight to below 80kg
Exercise in some form at least 3 times a week
Floss at least every other day

Family and friends
Keep in better with relatives
See my best friend at least every other month

Work
Create a blog
Learn at least 2 new major skills

Finances
Reach my financial goals

That'll do!

Lets see...

One offs

1) I moved out of London in April so this one was definitely a success!
2) Covid somewhat ruined my travelling plans! Expected fail.
3 + 4) Finished both in November.

Health

1 + 2) I did lose a fair bit of weight and did start exercising a few times a week and ended up losing about a stone. However I’ve been lazy during December so taken a step back a bit! Consider this one partially done.

3) I’ve been a bit crap at this one. However today I’ve just bought a water flosser which is a bit more exciting so we’ll see how it goes. Fail on this one though.

Family and friends

Both ruined by Covid!

Work

I actually started a new unexpected role this year so my previous work plans are up in the air. Saying that I’ve definitely learned a bunch of new skills but no blog. So one success, one fail.

Finances

Smashed this one. I’m now entirely debt free and have a five figure level of savings on top of the joint savings with my wife.

Overall not a bad year considering everything that has gone on.

topsyturphy

1. Train for Marathon in April - at least 3 runs per week - gave up around September when Marathon was cancelled.
2. Run said Marathon is 5 hrs 30 - due to lack of training walked the Virtual London took me over 8.5 hours. Will pick up training to complete next years in October.
3. Save 2 months salary. - Saved over £2000
4. Get garden under control - still a work in progress.
5. Learn to use my embroidery machine - still sat in the cupboard.
5. Be more positive - work in progress has been hard in parts this year due to not seeing family since July.
6. Laugh more often - ongoing 
7. See friends more - I have managed this as even during lockdown have met friends for a walk.
8. Arrange to do something for me once a month - I have managed this quite well, from haircut, going for a run, walk or cycle. Meeting friends. Going for lunch when allowed.

overall not too bad for 2020. Quite pleased with results.

jackieblack

belfastgirl23 said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

jackieblack said:

I’m in too!
Some of these have rather a familiar ring about them... : D

1. Lose weight - I’ve managed to put back on all the weight I lost before my daughter’s wedding in 2018 - I found it so much easier when I had the date of the wedding as a specific target to focus on. I’ve tried giving myself target dates to aim for, but struggle to stay focused without a specific reason.

2. Finances - I will continue to make regular small overpayments in order to reduce my mortgage balance to/by a specific target amount by the end of 2020.

3. Declutter - I now can't actually get into my smallest spare bedroom at all, in fact it’s even worse than it was this time last year! (keeping the door closed helps enable me to ignore it )

4. Creativity/productivity - I want to reduce the amount of time I waste browsing on my iPad/phone in front of the TV and spend the time more productively and creatively, particularly knitting and sewing which I used to do a lot.

Second quarterly check in

1. Failing miserably 😳

2. This one is ok, I’m a key worker and consider myself fortunate that nothing much has changed for me finance wise.

3. Nope. Not had the time to even think about this! 🤣

4. Doing ok with this one too. Apart from my temperature blanket, I’ve been doing more sewing, including making facemasks for my daughter and some bags as gifts for a friend’s two daughters. Planning on making myself a summer skirt next.  The haberdashery I use hasn’t reopened yet (truthfully, it’s the only shop I really care about reopening) - it’s an old building with lots of small rooms, a real ‘Aladdins cave’ - but I’m waiting patiently.  I have bought quite a few supplies online but it’s not always easy to, for example, match colours, or determine weight or quality.

Let’s all hope things are more normal again by the next quarterly check-in! 🤞🏻

3rd quarterly check in - thanks for the prompt belfastgirl23

1, 2 & 3 - no change 
4. Epic fail 😳 I’ve not had time to sew a single thing in the last 3 months including the summer skirt which never got made.
I continued to knit a row of the temperature blanket every morning until we had that 30+ degree heatwave and I just could not sit with a knitted blanket on my lap every morning to knit the next row 😱. I also decided that one of the colours I’d chosen doesn’t ‘go’ as well with the others as I’d hoped, so I never restarted it when the temperature cooled down. But I’ve continued to record the temperature each day and my plan is to restart it in January and adjust the colours, omitting the offending one.
 The haberdashery reopened with reduced hours at the end of July but is only allowing a small number of people in at a time. A friend who lives in the town (about 40 minutes away) reports that there is a constant queue of people along the high street waiting to get in, from opening to closing, so I haven’t even attempted to visit yet.

Failed at everything, except no 2.

Have been too busy and too tired to think about anything except work, seeing my daughter occasionally and keeping my parents going since March.
I was on my knees with exhaustion by the time the Christmas holidays came round - but, with them, an opportunity to self isolate for two weeks, so that I can safely visit my parents and we can have two ‘normal ‘ days together next weekend.  Most importantly, I’ll be able to hug them both for the first time in 10 months, before Mum starts chemotherapy treatment next month.  Once I go back to work, despite being in a bubble with them, it’ll be too risky to get within two metres of them or be indoors with them again.  But we need to be in a bubble so that I can drive my Mum to her hospital appointments.  I still haven’t managed to find a mask that doesn’t fog my glasses up, so am thinking that I’ll have to separate the back half of my car with plastic sheeting taped to the roof inside in order to get my  Mum to and from hospital with as little risk to her from me as possible. 

I made a ‘to do’ list for the time I’m at home, thinking that it was a good opportunity to get things done, but haven’t managed to motivate myself to do more than 3 or 4 small things 🙁.

It’s been going on so long now and I just can’t see an end to it. And being in a bubble with my parents means that I won’t be able to see my daughter (we’re both in Tier 4 areas but she lives about 45 minutes away from me so isn’t local.  

At this stage @jackieblack I’d say just see if there’s one of these that might bring you joy or some relaxation and focus on that one, that’s an awful lot to have on your plate. Any word of your mum getting a vaccine? I’m just wondering if there’s any way of checking in with the hospital to see if she could get it before she starts to get treatment for her other condition - you would think this would be in everyone’s interests! 

On the glasses issue, major sympathy. Just to say I have two pairs, one bigger that pretty much hold down the top of the mask and one smaller. The smaller ones are a disaster for steaming but the bigger ones are better. Sadly single use masks work a lot better for me because they have bendy wire in them, I’ve just decided for the sake of compliance with the guidance and giving myself the best chance of avoiding this virus, I’m not giving myself a hard time about the single use plastic thing. Don’t know if that helps at all.

And just be kind to yourself, it’s been a heck of a year!

Thanks belfastgirl23
I’m not good at being kind to myself, but was having a bit of a ‘down’ day yesterday, probably a combination of self isolation (it’s not being on my own that I’m struggling with, it’s not being able to get outside), menopause symptoms and the antibiotics I’m currently taking which always make me feel a bit rubbish.  

Actually, I’ve realised that I have almost completed number 3 on my list for the year - my daughter and son-in-law moved house in October and decided that they wanted the spare bed that I was storing in my box room, inevitability it was right at the back and I had to empty the whole room in order to get to it 🙄.
Then I decided that while it was empty I would redecorate and get a table to put in there and have it as a sewing room - and consequently declutter my living room, by moving all my sewing stuff upstairs.
I got as far as getting the paint mixed and buying some rollers and brushes etc, but a flare up of tennis elbow and a problem with my shoulder has prevented me from starting - maybe I could put that on my list for 2021...

Neither of my parents have heard anything about getting the vaccine yet (Dad is 81 and diabetic, Mum is 77). Mum has her next hospital appointment mid Jan, with treatment starting the following week so there’s probably not time now to get both doses (three weeks apart). She also has allergies - not severe enough to have a jext pen but severe enough that she has worn a medic-alert bracelet for many years, so possibly wouldn’t be a candidate for the Pfizer vaccine.

Thanks for the tip about glasses, my ‘everyday’ pair are quite small but I have a previous, larger pair somewhere, I’ll dig them out and give them a try.

I’ve made myself start one of the tasks on my ‘to do’ list today, still not feeling at all motivated but the more I sit around the less I feel like doing, plus the sun is shining today, which always helps.