NST DECEMBER Don't Be a Martyr for Christmas

Shrewbie

Hello everyone I’m only on NSD 3, however have been doing very well with batch cooking, exercise and meditation.

Food is within budget (increased budget for xmas) but my fun and christmas present budget have been totally blown. @DrCarrie I feel you. I guess we just have to draw a line under it and not see one setback as a complete failure. 

Woke up with a banging headache today. Have been to the gym for the last two days so decided to give it a rest and do yoga today at home. 

Grateful for ibuprofen, for receiving a christmas card from my boyfriend's little nephew calling me "auntie", and for not having to teach until the evening. 

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 11

Got everything ticked off my list today and have just watched a film. I must admit everything is getting quite samey and boring here. I think I need to find another hobby but I don't know what. I'm not very practical or arty. I quite like walking but with the restrictions on not moving out of our council area there isn't really anywhere to go.

Oh well, lets hope thing improve a bit soon.

greent

Nipped into A1d1 when out on an 0li0 run this morning (somewhat ironic...) - we didn't desperately need anything but were down to just 2 apples and nothing else in the fruit bowl, DH requested some carrots for snacking on and some sausages (A1d1 ones are his favourite) - almost £30 ended up being spent! I did buy a pack of toilet rolls for DS1 to take back to uni (he hasn't any there and his house don't operate a communal pot of money for things like toilet roll/ cleaning stuff....), some toilet bleach (for us and him), a big box of clems @ 30% off and then just general shopping and some treats for Xmas.... oops!

Today I am thankful for DS3 having his hair cut (that's all 4 males done within the last 10 days - should keep them going until early Feb), for a good Zumba session, for 0lio freebies, for finally getting around to ordering some photos (only taken me around 9 months....), for Robbie the robovac saving me from the hated chore of vacuuming , for picking up some work hours in early Jan

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for my end of term, for going to the gym, for fresh water, for twinkling lights, for good books.

f0xh0les

Today was a good day - car passed MOT and only needed a side lightbulb replaced that they charged me £1 for.  Picked up a few books as stocking fillers in the c/s, gave in my secret santa gift at work, got rained on, but there is only tomorrow's lunchbox to fill for the big kids, and only two more for the smallest. 

So after supper tonight,  DH goes and carves a huge wodge off the Xmas Day Gorgeous Pudding instead of the small one made of the excess mixture, so I am making another one. He is utterly unrepentant, (he does not see the point in date-specific foodstuffs)  I have all the ingredients for another one in the cupboard so it is not much of a setback but might have to write rude words and threats all over the greaseproof paper on the new  Xmas Day Pudding.  My fruit is steeping in sherry.

Gratitudes:Mr T's have their Xmas F&V down to 29p - Big caulis for 29p!  Mr A start their 14p/19p F&V tomorrow (Thurs), my little car behaving itself,  having the top 2 floors tidy before being at work tomorrow.

lcc86

NSD number 8 today. Out and about at work, actually felt in a much better mood for getting out so I think I will try to go in more in the new year if I'm allowed to. 

I've been struggling with the idea of Xmas plans. Wanted to see my parents but reading the news I started to think it's not a good idea as my sister is going too, and even though it's technically within the rules I'm not comfortable with it. Both parents said it's my decision (although mum somehow said she "won't" get it), then I spoke to OH and he said if we don't go to see them he'll spend the day with his family instead! So either way even if I try to avoid mixing he will go and mix. All a bit of a mess and still trying to decide what to do for the best.

ldee2111

Had to nip to the grocery shop again today even though I was there yesterday. They didn’t have everything I needed first visit. Spent less than a fiver but it ruined my chance of bagging a NSD. Drank 1500ml water, walked to and from the shop, leftovers for lunch, and stuck to the meal plan for dinner - Hairy Bikers’ sweet and sour chicken. My poinsettia plant from T3sKo fell to bits - literally to bits. I went to water it today and the stems fell away one by one! I get one every year and they usually last a couple of months but this one lasted less than 2 weeks! 

apple_muncher

I've given up with pointless-settia. I always kill them no matter what I do or don't do. So I don't bother buying them now!

mothernerd

I bought a poinsettia for a neighbour who was ill - she was spending all week in hospital and only home at weekends. Decided to treat myself to one as well. No sooner put it out than one of the kittens tried to climb it. Asked the nearest boy to take the cat off the plant and he grabbed her rather than prise her off gently. She clutched at the plant - I was left with a green stalk in a pot and flowers all over the floor. I'm more of a cyclamen person anyway (preferably white).

Not online earlier as I had a poor signal (it was fine at 5 am). More shuffling type tidying then into the front room to wait for the food delivery. Watched part of a biography of Robert Mitchum (food arrived) and then a lovely b & w comedy starring him. Refreshing Christmas movie rather than the sickly stuff mum has been having on. Set up and lit lots of tealights. Kept telling mum that various holders were mine but she could use them for the time being (I have bought a set of 12 gold votive holders but can't find them atm).
Had the candles (and trees) lit for several hours and left feeling quite peaceful.

Made smoked haddock, chips and mushy peas for tea (meal plan is currently based on what is taking up most room in the freezer). Two more tubs of chocolates arrived in the food order so hopefully we can get my niece to come and take 4 lots of presents and the bag of scraps for the dog (taking up half a drawer in the freezer - only the little half one at the bottom but I could find better ways of using it).

At 8 pm I set off for the post box and the cash machine . Think it must have been training night as the car park was full (only seen about 3 cars on it before) and all the stadium lights. Younger boys were being collected when I was coming back - some were old enough to have their own cars and lots were being collected by shivering parents. The cold air isn't helping my breathing, a couple of things that have been minor annoyances over the past few days are getting worse now (dizziness and the cough/ sore throat thing). had to get down on the floor to blow out the last two candles on the hearth and then took 3 attempts to get myself up again.

Today I am grateful for food deliveries (we may run out of bread but are fine for salad, veg and desserts - mostly frozen to prevent impulse eating), for candles and a new book (Christmas murder mysteries - got to love a good festive murder).

Hugs to those that need them and remember to treat yourself with kindness and care.

facethemusic

Wednesday- still on NSD 8, today should have been a very small spend (batteries and milk were all I actually NEEDED to buy), somehow spent £30 and my food and household budgets are going to be well over as it's only the 16th and they are pretty much gone already! I'm going to leave my purse at home for the next few days just to make sure nothing gets spent! 
Positives for the day- cupboards are full, DD had fun at her swimming lesson and has a place next term, only 2 more school days and 4 more work days until holidays (and I have 6 days off in a row with very little planned to do).