NST DECEMBER Don't Be a Martyr for Christmas

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for dd doing her online dance classes, for getting to sainz before the crowds (we had totally run out of gf bread - eek!), for seeing a friend and giving her a box of food + chocolates and chatting on her doorstep for quite a while, for my needlefelted penguins, for not planning to go anywhere anyway so therefore tier 4 makes no difference, for watching my first ever Strictly final and seeing BB win it!

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning all,
Have had a couple of spendy days getting presents for DDs and buying food and some bottles of wine to give to friends.  Have had quite a few NSDs but have totally lost track.  Today DDs and I are going out for lunch.  DD1's bestie has had her xmas plans cancelled as her family live down south
Gratitudes - Bill and Oti; seeing Annie Lennox sing a carol on the AM Show; that we are not in Tier 4.
take care everyone
Deni x

lcc86

Afternoon all

NSD number 11 here. The only spend left this month is the shopping delivery next week so hoping I can hit my target of 18. Went to see the horse this morning and where I normally ride was packed with people so I went elsewhere and just had a quick, quiet potter. My own fault for waking up late! At least I have been lucky enough to get out and people generally give you a wide berth when you're on a massive horse!

OH is still half-joking about visiting his parents at Christmas, I'm not even engaging in the conversation. He thinks all the people who crammed into the trains yesterday did the right thing because they've probably followed the rules all year. Never mind that we've just discovered a more contagious strain and they risk transmitting it through the country... anyway, enough moaning. Today I'm grateful for sunshine!!! It's been beautiful so far. And also a really good sleep and a lovely horse ride.

Toni'sfriend

Tesco delivery arrived today. Bit more expensive than usual but it does include some boxes of biscuits for the neighbours and a few festive treats for us. In saying that our freezers and fridge are full to bursting so I suspect food in January is going to be next to nothing. I have, however, ordered some basic baking ingredients to be delivered in January. This is my new project to see me through lockdown and learn a new skill. I have my eye on a food mixer and that Boy is giving me money/voucher for Christmas (he can't be bothered looking for presents) so it will go towards paying for it and Himself has said he'll pay for the rest.

I am feeling so sorry for all those people who have had their Christmas disrupted. Especially those who have not seen family for months on end and have been so looking forward to it.  It doesn't really affect us but it must be devastating for some. I honestly thought that a lot of people would just carry on regardless but I've been heartened by the number of people who have said "No. We'll just make the sacrifice."  Himself is reading a book about the blitz in London and he keeps reading parts to me that are so relevant to what is happening now.

So I hope you are all well, safe and not too disheartened. xx

ldee2111

NSD 9/15, 1500ml water and a mile round trip walk to collect DS from grandparent’s. They gave me a cheese they didn’t want from a hamper - a nice chilli cheddar from Isle of Arran. Looking forward to a chilli cheese toastie for lunch some point his week. Tonight’s meal planned dinner is spaghetti carbonara. 

Finally finished my 0lio bread I’ve been using for toast for the last two weeks. There’s been a lot of breads and pastries on the app recently which I thought about asking for but my freezer has been full and I didn’t need it. Pleased with how well we’re doing with reducing our food waste. Very little thrown out these past few weeks having been inspired by folk on the thread. 

Pulling together a few bits for DS’s stocking including a packet  of chocolate buttons from a selection box he was given, OH’s fidget spinner, and I’ll stick in a tangerine, and any other wee bits I come across. He’s at an age where he’s got no expectations - he’d be excited with a breadstick in his stocking.

ditty1234

Am grateful for planets clashing (Saturn - Jupiter conjuncture), as it takes the attention of this sodden earth for a moment. Am grateful sunny muddy walk with friend this afternoon, and for having lots of food to make for dinner. A bit sad I didn't get to buy the last Christmas presents, so need to work out a plan c tonight. Don't usually add photos, but the sky was very well behaved this evening and you can almost see the two planets in the middle. 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for sleeping until 9am!, for Maleficent, for a friend of dd popping round with a present for her, for twinkling lights, for being well, warm, with my family and with ample food.

facethemusic

Sunday- still NSD 11/15. Have bought a few bits of food for humans and animals today so a bit more money spent. I should certainly manage 4 days without spending in the next 10 days so 15 is very possible. 
Not much else to report, DD has decided we are watching Elf tonight so best get that on, or it'll be a super late bedtime. 

mothernerd

Feeling good. Don't know which of the things I've done (or which combination) but I'm much calmer, happier (waking up smiling) and more me than I have been for years. About 6 weeks ago I was in a serious downward spiral so I'm very pleased (and no I'm not bipolar). Clean, clear bed, bits that are still messy are out of my sightline. I've eaten lots of veg listened to music and done my best to relax and ignore the drama monkey.

More little bits of tidying today and some things to get rid of before the year end (they may need to be in the shed temporarily but they are leaving my life) including the 'on their last legs' clothes - will only be used for painting and other mucky jobs so will stay in the shed.

Unexpected visitor today (they stayed outside the gate) so speed wrapping (mum hadn't done it, although I told her last week to have it all ready) and then lunch was late so threw something together, not a great meal but we both had enough to satisfy us and I have some rice on one side to make a salad.

Grateful for seeing my niece (don't think I've seen her since my brother's funeral), a relaxed afternoon chilling with 'call the Midwife' (with frantic tidying in the ad breaks), not needing to make myself go anywhere and being calm about my to do list (very much do what I can and ignore/ forget about the rest).

greent

Spent at the local farm on some of their pots of handmade gelato today - and a cheeky scoop in a cone for each of us whilst we were there I had Xmas pudding flavour - bloomin' gorgeous 😋

Have written a list for Tues or Weds shopping for the veggies, milk and some usual bits (prob Tues, looking at the milk stocks in the fridge!) And Weds sees me collecting the MnS food order and that's it. All presents are sorted except cobbling together a dvd cover for the dvd I've had done for my mum of videos of the big kids when they were toddlers   Stocking fillers are all wrapped and in labelled bags to put in the stocking on Xmas Eve. Just the immediate family cards to write and my sister and nephew's presents to deliver on Weds and that's it  

Our plans are pretty much unchanged. My best friend and husband can't now spend Xmas eve evening with us but they will do a doorstep present 🎁swap in the day instead. On the positive side, that does mean we can get our Xmas jammies on earlier - and go to bed earlier than if they were here all evening! 😂😂 Xmas day is unchanged- my mum will visit for a  couple of hours in the morning and that's it.

I feel very lucky that our Xmas iqill be actually not really any different to normal - there's 6 of us and we tend to hunker down for several days, only venturing out for countryside walks and maybe to top up milk supplies. Lots of time spent together,  building leg0, playing games, watching films, reading new books 📚,  walking etc - it's just a time of family and recharging for us.

Just need to decide on Xmas Eve food, now. Something easy to make and tasty. Am leaning towards peri peri chicken or a curry - will see what the majority fancy. .