NST DECEMBER Don't Be a Martyr for Christmas

facethemusic

Monday- still on 11 NSDs- spent too much tonight when I only needed to spend not very much! Never mind fridge is full and I will only need milk and a couple of fresh bits to do us until the end of the month. 
DrCarrie- congrats on the new job. 
misstara- low mood totally understandable, try and do some damage control on the budget but more importantly try and find some time to relax and de-stress. Not sure "congratulations" on the  vaccine is the right phrase but glad you have had it- wish I could get it but I suspect it will be a long time before I get the opportunity (I am grateful I have no health issues to push me up the priority list, but I'd happily have it tomorrow).
I have taken the opportunity today of some time without DD to wrap parcels- every year I say I will only buy gifts that come in boxes to make it easier and every year I find myself wrapping oddly shaped objects and thinking next year "only boxes" 🤣 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning turtles
DD2 has gone to work but we got up when it was dark to have a walk, it was nice to have some fresh air before starting work.  Yesterday i took DD2 to her final therapy appointment, for her anorexia -  she said both she and the therapist had a few tears!  She has a plan if she is struggling in future and her therapist said her door is always open.  So grateful to the NHS and the service here, it has literally been a life saver.
While DD2 was at her appointment i managed to rush into town to do some last minute shopping.  I was slightly over the permitted time on the parking space but no ticket - phew !
I worked in the afternoon then did an online session for my qualification.
Well done on new job DrCarrie
Hugs misstara, and anyone else struggling at the moment.  
Love Deni x

f0xh0les

Facethemusic, I spent a couple of days over lockdown making boxes with lids out of large bits of cardboard, knowing that I wanted boxes under the tree. Then shoved them inside each other and in the bottom, and on top, of the wardrobe. DH thinks I am a nutter, but it looks like there is so much more when they are square shaped! The kids see the pile, then I make them eat breakfast,  so the image sticks in their minds and that is what carries through in their memory - the huge pile of gifts, not that each box contains a pair of socks  or a scarf:D   So no more shopping until I go out again on Thursday - it is getting scary mental in the shops. last night at 7.15 which is my normal shopping night after work, and is usually pretty dead but there were still people everywhere!

In other news .........the police are already at the house next door.

Toni'sfriend

Yesterday was NSD No 15. My tablet is refusing to accept my password even though I know it's right and it won't keep me signed in.

Well done DrCarrie and hugs to Misstara.

What's going on next door, F0xh0les?

mothernerd

Tuesday 22nd December 2020
Happy Winter Solstice

Food as Medicine
Foods to help you sleep better - almonds, milk, banana, yoghurt, bread, green tea, boney, oatmeal, potatoes, saffron.
Top 10 foods to reduce stress - leafy greens, dark chocolate, grapefruit, carrots, blueberries, avocado, nuts, lemon balm tea, cold water fish, seeds
Foods to fight fatigue - kale, beans, banana, green tea, spinach, eggs, watermelon, coffee, almonds, apple
Foods to fight depression - chocolate, asparagus, green tea, avocado, oatmeal, strawberry, cashews, walnuts, orange, blueberries
If you struggle with drinking enough water, these are hydrating - strawberries (91% water), radish 95.3%, grapefruit 90.5%, broccoli 90.7%, watermelon 91,5%, celery 95.4%, cucumber 96.7%, spinach 91,4%, carrots 90.4%, tomatoes 94.5%, cauliflower 92.1%, green peppers 93.9%



If you are struggling today
Your mission is to focus on the next 24 hours
Make a to do list, only for today
Add in self-care
Hearts and love for you
A reminder that it gets better and that everything will be okay
You are so loved, even when it doesn't feel like it
This tiny unicorn believes you can do the thing, even if it's hard, scary or uncomfortable (can't do the tiny unicorn emoji)

mothernerd

Second attempt (laptop went down when I was trying to plug it in).
Small food delivery came yesterday and I've put another order in to arrive on the 30th (although what arrives will be a complete mystery). Lots of things already unavailable. Did more chopping and peeling and threw together a bacon soup (cooking bacon from the freezer, chopped onions from the fridge, about half a fresh cabbage and handfuls of green lentils and pearl barley). Used more freezer bits for lunch.

Today will involve mushrooms as they take up a lot of room in the fridge and cook down to very little. Will also check suggested defrosting times for the turkey crown as that will be cooked tomorrow or the next day. Some of the fresh things in yesterday's order are short dated (23rd) so need to go through them and anything needing using up. Non-alcoholic wine could come out of the fridge if I can find somewhere to put it, where neither of us risks injury (that's why it went in the fridge in the first place). Washer is washing - will wear scruffs (past their best and heading towards not fit to be seen outside the house) until 3 pm on Christmas Eve then change into 'good' clothes (and try not to spill anything on them). More tidying is required (although if I could accommodate all the food I would have a lot more room to play with. Last year I put drinks, milk, bread and fresh veg in the shed (curse that visiting rat - no sign since but not sure I want to risk it).

Have a good day turtles.

f0xh0les

@Toni'sfriend  the house next door is a kind of halfway house.  Rented out room by room but kind of has a 'house mother' mentor chap in residence.  So lots of short term residents 4-6 months, most of whom sort themselves out admirably from whatever problems they have,  and get back into the normal day to day routine of living, paying rent, working and they go on to get a flat locally or rent a house - a lot of ex residents live locally, and seem like really nice chaps.  But the police were called yesterday, and I think they removed him from the building, and he has been trying to get back in a couple of times last night  and causing fights on the doorstep, and again at just before 7 this morning. So the chap has broken some house rule, and now has to go and declare himself homeless and present at a hostel. Just before Xmas, so he was understandably upset.... and quite loud about it. 

Does not forgive the rest of them having at least a dozen people in the house last night though.    Although it might have felt like safety in numbers in case he tried to break in, it did not sound like it when they all left wearing party hats and blowing tooty trumpet things - they are not kids, they are around their 30's.   Makes you wonder though.....

Toni'sfriend

The fact that they seem to be having parties is worrying. 

facethemusic

Tuesday- I'm claiming NSD 12 now and will give it back if I fail! Hoping  declaring it here will stop me popping into any shops- I don't need anything! 
f0xh0les- apart from your neighbours, I want to come and live in your house! It sounds such fun. I might store all the cardboard and boxes in the run-up to Christmas next year and do something similar. 
Work today, have to collect DD from my parents tonight then I'm on holiday for  a whole 6 days 🎉. Have to balance relaxing with DD and jobs round the house- there are paint brushes calling my name!  

ldee2111

Not a NSD, but I'm still pleased to have reached 10/15 yesterday. I nipped to MandS for something for lunch because I just wanted a change. Bought a little tray of veggie sushi. I'll be back in the aisles this week for a top-up shop. 1500ml water, no walk as I've been busy with work again today - hopefully I can ease off a bit tomorrow though. Veggie burgers and homemade chips for dinner. 
Grateful for the tech that enables me to keep in touch with friends and family across the world.